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How to buy the new iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X in the U.K.

Apple announced three new iPhone models during its September 12, 2017 event: The iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and the iPhone X. All will be released between now and the beginning of November, in the U.S., the U.K., and a long list of other countries. Have you decided which one you’re going to buy?

Our hands-on review of the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, and the iPhone X, should help you make a decision. If you’re still not sure, take a look at our guide to all the differences between the three phones. It’s a tough choice. Once you’ve made up your mind, where can you find the best deals? Here, learn how to buy the new iPhones in the U.K.. We also have a comprehensive guides on how to buy the iPhone 8 and how to buy the iPhone X if you’re in the U.S.

Ready to spend some cash?

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Pre-order and release dates

Apple has staggered the release of its new iPhone models. The iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus are now available to buy, and are available in stores, through networks, and online. Eager iPhone X  buyers will have to wait for pre-orders to open on October 27, from 08:01 a.m GMT. The iPhone X will be released on November 3.

Apple

The new iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus are available to buy through Apple’s online store, and in its retail stores — sorry, we mean its retail “town squares” — right now, and with varying shipping times.

Image used with permission by copyright holder
  • The 4.7-inch iPhone 8 comes with either 64GB of storage space for 700 British pounds, or with 256GB for 850 British pounds.
  • Apple offers financing on both models over two years, with the iPhone 8 64GB starting at 33.56 British pounds each month, and the 256GB iPhone 8 costing 40.75 British pounds each month.
  • There are three colors: silver, gold, or space grey. All cost the same amount.
  • The 5.5-inch iPhone 8 Plus comes in the same colors and storage capacities.
  • The 64GB iPhone 8 Plus is 800 British pounds, or 38.35 British pounds a month over two years with Apple’s finance option.
  • The 256GB iPhone 8 Plus is 950 British pounds, or 45.55 British pounds a month over two years.
iPhone X backside
Image used with permission by copyright holder
  • The 5.8-inch iPhone X isn’t for sale yet, but when it is, it will come with the same storage capacity options, but only in silver or space grey.
  • The 64GB iPhone X is 1000 British pounds, or 47.95 British pounds each month with Apple’s finance. The 256GB iPhone X is 1,150 British pounds, or 55.15 British pounds each month.

Major networks for iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus

Apple isn’t the only place you’ll be able to buy a new iPhone. All the U.K. networks sell them too. Buying an iPhone without a contract through a network will cost the same as it does through Apple; but if you want to sign up for a new two-year service agreement, then offers and up-front prices will vary.

  • At EE, both iPhone 8 models are available now. It’s offering a deal when you sign-up for the Annual Upgrade program on the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus. For 68 British pounds per month and 10 British pounds for the 64GB iPhone 8, you get 100GB of data instead of 25GB, plus the chance to upgrade your phone next year. The 64GB iPhone 8 Plus on the same deal costs 73 British pounds each month.
  • O2’s recommended tariff for the iPhone 8 is to pay 30 British pounds for the 64GB model, and 63 British pounds each month for 20GB of data, an upgrade in the future, and a free screen replacement if you break it. The 64GB iPhone 8 Plus is the same upfront, and 68 British pounds a month.
  • If you’re willing to pay more upfront for your new phone, take a look at Three. It’s offering 12GB of data per month over two years for the price of 4GB, or 55 British pounds per month, and 80 British pounds for the 64GB iPhone 8. It’s 60 British pounds per month for the 64GB iPhone 8 Plus on the same data deal.
  • Vodafone has extra data deals on the iPhone, plus it includes a two-year extended warranty in the price. For 20 British pounds up front you get a 64GB iPhone 8, and 26GB of data over two years at 60 British pounds per month. The iPhone 8 Plus 64GB is 30 British pounds upfront, and 64 British pounds per month on the same deal.

Major networks for iPhone X

The Apple iPhone X will arrive later this year, and prices are different to the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus. Here’s what has been announced by the networks so far.

  • EE has the same 100GB of data for the price of 25GB deal for the iPhone X, as it does for the iPhone 8. The 64GB iPhone X will cost 10 British pounds upfront, and 83 British pounds per month on this plan. However, it won’t be available to pre-order until October 27.
  • Vodafone hasn’t released its final prices for the iPhone X, but does state it will start at 67 British pounds per month on a two-year contract.
  • Neither Three or O2 have released prices or plans for the iPhone X at the time of writing.

Other networks

There are many mobile virtual network operators (MVNO) in the U.K., and several offer the iPhone 8 and Phone 8 Plus now, while the iPhone X will come later.

GiffGaff sells the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus outright, or, to spread the cost, via a monthly plan for two years. The 64GB iPhone 8 is 700 British pounds, and the 256GB model 850 is British pounds. The iPhone 8 Plus with 64GB is 800 British pounds, and the 256GB is 950 British pounds. Pay monthly for the iPhone 8 and it will cost 43.46 British pounds for the 64GB and 50.90 British pounds for the 256GB. The iPhone 8 Plus is a little more expensive, at 48.42 British pounds each month for the 64GB model, and 55.87 British pounds monthly for the 256GB. Each monthly plan has a 25 British pound initial charge on top. A GiffGaff SIM is included, but the phones are sold unlocked, and without a contract. The iPhone X will come to GiffGaff on November 3.

Sky Mobile has the iPhone 8 and the iPhone 8 Plus on a contract. Add a 5GB data plan and PAYG calls/texts, and the total for a 64GB iPhone 8 reaches 42 British pounds per month, and 47 British pounds per month for the 64GB iPhone 8 Plus.

Virgin Mobile sells the 64GB iPhone 8 with 9GB of monthly data for 43 British pounds a month for two years. A 64GB iPhone 8 Plus is 49 British pounds per month for two years.

Retailers

Retailers, both on the high street and online, also sell the new iPhone models.

  • An alternative to going directly to a single network, Carphone Warehouse sells the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and will eventually sell the iPhone X on the network of your choice under one roof. It’s offering the same deals found on the above networks.
  • All three new iPhone models are available with Mobile Phones Direct, but for now only the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus can be purchased. It’s offering deals with EE, O2, Vodafone, and Three, and highlights a Vodafone offer for 48 British pounds per month with 18GB of data, with an iPhone 8 64GB for free.
  • Online retailer Mobiles.co.uk has the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus with contract deals through O2, EE, and Vodafone. It highlights the 64GB iPhone 8 for 40 British pounds per month on O2 with 10GB of data, if you spend 150 British pounds up front.

We’ll be updating here when more offers are announced, so check back soon.

Update: The iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus have been released, and we’ve updated all the price details, plus added in GiffGaff’s, Virgin Mobile, and Sky Mobile’s deals.

Andy Boxall
Andy has written about mobile technology for almost a decade. From 2G to 5G and smartphone to smartwatch, Andy knows tech.
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