Are iPhones now too expensive to take on holiday?
With the cheapest new iPhone starting at £999, has Apple's flagship product become too costly to take abroad?
Last year Apple released its first-ever $1,000 phone - at least, that was the price in the US. Here in the UK, we had to fork out £999 (about $1,300) - for the entry-level device alone. This year, Apple's new iPhone range suggests the up-scale price tags are here to stay. That's some seriously valuable kit to cart about - especially if you're heading abroad.
So for iPhone users who enjoy regular holidays, have these devices become too expensive to take overseas?
Back in 2017, iPhone fans with more limited means could opt for the iPhone 8, which had a starting price of £699. That's not cheap, but it's a lot more palatable than paying a full grand for a machine that, let's face it, will only be used for watching funny cat videos, taking pictures of your dinner and calling your mum on a Sunday evening.
This year, however, Apple has ditched its lower-priced model, preferring instead to focus on £999+ products. The new XS, which replaces the X, will cost £999 for the entry-level 64GB version. The larger XS Max will cost £1,099 for the 64GB incarnation, rising to a whopping £1,449 for the 512GB variant.
Going on holiday with your iPhone
There's no denying iPhones are amazing devices - feature-laden and super-fast, with slick styling that makes them the envy of many - including eagle-eyed thieves. While here in the UK there's a fairly small chance of having your iPhone pinched, taking an overseas trip could increase the chances of an AWOL iPhone considerably - depending on where you go.
So how can you minimise the chances of your prized iPhone landing in the wrong hands?
1. Keep your iPhone on your person at all times. Don't leave it on view - particularly in a parked car.
2. Leave the Apple ear-buds / AirPods - those trademark Apple ear-buds sure look snazzy, but they are a dead give-away that the wearer has an iPhone. Opt for a more generic-looking set of headphones.
3. Take care in crowds - many iPhones go missing in large crowds where pickpockets often operate. Be especially alert if you do listen to music on your iPhone - as you have one less sense with which to keep you and your device safe.
4. Avoid using a belt clip to carry your iPhone - since this makes it easy to spot - and easy to un-clip and make off with.
5. Consider investing in a cheaper phone for overseas use - particularly if pickpockets and thieves are prevalent in your destination.
6. You could also keep your iPhone in your hotel safe, using it only when you're back in your room.
7. Take out gadget insurance - for a few extra pounds you can add gadget insurance to any starttravel.co.uk policy. This means you can use your iPhone's many useful features while on holiday. Of course, this doesn't just cover iPhones - it protects you against the theft, damage or loss of any mobile phone, along with MP3/MP4 players; DVD players, iPads, video game units; stills and video cameras (and lenses), laptops, Bluetooth headsets; E-readers; satnavs, GPS systems - and more.
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