T-Mobile release rip-off iPhone 4 tariffs. Our verdict? Stay clear; cheaper deals elsewhere
July 8th, 2010
T-Mobile are the final network to reveal their iPhone tariffs and it’s disappointment all round as they’ve come out with some of the most expensive tariffs on the market.
We were left scratching our heads this morning as T-Mobile released details of the iPhone tariffs. Despite being the final network to release details of their iPhone tariffs, they’ve announced some of the priciest tariffs out there. Our key findings are:
- T-Mobile’s iPhone tariffs are similar to those offered by O2, Orange and Vodafone in terms of the monthly cost and the number of minutes offered (and without the unlimited texts). However, T-Mobile typically charges an extra £40 or £50 for the iPhone upfront.
- T-Mobile only offers 500MB internet per month (slightly more on tariffs of £45/month or more). This is despite the fact they offer a standard fair usage of 1GB on most of their other smartphones and 3GB for their Android phones. Three, Vodafone and Tesco Mobile all provide 1GB/month as standard on their iPhone tariffs.
- T-Mobile’s network is not a unique selling point. They share their 3G network with Three, who also provide the iPhone. If T-Mobile’s 3G network is your kind of thing, grab a tariff from Three instead.
We’ve added their 6 tariffs to our iPhone tariff listing and iPhone price comparison tool.
With these iPhone tariffs, we doubt that T-Mobile are going to gain many customers from other networks. Instead, it looks like these tariffs are aimed at retaining existing T-Mobile customers who want to upgrade to the iPhone 4 but don’t take the time to shop around elsewhere. Orange and T-Mobile are now both owned by the same parent company “Everything Everywhere” and will eventually share networks, I suspect the strategic decision has been made for Orange to attract the new customers.
T-Mobile’s iPhone Tariffs
T-Mobile have 6 iPhone tariffs. On the whole, we’ve found that you can find a better deal almost anywhere else. Below we’ve listed each T-Mobile tariff and the cheapest alternative according to the iPhone price comparison tool. The cheapest alternative tariff usually provides a larger airtime allowance as well as costing less over the contract period.
The following price comparisons are for the 16GB iPhone 4.
Please note that Three’s iPhone 4 tariffs will be available to order from the end of July only.
 |
Cheapest Alternative | Cost Saving of Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| 100 minutes, 100 texts, 500MB
Upfront cost: £259 Monthly cost: £25/month Total cost of ownership: £859 |
Three – 500 minutes, 5000 texts, 1GB
Upfront cost: £99 Monthly cost: £30/month Total cost of ownership: £819 |
£40 |
| 300 minutes, 300 texts, 500MB
Upfront cost: £219 Monthly cost: £30/month Total cost of ownership: £939 |
Three – 500 minutes, 5000 texts, 1GB
Upfront cost: £99 Monthly cost: £30/month Total cost of ownership: £819 |
£120 |
| 600 minutes, 500 texts, 500MB
Upfront cost: £189 Monthly cost: £35/month Total cost of ownership: £1,029 |
Three – 900 minutes, 5000 texts, 1GB
Upfront cost: £99 Monthly cost: £35/month Total cost of ownership: £939 |
£90 |
| 900 minutes, 500 texts, 500MB
Upfront cost: £129 Monthly cost: £40/month Total cost of ownership: £1,089 |
Three – 900 minutes, 5000 texts, 1GB
Upfront cost: £99 Monthly cost: £35/month Total cost of ownership: £939 |
£150 |
| 1200 minutes, 500 texts, 750MB
Upfront cost: £59 Monthly cost: £45/month Total cost of ownership: £1,139 |
Three – 2000 minutes, 5000 texts, 1GB
Upfront cost: £169 Monthly cost: £35/month Total cost of ownership: £1,009 |
£130 |
| 3000 minutes, 500 texts, 1GB
Upfront cost: Free Monthly cost: £60/month Total cost of ownership: £1,440 |
Tesco – Unlimited minutes, unlimited texts, 1GB
Upfront cost: £19 Monthly cost: £45/month Total cost of ownership: £1,099 |
£341 |
It’s worth noting that the T-Mobile contracts come with a free flexible booster (such as unlimited texts). However, even after accounting for this, the T-Mobile deals still don’t look hugely competitive against Three’s tariffs which offer 5000 as standard.
Do T-Mobile or Three have a better 3G network?
T-Mobile and Three share their 3G networks so there should be no difference at all. Tesco Mobile use O2′s network.
Are T-Mobile offering cheaper retention deals for existing customers?
If you’re an existing T-Mobile customer, it’s always worth calling up and asking them if they can match the deal provided by the cheapest alternative here. However, some estimates say that T-Mobile have a profit margin of £56 on each iPhone they sell so don’t hold your breath. Do drop us a comment below and let us know whether you have any luck though.
I’m an existing T-Mobile customer. Can I keep my number if I switch network?
Yes. You need to ask T-Mobile for a PAC code and you need to provide this to your new network. Your new network will handle the process of porting your phone number.
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Typical T-Mobile Rip Off!!! T-Mobile are conmen. I'm with Three and they are the best network I've dealt with so far and also a lot cheaper so yes there is a difference a considerably large one at that.
Tesco has the best deal with the total ownership being close to £650? ill give you that it is £229 for the handset but its only 12 month!! im considering it big time, but most people i know are on tmobile. aggh!
Hey Mudal,
The Tesco Contract (750mins, unltd txt) does have a lower total cost of ownership but the total cost of ownership you state is for 12 months and not 24 months. Over 24 months, the TCO becomes £1,069 which is pricier than Three. The Three tariff with 900 mins, 5000 texts which works out as a TCO of £939 – £130 cheaper than Tesco. Of course, you could go for the 12 month Tesco deal and then switch to a SIM only contract after 12 months (described over at http://cow.neondragon.net/index.php/the-uks-6-bes… ) – this would be much more competitive.
Hope this helps
Ken
LOL you have no idea what your talking about. Im with t-mobile on a 30day sim contract right now and its better than all the others… You didn't even mention the felxible boosters! unlimited internet, abroad calls, national calls, or texts for free on every t-mobile contract; You just chose which one you want and its on your contract for no extra charge, not to mention the fact that you can always change what booster you get. Also you say that three get the same signal but everyone I know on three doesn't get signal anywhere, not even in the shops. Orange also gets very limited signal and to be honest going with tesco just makes you sound cheap. Also 500MB is still alot of data usage and all networks are putting a limit on mobile internet in october.
All in all, T-Mobile are actually offering a better deal because they tend to reward loyal customers as well.
Thanks for the comment Sean
I am actually a T-Mobile customer myself! Even including the flexible booster in the calculation (unltd txts as this is the most mainstream option), T-Mobile still comes in much more expensive than other networks. I agree though… there are some other flexible boosters such as European calls… if you use a lot of those than T-Mobile could be more competitive for you.
Hello Ken,
Actually for Tesco mobile the cost is £229 + (12 x 35) + (12 x 20) because in the second year the line rental drops to £20, mean that the total cost of ownership is only £889
I am a T-mobile customer and Very very disappointed that I was offered the same deal as a new customer. I am planning to switch to Tesco.
Happy shopping,
Drew
Hi,
Thanks for your message Drew. Does this calculation involve switching down to a £20/mo. SIM-only tariff?
Ken
Tmobile does have the best network for internet though, by a long mile. They only share infrastrucure with Three, not network.