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[MSE Lawrence]

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Cheap iPhones
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[Leopard]

I think that if you view the iPhone for what it is - essentially an iPod Touch that can get online where there's no WiFi signal - rather than as a somewhat cumbersome mobile 'phone with a pointlessly pathetic 2 MP camera, then a second-hand 2G iPhone with an O2 PAYG iPhone SIM makes brilliant sense.

It really depends on just how much you will need to access data when out of range of a WiFi signal and whether the additional speed of 3G is worth to you the huge additional cost of a 3G iPhone contract.

My view, anyway.

[And101]

In the iPhone article where it talks about the old 2G iPhone, it states

Plus to soup it up, the 3G's software (version 2.0) can be bought for the older model for just £5.99.

That is in fact the cost of the software update for the iPod touch. The version 2.0 software update for the 2G iPhone is in fact free.

As soon as you connect a 2G iPhone running the old software to iTunes, you will receive a message offering to update your iPhone to the new version of software.

[Monkey_Tennis]

Orange will not have the iPhone in the UK this year - O2's exclusive deal lasts longer than that. See their response to this speculation here.

If using an original iPhone on PAYG data costs need not be high - just get a regular O2 PAYG SIM and add the £10 per month Web & WiFi bolt on to get the same 'unlimited' data as monthly subscribers. It is possible to get unlimited data cheaper on other networks, but not including WiFi from 2 commercial providers (The Cloud and BT Openzone).

[beardylondon]

FYI: Martin/Site owners/moderators

The new 2.0 software for iPhones does not cost £5.99 for original iPhone owners, it is free for iPhone owners. However iPod Touch owners do pay £5.99.

[big T]

Looks to me like £60 + £20 cashback is achievable from Carphone Warehouse via Quidco?
<http://www.quidco.com/mobiles-utilities/carphone-warehouse/>

[jackbremer]

I spoke with an o2 store manager who said iPhone on PAYG will cost £450 and be available in time for Christmas.

The posters above are correct, it's free to upgrade old iPhone to v2.0 software - I'm typing this on mine on the bus! To be honest, I don't need the satnav (no car and cell phone mast triangulation is fine for me) and the Edge Internet is totally acceptable IMHO!

I will however be migrating my iPhone contract to a business tariff and adding on a couple of my staff all of us with the new iPhone. I can then flog this one to CEX for a healthy packet!

As MacUser magazine pointed out this month, O2 and Apple are essentially giving you a free, albeit chunky, iPod touch when u upgrade to iPhone 3G as you can keep the old iPhone!

[fiish]

Just a comment on the article's section on unlocking the iPhone...

Only the 2G (old) iPhone can be unlocked with the current software tools. There is a method of unlocking the 3G (new) model using a special attachment to the SIM card, but the 'easy' software unlock isn't available yet.

Jailbreaking and unlocking are not the same. Jailbreaking is removing the locks on the iPhone software, which prevent programs not approved by Apple from running on the iPhone. Unlocking is patching the firmware on the telephone chip in the iPhone so that it will not verify the operator before connecting. A jailbreak is required for the unlock to happen.

[ryandeean]

What is the best way of getting out of my current contract with 3 mobile and getting an iphone. Does anyone know if o2 would buy out my contract - it runs out in October.

Thanks in advance.

[MercilessKiller]

Originally Posted by Monkey_Tennis

Orange will not have the iPhone in the UK this year - O2's exclusive deal lasts longer than that. See their response to this speculation here.

I take it you haven't read the sources article about why Orange will have the iphone then. What you posted means absolutely nothing.

o2 have allegedly broken their terms meaning Apple don't have to keep them exclusive, and orange have been very close to them in other areas.

[incesticde]

Originally Posted by MercilessKiller

I take it you haven't read the sources article about why Orange will have the iphone then. What you posted means absolutely nothing.

o2 have allegedly broken their terms meaning Apple don't have to keep them exclusive, and orange have been very close to them in other areas.

http://www.9to5mac.com/denial

[wonderemxx]

Originally Posted by ryandeean

What is the best way of getting out of my current contract with 3 mobile and getting an iphone. Does anyone know if o2 would buy out my contract - it runs out in October.

Thanks in advance.

o2 won't buy you out of a contract but carphone warehouse will. a tip is to reduce your current contract as low as possible and then see how much it costs to buy yourself out of it. In the past i have had around 3 months left and expected to pay £120 but the network provider only charge £95!

Another bit of information- if your currently in on a contract with O2, they will allow you to upgrade early and have an iPhone 3g for £99!! you keep your number etc just a new phone!

[Steamrunner]

I think the article title is a little misleading - perhaps it should be called "Best value iPhone"?

All the sums, whilst correct, are about which iPhone package offers the most minutes for your money - this is quite different to which deal works out the cheapest overall, yet that's what the "Cheapest iPhone" title implies the article is about.

According to your sums, it's the £30 contract which is actually cheapest, yet that hardly gets a mention!

[greencode]

Umm, this could be an interesting discussion. I reckon getting an old iPhone on eBay for £200ish and then trying to get the cheapest web add on and/or minutes add on could be the best bet.

Looking around most of the phone companies have a £15 a month SIM only deal
plus you'd have to pay around £7.50 for the web bolt on but this is usually restricted to a certain amount of data i.e. 500mb on Vodafone.

Then add in the cashback i.e. £90 for Vodafone SIM only deal and you could somehow get yourself a pretty good deal.

Can I leave this to someone else to work out the possible savings

[rageagainstthecashmachine]

Could you please let me know if this is possible as I don't want to misunderstand the info given here. I thought the fact that the old iPhones weren't 3G capable was down to the hardware, but this forum describes it like you can buy an old Edge iPhone and install 2.0 software then badda bing you have a 3G iPhone.

If this is true then would it just be a case that I get an old iPhone from eBay, attach it to iTunes, then install 2.0 and it will work with my '3' monthly contract SIM?

V confused now, sorry.

[qwerty2k]

im currently only 4months into an 18 month 3 contract, i really want an iphone as well , i may buy out my contract later on as its only a £15 a month job and i got like £60 cashback on it

[Cactus_Jack]

Originally Posted by wonderemxx

o2 won't buy you out of a contract but carphone warehouse will. a tip is to reduce your current contract as low as possible and then see how much it costs to buy yourself out of it. In the past i have had around 3 months left and expected to pay £120 but the network provider only charge £95!

Another bit of information- if your currently in on a contract with O2, they will allow you to upgrade early and have an iPhone 3g for £99!! you keep your number etc just a new phone!

I'm tempted to upgrade early (upgrade date is Oct) but I'm guessing e2save will notice the difference in bills etc and deny me the rest of my cashback (£200).

Looks like I'll be waiting. I don't need all those minutes/texts but I think I'll get an iphone when I can - madness

[bestmate2008]

Originally Posted by wonderemxx

o2 won't buy you out of a contract but carphone warehouse will.

I'd be very careful about having any dealings with Carphone Warehouse. They refuse to give you contract details in writing, make misleading statements and missell their products (they have been fined for this), renew contracts even though you specifically ask them not to, ignore your letters of complaint to Customer Services (even the CEO has not had the courtesy to respond so I can't blame the incompetent department that claims to be their customer services department).

What you don't want is an iphone that gives you more grief than satisfaction and the chances are that this is what you'll get if you deal with CPW.

[johnsmclean]

Originally Posted by greencode

Umm, this could be an interesting discussion. I reckon getting an old iPhone on eBay for £200ish and then trying to get the cheapest web add on and/or minutes add on could be the best bet.

Looking around most of the phone companies have a £15 a month SIM only deal
plus you'd have to pay around £7.50 for the web bolt on but this is usually restricted to a certain amount of data i.e. 500mb on Vodafone.

Then add in the cashback i.e. £90 for Vodafone SIM only deal and you could somehow get yourself a pretty good deal.

Can I leave this to someone else to work out the possible savings

You could get an O2 PAYG SIM card and have the Bolt On which gives unlimited data (more or less) for £7.50. You can do something similar with T-mobile.

Didn't know 2 iPhones were going for £200 on Ebay. I have an unlocked one which I may just sell and upgrade !

[Mr Skills]

Originally Posted by rageagainstthecashmachine

Could you please let me know if this is possible as I don't want to misunderstand the info given here. I thought the fact that the old iPhones weren't 3G capable was down to the hardware, but this forum describes it like you can buy an old Edge iPhone and install 2.0 software then badda bing you have a 3G iPhone.

If this is true then would it just be a case that I get an old iPhone from eBay, attach it to iTunes, then install 2.0 and it will work with my '3' monthly contract SIM?

V confused now, sorry.

The 2.0 upgrade is for the iPhone's software. This provides updates to the existing programs, as well the "App Store" which lets you download new programs - some for free, some paid for.

That is separate from the iPhone 3G's hardware improvements:

• 3G internet (faster than the old phone)
• GPS (so the phone knows where you are for maps etc.)
• Better battery (although the 3G internet, GPS and games can all hammer the battery life. If you switch these off then it's like the old phone but lasts twice as long)