Where to buy LG's G4 in the UK
If we were to ask what your current smartphone is lacking above all, you'd probably cite a shortage of leather, right? OK, so maybe not, but with the launch of the LG G4 in the UK, a leather-backed handset is now well within your grasp. LG's latest flagship, which is also available in vegetarian flavours with metallic effect rear shells, isn't a huge evolution from last year's G3. That said, it's still crammed full of top-tier components, particularly in the display and camera departments, with excellent battery life to keep you tapping your way through those long days. Now, let's say you're interested, but aren't sure of the best way to go about acquiring one. Well, then, let us walk you through your options.
Cheapest contract (with upfront) | £13.50 (£480) | -- | £32 (£49) | £25 on Voda (£140) | £15 on EE (£370) | £23.50 on O2 (£100) |
Cheapest contract (no upfront) | £33.50 | £37 | £35 | £35 on Voda | £40 on EE | £32 on Voda |
Pay-as-you-go | £480 | £480 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Unlocked (SIM-free) | -- | -- | -- | £520 | £551 | -- |
Typically when a new flagship handset launches, carriers are jostling for your business from day one. It doesn't seem the UK's big four have a great deal of faith in the LG G4's success, however, since O2 is the only provider currently ranging the device. Three's said it'll offer the handset from tomorrow, but EE and Vodafone are yet to reveal their launch timelines. Carphone Warehouse was quick on the draw yesterday, and a couple of familiar online resellers now also have contract options available. It's relatively slim pickings at the moment, though, so keep an eye on this page, where we'll add pricing information for the other big carriers when it comes through.
True to form, giffgaff is so far the only MVNO ranging the LG G4, for £37.62 per month with a £40 upfront payment (a higher initial payment will get you a lower monthly bill), or £519 on pay-as-you-go. Surprisingly, not a great deal of unlocked handset merchants have the LG G4 in stock right now. Amazon is matching Carphone Warehouse's price of £520, and Unlocked Mobiles will sell you a non-leather handset for £500. The best deal we can find currently is with Clove, however, which will kit you out with a grey or gold handset for £490, or a brown leather model for £510.
Update: Three's now revealed its contract options for the G4 (all two of them), and Vodafone has the handset up for preorder with a June 1st delivery date. Also note that Three doesn't carrier-lock phones, so going the pay-as-you-go route effectively gets you an unlocked model for £480. As one reader's pointed out (thanks!), one online retailer has the G4 on offer for only £462, leather and all.
