iPhone 3G customers in the United States may have to deal with a two-part activation process and not just an in-store activation when buying their new combination iPod and smartphone on July 11. New service contracts may also require a second step to complete the activation process and set up access to the App Store, according to setteB.IT (translated from Italian).

If true, the process could make iPhone 3G activation seem even more cumbersome compared to the in-home iTunes-based activation process that Apple touted for the original iPhone.

AT&T, Apple’s iPhone partner in the U.S., will be offering the iPhone 3G starting at US$199 for the 8GB model, and the lower price is expected to help draw in even more customers. A potentially complex activation system, however, could be enough to turn some buyers away.

Apple and AT&T have not yet offered up all of the details surrounding iPhone 3G pricing plans and contracts. With the July 11 launch date only a couple of weeks away, the still undisclosed contract and activation details will like be announced soon.

Apple announced the iPhone 3G at its annual World Wide Developer Conference for third party app developers on June 9. The GPS and 3G wireless-enabled smartphone is set to go on sale in about 20 countries on July 11.