Pay-as-You-Go iPhone Launched in the UK

O2 and Apple have announced the immediate availability of the pay-as-you-go — sorry, ‘Pay & Go’ — versions of the iPhone in the UK. The device comes in both current capacities — costing £342.50 (£342.54) for the 8GB version and £391.45 (£391.47) for the 16GB, from the on-line Apple Store (with O2 strangely charging a few pence more — can we say ’rounding error’ boys and girls?) — with the 16Gb version available in black or white.

Also included in the purchase price is a year’s unlimited WiFi connectivity through The Cloud and BT Openzone hotspots, and, more importantly, a year’s unlimited 3G data — excessive usage policy, the exact details of which I cannot seem to find, notwithstanding. These extras are set to cost you £10 per month after the initial year is up. O2 Pay & Go call rates depend on the package chosen, but generally work out as 20p per minute for voice and 12p per text message. Now, would somebody like to do the maths and tell me whether, if I’m not going to be making many phone calls or sending text messages, this is a better or worse deal than the £99, £30 per month contract version. (I’m thinking ‘yes.’)

• Apple UK On-Line Store
• PAYG iPhone at O2
• via Electric Pig