Apple can't beat iPhone Air deal as it's undercut by rival retailer's January sale

Apple has been undercut by a rival retailer that’s reduced the iPhone Air in its January sale. The deal is from Currys-backed site Mobiles.co.uk, where shoppers can now pick up the iPhone Air for £34.99 per month on iD Mobile’s 100GB tariff.

The deal has a £79 upfront cost, but even with the added fee, the total price undercuts Apple’s own website. That’s because over the 24-month contract, the total amount paid comes to £963.76, while Apple asks shoppers to cough up £999 when buying the phone outright.

Mobiles.co.uk will also throw in a set of free AirPods 4 with select tariffs, including iD Mobile’s £37.99 and £135 upfront plan. One catch to keep in mind is that iD Mobile is one of many providers which ups its prices each year, with the £34.99 plan rising to £36.49 from April 2026 and £37.99 from April 2027.

The iPhone Air launched in September alongside the new iPhone 17 series. It’s touted as the tech giant’s thinnest model ever, measuring just 5.6mm but with a tough titanium frame weighing 165g.

It’s designed with a 6.5” Super Retina XDR display and strong Ceramic Shield on both sides, with Apple’s powerful A19 Pro chip ensuring even demanding tasks run smoothly. There’s also an advanced 48MP Fusion camera system, a plethora of Apple Intelligence features and the latest iOS 26 software straight out of the box.

Elsewhere, Sky Mobile offers the iPhone Air for a cheaper monthly price of £27 and £12 upfront. However, there’s only a small 100MB data allowance included, so heavier users will want to upgrade to a larger data plan from £5 for 1GB to £22 for unlimited.

Technology Editor David Snelling got his hands on the iPhone Air at Apple’s launch event in California last year and hailed it ‘a truly stunning smartphone’. He said: “It’s definitely one of the most exciting updates in a while [and] you can’t help but be wowed by the Air’s stunning design. 

“This phone is so thin and light it’s almost impossible to fathom. The Ceramic Shield Glass 2 on the back with a matt finish and shiny titanium frame all add the appeal and also make the phone feel super premium in the hand.

“Its size is mind-blowing and it still gets a great screen, super-speedy processor and tough design. The iPhone Air also packs a glorious 6.5-inch ProMotion screen into its shell, which looks bright, clear and packed with detail.

“The 120Hz refresh rate also means scrolling and playing games appear smooth and totally stutter-free. Tucked under its wafer-thin body is the latest A19 Pro chip, the same found in the iPhone 17 Pro, which supplies ludicrous amounts of power.

“However, it can’t match the might of the iPhone 17 Pro's triple camera system. If you simply take photos of friends in the pub or your kids playing in the park you won't be disappointed.

“But those after the ultimate image experience are definitely better off switching to the Pro models. For example, the Air won’t snap that epic ultra-wide shot at a football stadium or zoom in close when the ref holds up a red card.

“The Air is a surprisingly good device that will turn heads when pulled from your pocket. Its size is mind-blowing and it still gets a great screen, super-speedy processor and tough design.

“However, there are compromises, and it can't match its siblings in terms of camera or overall battery life, all at a cost of £999.”

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