Best retailer to purchase iPhone from?

[ntegra]

I'm looking to purchase the iphone 6 and wondering if there is a preferred retailer that offers trade ins or any other discount offers.

I have an iphone 4 that I'm also wondering what to do with. It currently holds little to no charge and has cracked glass on the back.

Also, what are my chances of finding an iphone 6+ with iOS 8.1 still on it?

 

[MagicBoy]

I'd buy it directly from Apple. In fact I did.

You are unlikely to find discounts outside of network subsidy deals.

 

[ntegra]

Is it better to purchase the phone outright (sim free) or is the same cost-wise when I sign a new 2yr contract? (I will no doubt be with my carrier for 2 more years, just wondering if I would end up paying more for the phone in the long run vs. buying outright).

 

[MagicBoy]

I'm not psychic. Do the maths.

In my case SIM-free was about £200 cheaper over 2 years. So I bought the iPhone on a 20 month interest free credit card to spread the payments at no cost.

 

[mhdena]

Somehow you missed the $200 trade in AT&T was doing for iphone 4 last fall,