Super High EE Device (iPhone) Costs?

[autumn579]

Can anyone explain this please? Is it common for EE to not offer good deals to existing customers once their contracts end? And is it intentional to mark up the price of older iPhones despite newer models being released?

So for context, I was with EE for over 7 years but left once my contract ended as the new prices I was being offered were ridiculous in comparison to the deal I had before. I went in store, spoke to customer service over the phone too and essentially was told that despite being a long-standing customer, I’d only be offered high-street prices.

Long story short, I’ve been with Voxi since, and cannot handle the poor network anymore so am (apprehensively) thinking of returning. I’m also looking to get a new device as I have a feeling my current phone is also contributing to the network issues.

I am looking to get an iPhone again, but am so confused as to why EE’s device prices are so high compared to other retailers. The iPhone 15 is almost 10% more expensive at EE than Apple. And the iPhone 14 pro is more expensive (from £53pm or total device cost £1110) than the iPhone 15 pro (from £52.26 per month or total device cost £1083.3) That’s the one that doesn’t make much sense to me.

I’m still on two minds on whether to return to EE or to switch to O2 so would appreciate your feedback!

[Leanne_T]

Hi @autumn579 

Thanks for coming to the community. 

Device prices and plans are all available to view on the EE Shop online and will show the benefits included with each plan. 

Our Why choose EE page has details on the benefits of joining EE. 

Leanne 🙂

[Chris_B]

@autumn579   You could always purchase the device from Apple and have a sim only.   The device from Apple on pay monthly is £42.62 over 2 years but with EE you can spread that cost over 36 months and it’s then £27.31 with a £100 upfront cost.  Or just shell out £999 to purchase outright from Apple.  You could even pay more upfront with EE and pay less for the device each month.   This is on a flex pay tariff.    You have options 

[chistery]

It is strange how EE feel they can charge more than RRP for phones on their flex plans with 0% interest. 

[Chris_B]

@chistery   Because the amount of credit your given isn’t greater than the cost of the device.   The upfront payment made isn’t part of that credit given and the 0% interest is on the credit given.  

3. Amount of credit   £983.30

4. How and when credit will be provided

We will provide the credit by applying the Amount of credit set out above in payment or partial payment of the Cash price of the goods shown below. We will do this when you have signed the device credit agreement and the device has been supplied to you.

If you are entering into this device credit agreement following an upgrade of your plan services, it is a condition to us providing the credit as payment or partial payment for the device, that you repay the full balance of any previous device credit agreement that we have asked you to repay. If you do not pay the full balance for a previous device credit agreement that we have asked you to repay, this agreement will not proceed.

5. Description of the device.    APPLE IPHONE 15 PRO 5G 128GB. (the 'device')

6. Cash price £1083.30

- This is the total price you are paying for the device.

7. Advance payments £ 100.00

- This is the amount of the Cash price you have paid by way of an upfront payment. It is a condition to us providing the credit as payment or partial payment for the device, that you make the Advance payment (if there is one).

If you do not make the Advance payment, this agreement will not proceed.

8. Total amount payable.    The total amount you will have to pay is £1083.30

which includes your Advance payments referred to above.

9. APR 0.0% APR

The total amount payable under the agreement is not greater than the Cash price of the goods being purchased and financed by the credit provided under this agreement.    

  The credit provided is only 983.30 there is 0% APR on that and this has nothing todo with any upfront cost paid.    To get the credit you make an upfront payment of the device.

Yes you’re paying more for a £999 device over all but it’s still 0% APR on the credit provided.   

As I said before get the device elsewhere and go sim only and save the £2.77 over 3 years as that’s what the £100 upfront cost is. 

Edit this is slightly wrong as it’s £2.34 over 3 years as you have paid £100 upfront and your credit is £983.30 and retail price of the device is £999 so your £100 upfront makes up the payment to £999 from the amount of credit at £983.30 leaving a £84.30 upfront payment from your £100 spread over 3 years.  I hope that makes sense.  

[chistery]

I guess I'm missing something, I still don't see how it's justified?

So an iPhone Pro 15 256GB is £1099 RRP

EE - Total device cost: £1192.32

Another Networks device plan:  Total Device cost: (£49 + 36 x £29) = £1093

So EE are charging more than RRP? We waited years for EE to introduce these plans, and they turn out to still not be in the customers interest to buy them.

[Chris_B]

@chistery   Never said it was in the consumer’s best interest.  🤣🤣🤣🤣.      It’s an option to purchase over 3 years when Apple only give you 2 years.    Yes Apples option is a proper 0% rate and EEs isn’t especially over 24 months but to extend that payment period to 36 months I think it’s worth it.  I’m not going to miss £2.34.   ( £83.40 over 3 years ) and I don’t bother with yearly upgrades anymore the devices don’t have big enough changes like they used to and now I upgrade every 3 years and I’ve done this with my last 3 phones.    iPhone X, IPhone 12 Pro Max, and now iPhone 15 pro.    

As for other networks you’re on a different network so I’ll pass.   🤣🤣🤣.   The only network I could consider is O2 but with their yearly price increases being really high I would need to think about that a lot before I did.     Not always greener on a different network when price increases happen.   

Edit  I also should’ve said as  O2 are now part of virgin and I can’t stand virgin media at all.  They are a total ripoff and I was so happy when I told them I was leaving and they can stick their services.     So that’s another reason why I would have to give it a lot of thought.