iPhone 5S - buy my own or go on contract ?

Cerbera

I'm looking at the cost of an iPhone 5S and if I buy my own off Apple the cost over 24 months on a Vodafone SIM-only package is exactly the same as if I go on a 24-month contract with them.

I'm thinking to buy my own phone seeing as the cost will be the same.

Also if I want to change it at any stage I already have a factory-unlocked phone which would be easy to sell on.

Am I over-simplyfying it here, is there something I'm missing?

What's your opinions folks?

conor_ie

Buy from Apple!!

Creamy Goodness

the 'buy a factory unlocked vs. a contract iphone' debate is done to death.

it usually comes down to the simple fact of whether you have the cash up front to pay apple or you need to spread the cost over 12/18/24 months. The actual cost savings/difference can be as little as €20 in the grand scheme of things.

iPhone plans do seem to be over priced though in comparison to 30day sim only plans, but sure the price of the phone is built into the contracts.

Cerbera

I've looked and it's exactly the same for me over 24 months

I don't need to spread it over 24 months so I reckon I will go the Apple route

Dades

Either way you might want to factor in insurance, too.

The_Pretender

If it's the exact same then definitely just buy it straight out. You'll be free to do what you want, and won't be tied down to a contract.

Cerbera

Yeah I know about insurance but that's an extra either way

Zcott

Buying from Apple gives you an Apple receipt and an unlocked phone, which is worth more for resale.

Creamy Goodness

Best approach.

Buy from apple on a tick year.
Get upgrade on a tock year.

Pros free upgrade on tock years. Unlocked phone to sell for tick years.

SteelyDanJalapeno

Creamy Goodness wrote: »

Best approach.

Buy from apple on a tick year.
Get upgrade on a tock year.

Pros free upgrade on tock years. Unlocked phone to sell for tick years.

What is a "tick year"?
What is a "tock year"?

Creamy Goodness

tick year = iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 4, iPhone 5
tock year = iPhone 3G S, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5S

apple's release pattern for iPhones is like the tick tock of a clock.