How do I find the cheapest iPhone plan that suits my needs? iPhoned answers and shows you what to look out for when figuring out.
Finding the cheapest iPhone plan
Some users go for the latest iPhone with a large bundle, while others opt for an entry-level model in combination with low monthly costs. Whatever you choose, the step-by-step plan below will go a long way in your search for a suitable (and affordable!) Subscription.
- Which cheap iPhone is best for me?
- What do I want to pay per month for my subscription?
- Is it best to take out or extend a 1-year or 2-year subscription?
- Is it better to take out a subscription through a provider or webshop?
- How much do I call and text per month?
- How much data do I use per month?
- Do I need a super fast mobile internet connection?
1. Which cheap iPhone is best for me?
Although Apple and providers usually offer the most recent models, such as the iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max and iPhone 11, it is often also possible to buy older iPhones via web shops. As a result, the choice you have is quite extensive. This is especially useful if you are looking for a cheaper way to get an iPhone. For example, you can currently buy the iPhone 7 and iPhone 6S relatively cheaply, separately, refurbished or refurbished / new in combination with a subscription.
Both devices run on the most recent iOS version, have excellent cameras and, despite their age, are perfectly suitable for those who regularly call, send messages and use the internet. If you do not want to make any concessions, we advise you to go for the new generation of iPhones. The iPhone XS is the current top model, with the best hardware and camera and a number of interesting new features.
Finally, you have a choice in storage space: 16GB is the minimum and actually only enough if you use your phone to call, email, surf the internet and use some apps. With 32GB you are in the right place if you sometimes use your iPhone as a camera. If you are someone who prefers to have all their photos, music and videos at hand, 64GB or 128GB of memory is recommended. The newer iPhones offer up to 256GB of storage space. This is ideal for large consumers who download even more apps and multimedia.
2. What do I want to pay per month for my subscription?
Make sure you get this sharp for yourself. If you want low monthly payments, you will have to pay off your iPhone in part or in full. If you don’t, the costs of the iPhone will be spread over the entire duration of your 1-year or 2-year subscription. If you take out a new subscription with a device, you will in most cases have to deal with an income test and BKR registration.
Also read: Borrowing money costs money: everything about subscriptions and BKR registration
That is not the case if the value of the supplied smartphone is below 250 euros. Or when you choose to pay off part or all of the device. Refurbished and SIM only are interesting options to keep the monthly costs low and prevent a BKR registration. Such a registration is not necessarily harmful, but it can affect the amount of the mortgage you can get.
3. Is it best to take out or extend a 1-year or 2-year subscription?
This depends on the size of your call, SMS and data bundle and for which device you are going. Entry-level models are cheaper in combination with 1-year subscriptions, but this does not apply to the newer iPhones. For those devices you have to pay a lot extra with a 1-year subscription. With a 2-year subscription, the additional payment is lower than with a 1-year subscription. The device credit is then spread over 24 instead of 12 months.
Sometimes it is cheaper to opt for a higher one-off contribution and a lower monthly amount for your subscription. Especially if you don’t need that much data, call minutes and text messages. If you already have an iPhone, it is smarter to go for a sim-only subscription. That way you keep your monthly telephone costs low.
Another option is to renew your iPhone subscription. For example, providers regularly have great offers if you choose to renew it after the subscription expires. As a result, you spend less money every month, and you can, for example, purchase a newer iPhone model.
4. Is it better to take out a subscription through a provider or webshop?
When choosing whether you order a subscription with iPhone from the provider itself or via a webshop, it is important to compare. In many cases, providers only sell the latest models, while you can also go to some web shops for iPhones that are no longer available from providers and in the Apple Store. In many cases, you order those devices with attractive discounts. In any case, web shops often have good iPhone offers in combination with a subscription, making it worthwhile to compare them with the current promotions of providers.
Finally, it is important to calculate what you will lose for your iPhone over the entire term of the subscription. Certainly because many promotions and offers are only valid for a few months, after which you pay the full amount for your subscription. Sometimes it is smarter to pay a little more once and go for a lower monthly amount. Compare prices carefully and over the total duration (12 or 24 months), to avoid paying too much for your iPhone subscription.
Always take the combination advantage into account. A number of Dutch providers offer iPhones with this combination advantage. For example, if you are already a KPN customer, you will receive a discount on your internet bundle. Telfort and T-Mobile also offer such discounts if you are already a regular customer or know someone. Are you looking for iPhones with a combination advantage? Then you can easily filter this in our price comparator via the left column.
5. How many calls and texts per month?
Consider for yourself whether you make frequent calls before choosing a particular subscription. You can take out a cheap subscription, but if you call every month outside of your bundle, you will still lose a lot of money at the end of the journey. The same applies to SMS, although many providers nowadays offer unlimited SMS as standard. Take a good look at the conditions of the different subscriptions and compare offers.
6. How many MBs of data do I use per month?
A new iPhone requires a hefty data bundle, especially if you have the option of using a fast 4G connection. Experience has shown: the faster the mobile internet, the higher the consumption and the more MBs you need.
Of course there are still gradations in use: if you want to stream music and video, 1GB is not enough. The same applies if you use 4G; a data bundle of more than 1.5 GB is recommended. On the other hand, 250MB-500MB is enough if you have little internet and are often connected to WiFi.
With many providers, your speed is reduced or you have to pay extra when your data bundle is used up. In the first case you can still e-mail and WhatsApp, but usually you can no longer use the internet properly. So keep that in mind. If you are a large consumer, you can consider the unlimited subscriptions. More and more Dutch providers offer these unlimited subscriptions, such as T-Mobile and Tele2.
7. Do I need a super fast mobile internet connection?
It is possible to use 4G in more and more places in the Netherlands and Belgium. Most providers offer national coverage, although some smaller (so-called virtual) providers are still lagging behind in this area. With those providers you cannot yet use super-fast mobile internet (everywhere).
Keep in mind that with 4G you use more data and therefore need a larger bundle (at least 1500MB). Since surfing is faster, you tend to use it more. If you are not careful, your data bundle will soon run out, especially if you often use data-intensive services such as Spotify, Netflix and YouTube and regularly download apps and games.
For those who occasionally e-mail and surf the web, 4G is not necessarily necessary. If you spend most of the time on WiFi, a smaller data bundle (500MB) is no problem. If you are a demanding user who is online all day, then a large data bundle and a fast internet connection are recommended.
View the cheapest iPhone plans per provider
View the current offer per provider below and quickly find the cheapest iPhone subscription.
- iPhone with Vodafone subscription
- iPhone with KPN subscription
- iPhone with T-Mobile subscription
- iPhone with Simyo subscription
- iPhone with Tele2 subscription
- iPhone with Dutch new subscription
- iPhone with Ben subscription
View the cheapest iPhone subscriptions per type of iPhone
You can also view and compare the subscriptions per device. Use the filters in our comparator to tailor the offer to your wishes.
- iPhone XR deals
- iPhone XS Max deals
- iPhone XS deals
- iPhone X deals
- iPhone 8 deals
- iPhone 8 Plus deals
- iPhone 7 deals
- iPhone 7 Plus deals
- iPhone 6S deals