Cheapest iPhone discussion

chriz1000

princesszpuzzles wrote: »

Why would they phase out the 16 and 32gs and replace it with an 8gs?!! I want to buy the 32gs when prices fall. Is it just a ploy to make us all fork out for the iphone 4?:(

for exactly the same reasons that they phased out the 16GB 3G, they are making a clear definition to people that the more memory the higher the product tier.
If they had gone for 32GB and 64GB chips they would have kept the 16GB 3GS. Makes perfect sense to me.

romeroe

chriz1000 wrote: »

for exactly the same reasons that they phased out the 16GB 3G, they are making a clear definition to people that the more memory the higher the product tier.
If they had gone for 32GB and 64GB chips they would have kept the 16GB 3GS. Makes perfect sense to me.

Me too... when you think about it, it is a very clever way of making sure that the older models retain their value as much as possible. It's a shame because I was considering getting a 32GB 3GS when the "price dropped"... but it probably wont much

set

Hi

We currently have a really naf phone, and I mean naff!. We have always been on Tesco PAYG but I have decided that I am having an iphone! Do you think prices will come down a bit for the 3Gs (thinking of buying from tesco on payg tariff) OR will iphone 4 be not that more expencive, Oooo what should we do Advise and thought would be great.

Thanks guys

Hughesy84

Prices will come down - no doubt, but not by too much.

If you want a cheap iPhone then the best option is 02's reconditioned iPhones. They work perfect & you get a 12 month warranty as normal!

Oscar_The_Grouch

Hi Set.

Personally, I'd go for the iPhone 4. The screen is better, the camera is better, the interface is better and the front facing camera will be useful for apps like Skype and the battery life is MUCH better. There is a marked difference between the 2 models that I think provides the justification for wanting the more up to date model. The problem is the price.

You do really need to spend out for the sim free model (£499 for 16Gb one from Apple) so that it has better resale value when they bring out a new model next year (iPhone 5?, iPhone HD?, iPad Mini?). Covers, cases and accessories will appear really quickly from copycat suppliers so that you don't have to pay £25 for Apple's rubber band to go round the phone.

The 3G came out in 2008 and it's now completely obsolete. Even if you are thinking that a 3GS would do you, be prepared for it to be unable to use any new OS released after 2011.

What I am planning to do is wait for the dust to settle and look at prices/options in October/November.

TommyPB

Right, I’m not sure if I’m missing something here but isn’t this MoneySavingExpert.com? A lot of people are talking about cheap 18 month contracts on Vodafone and O2 but isn’t this just a con. Surely you are much better off buying the phone and getting a SIM only deal? Everyone knows iPhones are by no means good value anyway, but if you are set on having one but are wary of the cost, you can save a lot of money by avoiding these all-inclusive expensive contracts from the big providers. For example, you can buy the new iPhone 4 16GB for £499 and find fairly cheap SIM only deals online. Assuming the SIM only deals on O2 don’t change in the next few weeks, it should cost £15 a month on a 12 month contract for 300 mins, unlimited texts and unlimited internet & wi-fi.
Yes, the initial outlay is pretty huge, but once the next new model comes out or your contract ends most people would sell the phone and make back most of the initial cost. Think of it more as an investment. By selling it in a year’s time for around £350 (which is a conservative estimate), it would mean the effective cost to you is just £149. (Some networks are asking for £149 for the phone with a £30, 18 month contract! This is how crazy it is!)
So, on a 12-monthly basis, this is £12.50 per month. Add on the £15 SIM only contract, and you’re paying just £27.50 a month for a brand new iPhone 4 with a decent contract and, best of all, you’re only locked in for 12 months.
Also, if you increase this to 24 months (upgrading your 12 month contract and perhaps saving a little money there), your overall effective monthly cost could be as low as £22 a month!
I hope I’m not missing something…

jimbms

TommyPB wrote: »

Right, I’m not sure if I’m missing something here but isn’t this MoneySavingExpert.com? A lot of people are talking about cheap 18 month contracts on Vodafone and O2 but isn’t this just a con. Surely you are much better off buying the phone and getting a SIM only deal? Everyone knows iPhones are by no means good value anyway, but if you are set on having one but are wary of the cost, you can save a lot of money by avoiding these all-inclusive expensive contracts from the big providers. For example, you can buy the new iPhone 4 16GB for £499 and find fairly cheap SIM only deals online. Assuming the SIM only deals on O2 don’t change in the next few weeks, it should cost £15 a month on a 12 month contract for 300 mins, unlimited texts and unlimited internet & wi-fi.
Yes, the initial outlay is pretty huge, but once the next new model comes out or your contract ends most people would sell the phone and make back most of the initial cost. Think of it more as an investment. By selling it in a year’s time for around £350 (which is a conservative estimate), it would mean the effective cost to you is just £149. (Some networks are asking for £149 for the phone with a £30, 18 month contract! This is how crazy it is!)
So, on a 12-monthly basis, this is £12.50 per month. Add on the £15 SIM only contract, and you’re paying just £27.50 a month for a brand new iPhone 4 with a decent contract and, best of all, you’re only locked in for 12 months.
Also, if you increase this to 24 months (upgrading your 12 month contract and perhaps saving a little money there), your overall effective monthly cost could be as low as £22 a month!
I hope I’m not missing something…

You are correct in what you say and this is how I always do it, but there are some who cannot afford the outlay all in one go, also there are a few who have a comapany that will pay their contrat to a certain amount, so getting a phone that way is a very viable option, in addition if self employed you get a better tax break on buying via contract than outright in the UK I believe, here it is the opposite, each to his own.

rivvles

Completely agree that buying the iphone 4 from apple and getting a sim only payg contract makes the most sense.

However, that leaves the question of insurance. I am currently with vodafone and find their insurance pretty comprehensive. Does anyone know what my options are for insurance with apple e.g. do they cover loss, accidental damage etc

jimbms

rivvles wrote: »

Completely agree that buying the iphone 4 from apple and getting a sim only payg contract makes the most sense.

However, that leaves the question of insurance. I am currently with vodafone and find their insurance pretty comprehensive. Does anyone know what my options are for insurance with apple e.g. do they cover loss, accidental damage etc

Most houshold insurance policies cover this if you tell them you have it.

TommyPB

rivvles wrote: »

Completely agree that buying the iphone 4 from apple and getting a sim only payg contract makes the most sense.

However, that leaves the question of insurance. I am currently with vodafone and find their insurance pretty comprehensive. Does anyone know what my options are for insurance with apple e.g. do they cover loss, accidental damage etc

As far as I know, Apple have a 12 month warranty on their iPhones which you can pay to extend to 24 months. But I don't think they offer any sort of insurance for their products. But most network providers will offer something for between £5 and £10 a month. Alternatively, as mentioned above, you can stick on your house or contents insurance.