Treating yourself to a new iPad is never going to be cheap. Even the base model – which was refreshed earlier this year – will set you back over £300. If that simply sounds like too much for your bank balance to cope with in one go, then there is another way of picking up one of these top-rated tablets for a price that feels a whole lot more affordable. Some of the UK’s biggest networks are stocking the iPad range and offer the option to buy it on contract – it’s a little like how you buy your smartphone.

Things have even got a little cheaper thanks to Black Friday, with Vodafone and Sky both dishing out some decent discounts.

In fact, prices are now starting from as little as £10.50 per month, and that even includes data, so you can browse the web and stream movies on the move.

Of course, just like a smartphone deal, you will have to sign up for a long-term contract, but if you don’t mind paying over four years, it does mean you can spread the cost.

Sound enticing? Here are some of the iPad deals available from Vodafone and Sky, both of which feature the more expensive cellular model.

Sky iPad deal
PRICE: £10.50 per month
CONTRACT: 48 months
DATA: 100MB
UPFRONT FEE: £0
TOTAL PRICE: £504
SEE THE DEAL HERE

Sky iPad deal
PRICE: £13.50 per month
CONTRACT: 48 months
DATA: 1GB
UPFRONT FEE: £0
TOTAL PRICE: £648
SEE THE DEAL HERE

Vodafone iPad deal
PRICE: £13.50 per month
CONTRACT: 48 months
DATA: 1GB
UPFRONT FEE: £30
TOTAL PRICE: £678
SEE THE DEAL HERE

Of course, buying the Wi-Fi and cellular iPad directly from Apple costs £479, which is a little cheaper than Sky and Vodafone’s offers. However, that price from Apple doesn’t include any data, so that has to be added on if you want to use the device away from fixed-line broadband.

If you simply want an iPad without any mobile access, then you can pick one for as little as £329 with Argos, just one store offering this standard iPad.

SEE THE DEAL HERE