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With the release of the new phone Apple has dropped its iTunes-based system in favour of activation at the point of sale. This enables the carrier to guarantee that it will sell a contract along with the subsidised handset.

Apple stores currently have no mechanism for carrying out credit checks and its staff have no experience of setting up contracts for phone customers. But according to an O2 spokeswoman that appears set to change.

"We are currently working closely with Apple to enable them to issue contracts in store," she told Mobile. "Full details are still to be confirmed."

A spokeswoman for Apple gave no further information, though she did say that Apple would not be giving over any part of its stores for O2 concession stands.

O2 has also revealed that it will sell prepay iPhones, but has yet to provide pricing details.