Considering buying a new iPhone? Apple’s iPhone is the bestselling mobile device of all time, so you’re definitely not alone. But before you buy, there are some things that you might want to think about, after all, an iPhone is a big investment. Today we’re talking about the truths about buying an iPhone. So, before your final decision is made, read this first…
You Will Be Paying for the Brand Name…
iPhones have big price tags, and they’re going to cost you a lot of your monthly pay check. And the truth is that a lot of that money is going on the brand name. iPhones are good devices, they’re fast, easy to use and have great display quality. However, for the amount of money that you’re spending you can get a much higher featured Android phone. That doesn’t mean to say that you shouldn’t buy an iPhone, a lot of people are willing to pay extra for the coolness factor. But if you’re really on a budget, it’s important to realise that an iPhone might not be the best choice. You can get a different make of phone with identical features and specs for a lot less money.
iPhone SIM Only Deals are the Way to Go…
If you’re looking to sign a mobile contract as well as get a new iPhone, then don’t fall into the trap that many people do of signing an incentive contract. These are the contracts with mobile operators that give you a free or low cost phone. The truth is that these contracts will end up costing you more money in the long run. You pay for your phone in instalments in your monthly phone bill, and if you add up all the instalments that you pay, you’ll find that you end up paying more than retail cost for your phone. This is the price you pay for the convenience of not having to pay up front. iPhone SIM only deals are a much better money saving idea. You’ll get the calling plan that you need at a cheap price, and not have to pay instalments on a phone. However, you will have to buy your own iPhone with iPhone SIM only deals. If you have to sign an incentive contract, because you don’t have enough cash to buy a phone up front, then the older the phone model is the better the deal that you will get. Incentive deals on the iPhone 4 are much better deals than on the iPhone 5.
Think About the Older Models…
The newest iPhone is the iPhone 5, and that does have a larger screen and slightly more powerful processor than any other iPhone model. However, in every other respect the iPhone 4S is identical to the iPhone 5. It runs the same software, has the same features, build quality and camera. You’ll be sacrificing very little if you go for the older 4S model, and you’ll save yourself a good hundred pounds or so. Even the iPhone 4 is still a great midmarket phone that’s fast enough to run recent software and games. There’s nothing wrong with going for an older model iPhone and you will save money.
Apple (and other retailers) Sells Both Refurbished and Reconditioned iPhones…
If you’re really looking for a deal then you’ll consider refurbished or reconditioned iPhone models. There is a difference between the two, and reconditioned will be cheaper. Refurbished models are phones that have been bought and then returned, usually unused. The phone will undergo a complete technical inspection and be cleaned and rebooted. You will not be able to tell the difference between a refurbished iPhone and a brand new one, in look and functionality they will be exactly the same. You’ll even get a warranty on a refurbished device. Reconditioned models, on the other hand, have been used and are essentially second hand models. However, they will again be subject to a complete technical inspection, cleaned and rebooted. Reconditioned phones will receive software updates where appropriate, as well as having worn or broken parts replaced. Batteries are often replaced as well, to ensure maximum battery life. There may be cosmetic issues with a reconditioned phone, such as scratches or scrapes on the cover. Look online for refurbished or reconditioned iPhones, and even some mobile operators will sell them. They can be a great bargain.
Think About Trading In…
You can get money to put towards your new iPhone by trading in. If you have an older iPhone model that you no longer use, then Apple has a trade in programme where they’ll give you store credit. It is store credit though, not cash, so you will have to buy your new iPhone direct from Apple. How much you get depends on the age and condition of your older model, and Apple only accepts iPhones for trade in. If you’ve got another model of phone there are online sites that will buy for cash, and some mobile operators have trade in programmes.
Second Hand Can Be Good for iPhones…
One of the benefits of the iPhone being so popular is that there’s a booming second hand market for the devices. You can pick up second hand iPhones for a fraction of the price of new ones. You’ll need to make sure that you’re dealing with a reputable source, since fake iPhones and the selling of non-functional devices is pretty common, especially on sites like eBay. Ideally, you should be able to inspect the phone in person before buying. If you can do this, then you’ll want to examine the screen and casing for scratches, as well as turning the phone on and calling, messaging and connecting to the internet to make sure the phone is fully functional. You should also take a picture with the phone, since on a device that has been dropped the camera lens will often be broken, and this will be evident from any photos taken with the phone. But choose carefully, and you can get yourself a great deal.
When he was trying to find iPhone sim only deals Sam Jones knew the best offers were online. He found uSwitch and other price comparison sites which led him to a really affordable option.
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