Cheapest iPhone to work with Apple’s surprise free updates just £29.99

Apple used its annual Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) this week to unveil iOS 27, the next big free software update for iPhones across the world.

WWDC is Apple’s June event each year that introduces what software updates are coming to iPhones, including the next generation of devices, which are usually launched later in September.

This week, Apple confirmed iOS 27 will overhaul Siri with what it says are better and more powerful AI features, including an upgraded Siri AI voice assistant that can have conversations, alongside the ability to edit images and the use of various writing functions. The upgrade is also set to introduce some interesting and important new parental controls.

But if you want to get Siri AI with iOS 27, it’s only coming to a limited number of iPhone handsets. Although the iOS 27 update will stretch back all the way to 2019’s iPhone 11 and all devices released after that, only iPhone 16 models or later, and the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will be getting Siri AI.

That means if you have a regular iPhone 15, you are out of luck. If you have an older iPhone and you want to get all the very latest smart upgrades from Apple when they become available as a free download later this year, that means you need an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max.

However, Apple discontinued the 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max when the iPhone 16 range was released in 2024. That means it’s always very difficult to get hold of older Pro model iPhones if they are no longer sold by Apple.

Apple does continue to sell the regular iPhone models, though, so it’s much easier to get your hands on an iPhone 16 right now. Apple sells the iPhone 16 from £699, but there is a much cheaper way to get hold of this Siri AI-ready handset if you want to upgrade.

Mobiles.co.uk is selling the 128GB iPhone 16 for just £28.99 per month on a 24-month contract with a one-off £29 cost. This gets customers 10GB monthly 5G data plus unlimited calls and text with roaming in 50 countries on the iD network.

iD Mobile, like Mobiles.co.uk, is owned by Currys. The mobile provider uses the Three network to serve its customers - click here to check how the coverage is in your area.

One thing to bear in mind about the iPhone 16 is it's not the latest model on the market, and is annoyingly stuck with a 60Hz refresh rate display. Apple finally updated the regular iPhone 17 to have a 120Hz, always-on screen to match the iPhone 17 Pro - the iPhone 16 is lagging behind in this regard, and lacks a telephoto lens you'll find on Pro iPhones.

This contract for the iPhone 16 works out to a total cost of £753.56. This includes annual monthly cost price increases to £30.79 from 1st April 2027 and £32.59 from 1st April 2028.

When the contract is over, buyers can leave and get a SIM-only plan, as the iPhone 16 will be paid off and theirs to keep.

For more than 10GB of data, shoppers can opt for an amazing 500GB data deal, which is just £29.99 per month with an upfront cost of £39. This deal works out to a total cost of £787.56 over two years.