What should I look for when comparing the best iPhone deals?
The best iPhone deal is the one that gives you:
- a smartphone with the features you need
- a price that suits your budget
- a contract that ticks your boxes
iPhone specifications
What are you looking for in an iPhone?
- Size – Do you want a big screen or a device that fits into your pocket? The biggest iPhones currently available are iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 14 Pro Max. They all have a 6.7 inch display. For a smaller screen look for SE models.
- Colour – The iPhone 15 has nine colour variants, from pink to metallic blue titanium.
- Battery life – According to Apple, the iPhone 14 Plus launched with the best battery life of any iPhone. In tests, the iPhone 15 series was even better.
- Camera – For the high-spec option, look out for Pro models. They have a triple-lens camera to capture multiple perspectives.
- Storage – To accommodate your apps, files, and media – including photos, games, movies and music – choose from 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB or 1TB. The iPhone 15 Pro Max offers 29 hours of video playback, while the older iPhone SE provides 15 hours. Remember, there’s also iCloud to boost your storage and give you access to content from any Apple device.
- 5G compatibility – The iPhone 12 series and later are all 5G ready. But you will also need to choose a network provider that offers a 5G service.
- eSIM compatibility – The iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR or later are all eSIM ready. An eSIM is the digital version of a physical SIM card. It allows you to have more than one profile on the same phone.
The best price for your iPhone deal
If saving money is important, an older iPhone could be the answer. You may not get the latest spec or the smartest design, but you can enjoy power, performance and a decent battery for a cheaper price.
Make sure you choose a model that still gets the latest iOS updates and supports the latest apps and software. If it doesn’t, there are security risks, and it will likely be frustratingly slow.
Refurbished iPhones are another great option. There’s a choice of models that have been cleaned and tested by experts and may also come with a warranty. Find a trusted provider, and remember, refurbished isn’t the same as secondhand.
Depending on the provider, you may have the option to trade-in your old phone. The resale price is then deducted from your new contract. Even better, Apple accepts Android devices too.
To get the best price on an iPhone deal, it can help to opt to buy during times of the year offering good deals. For example, buying your next iPhone in a Black Friday sale, on Amazon Prime Day or just after a new model release can make your money go further.
Choosing the best iPhone contract
- Are you buying your iPhone outright? If so, search for SIM only deals. Otherwise, choose a 30-day, 12-month or 24-month iPhone deal. A longer-term contract is likely to be cheaper, but a monthly SIM gives you more flexibility to switch to different network providers or tariffs.
- Do you use a lot of data? For helpful tips on avoiding overpaying, read How much mobile data do you need?
- Are you happy to pay an upfront cost? Some iPhone deals have no upfront payments, while others require hundreds of pounds upfront, depending on the model.
- Do you want inclusive roaming? Depending on the provider, roaming in the EU or further afield may be included.
- Are you interested in special offers? For example, some iPhone deals include three months’ access to Apple TV+.
Which networks offer iPhone deals?
Finding an iPhone contract isn’t difficult, but getting the best deal can be more of a challenge. Comparing iPhone deals on Confused.com will help you find your mobile match.
If you’re looking for a new iPhone, here’s what you can expect from some of the most popular providers.
iPhone contract deals on O2
- Uswitch Awards Best Network for Roaming 2024
- Inclusive EU roaming
- Perks and priority ticket booking at O2 venues
O2’s network offers 97% 4G coverage in the UK and 5G in some areas. You’ll usually need to make a one-off payment for the latest iPhone when you sign up.
Discover the best SIM card and network for roaming 2024. Search for iPhone deals with O2.
iPhone contract deals on Three
- Speeds of up to 204Mbps on Three’s 5G network, available to 54% of the UK
- No speed limits or data caps
- Perks with the Three+ loyalty app
Three’s inTouch Wi-Fi-calling service allows you to call and text when you don’t have a mobile signal. You can also use your monthly data allowance for tethering.
Search for iPhone deals with Three.
iPhone contract deals on Vodafone
- Voted ‘Best in test’ for voice calls in London and other major UK cities
- Rewards with the VeryMe app on selected plans
- 14-day network guarantee - test coverage and connection speeds before you commit
Vodafone has a wide range of mobile phone options, allowing you to find the best iPhone deal for you. If you travel a lot, check the Vodafone roaming policy before choosing a contract.
iPhone contract deals on BT Mobile
- iPhone deals through EE
- The best 5G coverage in the UK
- Perks through Smart Benefits
In September 2023, BT joined forces with EE - a network that opted out of comparison sites. Typically, it’s more expensive than most, but there’s a great range of iPhone deals. If the top-price models are out of your budget, EE’s refurbished Good As New phones are an alternative.
iPhone contract deals on Sky Mobile
- Unlimited data rollover
- Watch Sky TV on the go without using any data if you’re an existing Sky customer
- Wide variety of handsets and iPhone contracts to choose from
Search for iPhone deals with Sky Mobile.
iPhone contract deals on iD Mobile
- Uswitch Awards 2024 Best Network for Data and Best Contract Value for Money
- Nationwide coverage
- Bill capping and data rollover
iD Mobile uses the Three network, which covers 98% of the UK. You can cap your monthly spend to avoid expensive bills and use Wi-Fi calling when you’re out of signal range. Going abroad? You can use your UK monthly allowance of calls, texts and data (up to 30GB) in the EU and beyond.
What's new with the iPhone 15 series?
The iPhone 15 series includes the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. The series has some notable new features:
A more durable design
The strengthened, matt-finish back glass is coloured – a smartphone first. The aluminium enclosure has a new contoured edge, and the exterior is titanium instead of stainless steel, giving the phone a stronger and lighter feel.
The switch to titanium adds more colour options too: natural titanium, blue titanium, white titanium and black titanium.
Improved battery charging
You can limit your iPhone 15 model to an 80% charge to reduce the risk of the battery wearing out or overheating.
The entire iPhone 5 series includes a USB-C port for charging. The iPhone uses the same charging cables as Android phones, the more recent iPads and a range of other devices. The Pro models also support USB 3 for faster 10Gbps speeds, though you’ll need to buy your own USB 3 cable.
Mute/ringer switch replaced
On the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models, the mute/ringer switch has been swapped for a customisable Action Button. This gives you new ways to control your iPhone, from turning on your camera to recording a voice memo. You can also use it as a mute button so that function hasn’t been lost.
Phones with extra processing power
The iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max models feature a new Pro A17 processing chip. It’s the industry’s first 3-nanometer chip and is part of the biggest GPU (graphical processing unit) redesign in Apple’s history. It means faster processing for on-device features like Siri or text transcription. It also gives you smoother, better quality graphics. If you’re into AR (augmented reality), expect even more immersive digital experiences.
Dynamic Island
Although featured in the iPhone 14 Pro models, the Dynamic Island now comes standard across the iPhone 15 series. It incorporates a new proximity sensor which detects whether the iPhone is being held up to the ear and then shuts off the screen.
Camera power
The iPhone 15 Pro Max has a new telephoto lens with a 5x optical zoom - the best zoom of any iPhone yet. This comes with a 3D sensor shift module, another smartphone first. This helps create the industry’s most advanced smartphone camera stabilisation system ever.
There’s also a new 48MP main camera to create super-high-resolution 24MP photos and a 2x Telephoto option to offer a total of three optical zoom levels. The Pro models come with a nanoscale coating to reduce lens flare, too. It’s designed to remove the dots of light that can appear in iPhone photographs.
With the Pro models you can customise the main camera lens so you can set the focal length. This means you don’t have to zoom in and out.
Also included is a next-generation portrait mode for sharper detail, more vivid colours and better performance in low lighting. If you take a photo without using portrait mode, you can turn it into a portrait later in the iPhone Photos app.
Night mode has also had an upgrade, while Smart HDR captures subjects with more true-to-life skin tones. This advanced HDR rendering is also available to third-party apps. Images look just as good when you share them online.
Big video potential
The iPhone 15 Pro can record spatial video, a 3D format for the Apple Vision Pro headset which launched earlier this year.
FAQs
Is there an iPhone 15 Pro?
Yes. Prices for the iPhone 15 Pro start at around £10 a month with Sky Mobile on a 12-month contract. There’s an upfront cost of around £1,035 and it comes with 5G of 5G data.
For unlimited data, Three offers an iPhone 15 Pro deal for around £20 a month with an upfront cost of around £559 on a 24-month contract.
Don’t want to pay an upfront cost? Tesco Mobile offers a 24-month contract for around £68.99 a month and unlimited data.
Find out more about the iPhone 15 Pro on the Apple website.
How big is the iPhone 15 Pro Max?
The iPhone 15 Pro Max has a 6.7- inch all-screen OLED display. It’s 159.9mm high, 76.7mm wide and 8.25mm deep.
Compare the iPhone 15 Pro max with other models on the Apple website.
What is the iPhone 15 Plus?
Featuring the longest battery life of any iPhone, the iPhone 15 Plus is a powerful smartphone with a 6.7-inch OLED screen and an A16 Bionic chip for superior processing power. Available in five colours, it features a USB-C port and is available with three storage options. It also comes with an impressive 48MP camera for striking hi-res images and a 2x zoom that maintains image quality.
How much does the iPhone 15 cost?
Prices vary. To get the best iPhone deal, it makes sense to compare quotes online.
For an Apple iPhone 15 with 128GB of storage and 5G of data, Sky Mobile offers a 12-month contract with monthly payments of around £10. There’s an upfront cost of around £807. The same deal without an upfront payment costs around £33 a month on a 36-month contract.
Should I get the iPhone 14 or the iPhone 15?
It depends on what you’re looking for. There’s no point in paying extra for features you don’t need and the newer models cost more.
Broadly speaking, the iPhone 15 has:
- More processing power - A15 bionic chip compared to A16 bionic chip
- An advanced dual-camera system for higher-resolution images, plus a next-generation portrait mode and three optical zoom options, not two
- A USB-C port for charging - rather than the iPhone 14’s lightning port
- The Dynamic Island interface
The storage capacity and screen size for iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 are the same. Both also use Face ID and are 5G ready. The iPhone 14 is slightly heavier, but both are splash, water and dust resistant.
How much does the iPhone 14 cost?
Prices vary. For an iPhone 14 with 128GB of storage and 5G data, Sky Mobile offers a 12-month contract with monthly payments of around £10. There’s an upfront cost of around £696. The same deal without an upfront payment costs around £30 a month on a 36-month contract.
Should I get the iPhone 13?
It depends on what you need from a smartphone. The iPhone 13 is typically cheaper than the newer iPhone 14 and 15 models, but it has fewer/different features.
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