Vodafone to sell iPhone in UK on January 14

The cheapest tariff available is £30 a month for 24 months, plus additional handset charges ranging from £59 for the Iphone 3G 8GB to £239 for the Iphone 3GS 32GB.

Both O2's and Orange's lowest tariffs, £34.26 and £29.36, respectively, are on a 24-month contract and come with a free Iphone.

Vodafone comes close with a £35 a month contract over a two year period, also including a free Iphone 3G 8GB handset.

Tesco Mobile's tariffs start at £20 a month for 12 months - with a £222 charge for the same model of handset. However, Tesco says that the shorter contract will enable customers to upgrade more quickly.

Vodafone customers will be able to pre-order their iPhone from today, in-store, through their account manager or online at vodafone.co.uk/iphone. 

 “We started preparing our network over a year ago so that iPhone customers will really feel the advantage of being with Vodafone,” said Guy Laurence, CEO, Vodafone UK.  “We will offer an outstanding iPhone experience wherever our customers live, work and travel, delivering speed and reliability – something our customers have told us they really value.”

“We’re especially pleased to offer iPhone to business customers from launch, both directly and through a network of 20 dealers across the country – clearly demonstrating that Vodafone is the natural home for small business.” 

Customers who have already registered interest in iPhone and choose to pre-order, Vodafone will give them free Vodafone to Vodafone phone calls, for the life of their initial contract. 

Julie Owens, spokesperson at moneysupermarket.com said: “Vodafone are the latest big mobile provider to offer the iPhone but have followed suit with Orange and failed to ignite the competition in the market that consumers have been hoping for.

“The tariff prices announced by Vodafone are generally the same as O2 and Orange. For example, the average mobile user might go for 600 minutes and 500 texts which costs around £35 on all networks on a 24 month contract, with the 16GB 3GS handset costing between £87 and £89. The only difference is that Vodafone offer unlimited texts on all of their packages which does give them the edge for heavy texters.

“Tesco still offer the lowest cost entry level tariff at £20 a month but with a 32GB 3GS handset coming in at a hefty £407, the long term cost is less attractive. Vodafone’s lowest priced tariff is slightly more than O2 and Orange at £30 a month but does offer a better package with 300 minutes and unlimited texts on a 24 month contract with a 16GB 3GS handset costing £149. The providers also differ on download limits, Vodafone has a 1GB limit which is slightly better than Orange’s  fair usage limit of 750MB a month whereas O2 have no set limit, although operate a fair usage policy. Vodafone has also introduced a charge for customers wishing to use their iPhones as a modem - starting at £5 to download 500 MB.

“The appetite for the iPhone is enormous and Vodafone will no doubt find it quickly becomes one of their most popular handsets, particularly with plenty of people looking for a new deal in the New Year. However, there is not much to choose between the big operators. The unlimited texts offer from Vodafone gives it the edge for texters, Tesco’s 12 month tariff is good value for those looking for a shorter term commitment and Orange Wednesdays is a perk to consider for regular cinema goers.”

Table comparing the iPhone tariffs on O2, Orange, Vodafone and Tesco

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