giffgaff Phone Deals 2024

giffgaff SIM-only deals

giffgaff is primarily a SIM-only provider, offering some of the cheapest deals on SIM cards on the UK market, alongside Lebara, Plusnet and VOXI. giffgaff deals are referred to by the provider as ‘goodybags’ or ‘golden goodybags’, and provide everything you need in one package that includes unlimited minutes, unlimited texts and the data allowance of your choice.

SIM-only deals are different from handset deals in that they don’t include a mobile phone. This means you’ll need to have your own unlocked mobile phone before you sign up, into which you can insert your new giffgaff SIM. giffgaff provides triple SIMs that can be moulded into three different sizes, so you don’t need to worry about your SIM not fitting into your phone.

giffgaff SIM-only deals typically come as one-month contracts that automatically renew. While it is a recurring plan, you have the flexibility to cancel whenever you want, but keep in mind that there’s a 30-day notice period.

Other perks of getting a giffgaff SIM card are that there are no upfront costs to pay and your SIM will be sent to you free of charge. giffgaff deals don’t require the credit check that many other providers do, so you can enjoy a budget-friendly SIM regardless of your credit score.

Golden goodybag

Golden goodybag plans offer an extra 1GB of data that will automatically become available if your data runs out before the end of the month. This means that, with a golden goodybag, you have the added security that you won’t be stuck for data if you happen to go slightly over your limit. Golden goodybags also provide unlimited minutes and texts, 4G and 5G coverage, and inclusive EU roaming. Enjoy one of the following data plans:

• 15 GB for £10
• 30 GB for £15
• 100 GB for £20
• Unlimited data for £35

Goodybag

A goodybag is similar to the golden goodybag without the cushion of an extra 1GB of data. These SIM-only deals provide unlimited minutes and texts, 4G and 5G coverage and inclusive EU roaming. You can choose one of the following airtime plans:

• 1 GB for £6
• 3 GB for £8
• 12 GB for £10
• 20 GB for £12
• 25 GB for £15
• 80 GB for  £20
• Unlimited data for £25

Pay-monthly mobile phone deals

giffgaff deals don’t primarily focus on selling handsets but, that said, the provider does offer the latest smartphones including iPhone and Samsung Galaxy devices. Airtime is not automatically included in any of these deals, though customers can add a goodybag or golden goodybag to their deal to get unlimited calls and texts, and the option of unlimited data.

When you buy a phone from giffgaff, the provider gives you the option to either pay off the phone in one full payment or pay a set monthly fee over the course of 24 months. If you add a goodybag to your pay-monthly phone deal, you still have the freedom to cancel it at any point as it’s a 30-day rolling contract that is not bound to the phone contract.

giffgaff pay-as-you-go SIMs

A giffgaff pay-as-you-go SIM deal might be the most suitable deal for you if you use your mobile sporadically and only want to pay for the allowances you use. If you’re switching from another provider, you can keep your current number when you sign up to a PAYG giffgaff deal. The provider’s pay-as-you-go rates are as follows:

If you find that a PAYG plan doesn’t suit you, you can always switch to a SIM-only goodybag using the same SIM card. You’ll just need to activate your SIM-only plan after making the purchase online.

Refurbished phones

Refurbished phones are second-hand phones that have been wiped of all their previous data, and in some cases restored with recycled phone parts so that they can be passed on to a new user. They may show some signs of wear and tear, but they’re a great budget alternative to a new handset for those who can’t afford a brand new smartphone.

giffgaff has a large selection of refurbished phones from a variety of brands, such as iPhone, Samsung, Sony, Nokia, Huawei and OPPO. Below, you’ll find the answer to some useful questions about giffgaff’s refurbished phones.

What are giffgaff’s refurbished phones like?

All of giffgaff’s refurbished phones are quality smartphones that have had all their previous data wiped and their factory settings reset. You may also be pleased to know that the provider’s refurbished devices are SIM-free and unlocked, so you’re not obliged to join the giffgaff network.

Twelve-month warranty protection is also provided on refurbished giffgaff phones, so you’re guaranteed a free repair or a replacement device if a problem occurs that isn’t your fault.

Which signs of wear and tear do giffgaff’s refurbished phones show?

All refurbished phones will show different signs of wear and tear on the body and screen, but they are all in full working condition. To make it easier for customers, giffgaff has four different categories of refurbished phones that describe the condition the phone is in. Here’s a quick explanation of the four different categories (listed in ascending order from worst to best condition):

1. Good: Noticeable wear and tear. Can have scratches or marks on the screen or body.
2. Very good: Some wear and tear. Some scratches on the body but the screen is in great condition.
3. Excellent: A little wear and tear. Shows a few signs of usage but the screen is intact.
4. Like new: No wear and tear. The phone essentially looks like new.

Does giffgaff buy phones?

Yes, giffgaff buys used phones regardless of the network to which they are locked. When giffgaff buys your phone, you also benefit in the form of a payment reflecting the value of your phone. You also get to recycle your device in the process, which is the sustainable thing to do with your old device.

Find out how much your phone could be worth by requesting a quote on the giffgaff website. You’ll have to answer these simple questions to get your quote:

• What’s your mobile number?
• Which brand and model is it?
• How old is the device?
• Are there any signs of wear and tear? A description will be required.

Try to be as accurate as possible with your answers so that you get a realistic quote. If you don’t describe all scratches or marks, you might end up being disappointed if giffgaff offers you less money than you were quoted online. giffgaff will confirm the payment amount once it receives the phone and inspects it. You should then receive your money within a few working days.

Network coverage

giffgaff piggybacks off the O2 mobile network, one of the biggest network providers in the UK, alongside Three, Vodafone and EE.

O2 offers competitive speeds across the UK, with excellent mobile phone coverage, though its 4G speeds aren’t as quick as those of its rivals. Below, you can find a ranking of the main network providers’ 4G and 5G speeds from highest to lowest:

4G data speeds

5G data speeds

Rewards

giffgaff rewards customers with something it calls Payback. With Payback you can:

1. Earn Payback points: You can do this by referring a friend to a giffgaff service or by helping customers on the community page.
2. Accumulate points: giffgaff will update you about your Payback points at the end of each month.
3. Cash in your points: You can get cashback on your points as well as a money-off voucher, or make a donation to charity. giffgaff lets you cash in for a voucher twice a year, usually in June and December. You will receive an email before the cash-in deadline, so you don’t need to worry about setting a reminder.

1 point is equivalent to £0.01. So if you have 500 points, you’ve accumulated £5.