O2 has confirmed its deals for the iPhone 4S, rounding out the list of major UK networks carrying Apple's new smart phone. 3, Orange, T-Mobile and Vodafone have all unveiled their tariff -- check out our handy comparison of the best iPhone 4S deals.
And the good news is we have a new winner when it comes to getting your 4S cheaply: O2 offers a £15.50 contract, which is both the cheapest monthly outlay -- everybody else's deals start at £30 per month -- and the cheapest total over the two-year contract. The catch? You have to pay extra for data as a bolt-on, which could add up to £10 per month to your bill for 1GB of Internet use.
The phone is free on contracts above £41, while existing O2 customers get the phone for free on the £36 deal. O2 is also the only network to offer visual voicemail, and its data bolt-ons support tethering.
There's not much difference in the prices between the networks, but there's lots of choice in combinations of call time, texts and data. Watch out for the data limits, as the iPhone can eat data even when you're not surfing the Web or using apps. But hey, it's a smart phone -- that's what it's for! 3 and GiffGaff offer unlimited data on selected deals.
Another thing to consider when buying a network contract is the extras. O2 and Vodafone give you discounts and offers on gig tickets and sundry other stuff, while Orange gets you a two-fer-one on cinema tickets and pizza every week with the famous Orange Wednesday.
But if it's just the cheapest deal you're after, the cheapest way to get hold of an iPhone 4S in the long run is to buy the phone SIM-free and sign up to a network contract separately. That way you're not tied to a lengthy contract and you've got more flexibility over your allowances for minutes, texts and data. Our pick is GiffGaff, which offers free data and insanely low calling costs.
Tesco Mobile is also planning to sell the 4S, but hasn't revealed its deals yet.
Have you ordered your iPhone? Have you spotted a top deal? Share the wealth in the comments section below or on our Facebook page.
Android App 
RSS Feeds 
iPhone App 
Newsletters 
24 month contract
24 month contract
Comments 22
Add your comment
anonymous 10 October, 2011 11:10
Instead of just reporting on the iphone can you give us details on the moto defy plus and xperia active.
anonymous 10 October, 2011 11:14
@anonymous Why report on any other lame handsets?
The iPhone revolutionised mobile phones and all others only try to copy it. Get real and get one you clown!
anonymous 10 October, 2011 12:06
@ anonymous
Because other handsets are plastic, rubish,unreliable, do run a clunky OS.
Forgot to mention that they are clone of iPhone gone badly wrong as well.
cnet uk does know what readers want to read about.
anonymous 10 October, 2011 12:47
So the head line is misleading like O2's deal.
Whats the point in getting an iPhone without a data package.
Like for like they are £1 more expense than Vodafone and you get 250 mb less data.
Also you have to attend an o2 shop to buy.
anonymous 10 October, 2011 12:50
Wow people still have a major hard-on for the iPhone judging by comments above... do you guys make extra use of the "vibrate" function, by any chance?
anonymous 10 October, 2011 13:15
Perhaps some people don't want to throw all there money on shiney things with an apple logo
charlesharley 10 October, 2011 17:12
It's just too expensive
anonymous 10 October, 2011 18:48
Why load of tosh why not ask about a brick with an led display can you get a micro sim
anonymous 10 October, 2011 18:51
Ya it is less expensive if you use your phone to just make calls on 3G... If you want to get data or Internet, they are more expensive than any other service provider. And what's with the go to store to buy the phone on launch deal???? Why can't we pre-order and get it delivered. Somehow not at all happy with O2...time to switch!! Oh by the way I've been on hold for the past 30mins trying to talk to them!!!!!!
anonymous 10 October, 2011 18:51
Buy cheap you buy twice
anonymous 10 October, 2011 19:07
Think ppl should give the first anon a break. Both phones said are drop/water proof, which the iphone certainly isn't.
graystar 10 October, 2011 19:43
To be perfectly honest once the initial purchase price of around £300 is paid Tesco Mobile (piggybacking off O2) will be far cheaper with a substantially higher allowance on calls/texts/data. The 12 month plan (yes 12 month) will be around £25 with around 300 minutes, 1000+ texts and 1GB data. Watch the details on Tesco Mobile site on Friday 14th.
anonymous 10 October, 2011 22:14
Worked in a phone shop. O2 web bolt ons on standard tariffs have no limit. You can go over without being charged. You may lose some speed though. That comes from an official O2 rep.
anonymous 11 October, 2011 01:27
can't see what the fuss is about myself. Need a phone to make calls to stay in touch does it really matter if it's an iphone or sommat else? materialistic and consumer led society! If you don't have an iphone are you considered any less human or valued any less? I'd love to know other people's opinions as I really couldn't care less if the person next to me was using an iphone or a brick to make a call!
anonymous 11 October, 2011 14:01
O2 deal for free iphone (with contract obviously) starts from 900min - £41 and not the 600min - £36 one
anonymous 11 October, 2011 14:12
I don't think anybody can criticise a iPhone unless you are your are a person that doesn't own one, so your are just jealous.
anonymous 11 October, 2011 20:16
Tesco Mobile tariffs now available. Check out ther website!
anonymous 13 October, 2011 14:44
I wish people would stop saying it's cheaper on a SIM only deal because all the SIM only deals I've actually managed to find are pretty expensive. Also Vodafone want another £10 a month on their iPhone 4S tariffs if you want tethering, at least O2 are upfront about it with their bolt ons but the 0@ prices you quote here DON'T include data so it's not a comparative article!
Please find us these cheap SIM only deals because I'd rather do that but I also want tethering and a reasonable data allowance.
anonymous 15 October, 2011 21:56
Yes if you go over there limit they will slow you down . It's there way of saying come on that's it.and as for the iPhone when you get one you will respect it and drop it THAT Will Never happen.its the kit the boom my mate more help than a copper try one you will see ????
anonymous 11 November, 2011 16:48
I wouldn't go near o2's cheapest iphone contract, the amount you would be charged for exceeding their measly 100MB data would be huge, simple way to check the cheapest contracts and which one is best for you is to visit a comparison site like http:www.cheapestiphonecontracts.com
anonymous 21 February, 2012 19:46
Guys ok I am looking for iPhone 4s and up to now I found two reasonable deals with o2 I was told I can get 600mins, unlimited texts and 500MB data allowance, with 3 network paying either £69 upfront and £36 a month I get 2000min, 5000texts, unlimited data or £19 and £40 a month getting the same 2000min, 5000texts, unlimited data... But my all friends are in o2(well most of them). I never had phone from 3, but I have PAYG from o2... What should I choose??
anonymous 12 September, 2012 19:05
Ha ha, i don't believe my eyes. Theres's a guy on here who thinks that anyone who criticises an "iphone", must be jealous. I've never read so much tripe in all my life.
I'm here to see what peoples opinion are of a phone, and as far as i can see, these opinions are just based on fashion.
Practicality is all important, and the iphone isn't topping my wish list, as the price is obviously hiked up by kids wanting it.
Still looking, maybe the new iphone 5 will change my mind.
Jealous of a phone ??? Get a life, mate.