The new iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max are ready to buy right now. If you live in the U.K., how do you go about ordering one, and where can you do so? Here’s our simple guide to getting your hands on a new iPhone as quickly as possible.
If you want to grab a new iPhone in the States, then check out our iPhone buying guide for the U.S., and if you’re waiting for the iPhone XR, it’s coming in October.
Prices and release dates
The iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max are available to buy now, after pre-orders opened on September 14. The iPhone XR is coming a little later, with pre-orders starting on October 19, and a release on October 26.
How much will you pay? Initially, the prices are likely to remain consistent regardless of where you buy one. Should you decide to buy directly through Apple, then the prices look like this:
iPhone XS — Our hands-on review
- iPhone XS 64GB: 1,000 British pounds
- iPhone XS 256GB: 1,150 British pounds
- iPhone XS 512GB: 1,350 British pounds
iPhone XS Max — Our hands-on review
- iPhone XS Max 64GB: 1,100 British pounds
- iPhone XS Max 256GB: 1,250 British pounds
- iPhone XS Max 512GB: 1,450 British pounds
iPhone XR — Our hands-on review
- iPhone XR 64GB: 750 British pounds
- iPhone XR 128GB: 800 British pounds
- iPhone XR 256GB: 900 British pounds
Buy through Apple
The prices above represent those recommended by Apple, and if you decide to buy through the online Apple Store or an Apple retail store, then this is the price you’ll pay up front. If you visit an Apple Store, then Apple offers an iPhone Payments plan, through which you can pay for your new iPhone over 20 months. You get an unlocked phone, and it’s interest-free, too.
iPhone Payments:
- iPhone XS: Starting at 46.50 British pounds per month
- iPhone XS Max: Starting at 51.50 British pounds per month
- iPhone XR: Starting at 34.00 British pounds per month.
Apple Stores also offer the iPhone Upgrade Program, where a similar monthly payment plan provides annual upgrades to the newest iPhone model. Each phone has an upfront payment of 70 British pounds, then a monthly cost. You’re required to trade in your existing iPhone for every upgrade.
iPhone Upgrade Program:
- iPhone XS: Starting at 56.45 British pounds per month
- iPhone XS Max: Starting at 61.45 British pounds per month
- iPhone XR: Starting at 41.45 British pounds per month.
Apple also offers a separate trade-in program, so you can reduce the hassle of selling your phone privately. Prices vary, but a 256GB iPhone X in good shape will fetch 550 British pounds directly through Apple.
U.K. networks
If you’d prefer to buy your new iPhone with a contract, then you’ll want to check networks. All four major networks offer the iPhone XS, the
- EE: You can buy your iPhone XS and XS Max now, and plan prices start at around 73 British pounds per month for the iPhone XS.
- Three: Three has the iPhone XS and XS Max available now, and the network has several deals that include Apple AirPods or Beats Solo headphones. Plans start at 50 British pounds per month. Three stocks all iPhone XS and XS Max models, and will have all the colors of the iPhone XR.
- O2: The network has all the new iPhone XS and XS Max phones now, and will have the iPhone XR in October. Right now, the iPhone XS and XS Max are available on a wide variety of plans.
- Vodafone: Vodafone’s offering additional monthly data bundles when you buy an iPhone XS or XS Max, plus even larger data benefits if you decide to buy an Apple Watch too.
U.K. retailers
You don’t want to go to a network, and you don’t want to deal with the Apple Store, so where else can you get your new iPhone? Luckily, several high street and online retailers stock the new range.
- Argos: The iPhone XS and XS Max are for sale at Argos now. All colors and storage sizes are available. The prices are the same as from the Apple store, and Argos told Digital Trends the company will have a 12-month buy now, pay later option.
- Clove Technology: The online retailer lists all three new iPhone models. The iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max are available to order now, with stock expected in the last week of September.
- Carphone Warehouse: The retailer stocks the black, silver, and gold iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, with all memory options.
We’ll update here with more offers as they are announced.
Updated on September 21, 2018: Added launch day details.
