Weekend Spend: iPhone tariffs explained

The 3G iPhone, the competitors, and what it all really costs.

Signing up, sitting down and strapping in for an 18 (or even 24) month contract always seems like a good idea at the time, mainly because you leave the shop with a shiny new rectangle of cellular joy.

Over a year down the line, however, you're invariably left with a brick that people scoff at, and a costly tariff that has you withering on bread and water.

So what does it all really cost? Here's our quick guide to the iPhone, the competition, and how much those tempting tariffs will really set you back.
Apple iPhone

apple.com/uk

The mobile messiah has arrived and sports built-in GPS, a 2 megapixel camera and familiar iPod functionality with 8GB and 16GB versions available.

Only available on O2. Available for £99 (8GB) or £159 (16GB) on an 18 month contract for £30 per month line rental with 75 free minutes and 125 free texts.

Total cost to you (8GB): £639

Total cost to you (16GB): £699

Also available for £99 (8GB) or £159 (16GB) on an 18 month contract for £35 per month line rental with 600 free minutes and 500 free texts.

Total cost to you (8GB): £729

Total cost to you (16GB): £789

Also available for free (8GB) or £59 (16GB) on an 18 month contract for £45 per month line rental with 1200 free minutes and 500 free texts.

Total cost to you (8GB): £810

Total cost to you (16GB): £869

Also available for free (8GB and 16GB) on an 18 month contract for a stonking £75 per month line rental with 3000 free minutes and 500 free texts.

Total cost to you (8GB and 16GB): £1350

Blackberry Pearl

blackberrypearl.com

The mobile email king, Blackberry's Pearl is the slickest yet with a two-letter-per-key interface, built in GPS, Wi-Fi and 2 megapixel camera.

Available free on O2 over 18 months for £25 per month with unlimited free texts.

Total cost to you: £450

Available free on Orange Canary tariff over 18 months for £37.50 per month with 350 minutes talktime and 250 free texts anytime to any network.

Total cost to you: £675

Samsung Tocco

uk.samsungmobile.com

Touchscreen-toting iPhone botherer with a 2.8-inch full touchscreen, 5 megapixel camera, but little internal memory. Storage comes courtesy of microSD memory cards.

Also on O2 free with 18 month contract for £30 per month with 400 minutes talktime and 500 free texts.

Total cost to you: £450

Available free on Orange Racoon tariff over 18 months for £30 per month with 400 minutes talktime and 100 free texts.

Total cost to you: £450

LG Secret

lgmobile.com

The slimmest handset with an iPhone-beating 5-megapixel camera, the Secret is the latest in LG's luxury Black Label range of handsets.

Available for free on O2 with 24 month contract, 600 minutes and 500 texts for £30 a month.

Total cost to you (24 months): £720

Available for free on Orange with 18 month contract, 700 minutes and 100 texts for £35 a month.

Total cost to you: £630

Nokia N95 8GB

nokia.com

The N95 2.0 has a cracking music player, serviceable satnav, Wi-Fi, HSDPA and much more. It's not the slimmest of phones, but it's still a classy looker.

For free on the 3 network with line rental of £36 per month over 18 months. This gets you up to 700 free minutes and 700 free texts.

Total cost to you: £648

Costs £20 on T-Mobile and £40 per month for 18 months with up to 1125 free minutes and up to 2250 SMS.

Total cost to you: £740

Sony Ericsson W960i

sonyericsson.co.uk

Sony Ericsson's 3G phone is thunderously powerful. It sports a suberb music player, 8GB of storage, touch screen, web capabilities and video calling.

Available on O2 for £40 with a 24 month contract at £40 per month. Sign up and you're gifted 1200 free minutes and 1000 free texts.

Total cost to you (24 month): £1000

Vodafone offers a free handset on its 18 month contract, with line rental costing £30 per month. You get 600 free minutes and unlimited texts.

Total cost to you: £430