Poll: ** The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus Thread **

[Billies Bangers]

I have been reading up on the iPhone upgrade programme and can't help but come to the conclusion that the interest free payments aren't really interest free at all.

Firstly, you are covered for faults under the normal guarantee for the first 12 months in any event. However, you have to take out their Apple+ care plan which according to Apple is an insurance policy. This policy doesn't cover you for theft and if your phone gets damaged then you still have to pay an excess payment for the repairs - some insurance.

It's £119 which is roughly equivalent to getting a bank loan at 20% interest - pretty steep. I can't see how this is a cheap way of buying an iPhone. I can understand Apple think it's great as they are getting the customer on the hook for future upgrades and getting a good amount of profit out of their programme.

Am I missing something?

 

[TONY]

Any you guys tried your phone in water yet? I wouldn't try it myself thou as it not class as water proof

I won't be putting mine in water either, I have watched lots of videos and it seems that it is perfectly safe to use it in water at normal swimming pool depths and I even watched a guy spend 5 minutes filming with it at 20 feet deep and it was perfectly fine afterwards.

 

[Junglist]

Any you guys tried your phone in water yet? I wouldn't try it myself thou as it not class as water proof

Yeah, I have. Dunked it in the sink. the top speaker sounded a bit muffled but after 15-20 minutes it was completely fine.

 

[UberTiger]

Anyone leaving it exposed to the elements and mounting it to a cycle or motor bike to use as a sat nav?

 

[icehot]

My Black iPhone 7 Plus arrived on Monday just gone.

No coil whine.... which I guess I'm just lucky with!?

 

[Vertigo]

I have been reading up on the iPhone upgrade programme and can't help but come to the conclusion that the interest free payments aren't really interest free at all.

Firstly, you are covered for faults under the normal guarantee for the first 12 months in any event. However, you have to take out their Apple+ care plan which according to Apple is an insurance policy. This policy doesn't cover you for theft and if your phone gets damaged then you still have to pay an excess payment for the repairs - some insurance.

It's £119 which is roughly equivalent to getting a bank loan at 20% interest - pretty steep. I can't see how this is a cheap way of buying an iPhone. I can understand Apple think it's great as they are getting the customer on the hook for future upgrades and getting a good amount of profit out of their programme.

Am I missing something?

Nope, it's a poor deal. It's just intended to entice people who can't afford to buy the phone outright, with the hope they might even be suckered into upgrading a year down the line.

 

[Billies Bangers]

Nope, it's a poor deal. It's just intended to entice people who can't afford to buy the phone outright, with the hope they might even be suckered into upgrading a year down the line.

Yes it's quite a feat as Apple comes across as everyones favourite uncle doing his best to help you get your chosen phone. I suppose it's just another example of Apple's slick marketing machine.

 

[n111ck]

Lol still going on about it I see...

 

[the wopster]

I've had very little problem with 3 roaming. It is for sure not as speedy as the best 4G connections, but invaluable help in using maps, whatsapping / chatting / posting pictures to friends etc.

I've only used it in Europe, so maybe it is horribly slow in HK or US?

I really couldn't care less if it just 1Mbit connection, as long as it is free and I can just leave roaming on when abroad (obviously only in limited countries).

I have used it in the USA last year Hong Kong a few days ago and Australia now and am having no problems with it at all

 

[Billies Bangers]

Lol still going on about it I see...

Yea I just hate to see the 'little guy' being ripped off. How about you?

 

[n111ck]

Yea I just hate to see the 'little guy' being ripped off. How about you?

I think everyone on here can make their own decisions as to how they spend their money.

What did Trading Standards say when you reported this con deal?

 

[StonedPenguin]

I've had my iPhone 7 128GB Jet black for 2 weeks now, Getting on ok with it. Coming from a S4 it's very different, Even to my last iPhone which was a 3GS (Yes that long ago ) it's different but easy to use.

Vodafone well and truly screwed up the contract, It was supposed to be £48 a month for 24 months with no upfront cost for phone (inc loads of mins and data etc)

They sent me the phone and have put me on a 12 month sim only contract for £15 per month with 1k mins, unl tx & 1GB internet.
I've received the contract in black & white stating this, It says the same in myvodafone app and they took the first £15 direct debit a few days ago.

24 x £48 = £1152
12 x £15 = £180

lol

 

[fez]

I have been reading up on the iPhone upgrade programme and can't help but come to the conclusion that the interest free payments aren't really interest free at all.

Firstly, you are covered for faults under the normal guarantee for the first 12 months in any event. However, you have to take out their Apple+ care plan which according to Apple is an insurance policy. This policy doesn't cover you for theft and if your phone gets damaged then you still have to pay an excess payment for the repairs - some insurance.

It's £119 which is roughly equivalent to getting a bank loan at 20% interest - pretty steep. I can't see how this is a cheap way of buying an iPhone. I can understand Apple think it's great as they are getting the customer on the hook for future upgrades and getting a good amount of profit out of their programme.

Am I missing something?

It's insurance plain and simple. You can buy the £119 insurance on its own. You don't have to upgrade. If you are accident prone it's a good deal. Most insurance for iPhones is quite expensive and the excess is a lot more than the apple one.

It's another option like the 20 month interest free buying of the phone. For a lot of people it's not worth it but for others it will be good value. It's like any insurance. It's a rip off if you don't need to use it.

 

[Fuzz]

Jet Black 128GB 7+ ordered on 9th September...
Still waiting for it.

It's a month today and I'll be cancelling the 02 order on Monday eve if it's not here.
The excitement has truly worn off!
I'll stick with my 6+ til I break it I think.

 

[OCdude]

Jet Black 128GB 7+ ordered on 9th September...
Still waiting for it.

It's a month today and I'll be cancelling the 02 order on Monday eve if it's not here.
The excitement has truly worn off!
I'll stick with my 6+ til I break it I think.

I ordered mine from Apple direct on the same date and my shipping date is now November 11th - so I'd imagine yours will be about the same.... although don't quote me on that

My excitement has totally worn off too.. but unlike you, I've already sold my 6s so I don't have much of a choice anymore lol

 

[Billies Bangers]

I think everyone on here can make their own decisions as to how they spend their money.

What did Trading Standards say when you reported this con deal?

I didn't say what Apple are doing is illegal, so why would TS become involved, or have I missed something?

This practice does lack transparency though, especially for those who haven't got a great deal of financial acumen.

It does beg the question as to why you appear so keen to dismiss this practice as somehow being okay? I was simply pointing out that the so called interest free payments option isn't all it appears to be and that the charges are actually hidden elsewhere.

I doubt you would fall for anything like this though.

 

[Billies Bangers]

It's insurance plain and simple. You can buy the £119 insurance on its own. You don't have to upgrade. If you are accident prone it's a good deal. Most insurance for iPhones is quite expensive and the excess is a lot more than the apple one.

It's another option like the 20 month interest free buying of the phone. For a lot of people it's not worth it but for others it will be good value. It's like any insurance. It's a rip off if you don't need to use it.

My understanding is that it's mandatory for the Apple upgrade programme deal. As an aside don't you get a two year warranty thrown in if you buy from John Lewis?

 

[haszek]

I have been reading up on the iPhone upgrade programme and can't help but come to the conclusion that the interest free payments aren't really interest free at all.

Firstly, you are covered for faults under the normal guarantee for the first 12 months in any event. However, you have to take out their Apple+ care plan which according to Apple is an insurance policy. This policy doesn't cover you for theft and if your phone gets damaged then you still have to pay an excess payment for the repairs - some insurance.

It's £119 which is roughly equivalent to getting a bank loan at 20% interest - pretty steep. I can't see how this is a cheap way of buying an iPhone. I can understand Apple think it's great as they are getting the customer on the hook for future upgrades and getting a good amount of profit out of their programme.

Am I missing something?

Besides you are confusing people because if you are upgrading you pay only insurance for 11 payments (not full £118).

If you don't want insurance and you think it's a trick from apple just take normal payments 0%, no insurance, sell the phone next year, get more money, buy new iphone and you'll be happy.

Pretty transparent to me from apple.

 

[Billies Bangers]

Besides you are confusing people because if you are upgrading you pay only insurance for 11 payments (not full £118).

If you don't want insurance and you think it's a trick from apple just take normal payments 0%, no insurance, sell the phone next year, get more money, buy new iphone and you'll be happy.

Pretty transparent to me from apple.

I'm in the fortunate position of being able to pay cash for things I need. I was simply pointing out that the upgrade programme isn't all it might appear and there are better ways to finance your purchase.

Given that personal debt for 34 year olds and under has tripled since 2008 clearly someone needs financial advice.

 

[ColdAsIce]

I have been reading up on the iPhone upgrade programme and can't help but come to the conclusion that the interest free payments aren't really interest free at all.

Firstly, you are covered for faults under the normal guarantee for the first 12 months in any event. However, you have to take out their Apple+ care plan which according to Apple is an insurance policy. This policy doesn't cover you for theft and if your phone gets damaged then you still have to pay an excess payment for the repairs - some insurance.

It's £119 which is roughly equivalent to getting a bank loan at 20% interest - pretty steep. I can't see how this is a cheap way of buying an iPhone. I can understand Apple think it's great as they are getting the customer on the hook for future upgrades and getting a good amount of profit out of their programme.

Am I missing something?

Yea in the end I just went into the Apple store and got the interest free loan for the iphone 7 that is provided by Barclays. You don't get the free upgrade next year but you can easily sell your iphone 7 for a good chunk of the money needed if you want to upgrade next year.

Also I got fully insured for £70 a year, covers me for everything, from a 3rd party.