Buying the iPhone

When can I buy the iPhone?

From 6.02pm on Friday, 9 November 2025

Where can I buy the iPhone?

• In our Carphone Warehouse stores, on our website and by calling us direct.
• You can also buy the iPhone from O2 and Apple.

How much does the iPhone cost?

£269.00 plus the monthly O2 tariff for iPhone

How do I qualify for the iPhone?

To buy the iPhone, you must be 16 years old or over and a UK resident with a credit or debit card (with Chip & Pin activated). To activate the iPhone, you must:

• meet our eligibility criteria (see Eligibility)
• have internet access to activate the iPhone and for iTunes (note: broadband is recommended for quality and speed)
• have a Mac or PC that meets the minimum specification required for iTunes (see Basic Requirements)
• be 18 years old or over
• enter into an 18-month contract with O2 on one of their iPhone price plans from £35 per month
• pass an O2 credit check
• have a bank account so you can set up your monthly direct debit
• have a credit or debit card (with Chip & Pin) to create an iTunes account (you activate your iPhone on your computer via iTunes)
• have the latest version of iTunes from www.apple.com/uk/itunes
• have an email address and account you can check regularly as billing is online only

How do I pay for the iPhone?

• You can pay for the iPhone with a Chip & Pin activated credit or debit card only (no cash payments)
• You activate your iPhone on your computer via iTunes, so you'll need a credit or debit card to set up an iTunes account, if you don't already have an account. You'll also set up a direct debit for your monthly price plan payments when you activate your iPhone, so you'll need to supply your bank account details

If I buy the iPhone online, how long does it take to be delivered?

We'll deliver your iPhone the next working day if you order it before 5pm

How many iPhones can I buy?

Due to the anticipated high demand, you can buy a maximum of two iPhones

Can I buy accessories for the iPhone?

Yes. Go to our iPhone accessory shop to see the available accessories

What comes in the box?

• iPhone
• Stereo headset
• Dock
• Dock connector to USB cable
• USB power adaptor
• Documentation
• Cleaning cloth

Using the iPhone

Can I use my iPhone straight away?

The first thing you'll need to do with your iPhone is activate it using iTunes on your computer. If you don't already have an iTunes account, you'll need to set one up. A credit or debit card will be required as part of the set-up process. You will also need to pass a credit check as part of the activation process. If you're transferring your existing number, you'll get a temporary number so you can start using your iPhone straight away after you activate it.

Can I transfer my contacts from my current mobile to the iPhone?

Yes. But first you'll need to transfer all your contact information to Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express on a PC, or Address Book or Entourage on a Mac. Then you can sync your iPhone with your computer to put your contacts into your iPhone.

How does the iPhone work with The Cloud's broadband internet access?

The Cloud is Europe's leading wireless broadband network, with 7,500 hotspots in the UK. If you have an iPhone you get free broadband when you're in one of The Cloud's hotspots. Fair usage policy applies.

Network and price plans

Is O2 the only network I can use the iPhone on?

iPhone can only be used on the O2 network unless you are roaming. If you do not enter into a contract with O2 on one of their iPhone tariffs, you won't be able to use your iPhone (including the iPod function). If you enter into but do not remain in an airtime agreement with O2 on one of our iPhone tariffs you will not be able to use the phone, internet or other related services on your iPhone (but will be able to use the iPod function).

If you try to unlock iPhone and use it on another network (for example, replace the SIM), it may become permanently unusable. Making unauthorised modifications to the software on your iPhone violates the iPhone software license agreement, and the inability to use your iPhone due to unauthorised software modifications is not covered under your iPhone's warranty.

What if I already have an O2 contract with Carphone Warehouse and I want to upgrade to the iPhone?

You can either enter into a second pay monthly iPhone airtime contract while keeping your existing airtime contract, in which case your existing number will remain with your existing phone and you will get a new number for your iPhone or we will allow you to cancel your existing contract and transfer your existing number to your iPhone provided you:

• pay any outstanding bills
• pay the price of the iPhone
• pass a new credit check with O2
• complete activation of your iPhone
• transfer your existing O2 mobile number using a tranfer code (which you will need to contact us to obtain)
• do not cancel your new iPhone airtime contract

If you joined or upgraded through Carphone Warehouse after 18 September 2025 you must in addition pay an amount of £219 as compensation for our loss due to terminating early.

If you do not complete the activation of your iPhone or you cancel your new iPhone airtime contract, your existing contract will not be cancelled and you will remain liable for all line rental, call and other charges under your existing O2 airtime contract. If you paid the £219 charge, this will be refunded.

Please note:

• You must provide the transfer code during the activation process within seven working days of when you bought the iPhone.
• This does not immediately cancel your existing O2 airtime contract.
• Please allow 14 days from point of activation for your existing mobile number to transfer to your iPhone. During this time you will get a temporary number for your iPhone and you will remain liable for all line rental, call and other charges under your existing O2 airtime contract until your number transfers across.

What if I am a non- Carphone Warehouse O2 Simplicity and O2 Pay & Go customer?

You can either enter into a second pay monthly iPhone airtime contract while keeping your existing airtime contract, in which case your existing number will remain with your existing phone and you will get a new number for your iPhone or O2 will allow you to cancel your existing contract and transfer your existing number to your iPhone without charge.

What price plans are available?

Please see table in the above section.

Is there a price plan for businesses?

• iPhone is not available on business price plans and contracts
• Business and corporate customers can still buy an iPhone but must to take out a new 18-month contract on an iPhone price plan

How will I be billed?

You'll be able to view your bill online only. O2 will email you each month to let you know your bill is ready to view online.

Keeping your phone number

Can I keep my number if I'm an O2 customer with Carphone Warehouse?

• Yes. See "What if I already have an O2 contract with Carphone Warehouse and I want to upgrade to the iPhone?" You'll need a transfer code to transfer your number. You'll get a transfer code when you buy the iPhone in the store or over the phone. If you buy your iPhone on our website, you need to call us so we can give you the transfer code.
• You enter your transfer code during the activation process. You'll get a temporary number until the transfer is complete (which may take up to 14 working days).

Can I keep my number if I'm an O2 customer (billed by O2), or if I'm an O2 Pay & Go customer?

Yes. When you activate your iPhone on your computer, you'll be asked if you want to transfer your existing O2 number to the iPhone and you'll need to give your existing mobile number and enter a PIN, which O2 sends you during activation. You'll get a temporary number until the transfer is complete (which may take up to five working days).

If you are an existing O2 business or corporate customer, there may be some extra details we need to check with you before the transfer can take place. Follow the onscreen instructions within the activation process.

Can I keep my number if I have a contract with a network other than O2?

Yes. You'll need to end your existing contract (if permitted) and ask your network provider for a PAC code. Once you get the PAC code, enter it during the activation process. You'll get a temporary number until the transfer is complete, which may take up to five working days.

Insurance, warranty and returns

Can I insure the iPhone in case it's lost or stolen?

Yes. You can take out our Lifeline insurance. Full details will be provided when you buy the iPhone.

What kind of warranty do I get with the iPhone?

The iPhone comes with Apple's Limited Warranty for one year. A copy of the Apple warranty can be found at www.apple.com/legal/warranty/.

Can I return the iPhone?

Yes, if you fail your O2 credit check or you have changed your mind, as set out below;

You must return your iPhone with all contents (accessories, manuals, etc) and packaging undamaged and unused with a valid till receipt or other proof of purchase to a Carphone Warehouse store and proof of credit check (if applicable) within 7 working days from the date you received your iPhone*. In addition, if you bought it via distance means such as online or by calling us direct you can also obtain a refund provided you notify us within 7 working days starting the day after you receive it* that you no longer want it and then return it to us us above*.

You may activate your iPhone during this period, but a refund will only be provided if you have not used the iPhone. Use would include, but not be limited to making or receiving a call, SMS, MMS or data, browsing the internet or using any of the funstions of the iPhone (e.g. amending settings, saving any data (including music) adding a contact or appointment, taking a photograph or using an application). If you use your iPhone before or after notifying us of your wish to cancel, you will be responsible for all charges incurred under your O2 airtime contract and these may not be refunded.

If you are permitted to cancel your O2 airtime contract under the terms of your O2 airtime contract and you switched from another O2 tariff, you will transfer back to your previous tariff - see "If you switched from another O2 tariff" below for details.

If O2 has required a deposit and the airtime contract is cancelled, you will need to request a refund of your deposit from O2 directly.

You must take care of the iPhone (including all equipment, manuals and accessories) until received by us so they must be returned undamaged and unused otherwise you will not be entitled to a refund under our Change of mind policy or you may be charged for the cost of collection or the value of the missing, damaged or used items if you exercise your Right to cancel if you bought it from calling us direct or online.

If you switched from another O2 tariff

If you do not complete activation of your iPhone or you cancel your new iPhone airtime contract and you were within the minimum term of an O2 pay monthly agreement at the time you purchased your iPhone from us and we permitted you to switch to an O2 tariff for iPhone, you agree that you will be transferred back to your previous tariff and required to complete your previous O2 airtime contract and you will remain liable for all line rental, call and other charges under your previous O2 airtime contract.

What if my iPhone is faulty?

If your iPhone is faulty, you can exchange it if you return your iPhone with all contents (accessories, manuals, etc) and your valid till receipt or other proof of purchase to a Carphone Warehouse store within 28 days of you receiving it*. If your iPhone is faulty, you may in certain circumstances otherwise be entitled to a repair, exchange or refund.You cannot return the iPhone due to activation/computer/internet problems.

Our full Returns and Exchange Policy is available at www.carphonewarehouse.com/returns. Our returns policies do not affect your statutory rights.

* You will be deemed to have received these Terms and Conditions of Sale of iPhones and the iPhone when we have tried to deliver them to you even if you were not there to collect them.