Cheapest iPhone discussion

Manga

dauvit wrote: »

I'm currently on an O2 monthly simplicity deal. I've been looking for a decent deal on an iPhone for a while now. Prompted by the feedback on this discussion thread I called O2 today and asked what options were available to me. I stated I was interested in an iPhone but wanted to keep a hold of my unlimited texts. When told this wasn't available with the iPhone I said that there was nothing to make me stay with O2 so I was transferred to the retention team for a PAC number.

I said the same to the very helpful advisor on the retention line and he said he'd look into what he could do. He came back with the following options:

iPhone 16GB (refurb)
600 mins
Unlimited texts
Unlimited wifi & data
£31.50 per month on 18 month contract

as above but iPhone 32GB (refurb)
£39.50 per month on 18 month contract

Was advised that they currently do not have any handsets in stock but will get some more early in the new year and to call back then.

Personally, I don't fancy a refurbished iphone. The life of a phone battery is about 1-2 years depends on usage. A refurbished phone may not guarantee a new battery replacement. A new battery for iphone cost £55+£7.13

Which simplicity contract are you with? Does your contract include web bolt-on? Current £20 simplicity deal includes 800 mins + 1600 texts + Unlimited Web, and when singing 12 month contract, they'll give you 33% more minutes. I believe this simplicity SIM card can be used in a PAYG iphone.

jamese333

hi d123 thanx for reply, to elaborate on my query.. i buy iphone 3g 8gb ebay under £200, unlocked get orange sim, put in £10 ill use it quite sparingly and on voip for calling mum, and a little email and surfing. will 250 mb be enough if i go easy? and does it still enable me to wifi? many thanx... hny...

spendaholicinseattle

dvs wrote: »

The phone can be unlocked by O2 free of charge. I would recommend asking for the Simplicity for iPhone tariff from O2. It's £20 a month and you get 600 minutes, 1200 texts, free internet and free wifi - as well as visual voicemail. 1 month contract so you won't be tied in.

Brill advice there, am ringing them today so will let you know how I get on.

albinicat

iblametheparents wrote: »

Did you ring through to upgrades or retentions?

I don't know - I got customer services first and then they put me through to what they said was the correct department. Anyway, having read the small print relating to the free web bolt on if you buy the handset outright, it looks like you can't then use it in conjunction with a SIMplicity plan (ie you can only use it in relation to standard pay as you go), if that makes sense, so not as cheap as I thought.

This has probably been mentioned before, but I've noticed that Quidco offer £60 cashback if you buy an iphone 3GS from mobiles.co.uk on an o2 or orange contract. The handset cost is £184.50 for 18 month contract at £35 a month, but with the cashback that makes it £124.50 (£25 cheaper than the Vodafone price and with more minutes). I'm thinking of doing that given that refurbs are a bit of an unknown quantity. My only thought is, should I wait a little longer to see if prices drop in January?!

dauvit

hebangsthedrums wrote: »

Could I ask how long you have had your simplicity contract for? I have been on PAYG with orange for years and have finally decided a contract would be worthwhile. I was wondering whether the short term simplicity for 3/4 months would be a route to a retentions deal from o2 along the lines above but am wondering if it will look exactly like that to them and hence not an option?

I've only had my simplicity contract for 3-4 months. I was with Orange for years before that but thought the same as you, a few months on a simplicity deal might be a route to a decent retentions deal.

Manga wrote: »

Personally, I don't fancy a refurbished iphone. The life of a phone battery is about 1-2 years depends on usage. A refurbished phone may not guarantee a new battery replacement. A new battery for iphone cost £55+£7.13

Which simplicity contract are you with? Does your contract include web bolt-on? Current £20 simplicity deal includes 800 mins + 1600 texts + Unlimited Web, and when singing 12 month contract, they'll give you 33% more minutes. I believe this simplicity SIM card can be used in a PAYG iphone.

I understand you're thoughts on refurbished phones. The refurbs come with 12 month warranty and i suppose there is an element of risk there.

I did look at the option of paying full price for the iPhone on PAYG with £20 per month simplicity deal that you mentioned. Choosing the 32GB iPhone refurb would save approx £200 over 18 months.

iforwms

dauvit wrote: »

I've only had my simplicity contract for 3-4 months. I was with Orange for years before that but thought the same as you, a few months on a simplicity deal might be a route to a decent retentions deal.



I understand you're thoughts on refurbished phones. The refurbs come with 12 month warranty and i suppose there is an element of risk there.

I did look at the option of paying full price for the iPhone on PAYG with £20 per month simplicity deal that you mentioned. Choosing the 32GB iPhone refurb would save approx £200 over 18 months.

From my conversations with O2 the refurbished iphones come with only 3 months warranty, but they offer half price apple case (2 years warranty) for £59. Also the refurbs are phones returned within 14 days and if they have any scratches etc, they are sent to apple for a new cover...

dauvit

iforwms wrote: »

From my conversations with O2 the refurbished iphones come with only 3 months warranty, but they offer half price apple case (2 years warranty) for £59. Also the refurbs are phones returned within 14 days and if they have any scratches etc, they are sent to apple for a new cover...

The person I spoke to yesterday at O2 retentions advised me that the refurbished iPhones had a full 12 month warranty. Like you, I was told they were phones that had been returned within 14 days and Apple gave them the once over to ensure they are as new. Nothing was mentioned about having to take out extra cover. I don't think I would be interested in a refurbished iPhone with only a 3 month warranty and I wouldn't pay extra to extend the warranty.

Thanks for mentioning that as I'll double check it if i decide to go for the refurbished iPhone deal.

iforwms

dauvit wrote: »

The person I spoke to yesterday at O2 retentions advised me that the refurbished iPhones had a full 12 month warranty. Like you, I was told they were phones that had been returned within 14 days and Apple gave them the once over to ensure they are as new. Nothing was mentioned about having to take out extra cover. I don't think I would be interested in a refurbished iPhone with only a 3 month warranty and I wouldn't pay extra to extend the warranty.

Thanks for mentioning that as I'll double check it if i decide to go for the refurbished iPhone deal.

Let me know how you get on, because my contract is up for renewal on the 17th of Jan and I was thinking of getting a refurb 3GS for free with a discounted monthly rate...

diamondcrevasse

I just got myself the tesco 32GB 3GS deal. They are running out of stock like hotcakes. I called the store at 8am to check if they have the 16gb in stock, they said they have 2. By the time I arrived there at 10am, there's none. Hearing that the white version is easier to crack, I rather pay extra but get the black version with 32gb.

You need to go physically to a tesco who has the phone shop and get it. Also, for some reason. tesco is no longer advertising their monthly iphone deal on their website.

It took me in total 1 hr, with getting it, passing the credit check. signing the papers etc, and leaving the store as a happy person.

If you got a tesco iphone, you can either ask the tesco shop to setup the Internet settings for you or they give you a piece of paper to go home and setup.

p1tse

here's a link
http://phone-shop.tesco.com/iphone-information/