Orange UK's iPhone contract & pay as you go pricing plans detailed

We're just about a week away from the Orange iPhone launch, and if you folks across the pond were wondering what the deal was going to cost you, you now have your answer thanks to a dizzying but thoroughly helpful series of tables that lay out the costs of the phones, plans, and the various accoutrement to be included. Those willing to sign up for 24 months can get an 8GB iPhone 3G for free for a minimum of £29.36 ($48) per month, but step up to the £122.34 ($200) monthly plan with unlimited everything and you'll get a 32GB 3GS gratis. Meanwhile, on a pay as you go plan that same 8GB 3G will cost you £343 ($561), while the 32GB 3GS is a rather more painful £539 ($881 -- haven't you figured out the conversion rate yet?). You know what that means: contract ahoy.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 2nd 2009 8:47AM]

Actually, it works out cheaper for you to go PAYG and get a Simplicity monthly SIM for £20/month than any of the other options. The only situation in which it is cheaper to get the handset on contract is if you need an awful lot of minutes, or if you can get by on the £30 plan's 150m/250t allowance.