Phones, again

Pete · Fri 20 Jul, 2012 10.57

So,

coming up to the end of my desire contract it is through gritted teeth I realise I want an iPhone.

The question is, what is the best deal you can get at the moment?

Am currently on Orange, now despite their patchy reception in my flat they've always been pretty decent, especially customer service wise, however I am wondering whether I am paying a small premium with them for no reason.

At the moment it seems the upgrade cost for an iPhone 4S 16GB is free phone with 300 mins, unlim texts and a gig of internets is £32 a month (discounted from new user price of £36, and apparently new users only get it free with a tariff over £41).

So basically I'm wondering what others are currently paying. I know that retentions can do fuck all with iPhone contracts (quite why that is, and how it doesn't constitute price fixing I have no idea) but am intersted to know if that is actually a reasonable deal or not.

woah · Fri 20 Jul, 2012 11.38

I would suggest that this is the way to go:

http://www.affordablemobiles.co.uk/cont ... teid=22087

But of course - that's only if you are comfortable with buying from a website like that instead of going to the proper Three website or into a shop.

Bail · Fri 20 Jul, 2012 11.43

My contract is up also, I'm waiting a few months because iPhone 5 will be around then. Unless you current handset is broken I'd hold off for a bit.

Gavin Scott · Fri 20 Jul, 2012 11.47

The big issue for me was around data useage, and I effectively sacrificed full coverage in my home for unlimited 3G use out and about - with 3.

I think it was the right choice, on balance. £27 per month, £49 upfront for the handset.

My phone rings at home - I just have to go to the window to chat. Its not so bad.

On The Rocks · Fri 20 Jul, 2012 14.08

Long time lurker, don't say much but this is all my opinion I am not making out to be in expert. It seems to me that when iPhone bring out a new model there is always issues with it. The iPhone 3 had lag issues and was slow and the 4 had the anntenna issue. I am not saying this will happen next model but I have got the 3GS and now the 4S and I am pleased I am on the second generation cycle of each model. If you wanted to save money, maybe get the 4S when the next model comes out. Okay it isn't the latest but it is a bloody good phone and outstanding camera and very fast.

PJ

Jake · Fri 20 Jul, 2012 16.35

Bail wrote:My contract is up also, I'm waiting a few months because iPhone 5 will be around then. Unless you current handset is broken I'd hold off for a bit.

This. Even if you go for the 4S you'll get a better deal come September/October.

Sput · Fri 20 Jul, 2012 16.57

I would say take a look at the HTC One and the Galaxy Nexus, just in case they're amazing. Android is definitely better than it was, even if the phone manufacturers did all decide that making a phone the size of a tablet was a good idea.

I'm on my iPhone 4: It's still working, although people say I'm breaking up a lot when they're not. I cannot be bothered to investigate this.

Nick Harvey · Fri 20 Jul, 2012 17.30

Sorry, what was that, Sput? You're breaking up a bit.

Pete · Fri 20 Jul, 2012 17.32

Jake wrote:
Bail wrote:My contract is up also, I'm waiting a few months because iPhone 5 will be around then. Unless you current handset is broken I'd hold off for a bit.
This. Even if you go for the 4S you'll get a better deal come September/October.

I have considered this, I also agree with On The Rocks that first gen iPhones tend to be flakey only to be fixed by their S release. I had an iPhone 4 for 24 hours and made precisely 0 successful calls on it thanks to the dodgy antenna.

I note on the orange website that the 4 and 3G are mysteriously out of stock at the moment. I was going to try and see how much cheaper the 4 was to see whether it was worth hanging on.

Course this also means I'd be paying orange an extra two / three months rental for a phone I already own outright and therefore potentially pissing away any savings.

lukey · Fri 20 Jul, 2012 18.35

Pete wrote:
Jake wrote:
Bail wrote:My contract is up also, I'm waiting a few months because iPhone 5 will be around then. Unless you current handset is broken I'd hold off for a bit.
This. Even if you go for the 4S you'll get a better deal come September/October.
I have considered this, I also agree with On The Rocks that first gen iPhones tend to be flakey only to be fixed by their S release. I had an iPhone 4 for 24 hours and made precisely 0 successful calls on it thanks to the dodgy antenna.

I note on the orange website that the 4 and 3G are mysteriously out of stock at the moment. I was going to try and see how much cheaper the 4 was to see whether it was worth hanging on.

Course this also means I'd be paying orange an extra two / three months rental for a phone I already own outright and therefore potentially pissing away any savings.

I had a similar issue a few months ago with my O2 contract running out, no compelling phones to upgrade to, but wanting to wait it out to October to see what will materialise from iPhone/WP8. So I've moved down to a SIM-only contract for this year with a month-to-month option to upgrade, while maintaining any upgrade/loyalty bonuses I've accrued along the way. Might be an option if you want to buy a few months?

Critique · Mon 23 Jul, 2012 20.02

Take a look at the HTC One series if you can, as it is a lovely range of phones (or at least, the One S and the One X are). Having the One S, I can vouch for it looking lovely, with a lovely display, and an incredibly impressive camera.

I believe Mr. Scrooge has the One X, and as far as I can tell, he likes that, too.