More interesting iPhone numbers come out with Orange announcing pricing

EDIT: IT looks likt the real cost of the iPhone is around $950

• 399€ if you get a 2 year plan with Orange
• 649€ "Locked" to Orange but sans contract
• 749€ Unlocked and able to use on any provider

There are 4 new "formulas": 49 € for 2 hours talk time, 59€ for 3 hours, 79€ for 5 hours, 119 € for 8 hours (FYI – you don’t get charged on incoming calls in France)

(France24 is providing the details)

Interesting.  Some observations:

749€ – not bad for an unlocked iPhone.  Compared to what now appear to be Deutchbag T-Mobile’s €999 fee, it is a bargain.  Expect to see Germans coming over the Maginot line like ’40 to buy unlocked iPhones in France.

649€ Seems to be the REAL price of the iPhone – unless that is articifically mandated by French law.  You figure that is Orange’s break even point.  You can stroll into an Orange Store and pick up an iPhone – no contract – at that price. Obviously, it is advantageous for Orange to sell them locked to their network- so they are probably able to sell at-cost knowing that they will reap data and phone monthly fees down the road.  For an additional 100 euros, Orange makes a healthy profit on the iPhone – which they are basically giving to other carriers.

Keep in mind – people who have some time left on their Orange contract will be able to buy the iPhone on Orange for 6 months.  After 6 months, French carriers are forced to open their phones up to any and all comers.

Ahh, to live where the currency is 1.5 times as valuable and the telecommunications industry can’t lobby consumers rights away.  Walt Mossberg would be proud.