Why can't I...
Just buy a sim free iPhone for £269?
I like the phone, and it while it would be "nice" to have one, it isn't "essential" to me. I am on the market to change my phone, but as a PAYG user who long since abondoned contracts, the contract portion doesn't make sense for me.
I can get either a Sony Ericsson K800i or Nokia 6300 for £99.00, I have an iPod, and a Sony PSP at £125 plays video fairly well... choices.
When I bought an iPod, I wasn't obliged to open an iTunes account.