iPhone 4 operator contracts compared With Apple's iPhone 4 officially going on sale today, Reg Hardware thinks it's perfect time to compare network pre-pay tariffs to see how Orange, Vodafone et al match up. We've compiled the cheapest and most expensive deals each network has to offer into the following tables. 12-Month Contracts iPhone 4 Tariffs 18-Month …
The Tesco 12 month deal looks like the best bargain. Total overall cost of £669, as opposed to about £800 or £900 for the other contracts. Only 12 months, but perfectly timed to get yourself an iPhone 5 next year, without having to buy yourself out of your contract like all the other chumps.
Still, most people will be put off by the initial outlay, since it's much easier to stick your head in the sand over a huge monthly bill than a one-off payment. How about adding a "total cost" column to the table, so everyone can see how ripped off they're getting?
The Tesco deal I was referring to has unlimited texts, unlimited wi-fi, 1GB data (the best of any of the deals) and 250 minutes (the best of any of the comparable deals). Obviously if you need more (or unlimited) minutes you need to pay considerably more.
I was merely talking about the cheapest way to get your hands on the new iPhone, complete with a contract that would satisfy 90% of people's needs.
They may be offering (what seems like) a very good deal, and at that price for a 32gb, I'd be tempted to hit a 24 month contract.
If it wasn't on 3.
When my O2 contract ended, I jumped ship to 3, and had nothing but problems, fortunately, it was a 1month contract, so I jumped back as soon as I could.
I can see in a couple of months, all these people that have been sucked in by the great deals from 3 are going to start causing havoc with their network, much the same as happened with O2 when the 3G came out.
I was going to take a walk into town this afternoon to see if I could pick one up from o2, but after reading about the signal and screen problems, I might wait a bit.
A chap called David Forster has compiled a pretty useful Google Docs sheet with pricing from O2, Orange, Voda and Tesco (sure he'll update it with 3 pricing in due course). It confirms that Tesco is cheapest and given they're the only people doing a 12 month contract, a rather nicer prospect. Shame they peer on O2's crummy 3G network...
https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=tnQPZQ6awd14sTUhBgw_bIQ#gid=0
I believe that 3's network will be able to take the I-Phone and its data usage very well, as all 3's mobiles have always allowed the internet and as the UK's only dedicated 3G network they are more than able to cope.
Been with 3 for years with MBB and Phone(HTC Hero) never had a problem and they have just shy of 12000 masts for 3G I cant see them falling into the same situation as O2 as it was a 2G network with 3G stuck on.
May not get the I-Phone 4G but may get a 3Gs from them at £25 a month and only £129, install the 4G software and I am not loosing out much except a front facing camera.
This may finally make 3 a serious contender with the Big 4
You're also losing a much much better camera.
HD video recording.
Massively higher resolution screen.
Gyroscope (useful for GPS applications to keep track of your heading when you go into tunnel).
Faster CPU.
Better battery life and capacity.
Don't get me wrong, if I could find a 3GS for about £150-200 I'd get one. But when a 3GS is about £300-400 new you might as well pay £499 and get an unlocked 16GB model. The 3GS will only be supplied in an 8GB model soon.
It's time for the gadget show to intervene with a campaign.
After all, ISPs were saying 8MB broadband and people were only getting 1-2MB in many cases.
Unlimited is a stupid word to use for a limited service. The marketing people are lying and I think the advertising standards people should intervene.
I used a 3GS (unlocked O2 Pay and Go) with 3.... I have nothing but praise for the firm, worked brilliantly. I can watch catchuptv whenever I want, tether my phone to netbook.
Won't be going the iphone 4 route I don't think, I'll go the 3 bargain £15 a month rolling contract they have introduced.
The tesco 12 month, £35 (most expensive) plans look a lot more expensive than they actually are.
16GB handset = £229
32GB handset = £299
12 month contract = 12 x £35 = £420
So totals are 16GB = £649 and 32GB = £719, but they are in the table at £929 & £999 respectively.
Not checked any others, but that one jumped out straight away, as tescos 12 month contracts look to be the best deals ATM.
Everybody should go check out the UK's biggest secret: giffgaff.com
They don't do contracts and are sim only but if you have your own phone, the sim only deals (for smartphone owners especially) are pretty compelling.
If you buy one of their goodybags - essentially 30 day contracts - you get the following:
£10 - 100 mins / unlimited txts / unlimited internet
£15 - 300 mins / unlimited txts / unlimited internet
£35 - unlimited calls / unlimited txts / unlimited internet
Two points a) they are a MVNO, piggybacking on o2's network and b) unlimited REALLY DOES mean unlimited, no FUP in place.
Unless you really need a subsidised phone - or you have a pathlogical hatred of o2's network - I don't see any downside to switching to giffgaff...
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