Carphone Warehouse has begun taking orders from the genral public for the 8GB and 16GB 3G iPhone, a day ahead of the second-generation Apple handset's formal release.

CW's website today began taking orders for both models - albeit only black ones, not white - on O2's £30, £35, £45 and £75 per month airtime packages. Contracts are required to run for at least 18 months.

The first two tariffs will get you an iPhone for £99 or £159, depending on whether you want the 8GB or 16GB version, respectively. On the remaining packages, the 8GB model is free. The 16GB iPhone costs £59 on a £45-a-month tariff or nothing at all on the £75-a-month deal.

Unsurprisingly, perhaps, there's no reference to pay-as-you-go handsets - not least becuase CW itself said they may not debut until Christmas.

O2 began taking advance orders earlier this week, a process which, despite targeting only folk who'd registered their interest in the product, still caused the carrier's servers to wobble.

CW's site is likewise only taking advance orders - purchased iPhones will be sent out for receipt tomorrow - but unlike the carrier, it's opening the process to all.

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