There’s no doubt that smartphones are an essential part of modern life for millions of people. How we connect, how we shop and how we travel are all inextricably linked to the devices we carry in our pockets.
Yet, despite being essential to many, these devices are still undeniably expensive – especially if you want the latest models. iPhones are the world’s most popular smartphones, so you might well have an eye on Apple’s finest, but they come with a price tag that’s tough to afford for many people.
So, what’s the best way to get savvy about saving money on your next iPhone? We’ve identified some tried-and-tested ways so you can challenge the status quo and benefit your pocket, too.
Check the small print
Reckon that flashy 0% APR deal that’s been advertised sounds good? Well, that’s not always the case. Check the small print and see how much you’ll actually end up paying for the phone over the course of the whole contract. Make sure you price match that figure with Apple’s own website as there’s no point paying over the odds by going through a third party.
Try MNVOs…
MNVOs – or ‘mobile virtual network operators’ – are those which operate outside of the big networks such as O2, Three, Vodafone and EE. Instead, MNVOs rent their network space from the ‘big four’, so you’re not paying for them to establish and maintain network infrastructures.
With MNVOs you’ll find delightfully low costs for SIM-only deals – great if you’ve got an iPhone deal in the bag but aren’t quite convinced about the data deal on offer alongside it.
…and think about data
Plus, speaking about data – this might be your chance to save on that aspect of your contract. The average UK consumer wastes 3.4GB of mobile data every month, so perhaps it’s time to work out your real data usage and save those pennies.
Subscribe to save
Subscription services are undoubtedly on the up. It’s how iTunes came to dominate music sales and how Netflix booted out Blockbuster. A shift in consumer behaviour towards ‘subscribing’ to a product means thousands are paying less as they’re not dishing out to physically own a product.
If you choose to ‘subscribe’ (or rent) for your iPhone you could be saving on your monthly costs as you’re not shelling out to own the product outright. And with phone providers like Carphone Warehouse jumping on the subscription hype, it’s well worth exploring this avenue.
Try refurbished
While subscriptions are on the up, so too are sales of refurbished products. When bought from a trusted retailer these can be as good as new – but without the hefty price tag. And for the world of iPhones, this opens a whole new affordable door.
London-based tech startup Raylo is one company that specialises in this field, with deals including long warranties and a 70-point quality check on products such as the iPhone X.
Overall, these five tips point to one big conclusion – that a bit of savvy thinking and shopping around could help you to save money on your next iPhone. Dig around, take the above advice on board and you’ll reap the rewards.
