iPad may have set records for selling the tablets, but at least in the UK, the tablet failed to capture the consumers' fancy
with contract-bound hardware. According to The Times, Orange, one of the three carriers to offer subsidized iPad in the UK, sold only 1,000 contracted iPads during the first week of its launch. The figures are not official, but these are likely to be in the close vicinity of the actual numbers and it goes to show that the consumers are not very willing to tie themselves up with a carrier for getting a relatively cheaper iPad. Apart from Orange, T-Mobile and Three also offer subsidized iPad and it does not look like that either one has fared any better than Orange.
Currently, the 16GB iPad Wi-Fi+3G can be yours for mere £199, if you sign up for a data plan at £25 per month. The normal retail price for the model is £529. Apple is planning to launch similarly discounted carrier-attached tablets in the US too. Let's see if it fares any better on the other side of the pond.
Source: BGR
One thought on “UK Consumers Not Gung-Ho About Subsidized iPad”
Maybe I’m not like anyone else but I’ve never paid for any phone I’ve ever had and always opted for the more expensive monthly fee with higher usage allowance.
I’d rather pay £40 /month with no up front fee at all! I would actaully get one tomorrow if that were the case.
:)