How do people afford the iPhone???

Jmarles

I was looking into getting myself an iPhone as a wee Christmas treat, but the tariffs are ridiculous!!
I am a Pay and Go user and have been since the dawn of mobile phones, but I was considering going contract if it meant getting a nice shiney iphone. However, after a bit of research I was shocked at what I found. The monthly payments are seriously high and the minutes / texts are very low AND on top of that you need to give money upfront as well.

So my question is simple, how am I looking in the wrong places or are all iPhone users getting ripped off?

robt_2

Depends what model of iPhone you want. If you want the top spec model, you pay the price for it. You can get a brand new iPhone 3GS for free on a £20 a month tariff with 100 minutes, 5000 texts and 500gb of data, or £30 a month for 2000 minutes, 5000 texts and unlimited data.

But to answer the question in the thread title and your final sentence, some people are happy to pay more for some things. Does anybody need a 200mph sports car? No, they don't, but they choose to have one

robbies_gal

yes iphone cost more its set by apple the tariffs so netowrks dont have much leeway with it

maybe try a cashback site or an older model to try and get the cost down

Chimpofdoom

Jmarles wrote: »

So my question is simple, how am I looking in the wrong places or are all iPhone users getting ripped off?

I saved up and bought mine... chucked in an o2 simplicity sim card and off i go.. iphone tastic for £10.50 a month...

chillsky

I got iphone4 FREE then £35 a month for unlimited txt, 750mb data and 900 mins from vodafone store on 18month contract but I also used NHS discount. This was month before 4s version was released.

I would never pay lump sum upfront for a phone and after 12 months If I dont want it I can sell it and use money to buy myself out of remaining contract.

--:money:

Chorlie

I bought a 3GS on O2 PAYG (£500) over 2yrs ago, after a year got it unlocked and now have a T-Mobile SIM Only sim in it, £7.66 for 600 mins, 500 text, Unlimited Landline and Unlimited'ish Data.

You either pay upfront or pay a higher monthly fee.....

If you want a cheap iPhone than you have to buy a second hand one and run the risk of doing it that way or look at some other type of SmartPhone (that hasn't got a picture of a part eaten piece of fruit on it).

Lifes_Grand_Plan

OP, are you sure an iPhone is best for your needs... I don't want to start the whole Android v Apple debate, but it may be worth you considering an Android phone... they are much cheaper and can more or less do everything an iPhone can...

jb66

It's crazy, loads of my friends are in debt and claim to be skint but they spend £45 on an iPhone. I'm quite well off and I still won't pay that much on an iPhone.

You can get a Samsung galaxy s2 for £20 a month from tesco mobile shop. Far superior phone and doesn't cost an arm and a leg

2sides2everystory

Jmarles wrote: »

So my question is simple, how am I looking in the wrong places or are all iPhone users getting ripped off?

My son received a text the other day offering an iphone4 8GB for £27 per month:

"Living with anyone who wants an iPhone4 8GB for less? Only £27/mth, no upfront cost & 500 mins 5000txts 1GB data. Save £85. Call 08003581942 quote DIS12 Optout@My3"

He's already got an iPhone4 16GB on 3 - not sure if this was an official 3 mobile advertisement or what ...

roddyolley

go on play.com i got my iphone 4 16gb for 250 locked but i unlocked it myself through a program on the internet.

Aidy

2sides2everystory wrote: »

My son received a text the other day offering an iphone4 8GB for £27 per month:

"Living with anyone who wants an iPhone4 8GB for less? Only £27/mth, no upfront cost & 500 mins 5000txts 1GB data. Save £85. Call 08003581942 quote DIS12 Optout@My3"

He's already got an iPhone4 16GB on 3 - not sure if this was an official 3 mobile advertisement or what ...

My3 is the portal for existing 3 customers, and ringing the 0800 number goes through to the 3 sales team, so seems like this might be legit. Seems a fair price for a iPhone 4 - not sure about the network though?