Iphone - need some more advice, figures/contract

freddie_2

Need to order iphone soon, h birthday at weekend!

Been looking at buying or contract, worked out the figures, any opinion on besst way to do this.

40pounds mth x 18mth contract (free phone) = 720

35pounds mth x 24mth contract (free phone) = 840

389 PAYG phone + (15pounds mth x 18 mth=270) = 659



35 pounds mth x 18mth contract + 95 pounds phone = 725

30 pounds mth x 24mth contract + 95 pounds phone = 815


I am thinking better offer to pay 40 pounds mth as not too much different between it and buying phone on PAYG and 15pounds mth.

I have been saving for the phone and have approx 350 (which I was going to buy phone with) I really dont want huge bills each mth (currently on simplicity at 10pounds mth) so was thinking about paying the 350 to o2 to pre-pay almost a years contract, is this wise? Can you even do this?

Alsoall figgures based on iphone 3 8gb , is iphone 4 16gb worth the extra? Will be used for general use, surfing and some work.

Thanks for help. I am ggetting myself confused with it all!

Exhortation

For £349 plus £20 a month (total £589) you can get an iPhone 4 16gb from Tesco with 250 mins, unlimited texts, 1gb of data and unlimited BT Openzone wi-fi and it's only a 12 month contract. The only problem is finding a Tesco with stock...

http://www.tescomobilepaymonthly.com/iphone-deals/

Chorlie

Just a few of my thoughts:-

If your monthly bill is at the moment is £10 then spending £35 or £40 seems pointless.

If you sign up to a 24 month contract that IMHO a very long time, newer phones coming out all the time and there are so many threads on here where peoples requirements have changed and they stuck for many months paying a very high amount they can't afford or want.

I don't like the iPhone 4, just my personal opinion, but will 8GB be enough space, I have a 32GB 3GS and have less than 10GB free space.

If you go with PAYG, you can also go with Sim Only which is cheaper and you get more mins, text & data etc.

And lastly, why an iPhone? Why not another Smartphone or an iPod Touch.

You have to remember an iPhone is either expensive to buy or expensive to run month on month (more so for a low monthly user). I went with PAYG because it was cheaper overall, but I had to pay over £500 upfront but my monthly fee has been under £10 per month, now it's £7.50 with T-Mobile.

freddie_2

Exhortation wrote: »

For £349 plus £20 a month (total £589) you can get an iPhone 4 16gb from Tesco with 250 mins, unlimited texts, 1gb of data and unlimited BT Openzone wi-fi and it's only a 12 month contract. The only problem is finding a Tesco with stock...

http://www.tescomobilepaymonthly.com/iphone-deals/

This looks good, could it be unlocked to o2 with no issues?

gjchester

freddie wrote: »

This looks good, could it be unlocked to o2 with no issues?

Maybe but you'll still have to pay Tesco for the 12 months service. You may as well use it.

If your not planning to use the service (ie still in a contract) getting one unlocked form Apple is £499

freddie_2

Chorlie wrote: »

Just a few of my thoughts:-

If your monthly bill is at the moment is £10 then spending £35 or £40 seems pointless.

If you sign up to a 24 month contract that IMHO a very long time, newer phones coming out all the time and there are so many threads on here where peoples requirements have changed and they stuck for many months paying a very high amount they can't afford or want.

I don't like the iPhone 4, just my personal opinion, but will 8GB be enough space, I have a 32GB 3GS and have less than 10GB free space.

If you go with PAYG, you can also go with Sim Only which is cheaper and you get more mins, text & data etc.

And lastly, why an iPhone? Why not another Smartphone or an iPod Touch.

You have to remember an iPhone is either expensive to buy or expensive to run month on month (more so for a low monthly user). I went with PAYG because it was cheaper overall, but I had to pay over £500 upfront but my monthly fee has been under £10 per month, now it's £7.50 with T-Mobile.

Its the PAYG that wasnt working out much cheaper, plus have to pay for text and calls are more expensive.
H wants one! uses laptop a lot for work and this would be much easier for him to check e-mails etc.

Chorlie

freddie wrote: »

Its the PAYG that wasnt working out much cheaper, plus have to pay for text and calls are more expensive.
H wants one! uses laptop a lot for work and this would be much easier for him to check e-mails etc.

Your figures state PAYG + £15 per month

There are deals for £10 per month with several hundred mins & texts plus data included.

How many mins, text and data do you need?

freddie_2

Chorlie wrote: »

Your figures state PAYG + £15 per month

There are deals for £10 per month with several hundred mins & texts plus data included.

How many mins, text and data do you need?

Am currently on Simplicity and cant change till feb. O2 said could add on something to make iphone work at 5 pound mth.

robbies_gal

if you get a tesco contract phone you would still have to pay it for 12 months even if you got it unlocked

Chorlie

freddie wrote: »

Am currently on Simplicity and cant change till feb. O2 said could add on something to make iphone work at 5 pound mth.

What happens in Feb?, if you've signed a 24 month contract you're stuck with it until the end part of 2012.

I always preferred a higher upfront cost with lower monthly fee, my thinking was if I lost my job I didn't have to find £30 or £40 a month or if I wanted to move tariffs / network I wasn't tied in for a long period.


You're doing the right thing in considering all option, but it boils down to which you're most comfortable with.

freddie_2

Thanks all

I would prefer a lower monthly charge. Thats why I was think if I go for the contract at 40 month I could pay what i have saved to o2 upfront to in affect pay almost a year at once with a free phone. Save normal monthy charge during thatyear to put towards end 6/8 mths of contract

Does this seem sensible (prob not knowing me!)