Tesco Mobile announces cheapest UK iPhone 4 tariffs yet
By Vlad Savov 
posted June 23rd 2010 8:53AM
posted June 23rd 2010 8:53AM
You're not going to believe this, but someone actually bothered to turn up to the iPhone 4 launch with a bit of competitive spirit. Tesco Mobile, an MVNA riding atop O2's network, has busted out its idea of what represents good value for iPhone lovers' money, and it has put everyone else to shame. 1GB of data and unlimited texts come as standard (seems like O2's network can handle the load after all). Two 12-month options are available, at £20 ($29) per month for 250 minutes and £35 ($52) per month for 750 minutes, accompanied by the big spender platter of unlimited minutes and an almost free 16GB iPhone 4 for those willing to spend £45 ($66) over two years. It's all great news for Brits, and you can see exactly how it compares to the big networks in our comprehensive, chart-intensive breakdown right here.
And noow germany, pls. Free us of t-mobile monopolism.
@michbeck
Dammit I WANT A CANADIAN RELEASE DATE!
@uckApple SAME HERE! I NEED SOMEONE TO SELL ME AN UNLOCKED IPHONE...
@michbeck like in portugal !!!!! all free !
@michbeck Pray to the Care Bears for this. Mobile plans are stupid expensive here anyway but T-Mobile takes the biscuit. I thought they'd give us some bit of a better deal this time round but their prices are a joke. They rang me again today to offer me the iPhone 4 with another contract for my wife taking over my 3G, same price, no discount for the second contract. Jokeshop.
@DeviousMrBlonde Base is big on ads, like "Smartphones for everyone" and they just resell them from some shady website. And a second damn-expensive contract for your wife ? how convenient for the pink-T, double the money, only one new phone. And Vodafone, O2 and E+ aren't even competing. This is just sad.
Every little helps...
@lnm4444
Very very good deal from Tesco as ever!
@Almo
How many Clubcard points do you get?
It's worth pointing out that you have a substantial initial outlay for the iPhone in addition to those monthly rates. However it still works out a good £100 or so cheaper than buying an iPhone SIM-free and signing up for one of the SIM-only iPhone plans, and you're out of the contract in a year.
I love Tesco.
Problem with Tesco mobile they don't have stores so it's online only and you have to wait for delivery !
@cecemf
Just go down to the Tesco supermarket, they usually have a specialist stand somewhere that is just for electronics/ Phones.
Im still sticking with Vodafone or T-mobile when they release their prices as i should get a decent discount for being a long term customer.
@cecemf ughh, tesco don't have stores? what?
@TriKz 619
In case you were wondering, they'll be selling them from 9am on the 24th in all Tesco Extra stores. You can also order online, and get next business day delivery. Practically speaking, if you order before midday on Thursday, you'll get it delivered on Friday.
You'll catch me arriving at the store at 8:45, so I get mine on the dot, although it is a 24 hour store so I could wait there overnight ;)
@versp Is there anywhere actually confirming that it will be available at the stores at 9 / which stores?
Just called my local tesco extra and they confirmed they're opening at 9am and should be selling it tomorrow
Wow those are some good rates...
Would Not Switch my ANDROID for TWO iPhones
@DavidDB Would not take TWO android phones for one IPHONE.
Would not trade my starTAC for 5 RAZRs
@MattsZ Would not switch 2 Tesco doughnuts for Android!
Tescco i love you sooooooo much
bye bye sainsburys
In Bulgaria, Globul, which is part of greek Cosmote, offers a plan (a general one, not specifically to iPhone users), where you pay 25 levs (USD 15.7/EUR 12.8) for 1,500 minutes in the home network, 30 minutes to other networks, 1,500 text msgs, 150 MMSs and unlimited data, where the first 250mb are at full speed and the rest are limited to 128Kbps.
http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=1&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fglobul.bg%2Fbg%2Fpostpaid.21.html%3Fposm%3D21%26p%3D1&sl=auto&tl=en
@pavelgr Google translates it as EUR, but it's actually levs.
Come on 3 where the duck are your prices... don't lose out now....
@LordBrian
Went into a 3 store. According to the sales guy, they're not getting any iPhones until Middle of July.
are they going to have these from tomorrow?
and in Canada they want to enslave you for 3 years!
This seems like a pretty good deal, especially for 12 months. Now just to see what kinda of deal my current network (three) can offer, since they tend to be pretty cheap, and have good coverage where I live.
Just goes to show what a bunch of crooks the Big Four networks are (excluding Three, they actually try to be competitive) when an MVNO riding on their network can offer cheaper rates. I suppose this fleecing is nothing on the scale of AT&T though..
WOOOP I might actually get one now :D Recyle my iPhone 3GS 16GB with o2 for £239 and the new one will only cost me like £120 on the cheapest contract!
@davidsomen Unlock it with redsnow and sell it for more on eBay.
It's MVNO not MVNA.
5 different carriers in the UK, and we're still stuck with one iron fisted, crappy one?
ARRRRGGGGGHHHH!!!!
@AuggieBenDoggie 5 real carriers all with the iPhone and two VMNOs also offering the iPhone.
Where did anyone find those tariffs on Tesco Mobile's site...? Anyone has a link? Also anyone knows if they allow tethering?
Still waiting for 3 though as I have a contract with them, if they allow tethering and have a bigger data allowance I'd just stick with them as they are pretty good.
@vrapan http://direct.tesco.com/p/inc/specials/iphone/tariffs.asp
I'm currently on the £45 a month plan on o2. So If I switch to Tesco, I'll get...
unlimited minutes (instead of 1200 on o2)
1GB Data (instead of 750GB on o2)
pay £99 for the 32GB model (instead of £129 on o2)
And Tesco mobile uses the o2 network, so I shouldn't notice any difference in coverage.
Only question is, when will Tesco start selling the phone?
@MikeUK
Yeah could someone on Tesco mob now please share their experience?
I remember when I was on 3 and they said they used the o2 network when phones were out of a 3 coverage area and that was utter BS the reception was non-existant.
@MikeUK
im in the exact same boat as you however i also have insurance and broadband with o2 so its a little more complicated. Think o2 will insure and iphone on another network? :(
@fais When 3 used to piggy back on o2, the biggest problem was that the phones were set to prefer 3G (as it was cheaper for Three) and so reception was always poor. A lot of people resorted to forcing their handsets to only connect to 2G (o2) so that they'd get more reliable reception!
That's actually a really good price, I wish I could get that her ein the US. Why are we paying $70 for unlimited data, no text messaging and 450 minutes? (this has been my plan for the last two years, I realize that data costs less now)
Where the fuck is my good deals, god damn USA, land of the free-ish.
Certainly worth mentioning that, according to the FAQ, Tesco Mobile does not yet support Visual Voicemail.
Does no one else find it sad that the best deal so far is coming from Tesco Mobile instead one of the bigger networks.
Three might be one to watch out for. Their network is excellent where I live. The best coverage by a longshot.
any thoughts on how early we'd need to line up at tesco to get one?
@jrinco11 You will have to buy online I presume
And how would you go about ordering one? anyone has any link to their online page with the iphone 4s? Still cannot find Tesco Mobile's official price plans announcement/page