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Your browser isn't supported It looks like you're using an old web browser. To get the most out of the site and to ensure guides display correctly, we suggest upgrading your browser now. Download the latest: Internet Explorer Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Just got a cheque for £970 from BA for delays in 2009 thanks to you telling me about new legislation. More than I actually paid.". Flight Delays Compensation I took your advice and have claimed PPI from all the companies we had loans with. The result has been overwhelming, approximately £19,000 back... thank you.".PPI Reclaiming Whether your phone's superglued to your ear or you only use it for the odd call, the chances are you're massively overpaying for the minutes, texts and data that you use. Getting a new phone can be a big financial decision, particularly if you're committing to a contract.
This guide talks you through the different options – plus offers handy tips to drive down the cost of your existing mobile deal.How much is your mobile bill each month? If you're paying more than about £10/mth, then you need to ask yourself why. Our benchmark is this Three Sim for £9/mth, which gets you unlimited minutes and texts and 4GB of 4G data on a 12-month contract, which should be plenty for most.In our November 2014 poll almost 25,000 of you told us how much you pay for your mobile.
The results were eye-opening – a whopping 78% of those on contracts which factor in the cost of a handset (and 46% overall) shell out more than £15 a month, with an average cost of £27/mth, or £330 a year.You're paying off the cost of a handset. Your credit score means you can't get a contract (though there are cheap PAYG deals too). You roam abroad.
You're paying more for a really hefty data allowance. But if you just settle for the same deal, provider and price each year, then STOP. Mobile tariffs are deflating in price, so if anything you should be paying less each year, not more.The latest top-end smartphones typically go for £500+, but there are plenty of cheaper handsets out there with the same core functions as the flagship handsets from the likes of Apple and Samsung.
We're MoneySavingExpert not MobilePhoneExpert, so we won't attempt to give a rundown of which models you should be looking for – see this comprehensive article on the top budget phones by TechRadar, and CNet has pretty good guide to picking a new handset (including low-end options).While buying a new handset outright is usually cheapest with top end smartphones, with older phones it can more often be the case that traditional contracts win. Compare handset prices on MobilePhoneChecker*, or see the Mobile Contracts guide for more info.Typically much cheaper over two years than getting a contract with a network, plus you can choose whichever network and Sim-only plan suits you best. You also won't be credit-checked, as you are with the options below.
Relatively new in the UK, mobile financing allows you to get the cost of the handset loaned to you under an agreement over a fixed period. You can then choose a Sim-only either from the finance provider or independently. Freedom to pair your handset with a Sim-only deal, and a much lower upfront cost thanks to a loan which has a clear APR, transparent pricing and ends once fully repaid.
For many, the only way they've ever got a new phone is via a two-year contract with a network that bundles the cost of the handset in with monthly service – usually at a hefty markup. This can often be the most expensive way to buy a phone, though in a few cases it can actually be the cheapest. In a few rare cases it's possible to find contracts via resellers such as Mobiles.
co.uk* (owned by Carphone Warehouse) that cost LESS than buying the handset yourself and pairing with a cheap Sim.How to do it: There's a huge range of tariffs out there, many of which are utterly poor value. For a full tips on finding the right one, see the Mobile Contracts guide.
Also see our iPhone and Samsung top pick contracts. How the different options compare on price The cheapest way to buy a new mobile varies depending on a wide range of factors including your preferred handset, network and allowance.
To get an idea of what's best of you, MobilePhoneChecker's 'Build your own contract'* tool does a pretty robust job of comparing what's out there. To show the differences though, in August we checked the cost of getting a 16GB iPhone 6s on a high usage tariff via various different methods.
We found the price over two years ranged from £843 via a reseller to a whopping £1,138 via a cheap network contract – a 35% difference. This just provides a snapshop of costs on a particular date (5 August 2016) to give an idea. Bear in mind tariffs and prices change constantly so always check before making a decision. Cost to get an iPhone 6s (16GB) on a high usage tariff Purchase method Upfront cost Monthly cost Allowance (1) Total cost over 2yrs Contract direct from network (Vodafone) £10 £47/mth Ultd mins, 6GB £1,138 Financing via Giffgaff (2) £50 £40.27/mth 2,000 mins, 6GB £1,016 Financing via Unshackled (3) £49 £36.99/mth 2,000 mins, 6GB (iD Mobile) £937 Buy upfront £499 (4) £15/mth 2,000 mins, 6GB (iD Mobile) £859 Buy on 0% credit card (4) £0 £35.79/mth (5) 2,000 mins, 6GB (iD Mobile) £859 Reseller (Mobiles.
co.uk) £75 £32/mth Unltd mins, 6GB (Vodafone) £843 Prices correct at 5 Aug 2016. (1) All tariffs come with 4G data and unlimited or 5,000 texts/month. (2) Using fixed APR of 18.8% with a handset cost of £499. (3) Using rep APR of 9.7%, though actual personalised APR can go up to 24.9%, with a handset cost of £529. (4) From Giffgaff.
(5) Based on paying £499 for the handset and making equal payments of £20.79/mth over 24mths, plus £15/mth for the Sim. The number of different mobile plans on the market can be baffling – there are thousands of different combinations and it can be tricky to compare them on a like-for-like basis.With a traditional mobile phone contract you pay a monthly fee and get a handset plus an inclusive bundle with a certain allowance of minutes, texts and data. Handset price is spread out – but it costs you more in the long term, and there are cheaper ways to spread the cost. You'll be locked in for 24 months in the majority of cases. You'll be credit checked.
See the Mobile Contracts guide for full details on how to find the right contract and everything else you need to consider before tieing into that lengthy commitment. Find a few top pick tariffs and other tips in Cheap iPhones and Cheap Samsungs.There are two types of Sim-only deals – 30-day rolling contracts which you are free to leave with a months' notice, or fixed term contracts, usually locking you in for 12 months (often, though not always, better value).
Great value if you already have a handset or can afford to buy yourself. Rolling 30-day contracts offer maximum flexibility. Often good for heavy data users.
Samsung's and Apple's top-end handsets aren't MoneySaving, but if you're going to get one anyway, do it as cheaply as possible. Discounts on newly launched handsets are rare, yet we've blagged £50 off the new Samsung S8 (released last Fri) AND the iPhone 7, from online retailer Unshackled.
com*. Until Tue 9 May, use the code MSE50 to take £50 off the upfront cost of either (when you click through, select 'outright' to pay upfront). This brings the Samsung S8* down to £639 and the 32GB iPhone 7* to £549, with next-day delivery included.
Mobile prices change hourly, but as of Tue 2 May these were the cheapest we could find from a UK-based retailer. You'll get a full UK manufacturer's warranty, so if something goes wrong you can take the handset to the nearest Samsung or Apple store (or authorised repair centre). iPhone Payments is a financing scheme exclusively for the the new handsets that lets you pay just £49 upfront, then spread the cost over 20 monthly installments, without paying a penny in interest.
You can only get it in store, you'll need to take ID with you and you'll be credit-checked.iPhone Payments is not the same as the more publicised (and more expensive) iPhone Upgrade Programme, which aims to get customers to upgrade to the latest model every year and bundles in Apple's iPhone insurance, AppleCare+. Here's how the costs stack up: iPhone payment plans Storage Upfront cost iPhone 7 iPhone 7 Plus Monthly cost Total (over 20mths) (1) Monthly cost Total (over 20mths) (1) 32GB £49 £27.50/mth £599 £33.50/mth £719 128GB £49 £32.50/mth £699 £38.50/mth £819 256GB £49 £37.50/mth £799 £43.50/mth £919 Table correct as of May 2017. (1) Same as standard RRP charged by Apple.
You can ONLY get iPhone Payments in store. The only financing option available through Apple's website is a much more expensive deal via Paypal Credit. When you collect the phone, say you want to pay via iPhone Payments.
You'll need to bring bank details, a valid photo ID and your current mobile plus other personal info – see Apple's website for a full list. You'll need to be a UK resident and have lived here for 3+ years, be aged 18+, have a UK bank account. If accepted (you should be told within five minutes), you'll pay £49 upfront and the rest in 20 monthly instalments.
Your loan will be with Barclays, the finance provider behind the scheme, at 0% APR. Monthly repayments are made by direct debit. If you don't keep up with them, Barclays would take the same action as any other loan provider – it could result in a mark on your credit file, for example.
Mobile contracts from networks are typically vastly overpriced – equivalent to getting a loan with an APR of up to 30% in some cases. If you can't get approved for 0% finance, as an alternative, specialist mobile finance providers will loan you the money for a handset at a cost. Then just pair it with a cheap Sim-only deal and off you go.Get a potential cheap-ish loan on many types of phone with Unshackled. With Unshackled.
com* (finance provided by Zopa, Vanquis and Amigo), you're loaned the cost of a handset at an APR based on your credit history. It's a two-stage process.
Firstly, you apply (and there's a soft search on your credit file, which won't impact your credit score). Then you'll be told the rate you'll be offered, and can decide whether or not to accept (in which case there'll be a hard search on your file). The representative APR is 9.7%, but can go as high as 49.9%, so watch out. Look at the rate you're offered before deciding to accept. There are lots of factors to weigh up, including the actual cost of the phone, but: if it's 9.7% - 18.8%, it may be a good deal (especially as you can't get standard loans for less than a grand).
if it's more than 18.8%, you may be better trying Giffgaff - see below. (That assumes the price of the phone's similar - if Giffgaff's cheaper, start checking it even if you have a lower APR). if it's closer to 49.9%, you're almost certainly better off going elsewhere.
Our blagged code for £50 off the Samsung S8 or iPhone 7 will work on its financing plans too.Or try Giffgaff at 18.8% APR. The Giffgaff* PAYG network also offers financing on many types of phone, at a fixed 18.8% APR (it's partnered with Ratesetter). It's not as competitive as Unshackled. com for many, but as it also sells some iPhones at a lower price, it's worth checking on both anyway.
Don't forget the cheapest deals usually come from switching provider – so don't fall for the upgrade trap – but if you're willing to haggle this info might be useful. The following table sets out the major providers' early upgrade policies.
O2 O2 Refresh splits your monthly statement into a cost for the handset and cost for your allowance. You can pay off the handset part of your contract whenever you want and upgrade without also having to pay off the 'allowance' segment – you'll just continue paying it alongside the 'new device segment of the bill.No official policy on early upgrades.
Its 'Freestyle' Contracts allow you to pay off the handset and buy a new phone to use with your existing airtime contract. Happy with your handset? Haggle down the contract costs If you don't want to switch, and are near or past your contract's end, you're wielding a powerful weapon...
your loyalty. When approaching the end of your contract, make sure you demand the very best deal possible – not just of your network, but of any out there.
The mobile world's a mature market. Everyone has a handset, so networks fight hard to win custom from elsewhere AND keep their own. If your provider won't give you a good enough deal, let it know. The aim's to get through to 'customer disconnections', which internally is often called 'retentions' as its job is to keep you. Watch Martin show Mrs MSE how to do it, with real chutzpah!
We know this method works, as you regularly tell us it does. Forumite elfy1807 says: "My contract with Orange was up and I asked them what they could do for me. I turned down two offers until I got £16/mth, 1.5GB data, unltd texts and 2,000 mins – a saving of £36/mth, that's £432/yr." Full help on how to do this in our Haggle Down Your Mobile Bill guide. 4G gives you superfast internet – but beware of it sucking up your allowance Networks claim that 4G is up to 5x faster than 3G, though Ofcom-estimates suggest that in practice downloads are only twice as fast, compared to uploads which were more than 8x quicker. The regulator also says 4G and 3G performance differs between networks, with some outperforming others. Some operators charge more for 4G tariffs, and even if they don't, you're likely to use more data if you're on one. So think about where you use your phone. If you're out and about a lot and will benefit from a faster connection, it may be worth it. If you mainly use it at home and work and you're able to connect to Wi-Fi there, then that often beats 4G anyway. To get 4G you'll need a handset that's capable of getting it (many launched in the last two years can). In some cases it can actually be cheaper to get a 30% APR loan than a handset on contract If you don't have the readies to pay upfront for a handset, think long and hard before tying yourself into a lengthy contract instead – even if it offers you the phone 'free' or at a much-reduced upfront cost. Although the cost of the handset be wrapped up in the monthly tariff, you'll nearly always be paying a significant amount extra in the long-run – which is why you should always calculate and compare the total cost over the lifetime of the contract. When we crunched the numbers in May 2016 we calculated that in some cases it'd actually be cheaper to buy a handset direct with a 30% APR two-year loan (typical contract length) than take a contract. (Of course, we're not suggesting you do that.) We worked out how much extra users would pay with six of the UK's biggest mobile providers if they were to get a 16GB iPhone 6s or a Samsung Galaxy S7 on a two-year contract, as opposed to buying the handset directly and taking out the same network's equivalent Sim-only deal. The table below displays the 'effective APR', which is the interest rate you could afford to pay on a loan to buy the handset upfront plus get the equivalent Sim-only plan on the same network and it STILL be cheaper than taking out a similar contract deal from each network. 'Effective APR' of popular phones Network iPhone 6s (16GB) Samsung Galaxy S7 Vodafone 6% Cheaper on contract EE (incl T-Mobile Orange) 34% 13% O2 21% 5% Virgin Mobile (1) 26% 13% Three 19% 5% Tesco Mobile 7% 7% Table correct as of 25 May 2016. (1) New Virgin Media customers. Figures rounded to the nearest %. Mobile providers say that a contract isn't a loan (so they don't usually display an APR) but effectively it is one as you're credit-checked. Even if a network offers you a deal where you can pay the cost of the handset and your tariff off separately you're likely to be paying a premium. But if you really can't wait, then instead of paying mobile providers' inflated prices, you might want to consider taking out a credit card with a lengthy 0% credit card spending offer, buying the phone upfront, then stashing the card in a bowl of water in the freezer (so you won't be tempted to use it again) and getting a cheap Sim-only deal.The longest 0% cards currently are The AA up to 30mths' 0% and Halifax up to 30mths' 0%, closely followed by Sainsbury's 29mths' 0%. Remember you must always ensure you meet the minimum repayments and clear it before the 0% term ends or the cards above jump to 18.9% rep APR.See a full range of alternatives in our 0% Credit Card spending guide. Use our eligibility calc or the new free MoneySavingExpert.com Credit Club (a brand new way to keep track of your credit record) to see which cards you'll most likely be accepted for.A 'granny in a glovebox phone is great to stash in your car as an emergency second mobile, to give to your kids or if you only need to use a phone very occasionally. One of the cheapest we've found is the Alcatel 10.16 from EE for a dirt-cheap £10.79 – including £10 phone credit. Bear in mind this will be locked to EE, so you won't be able to use another network's Sim with it unless you get it unlocked (and even then Three Sim cards won't work with it as it's an older 2G handset).If you're after a phone with web access and you're planning on going with EE, one example of a cheap smartphone is the Alcatel Pixi 3 (3.5) also via EE – it's £0.79 when you also buy an additional £10 EE or O2 top-up credit. Before committing to a contract, check signal strength in the places you use your phone most, eg, at home and at work. Having no coverage isn't sufficient grounds to return your phone (though normal consumer rights do apply), so it's your responsibility to check.How good is the tool? Ofcom's tool uses the networks' data on coverage, but it says it builds on this with information gathered from its own field tests. The regulator's also used its own research to determine what threshold of signal it believes is required for a clear call connection – and it's higher than that set by the networks, so in theory you should get a more robust picture of the service you're likely to get. The tool's by no means perfect and you may find you don't agree with the results it shows. If so, Ofcom says it wants to know so it can improve it in the future (on the tool, click the 'your feedback' link below the map). How do I use it? Enter your postcode or town and select a network from the dropdown – choose EE, O2, Three or Vodafone (if you're with any other network, then it's 'piggybacking' on the signal of one of these four – see our provider table for which). You can then check call, 3G and 4G coverage on the map, selecting indoor or outdoor. It very much depends. Under the Consumer Contracts Regulations, if you ordered online or over the phone you can cancel your mobile contract up to 14 days after you sign up (30 days if with Vodafone), for any reason. But if you buy in store or a problem arises after that, it can be tricky – see more on what you can do.Ofcom says it expects providers to deal "fairly and sympathetically" with customers who have signal issues because of mobile network problems – for example if a provider switches off a mast or there are faults with the network. In these circumstances the customer should be offered compensation or be allowed to leave the contract early without penalty. However, if the reason for the loss of coverage is unclear or in dispute – say if there's bad weather – it's less clear cut. In these cases Ofcom says you have "clear rights to seek redress or a resolution" to a complaint. In the first instance complain directly to your network, and if it's not able to help then go through its official complaints procedure. If after eight weeks the response you've got isn't up to scratch (or you haven't had one) you can go through an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) scheme. These are independent schemes which can investigate the complaint – if they find in your favour, they can order the mobile phone provider to pay out up to £5,000 in compensation for any loss you may have suffered. Alternatively, go to free complaints-handling company Resolver, which will help you with your claim. If it doesn't get anywhere with the provider, it'll escalate your complaint on your behalf to the relevant ADR scheme.If there's a warning in your T Cs about mid-contract price hikes in line with inflation, then firms are permitted to do this under the regulator's rules. Of the major networks, EE, O2, Three, Virgin Mobile and now Vodafone do this.For those firms that do, adjustments are made in line with figures published in February each year (March for Vodafone) based on the Retail Prices Index – a measure of inflation.It was announced in February 2017 that most Vodafone, EE and O2 pay-monthly customers would see a 2.5%-3.2% increase in their bills from March and April 2017 – see the Vodafone, EE and O2 price rises MSE News story for full details. In April, Three announced a 2.6% increase due in May 2017.Most instinctively lock their smartphones these days. Yet even if your handset is locked, if someone steals it there's nothing to stop them removing your Sim and using it in another phone. Some have had £1,000s racked up on their bills after their (locked) phones were stolen. To prevent this, you can lock your Sim with a four-digit PIN, so whenever it's put into a new handset (or in some cases, such as with iPhones, when the phone it's in is restarted) service won't be available until it's unlocked.You can find instructions online for locking your Sim on an iPhone, Android phone (may vary by handset) or Windows Phone. Your Sim may already have a default PIN (even if it's not activated) which you'll need to enter to change it – contact your network for this.Note: if you incorrectly enter your PIN three times you may need a Personal Unblocking Key (PUK) code to enable your Sim again. You should be able to get this from your network.As we said, most do this already. If not though it's vital you do – you don't want those with light fingers getting access to your personal data and other sensitive info.If your phone's stolen... report it to the police and let your network know as soon as possible. This is important to prevent unauthorised use of your service, and may also be critical for insurance claims. Make sure you've the right size Sim Sim cards come in three sizes – standard, micro and nano – and which one you'll need depends on your handset. All iPhone models from the iPhone 5 onwards use a nano Sim, as do some of the latest Android phones such as the Samsung S7. Many other Android phones, including the Samsung S5, Note 4 and Windows phones, take micro Sims, which are slightly larger than nano Sims. The iPhone 4 and 4S also take micro Sims. Standard-size Sims haven't been used in smartphones for the past few years and not many take them anymore. If you're upgrading to a newer handset, most networks can very easily swap your Sim card for the right one if you ask.Consider the contract length – don't end up in a two-year 'relationship' you can't afford If you sign up for a contract you're essentially committing to a phone company (and often a handset too) for the length of the contract. This means you must think carefully about your budget and if you can afford the ongoing monthly payments. The amount of time varies between deals – a few last 12 months, but most high-end smartphone contracts now span 24 months. Before you sign up to a contract make sure you're happy to be locked in for the minimum term. If you want to leave early then it's likely you'll have to pay termination fees which cover the cost of the contract. Some providers have started to offer tariffs which make it easier for customers to upgrade early. (See above for full details.) Don't ditch your digits! Get a PAC to keep your number when you switch Transferring – or 'porting' – your old mobile number is easy when you switch phone provider. All you need to do is get your PAC (Porting Authorisation Code) from your existing provider, then give it to your new one. Most networks will ask you to request a switch of number before you start using your new phone, but some will still do it after the new contract is set up. It usually only takes a couple of days. Trick for existing EE and Vodafone customers to keep their number If you take out a deal on your existing network that's intended for new customers and isn't specifically an upgrade (EE and Vodafone tend to run deals like this) you won't be able to keep your old number as you can't technically port it within the same network. When you terminate the old contract you'll lose it. The only way to get a new customer deal and keep your number would be to get yourself a free pay-as-you-go Sim from a different network, port your existing number across to it, then port the number again to the new contract once it's been set up. It sounds complicated but in reality wouldn't take more than week to get it moved back and forth. Alternatively, if you're out of contract you could always just call up your network and say you want to move to the new customer deal – if they say no, just threaten to leave (and do the trick above if they still won't budge).Recycle your old handset and earn £100s If you're getting a new handset, recycle the old one and you could earn £100s, depending on the make, model and condition of the phone. There are a raft of companies willing to recycle your phone for cash, yet be warned – the differences in what they'll offer are huge. To help, use our unique MobileValuer tool – it instantly tells you what each of the main mobile recycling sites will pay. You can get up to £400 for some handsets – of course others are virtually worthless, but it's worth a quick try. At the time of writing, for example, a 16GB iPhone 6 could fetch anything from £155 to £190. Once you agree to sell, most companies send you a freepost bag for your phone. You post it, then they give you the cash. These sites are all about instant prices though. If you're prepared to put in a little more effort and flog your handset on eBay, you can often beat their prices. See our full