Apple iPhone deals

Brilliant touchscreen user interfaces, sleek looks and thousands of applications to choose from make iPhones the most sought-after, most cutting-edge mobile phones around.

With the end of O2’s exclusivity for Apple mobile phones bringing greater competition to the market, there’s never been a better time to shop around for an iPhone deal.

Compare all the latest models of iPhone or get the latest news, deals and information about iPhone 4S deals

Why choose an iPhone?

iPhones have sold tens of millions of units across the globe as consumers flock to get their hands on the most desirable mobile phones around. Here’s a few of things that make them so in-demand:

Multi-touch user touchscreens

A multi-touch user interface lets you interact with the phone simply by placing two or more fingers onto its surface. This makes for a fantastically intuitive user experience and means that flicking through menus and finding functions is quicker and more efficient than ever before.

Applications

The term 'applications', or 'apps', refers to software that can be downloaded onto a phone, with the definition taking in everything from games to more practical applications such as business tools. The iPhone has more apps available than any other mobile – many of which are free to download. This means that you can change the functionality of your phone every day and choose from brand new software that is being added to the range every day.

Great design

The iPhone is one the best looking mobile phones ever created. It’s sleek, slim and stylish and has been lavished with design awards.

Convergence

iPhones pack in a camera, media player, iTunes support, email and web browsing in one handy device. They therefore bring an end to the days carrying around separate digital cameras and music players.

What’s the difference between the iPhone models?

Since the launch of the very first iPhone, every year has so far has seen a brand new updated model go on sale. Here we’ll explain the differences between the different editions and outline their key specifications.

iPhone 2G

The original iPhone went on sale in 2007. It instantly revolutionized the mobile phone market and was named the Invention of the Year by Time magazine.

The phone brought touchscreen user interfaces to the sector for the first time ever. Other features included GPS for easy location finding, 2G mobile internet compatibility and a two megapixel camera. The 2G model was withdrawn from sale in 2009.

Key Specifications:

Dimensions: 115mm high, 61mm wide and 11.6mm thick

Weight: 135g

Screen: 480 x 320 3.5" multi-touch display

Storage: 4GB, 8GB and 16GB editions

Camera: Two megapixel

iPhone 3G

Landing in 2008, the iPhone 3G added 3G support to enable users to surf the internet and download content and applications faster than the first edition. Also new to the phone was the addition of assisted A-GPS, which improved its location finding capabilities.

Finally, Apple also boosted the phones' onboard memory to 8GB for the standard edition and to 16GB for the most expensive version – thus allowing users plenty of room for apps and downloads.

Key specifications:

Dimensions: 115mm high, 61mm wide and 11.6mm thick

Weight: 133g

Screen: Size 320 x 480 pixels, 3.5 inches

Storage: 8GB and 16GB editions

Camera: Two megapixel

iPhone 3G S

The iPhone 3G S is the 2009 upgrade of the handset. The ‘S’ in its title stands for speed, in keeping with the faster operation and web browsing experience that this version offers.

Other new additions included a better camera with video recording capabilities and voice control.

Key specifications:

Dimensions: 115mm high, 62mm wide and 12mm thick

Weight: 135g

Screen: 320 x 480 pixels, 3.5 inches

Storage: 16GB and 32GB versions

Camera: 3.2 megapixel camera with video recording

iPhone 4

The iPhone 4 landed in the UK on June 24th. The phone's killer selling points included a powerful processor for fast and efficient multi-tasking, HD video recording, a gyroscope that improved the motion-controlled gaming experience, a secondary camera for video calling and an industry-leading super high resolution display.

At 9.3mm thick, the fourth version of the iPhone was the thinnest smartphone ever at the time of release and is available in a choice of black or white.

Key specifications

Dimensions: 115.2mm high, 58.6mm wide and 9.3mm thick.

Weight: 137g

Screen: 960x640 pixels, 3.5-inches

Storage: 16GB and 32GB versions

Camera: Five megapixel camera with HD video recording, plus secondary camera for video calling

Which networks offer iPhone deals?

O2 was initially the iPhone’s exclusive network carrier in the UK, which meant that iPhone deals were only available . However, that changed in late 2009 when Orange entered the market, setting the scene for further networks to join them.

The end of O2’s monopoly on iPhone deals has seen network carriers work harder and harder for your business. The upshot of this is that we’ve seen carriers add a host of great sweeteners to get us to choose their iPhone contract deals over their competitors. All this means that there’s never been a better time to buy an iPhone.

Which iPhone deals are the best?

Below, we take a look at the two man UK carriers iPhone deals and outline their key advantages.

iPhone deals on Orange

Orange iPhone buyers benefit from a range of great incentives as well as unsurpassed coverage. Some of the reasons to choose Orange include:

• The most extensive 3G network coverage in the UK
• Orange Wednesdays gets you 2 for 1 cinema tickets and pizzas at Pizza Express
• Excellent customer service
• Cheap tethering

Compare Orange iphone deals at Top10: Orange iPhone

iPhone deals on O2

Advantages of choosing an O2 iPhone deal include

• Free home broadband when you sign up for O2’s tethering add-on
• Priority tickets at the O2 arena
• 10 per cent off tickets at other O2 venues

Compare O2 iphone deals at Top10: O2 iPhone

**iPhone deals on 3 and T-Mobile **

3 and T-Mobile entered the iPhone market only with the fourth edition of the phone. Neither carrier has yet to officially confirm details of their tariffs. However, anticipation of 3's entry is especially keen, given its positioning in the market as a low-cost provider. 3 is also considered by many tech experts as the network best placed to provide an impressive video calling service when this becomes available over 3G networks.

Future of iPhones

If past form is any guide, we can expect to see a new iPhone edition released every year around June. But what does the future hold for iPhones?

uSwitch Mobiles anticipates that iPhones to come will feature iPod-style colour options and even sleeker looks. We’re also predicting that processors becoming ever more powerful to improve multi-tasking and that storage space will continue double on an annual basis.

The arrival of iPhone deals on every UK network cannot be far away, as well. This development is bound to see iPhone deals fall in price, making Apple mobile phones more accessible than ever.

What about the iPhone 5? (update: September 2011)

The iPhone 5 is rumoured to be close to launch and it is likely you will be able to order one very soon. Excited? For the latest iPhone 5 deals as soon as they become available, click here: iPhone 5