If you can afford to buy an iPhone and prefer pay-as-you-go to a contract then there are a number of deals on offer from the major networks.

However, you are going to have to be quick about it, as the offer or offers are only available until 9th May from Apple’s UK online store.

Interestingly, only three networks have created special deals in conjunction with Apple. They include O2, Three and Vodafone. Everything Everywhere appears to have been left out in the cold.

The deal itself offers an unlocked iPhone – versions 3GS, 4 and 4S – with a choice of different bundles of calls, texts and data.

For instance, with Three you get 300 minutes, 3,000 texts and unlimited data. This costs just £15. With O2 you get £10 worth of calls, 300 texts and 500MB of data for £10, while Vodafone offers 300 minutes, 3,000 texts and 500MB of data for £20.

The O2 offer, by the way, is not available for the iPhone 3GS.

Generally, anyone buying a pre-pay iPhone from an Apple store will find the handset locked. So, if you have hankered after one for a while but were worried about this particular issue then it is probably advisable to get one from the online outfit before the deadline.

Buying a pre-pay also has one obvious advantage where an expensive item like an iPhone is concerned. There is no credit check. This is mandatory with contracts. What is more, it seems that the prices are similar to those bought from an Apple shop at around £499 for the 16GB iPhone 4S, for example.