3's Skypephones due imminent refresh

S1 and S2 no longer available - more INQ phones incoming?

8 April 2009 16:38 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

3's own-brand Skypephones are out of stock across the country and not showing up at all on the company's website, leaving a gap in the operator's phone portfolio.

Although 3 currently offers the INQ1, or Facebook phone, a model that 3 stores are offering as an alternative thanks to its Skype-ing abilities, the S1 and S2 are no longer available.

The S1 was launched back in October 2007 and was notable for offering a dedicated Skype key and free Skype calls while the similar S2 debuted in August last year.

3's UK PR has told Pocket-lint that the Skypephones are still ranged but "out of stock", but five shops we called said the phones were no longer in production, with one staffer promising a new launch soon.

Hutchison Whampoa, the makers of the INQ1 and 3's parent company, promised as many as six INQ-branded mobiles in 2009, so as we head into April, bets could be on for an imminent new model in the range, to fill the S1 and S2's shoes.

Full tags

Phones, Skype, VoIP, Mobile phones