Vodafone prepared to face the iPhone in UK?

Vodafone (NYSE: VOD) recently unveiled its Christmas collection which among other devices include the Nokia (NYSE: NOK) N95 8GB and Samsung F700 for which the carrier has an exclusive agreement. Beside the touchscreen, the so called “iPhone killer” also packs the HSDPA support as well as the full slide-out QWERTY keyboard — the features iPhone is missing.

Vodafone seems ready for the iPhone competition. Or is it?

Neither Samsung F700, nor Nokia N95 8GB will bring the Vodafone the publicity of the iPhone. If you remember, in March this year we reported how Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) got about $400 million worth of marketing for free. While the iPhone lacks 3G (hopefully this will be fixed for the European launch), ChangeWave found that 77% of iPhone owners were “Very Satisfied” with it. No other handset maker can match that.

My point is — the interesting times are ahead of us. I can’t wait to watch iPhone being revealed in Britain. Message to Vodafone - don’t use your U.S. business’ (Verizon (NYSE: VZ)) “strategy” to beg for some attention on the iDay.

[Via: PCWorld]