Mobile phone deals

How to compare mobile phone deals 

When comparing mobile phone deals online, there are a few factors that you might want to take into account depending on your preference. We’ve listed what we consider the most important ones below:

1. Price 

Are you looking for the cheapest mobile deals? Or do you want to find out which is the cheapest phone network overall? You can use our comparison tool at the top of the page to find mobile phone deals at the lowest price.

The biggest advantage of this comparison is that you get to see which deal gets you the most for your money. Even if the price is the only thing you are concerned about, some cheap deals are better than other cheap deals, and spending your money wisely is a great way of making your money work for you.

1. Usage limits

The services offered by mobile phone networks include calls, texts, and data. The important thing is to understand which service you use most and then compare the latest mobile deals to see which provides the services you want at the most affordable rates.

1. Network coverage 

It’s important to check whether the mobile network you choose has good service in the area you live in. If you travel a lot, you may also want to consider the provider’s nationwide network coverage. Choosing a network with good coverage can save you a lot of trouble later on.

It’s also worthwhile to compare network providers’ based on their customer service. Problems can occur on any network, so it pays off to be on one where you’ll be well looked after.

1. Contract type 

If you don’t want to be tied to a contract, you can pay a one-off upfront fee for a phone and get the services you want on a pay-as-you-go basis. Other options include: getting a phone contract with an allowance of services and paying monthly over a year or so; or getting a sim-only deal for a phone you already own.

1. Phone features 

Some people only use their phone to communicate, while others are also concerned with features like the camera, phone memory to store apps, or screen definition for streaming and watching videos. The more advanced features a phone has, the more it will cost you. However, there’s no point paying a higher price for features you don’t plan to use. We advise you to compare phone deals based on the features you need.

1. Freebies 

Keeping an eye on the latest mobile phone deals can bring added benefits. Mobile phone companies often offer freebies to encourage sales, especially when releasing new mobile phones. Keeping an eye on freebie deals can earn you other valuable gadgets along with your phone without having to pay extra for them.

What type of mobile phone deals should you look for? 

The type of phone deal you should look for depends on your usage. In this section, we’ll take you through a few ways you could take out a phone deal, but here’s a general overview of what each type of mobile deal entails:

	Monthly contract	Sim-only deal	Pay as you go
Handset included	✔️	❌	❌
Monthly allowance of data, texts, and minutes	✔️	✔️	❌

Monthly phone contract 

Monthly phone contracts usually come with an allowance of data, texts, and calls in exchange for a set monthly payment. This will suit you if you use these services a lot. We recommend you compare phone contracts and decide on a deal that suits your usage before you commit to one. These deals offer you the chance to get a new phone included in the monthly price you pay, so if you’re in the market for an upgrade this could well be your best option.

Be aware that applying for a mobile phone contract is, in essence, the same as applying for credit, and can affect your credit score. As such, if you sign up for a mobile phone deal of this kind and miss payments on it, this could affect your credit score. This is something you’ll definitely want to consider when weighing up your options.

Sim only deals 

Sim-only deals are also contractual agreements and are great for those who use data, texts, or calls a lot. The difference between a sim-only deal and a phone contract is that you only pay for the services in a sim-only deal - the phone itself isn’t part of the contract. This is great for those who already have a phone they love and want to save on their monthly payments.

Pay as you go

Pay-as-you-go deals do not require you to enter any contract. You only pay for the services you use as you use them. If you already have a phone and your usage is inconsistent, this will suit you down to the ground.

Tips to get a budget-friendly mobile phone deal 

• Start by understanding how much data, calls, and texts you use, and then find a deal that meets your requirements.
• When getting a phone contract, understand the features you want on your phone and then compare the mobile phone deals providing those features.
• If you only use a phone’s most basic features, go for older models.

Compare deals by network 

Vodafone, Smarty, BT Mobile, Voxi, and Plusnet Mobile are some of the mobile phone networks that offer excellent service. You can compare the deals provided by each of these and choose what suits you the best. Other networks like ID mobile and Giffgaff are great for low-cost deals. If you’re specifically looking for better speed, we recommend you consider the likes of O2.

Compare deals by manufacturer 

Ask yourself whether you are more comfortable using an iPhone or you prefer a Samsung phone. If you don’t have a specific preference, check out the wide range of smartphones manufactured by brands like Huawei, Sony, Motorola, Nokia, and LG. Each of these manufacturers has its place in the market and there will be pros and cons to any one of them. You should compare mobile phone deals offered by multiple manufacturers and choose the one that suits you best.

Compare deals by contract type 

Suppose you’re looking for a specific contract type, such as a phone contract or a sim-only deal: you should compare phone contracts from different networks and manufacturers that offer a contract type that suits you. Analyse which network provider has the best combination of service quality and affordability before making a final decision.

Compare deals with incentives 

Some companies offer free allowances of services like texts, calls, and data for a certain amount of time. Others offer freebie gadgets to promote their deals. By comparing deals based on the incentives they offer, you could get lucky and save a lot of money.

Mobile Phone Deal FAQs

Do phone contracts require an upfront payment? 

Some phone contracts do require an upfront payment. Making an upfront payment at the beginning can reduce the overall price of the deal, whereas phone contracts that don’t demand any upfront payment usually end up costing more in the long run. Whether you choose a deal with an upfront payment or not will depend on whether you prioritise long-term savings over short-term ones.

Will you get ownership of the phone after the contract ends?

Phone contracts require you to pay the phone price over a set period. Once you’ve paid all the periodic charges and your contract comes to an end, the phone is yours. If you’re thinking of switching to a sim-only deal, the end of your current contract is the perfect time to do that. If you want a new phone or want to keep your phone but get a new deal, we recommend you start comparing mobile phone deals as soon as you’re notified your contract is coming to an end.

Do I have to return the old phone to get an upgrade? 

You don’t have to return your old phone to get an upgrade. You can keep your old phone to use as a spare in case you or a friend or family member needs to use it temporarily. Another option is to sell it to a business that refurbishes old phones and get some money in return.

Which is cheaper: buying a handset or paying a monthly contract? 

Paying the total price of a phone in one upfront payment is the cheaper option, but if you can’t afford to pay that amount all at once, a monthly contract is a good option. Monthly contracts allow you to spread the cost of the phone over a set period. When you pay through this method, however, the total amount you pay adds up to more than what you would pay in the case of a single upfront payment.

If you already own a phone and you’re happy with it, you should also consider a sim-only deal. These are often cheaper because they cover only the allowances (i.e. data, calls, and texts) you’re looking for and don’t factor in the price of a handset. 

Do you need a good credit score to be eligible for a phone contract?

There is no minimum credit score requirement to be eligible for a phone contract. Every phone company that offers pay-monthly phones has different standards for credit score. Some allow you to get into a contract even if your credit score isn’t good, while others are more restrictive. If you can’t get a phone contract due to a bad credit score, you can try other options like sim-only and pay as you go deals.

What should you do if you want to switch to another phone deal on the same network?

If you want to switch to one of the latest mobile phone deals on the same network, you can simply contact your service provider and request the change. If you’re already tied to a contract that you’ve not completed, your provider will ask you to complete your outstanding payments first. If you want to switch to another network but keep your number, you may need to request a PAC code from your existing network to make the switch.