It looks like 02 has swiped the Apple iPhone from the clutches of Vodafone, according to breaking news reports. Although 02 itself is denying it. For now…

UPDATE: A well placed tbites source at a rival network with no interest in spinning the story tells us the iPhone has “definitely” gone to 02 in the UK. What everyone is not sure about yet is if this is just going to be the US / 2.5G version, or which operator will get the license for the 3G version of the iPhone which is due to appear at the end of this year/beginning of next. What is also puzzling some industry observers is why 02 wants the iPhone when it is already the leading UK network, and is therefore not in as much need of an extra 500,000 customers (as were attracted to AT&T in the US). The plot thickens…