Want a new iPhone? Reckon you’ll be using it a lot? You’ll probably need a contract with a big data allowance - and it doesn’t get much bigger than unlimited.
How to find an iPhone deal with unlimited data
Use the comparison table above, and we’ll do all the work for you.
Simply select the iPhone models you like the look of, choose how much storage you want, and pick a colour if you have a preference, and we’ll show you all the deals available.
Then, select how much data you want on your plan - it might be a good idea to click ‘unlimited data’, by the way - and sort the results by cost to see all the cheapest deals first. Some may even have nothing to pay upfront.
Which networks offer unlimited data iPhone deals?
Three
One of the only networks to offer plans that really do have unlimited data is Three. You can use as much as you like - the fair usage cap is a monstrously high 1000GB, which we assure you you’ll never reach - and you get unlimited texts too.
Giffgaff
Giffgaff has a plan with ‘Always on’ data. The amount of data you can use and download is unlimited - but your download speeds are throttled pretty significantly in the daytime once you’ve used 9GB in a month.
Virgin Mobile
Virgin Mobile sells unlimited data plans... but only to existing Virgin Media broadband customers. Still, if you do take home broadband from the cable provider, you'll be able use mobile internet as much as you like, even if you tether your phone.
Other networks
No other providers in the UK have unlimited data plans, but you can still get some pretty high allowances. EE, O2, Vodafone, BT Mobile, and Virgin Mobile all have tariffs with 20GB and above.
What’s the cheapest unlimited data plan for iPhones?
Giffgaff’s ‘Always on’ plan is the cheapest unlimited data deal - but remember it’s not truly unlimited.
Three’s unlimited plans are surprisingly cheap, starting from about £40 a month (plus upfront costs) for older iPhone models.
An even cheaper option may be to get a plan with a high data limit - unlimited data isn’t always necessary for everyone, after all.
How much data do I need?
Unlimited data is… well, it’s a lot of data. Possibly too much, in fact. Depending how much you use your iPhone when you’re on the go, you may be able to save money by picking a plan that does have a data limit, so long as it’s high enough to cover your usage.
To find out how much you use, try a data tracking app. Some are available straight from your network - My EE or My Vodafone, for instance - which can tell you exactly how much you’ve been using from your current plan.
Alternatively, tons of data usage apps are available from the App Store or Google Play Store. Keep one installed for a few weeks and check it regularly to see what your monthly usage is like.
When you choose an iPhone plan, bear in mind that 1GB data will let you watch video for two hours (one hour if it’s HD); browse the web and social media for about 40 hours; or stream or download up to 150 songs. It’ll let you use the internet on your iPhone more than you think - and you may get by just fine with a limited allowance instead, even if you’re a heavy user.
See our guide to data usage for more info.
Which iPhone should I choose?
iPhone XS
The iPhone XS is an impressive fusion of power, form and features. With an intensely powerful processor, high-tech cameras, and impressive sound quality, it ticks every box for a modern flagship smartphone. With big improvements on performance and battery from earlier models, thanks mainly to Apple’s new A12 Bionic chip, the iPhone XS is a real beauty.
iPhone X
Released in September 2017, this was the most stylish and powerful iPhone yet, rocking a sleek design and hexa-core processors. And even though the iPhone XS has now stolen its thunder, the iPhone X still has a gorgeous edge-to-edge AMOLED display with a 1125 x 2436 pixel resolution, fantastic cameras, and Face ID. You won’t want this phone to leave your hands - an unlimited data deal might well be necessary.
iPhone 8
Alongside the iPhone X, Apple also released a not-so-extortionately-priced standard model - the iPhone 8. This one has a less radical design - the classic home button is present and correct as usual - but it does still pack the powerful A11 processor, a 12MP camera, and a HD 4.7-inch screen.
Alternatively, splash out a little more to get the iPhone 8 Plus if you’d rather have something phablet-sized. This one has a larger 5.5-inch, Full HD display, and a better camera with dual lenses.
iPhone 7
It may be a year older than the iPhone 8, but the 7 is still an excellent phone. It’s got the same HD screen as the 8 for a start, along with a 12MP camera, up to 256GB memory, and a premium-looking aluminium or glossy black body.
Again, you can spring for the iPhone 7 Plus with a 5.5-inch screen for something a little extra.
iPhone 6s
The iPhone 6 is an even older generation, but it’s only a slight step down from the 7. The design and display are almost identical, and you still get things like a fingerprint sensor so you can use Apple Pay. And because it’s older, it’s quite a bit cheaper - meaning you can get an unlimited data deal for a wonderfully low price. Oh, and it has a headphone jack. Hooray!
There’s a larger iPhone 6s Plus option here too - with a bigger, higher resolution screen, and a far longer lasting battery.
iPhone SE
This is the one to go for if you prefer a smaller handset - it’s got a 4-inch screen instead of the 4.7-inch one you get with most iPhones. Most of the iPhone SE’s innards, however, match those in the 6s, so it’s still a great piece of hardware. We’re talking an A9 chipset, up to 128GB storage, and a 12MP camera.
