The cheapest alternatives to the iPhone 4

Is the new iPhone 4 more style than substance? We track down some of the cheapest alternative deals.

On the day the iPhone 4 was finally launched in the UK, I happened to be passing an O2 store in London. There was a long queue of people outside clutching their pre-order forms, and the doors were being blocked by two burly security guards.

A friend asked if he could go inside to have a look at the new iPhone, and a guard grudgingly agreed. When I asked if I could join him, however (so I wasn’t left outside like a lost dog) the guard growled that I couldn’t, because the store was far too crowded.

Peeping over his shoulder, I saw that there were two other people in there - possibly three. The power of the Apple marketing machine, eh?

The iPhone 4’s shiny reputation has since been slightly tarnished by the news that if you hold it the wrong way, you might not be able to get a signal. Oops.

Plus, it’s proving almost impossible to get your hands on one – many providers have totally sold out.

So is it really style over substance? And are there other, cheaper packages that could give the new iPhone a run for its money?

With some help from mobile phone specialists Recombu, we’ve rounded up the best deals you can get on some of the cheapest alternatives to the iPhone4.

What the iPhone 4 will cost you

iPhone contracts start at around £25 per month. However, you’ll only get this price if you also pay a substantial amount for the handset. The 16gb version of the iPhone 4 will set you back around £219.

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You can get a free iPhone 4 handset; but that will involve you paying around £45 per month on a 24 month contract. And of course, you’ll also have to wait for the new iPhone stock to arrive.

The competition

However, if you’re willing to consider getting a smartphone instead, there are plenty of cheaper alternatives around.

Just bear in mind that to get the cheapest deal, you may well have to commit to a contract lasting up to two years.

1. HTC Desire

Here’s an HTC Desire features breakdown, and the Recombu review.

Top deals: 3 Mobile’s The One Plan gives you 2000 minutes and 5000 texts a month, with 1GB of net usage and a free HTC Desire handset. This package will cost you £35 per month for a 24 month contract.

Alternatively, this Mobiles.co.uk offer will give you 300 minutes and unlimited texts every month, with a free HTC Desire handset. The first 12 months of this 24 month Orange contract will be charged at half-price - £12.50 a month.

2. Samsung Monte

Here’s a Samsung Monte features breakdown, and the Recombu review.  

Top deal: There’s currently a T-Mobile deal (via Into Mobiles) that offers you a free Samsung Monte handset, plus 600 minutes and unlimited texts every month. This offer is priced at just £8.33 a month, based on an 18 month contract.

3. Nokia X6

Here’s a Nokia X6 features breakdown, and the Recombu review.

Top deals: At O2, you can now get a free Nokia X6 handset, plus 100 minutes and unlimited texts, for £15 per month. Remember, this deal is only available if you opt for a 24 month contract.

Alternatively, if you think you’re going to need more free minutes, consider this T-Mobile offer (via Buy Mobile Phones). It costs £25 a month (based on an 18 month contract) and includes 300 minutes and unlimited texts per month, a free Nokia X6 handset and £65 cashback.

4. Sony Ericsson X10/X10 Mini

Here’s a Sony Ericsson X10 features breakdown, and the Recombu review.

And here’s a Sony Ericsson X10 Mini features breakdown, with a Recombu review of its own.

Top deals: Those who want the Sony Ericsson X10 can get a free handset, 500 minutes, 5000 texts, and 1GB internet a month with this deal from 3 Mobile. The package costs £30 per month, based on a 24 month contract.

If you’d rather get a Sony Ericsson X10 Mini, take a look at this deal from Orange (via Dial-A-Phone). You get 100 minutes and unlimited texts every month - plus a free handset - and the first 14 months of the 18 month deal come at half price (£12.50).

Horses for courses

It’s important to do your own research before buying any product; but particularly when it’s something as complicated and multi-functional as a high-spec phone.

Our round-up can definitely be used as a starting point, but the phone that’s right for you will depend on your individual circumstances, and what you want to use that phone for.

For example, if you’re a keen gamer, have a look at this review of the best iPhone alternatives for gaming.

And it’s always definitely worth comparing reviews on a few specialist technology sites, like TechRadar, Tracy and Matt, Zath, T3, Electric Pig and Technology Blogged.

A golden shopping rule

Finally, always use price comparison sites to help find the best possible deal. Each site may cover a slightly different range of offers, so it’s worth using more than one.

Specialist mobile phone comparison sites include Recombu, Right Mobile Phone, Mobile Phone Checker and Omio.

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