Cheap phone contracts this March

How to get the cheapest phone contract

Cheap phone contracts come in many forms, so the best deal will depend on what you’re looking for. Undeniably, the price of the mobile phone package is the most important factor. However, it’s important to consider what you will be getting for the price. To get the best cheap phone contract for you, consider the monthly price, contract length, data speeds, phone model and the perks the network offers within the package you are considering.

We will break down each of these considerations in this section:

Monthly price

When looking for a cheap phone contract, price is always one of the most important factors to consider. When you compare phone deals across different networks, you will notice that some offer better value for money than others. The price of the contract is based on both the phone model and the airtime plan you choose, so determining how much you are paying for each individual service is important.

There may also be an upfront cost to pay on the smartphone you want. Decide how much you can afford to pay as an initial payment. You might find that a mobile phone contract has a low monthly cost but you need to pay more up front than other deals. Try shopping around and compare deals from multiple phone providers.

Minimum term

A 24-month or 36-month contract is perfect if you want to spread the cost of an expensive mobile phone over a longer period of time. Smaller monthly payments can help you keep within your monthly budget, making an expensive phone plan more affordable.

Contract length dictates how long you are committed to paying for the phone. Consider whether you are ready to see the contract through to the end because you will incur extra charges if you decide to cancel it early. You can avoid a contract completely if you buy a SIM-free phone and pair it with a PAYG or one-month SIM plan.

Coverage and speeds

Many UK networks offer 5G mobile phone coverage at no extra cost, so whether you have 4G or 5G access should not affect the price of your mobile phone deal. To get 5G speeds, you will need a 5G-ready phone, so whether having 5G or not is important to you is a big consideration.

The 5G-ready phones such as the iPhone SE 2022, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, Pro and Pro Max series are among the highest-priced on the market. Earlier models will only support 3G and 4G. Consider whether you are able to sacrifice 5G to get a cheaper phone or if you need a more recent phone model with more up-to-date technology.

Phone model

If you’re not set on a specific phone and are just looking for something low-cost, check out budget-friendly phone brands such as Alcatel, Caterpillar, Doro, Honor, Motorola, TCL and Vivo. There’s also the option of an older iPhone or Samsung device, such as the iPhone 7, iPhone 8 or the Samsung A series.

To find out whether a phone is worth the money, try to determine the quality and look at what you will be getting for your money. Take a look at the screen size, battery life, processor and camera quality. You might find that a large 6.4-inch screen size suits you best or that a dual- or triple-lens camera is essential in your day-to-day life. This kind of thing comes down to personal preference.

Perks and add-ons

Inquire about the perks and add-ons each network offers its customers. From time to time, networks will offer a discount on mobile phone plans or a SIM deal for new customers, as well as discounts on other services. With Priority and VeryMe Rewards, for example, you can enjoy discounts on events, restaurants and high-street brands.

Providers that offer other services, such as broadband and home phone packages, might offer a discounted mobile plan if you’re already using another of their services.

Cheapest phone contracts

For most people looking for a mobile phone deal, cost is among the most important factors. The bestselling Apple iPhones and Samsung Galaxy devices, such as the iPhone 13 and Galaxy S22, don’t come cheap. What you consider value for money will have to depend on whether you’re happy with a budget mobile phone or simply the best-value deal on one of the latest phones.

There are several types of mobile phone deals, so a cheap phone contract can take on many forms. There’s the option of a monthly phone plan or a SIM-free phone that you can combine with a SIM deal. Take a look below at what to expect from each mobile phone deal and browse our hand-picked selection of the cheapest deals from major UK mobile networks at the time of writing.

Pay-monthly contracts

Pay-monthly mobile phone deals are paid for in monthly instalments over a set period, which is usually 12, 24 or 36 months. There’s often a one-off upfront cost to pay at the beginning of your deal that can be as much as a few hundred pounds, although the more you pay at the beginning, the cheaper your monthly instalments will usually be.

Monthly contracts usually offer inclusive minutes, texts and a data allowance each month. In most cases, you’ll benefit from unlimited texts and unlimited calls, and cost will vary according to the data plan and phone model you get. Be aware that the provider will usually have to issue a credit check before you can sign up for a handset deal. This is because the phone will not be yours until you have reached the end of your plan.

If you’re looking for a cheap phone deal, look into low- to mid-range mobile phones with a data plan of 10GB a month or less. Some providers will offer unlimited data at an affordable monthly price on selected phones, but usually less data will mean a cheaper contract. If you’re on a tight budget but want one of the latest smartphones, compare phone deals from multiple providers on the device you want. You might find a network provider is offering cashback, a discount for new customers or has a special deal on at the time you want to make the purchase.

Below, you can browse some of our cheapest contract phones from the best UK network providers. The phones on offer include Apple, Samsung Galaxy, Google, OnePlus, Huawei, Motorola, Nokia, Xiaomi, Alcatel, Doro and Vivo.

Apple iPhones

As you might expect, older models such as the iPhone 7 and 8 are the cheapest. The iPhone SE 2022, iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 are not as affordable but are the only 5G-ready models. High-end devices such as iPhone’s Pro and Pro Max series, which offer the latest technology, can’t be found here but you will find pricing information on these in our comparison tool. View deals for some of our cheapest deals for each iPhone model here:

Samsung Galaxy

The Samsung Galaxy A series is the cheapest, with the S and Z being the most expensive. These include the Samsung Galaxy S21, S22, Z Fold3 and Z Flip3. View deals on the cheapest Samsung phones in the table below:

OPPO

Oppo offers mid-range phones that are cheaper than many Samsung and iPhone models. Here are some of its most competitive deals:

Xiaomi

Xiaomi phones offer advanced technology at a cheaper tariff than some of its major competitors. Here are some of our cheapest deals on Xiaomi phones.

SIM-only deals

A SIM card deal provides you with texts, minutes and a data allowance. There’s no phone included in a SIM-only plan, so you will need to have a working phone already. You can also combine your new SIM card with a brand new SIM-free phone. SIM deals offer either a flexible 30-day plan, a 12-month or a 24-month contract. You’ll benefit from a cheaper airtime plan with a longer contract, but you will have to pay an early termination fee if you want to leave mid-contract. Browse some of our cheapest SIM plans below:

Pay as you go

Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) plans let you pay only for the data, texts and minutes you use. This is sometimes more cost-effective, as it allows infrequent or inconsistent users to only pay for the features they need. If you only use your phone occasionally, then, a PAYG plan is ideal. Keep in mind that SIM plans are better value if you’re a frequent phone user as you get unlimited minutes and texts. Some of the best pay-as-you-go providers include Asda Mobile, giffgaff, O2, Three and Vodafone. These networks offer the following PAYG rates:

Asda Mobile

• 4p per text
• 4p per minute of call
• 4p per MB of data

giffgaff

• 10p per text
• 25p per minute of call
• 10p per MB of data

O2

• 15p per text
• 30p per minute of call
• £1 a day for 50MB of data

Three

• 10p per text
• 10p per minute of call
• 5p per MB of data

Vodafone

• 20 per text
• 35p per minute of call
• 10p per MB of data

SIM-free phones

A SIM-free phone is bought outright, so it is not bound to a contract. Unlike a standard handset deal, you can decide to pay it in full as one payment, though payment plans are often available as well. Buying a phone in one payment might seem expensive, but the same handset on a monthly plan is likely to be a bit more expensive as you’re essentially getting a phone on credit.

To get access to data, get a SIM card directly from a major mobile network such as Vodafone, EE, O2 or Three. The phone should be unlocked, so you won’t be obliged to stay with the provider that sold you the phone.

When there’s a new release, older phone models usually drop in price, so keep an eye on the market for price drops to get the best deal. To reduce the cost of your new phone, you can trade in your old device if it’s in working condition. The provider will discount what they think your old device is worth based on the model, age and condition of the phone. You can also opt for a cheap second-hand or refurbished phone. Refurbished phones will show some signs of wear and tear but the hardware will be in good working condition.

How to get the cheapest phone contract

Cheap phone contracts come in many forms, so the best deal will depend on what you’re looking for. Undeniably, the price of the mobile phone package is the most important factor. However, it’s important to consider what you will be getting for the price. To get the best cheap phone contract for you, consider the monthly price, contract length, data speeds, phone model and the perks the network offers within the package you are considering.

We will break down each of these considerations in this section:

Monthly price

When looking for a cheap phone contract, price is always one of the most important factors to consider. When you compare phone deals across different networks, you will notice that some offer better value for money than others. The price of the contract is based on both the phone model and the airtime plan you choose, so determining how much you are paying for each individual service is important.

There may also be an upfront cost to pay on the smartphone you want. Decide how much you can afford to pay as an initial payment. You might find that a mobile phone contract has a low monthly cost, but you need to pay more up front than other deals. Try shopping around and compare deals from multiple phone providers.

Minimum term

A 24-month or 36-month contract is perfect if you want to spread the cost of an expensive mobile phone over a longer period of time. Smaller monthly payments can help you keep within your monthly budget, making an expensive phone plan more affordable.

Contract length dictates how long you are committed to paying for the phone. Consider whether you are ready to see the contract through to the end because you will incur extra charges if you decide to cancel it early. You can avoid a contract completely if you buy a SIM-free phone and pair it with a PAYG or one-month SIM plan.

Coverage and speeds

Many UK networks offer 5G mobile phone coverage at no extra cost, so whether you have 4G or 5G access should not affect the price of your mobile phone deal. To get 5G speeds, you will need a 5G-ready phone, so whether having 5G or not is important to you is a big consideration.

The 5G-ready phones such as the iPhone SE 2022, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, Pro and Pro Max series are among the highest-priced on the market. Earlier models will only support 3G and 4G. Consider whether you are able to sacrifice 5G to get a cheaper phone or if you need a more recent phone model with more up-to-date technology.

Phone model

If you’re not set on a specific phone and are just looking for something low-cost, check out budget-friendly phone brands such as Alcatel, Caterpillar, Doro, Honor, Motorola, TCL and Vivo. There’s also the option of an older iPhone or Samsung device, such as the iPhone 7, iPhone 8 or the Samsung A series.

To find out whether a phone is worth the money, try to determine the quality and look at what you will be getting for your money. Take a look at the screen size, battery life, processor and camera quality. You might find that a large 6.4-inch screen size suits you best or that a dual- or triple-lens camera is essential in your day-to-day life. This kind of thing comes down to personal preference.

Perks and add-ons

Inquire about the perks and add-ons each network offers its customers. From time to time, networks will offer a discount on mobile phone plans or a SIM deal for new customers, as well as discounts on other services. With Priority and VeryMe Rewards, for example, you can enjoy discounts on events, restaurants and high-street brands.

Providers that offer other services, such as broadband and home phone packages, might offer a discounted mobile plan if you’re already using another of their services.