O2 to sell Apple Watch

Building on O2’s campaign to ensure customers don’t pay for connected devices that they already own

• O2 shakes up billing practices once again, putting Apple Watch into the hands of Brits for as little as £9.99 a month for the first 6 months (£14.99 thereafter).
• By extending custom plans to Apple Watch, O2 gives customers more choice about how they structure their Apple Watch device and airtime plans.
• New research reveals the injustice of connected smart tech contracts, with 81% of Brits feeling ‘trapped’ by fixed term contracts, and 89% demanding more flexible payment options from mobile networks.

14 June 2019: O2 is today extending its industry-leading custom plans to Apple Watch, once again shaking up the mobile industry by tackling the injustice of standard cellular contracts.

The launch of Apple Watch on O2’s custom plans will enable more customers to access the freedom of cellular connected wearables, including the ability to be more active and manage their health in powerful new ways. According to research conducted by YouGov on behalf of O2, currently less than 1 in 10 people (9%) own a smart watch, with cost one of the most significant barriers to ownership.

Customers purchasing Apple Watch from O2 on a custom plan can choose how much they want to pay for the device upfront (from a minimum of £20), and have the ability to spread the remaining cost between 3 and 36 months (in one-month increments) at 0% APR. This means customers can pay as little as £9.99 a month for the first 6 months if they select a 36 month contract (£14.99 a month thereafter), allowing customers to access smart tech on their terms and according to their budget.

Mark Evans, CEO of O2, said: “The mobile industry should offer greater flexibility to make the power of technology accessible for all. It can’t be right that rigid contracts and inflexibility are still stopping consumers from accessing the benefits and freedom of advanced technology like Apple Watch Series 4, offering breakthrough communication and fitness features. At O2 we believe that everyone should benefit from access to technology, so we offer customers the control and flexibility to build plans that best suit their needs.”

According to research conducted by YouGov on behalf of O2, 81% of Brits feel trapped by fixed term contracts for mobile technology, and 89% agree that operators should make monthly contract payments more flexible.

According to the O2 research, the top 5 drivers of consumer uptake will be:

1. The ability to track fitness levels (67%)
2. The ability to monitor health and wellbeing (61%)
3. Messaging e.g. text, emails etc. (60%)
4. GPS tracking and navigation (31%)
5. Contactless payments (20%)