What's the best way?

SaLoGo

iPhones.

I know they're not everyone's cup of tea... but I love mine! Well, not that much as I'm looking to upgrade from the iPhone 3GS to (hopefully) iPhone 5 in a few months time. I'm hoping the end of my contract coincides with the new release!

I want to be a little wiser buying one this time because I've spent 2 years paying £1000+ for minutes and data I don't use! (and the phone but that's well worn!)

I'm in a better position than last time so I could afford to buy the phone outright and have a SIM only plan, but over 18 months it works out almost the same as having a contract!

How would you recommend I do it? I ideally need no more than 300 mins, 500 texts & 100mb data (yes, I've checked my bills)

Also, I know I'll need a micro SIM for the iPhone but do I need an 'iPhone tariff'? I noticed Tesco mobile's SIM only tariffs have different prices for Blackberrys, iPhones & other phones.

Please don't try and recommend other phones... this gal is Apple through & through!!

DUTR

Buy the phone outright, there are great sim only deals out there, so you may well save on an 18 month contract.

thatsean

As above, owning the hardware means you can pick and choose providers, and port your number to take advantage of special offers as and when they occur. Which network provides the best coverage in your area?

martinthebandit

Buy outright and get a giffgaff sim.

A £10 a month goodybag gives you unlimited texts, unlimited internet and 250 minutes.

SaLoGo

thatsean wrote: »

As above, owning the hardware means you can pick and choose providers, and port your number to take advantage of special offers as and when they occur. Which network provides the best coverage in your area?

I'm not sure who provides the best... I'm on O2 and never have any issue with signal, neither does my son who's on Tesco. (aren't they piggybacked onto O2?)

SaLoGo

martinthebandit wrote: »

Buy outright and get a giffgaff sim.

A £10 a month goodybag gives you unlimited texts, unlimited internet and 250 minutes.

Really? That's a fab deal! Do you have a link? Are they any good? What network do they use? Sorry, loads of questions

martinthebandit

SaLoGo wrote: »

Really? That's a fab deal! Do you have a link? Are they any good? What network do they use? Sorry, loads of questions

http://giffgaff.com/

Both me and the wife use them and have been happy so far, and if we ever get unhappy with them we will move on

It runs on the O2 network

grumbler

SaLoGo wrote: »

How would you recommend I do it? I ideally need no more than 300 mins, 500 texts & 100mb data (yes, I've checked my bills)

Check giffgaff, talkmobile, vectone.
200 minutes with texts and data are available for free: Ovivo New Network. 200 minutes 200 Texts Free indefinitely.

Also, I know I'll need a micro SIM for the iPhone but do I need an 'iPhone tariff'?

No, you don't, although some netwoks (Orange springs to mind) will try to rob you by insisting that you do need it.

SaLoGo

grumbler wrote: »

No, you don't, although some netwoks (Orange springs to mind) will try to rob you by insisting that you do need it.

I thought so! Tesco do an 'iphone sim only' which is a few £'s more than a 'standard sim only'. Cheeky beggers!!

Sound_Fm

SaLoGo wrote: »

I thought so! Tesco do an 'iphone sim only' which is a few £'s more than a 'standard sim only'. Cheeky beggers!!

I'm with Tesco and have a Standard (non iphone/blackberry) tariff and rung up last week to swap my standard SIM to a micro sim for my new Galaxy SIII. Was given the option to either have a new sim sent out or go pick one up at local tesco phone shop.

So just because you require a micro sim doesn't mean you have to opt for the iphone/blackbery tarrifs. Just choose a standard tarriff and request the micro sim.

Regards

Steve