iPhone arrives — but consumers told delay buying to force tariff cuts

CONSUMER champions last night urged would-be buyers of the new Apple iPhone to hold off purchasing one and put pressure on phone firm O2 to reduce the prices of the tariffs.

The device, which exclusively went on sale at O2 stores yesterday, is priced at €399 (8GB) and €499 (16GB) for the handset, with a monthly bill of €45 to €100 for up to 700 minutes of calling time.

Cork telephone specialist Pat Phelan, of Cubic Telecom, has warned buyers they could get a similar phone from another manufacturer for a lot less.