Today the iPhone 3G S goes on sale via Vodafone. This means that it is now available from four sources – the original O2 plus Orange, Vodafone and Tesco Mobile (which runs on O2’s network).
Vodafone has sent me one of their iPhones, and the only distinguishing feature it has from my O2 version is the large range of apps which have been pre-installed for me to play with. End users won’t get that little extra, and so the only bases on which to make the decision of where or not to get your iPhone from Vodafone are network coverage, tariff and personal choice of operator.
If you are entirely operator agnostic, then price is your guide, and it is a complex matter to work out what the most cost effective option is for you.
A quick scout around operator Web sites this morning reveals some information, but not everything you need is available in easily comparable form. You’ll need to look for special deals, compare contract lengths and allowances on contract, and take into account fair usage policies and other factors to work out what is best for you.
A few minutes online this morning reveals the following, but I’m not promising I have not missed something significant in my mini-trawl.
Vodafone
Vodafone has the iPhone 3G available for free on Pay Monthly plans of £35 a month and above and is highlighting 24 month contracts at its Web site. The 16GB iPhone 3G S is available free on 24 month contracts from £45. You can pay as little as £30 a month and up to £180 for the handset. Choose the 32GB iPhone 3G S and it is free on 24 month contracts from £75, £80 if you want an 18 month contract. Vodafone is not offering a pay as you go option.
Orange
Orange is selling the iPhone 3G S and the pervious model the iPhone 3G. Both Pay Monthly and Pay As You Go options are available. Contracts range from £30 to £125 a month. There’s no contract less than 18 months listed and the handset is free in all cases. On Pay As You Go the iPhone 3G S 16GB costs £440 (£430 if you start with a £50 top up), the 32GB costs £539 (£529 if you start with a £50 top up).
O2
The 16GB and 32GB iPhone 3G S and the iPhone 3G are available on both Pay Monthly and Pay and Go. Pay Monthly contracts for the iPhone 3G s include unlimited visual voicemail, unlimited data and unlimited Wi-Fi Bolt-ons. Contracts run from £35 a month to £75 a month. There are a few options on which the iPhone 3G S is free, but you can pay up to £279 for it. On Pay and Go the handset will cost you £499 for the 16GB version and £549 for the 32GB one.
Tesco Mobile
Tesco also has all three flavours of the iPhone available, and online is offering the older iPhone 3G for £342 as a pay as you go handset with SIM. It wants £440 for the 16GB iPhone 3G S on pay as you go and £538 for the 32GB iPhone 3G S on pay as you go. There’s nothing about pay monthly tariffs on the Web, though if you phone you ought to find contract prices are on offer.
If you want to mooch the Web sites yourself here are the links
Vodafone
Orange
O2
Tesco Mobile
Happy hunting!
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