iPhone - buying upfront a good idea?

marsman802

I currently pay £15 per month for a sim only contract on three mobile. Basically I went there for the unlimited data.
I had an iPhone 4 already so it was a good contract to take.

Now I want a new phone as I seem to struggle with ios 7. I've wiped and rewiped but it is struggling.

Mobile phones direct do a 24-month contract with unlimited data for £27pm with the phone purchase of £99. This is a 32gb 5c
That is £748 all in.

That phone from apple is £549.

So that makes the 24-month tariff £199 which is only £8.30pm (basically half of what I pay now).

Also I can sell my current iPhone 4 for £100 recycle which means essentially the initial purchase is free and I only pay £27pm.

Ignoring the last bit (as I realise not everyone will have a phone) that seems like a pretty cracking deal to me.
So surely there is a case here to avoid buying the phone outright unless you have some pretty specific reason to change network or refuse to enter a contract.

bsms1147

Occasionally for some people with certain usages it will be cheaperas you say. The deal you quote is probably a cash back/redemption on though isn't it? Link please.

marsman802

Mobilephonesdirect.com mate.

Just linked through from mse's own search tool for iPhone.

Tmobile. 500mins, ulmtd texts, ulmtd data. £27pm, £99 purchase.

No cashback deal

marsman802

Ok - further to this.
I put my order in - no matter which way I cut it I couldn't see any reason not to do it.

For a data unlimited SIM I'm looking at no less than £12pm. So with the phone cost the total package would be £837.

The saving here effectively allows me to then fund the insurance for an equivalent cost (assuming £70).

Don't always assume buying an outright iPhone is the most sensible choice.

bsms1147

marsman802 wrote: »

Ok - further to this.
I put my order in - no matter which way I cut it I couldn't see any reason not to do it.

For a data unlimited SIM I'm looking at no less than £12pm. So with the phone cost the total package would be £837.

The saving here effectively allows me to then fund the insurance for an equivalent cost (assuming £70).

Don't always assume buying an outright iPhone is the most sensible choice.

Yep, found that offer and looks good to me. Your maths is sound and enjoy your new phone.

d123

gjchester wrote: »

CEX is probably a safe bet given the 12 month warranty, but
it can be blocked *anytime* down the line, could be 12 months and 1 day after you bought it, result will be the same, the phone will be locked out of UK networks and only the original purchaser can remove that bar.

I bought a cellular iPad 4 from CEX recently, the manager actually said that if it was to be blacklisted by the original owner even after the 12 months was up, they would arrange a replacement.

marsman802

bsms1147 wrote: »

Yep, found that offer and looks good to me. Your maths is sound and enjoy your new phone.

Ha lets hope it turns up!

The wife also went for a new iPhone, but a 5s 32gb, and that was the same tariff but £217 up front (there is also a £35 cashback deal on this one).

How are these resellers able to undercut the official operators own websites by so much?

in_the_Cotswolds

Apple are doing a 0% finance deal over 10 months. It's an online deal only.

iainscomputer

in_the_Cotswolds wrote: »

Apple are doing a 0% finance deal over 10 months. It's an online deal only.

0% has finished now.

veruccasalt

0% finance still available on Apple website-just about to buy DH one for his birthday. Did this deal for DD for Christmas-I think it is the best. Don't forget to get your SIM only contract via Quidco-I have never had less than £100 cashback
Also a very measly 1% cashback buying the phone through quidco...