Vodafone has announced a new range of iPhone 24-month plans that significantly cut back on the cost of the smartphone handsets in time for Christmas.Vodafone spokesperson Fleur McFarlane says the deal is sure to be popular.“It’s Christmas,” she says. “We already know Kiwi’s love the iPhone and this promotion reflects that it is likely to be the hottest gift under the tree this year.”Consumers can now pick up an iPhone 3G 8GB handset for ‘free’ when signing up for a 24-month $130 a month plan. The handset previously cost $199 on the same plan.On an iPhone $80 per month plan, the handset is now available for $199, a drop in price from the $399 it was previously available for.Vodafone has also cut $200 off the cost of its latest iPhone model, the Apple iPhone 3GS – which come in 16GB and 32GB capacity.The Apple iPhone 3GS 16GB is available for $199 on a 24-month $130 per month plan, and $399 on a 24-month $80 per month plan.The Apple iPhone 3GS 32GB is available for $399 on a 24-month $130 per month plan, and $599 on a 24-month $80 per month plan.McFarlane says the pricing is applicable to new customers, customers moving from prepay to an iPhone $80 or above plan and anyone who is eligible to resign for any existing plan whereby standard contract termination rules apply.Asked whether the move was prompted by increasing competition in the iPhone market, McFarlane says “it’s simply about delivering great value back to our customers”.All of the new deals expire on March 31 next year.However, for the handset alone without a contract, the Vodafone’s prices still sit a little above Apple’s New Zealand webstore, with the iPhone 3G 8GB costing $979 compared to $950 at Apple, the iPhone 3GS 16GB for $1179 compared to $1149, and the iPhone 3GS 32GB at $1379 compared to $1349.