14 DAY TRIAL // Starting Monday, December 14, mobile phone users in the UK will be able to purchase the hot Apple iPhone from the UK supermarket giant Tesco. While the availability of the device via Tesco has just been announced, it was only now that the company unveiled the pricing and tariffs for the iconic device. Tesco Mobile, a 50/50 joint venture between O2 and Tesco, uses O2's network.
The iPhone 3G 8GB is priced at £342 for Pay As You Go users, which will also receive £30 free credit if they top-up £15 a month, or £40 free credit if they top-up £20 a month. Those who sign in for a £20 a month contract for 12 months will be able to purchase the device for £222, while those choosing a £60 a month contract for 24 months will enjoy it for free. When compared to the prices of the iPhone on O2, one will easily see the resemblance.
The iPhone 3GS 16GB will go for £440 on Pay As You Go, and for £320 on the aforementioned 12 months contract, while being free on the 24 month contract option. The 32GB version of the iPhone 3GS is priced at £538 on Pay As You Go, and at £407 and £50 for the monthly contracts, respectively. We should also mention that all models and tariffs include unlimited Web & Wi-Fi options. The pricing has been listed on the company's website already, yet additional details are expected to surface after the iPhone becomes available with the company, so stay tuned.
Here's what cultofmac has to say about the offering: “The headline they’ll be using in adverts is that this iPhone is available for as little as £20 per month. Whether you go for a contract or decide to pay-as-you-go, this gets you £60 worth of calls and SMS messages (assuming PAYG customers top up at least £20 per month, which qualifies them for extras – and obviously encourages them to switch to a contract). Also consider that the free credit is applied once a month and only lasts for one month, then automatically expires.”