Tesco Mobile Deals: UK SIM-Only Plans & Phones

Tesco Mobile phone deals

Tesco Mobile offers a range of pay-monthly, SIM-only, and pay-as-you-go (PAYG) plans, so there’s plenty of choice at a range of price points. Some packages also include unlimited minutes and unlimited texts.

If you need a phone, you can choose from popular brands and models, including iPhone and Samsung Galaxy handsets such as the A32 and S21. However, if you’re not concerned about having the latest or most popular device, there’s also a small selection of other Android brands on offer such as Doro, Motorola, Alcatel and Nokia.

Regular Tesco supermarket customers also have exclusive access to better deals through the Clubcard Prices scheme on selected data plans.

Tesco Mobile pay-monthly contracts

If you need a new mobile phone, Tesco has a good selection of competitively priced pay-monthly plans. Deals vary from 12 months to 36 months, with the least expensive offers tied to longer plans. All Tesco Mobile’s monthly plans include unlimited texts and unlimited minutes.

You’ll be able to choose from various data plans (tariffs), which will affect what you pay (a higher data plan will cost you more each month) – but not all tariffs are available with all phones. Typically, the newest phone models are not available if you choose the lowest data plans. The tariffs currently on offer include:

• 1GB
• 3GB
• 6GB
• 12GB
• 25GB
• Unlimited data

Tesco provides a good selection of mobile handsets but skews heavily towards household names such as the Apple iPhone and Samsung Galaxy devices. If you want to upgrade, you can do so at any time, even mid-contract. All you’ll need to do is pay off the outstanding amount you owe for the phone.

It’s worth noting that Tesco phone deals come as two contracts, one for the handset and one for your usage. Payments for your phone will last the length of your contract (12, 18, 24, 30 or 36 months). Usage is charged on a rolling monthly basis. When you’ve reached the end of your handset contract, you’ll only have to cover the cost of your usage. You can also cancel your usage contract at any time after you’ve paid off your handset.

Another bonus with Tesco Mobile deals is that you don’t have to pay up front for your mobile phone. If you do make an upfront payment, you can shave a little off your monthly bill. Alternatively, you can buy the handset outright from Tesco and just pay for your usage costs. Popular monthly deals currently available include:

Other models of these phones, such as the iPhone 12 and more iPhone 13 models, are also available. For a more comprehensive list of the phones currently available through Tesco Mobile, use our comparison tool or check with the provider directly.

Tesco Mobile SIM-only deals

If you don’t need a mobile phone and only want a SIM card, Tesco Mobile also offers a choice of SIM-only plans that vary in length and data plan. All SIM contracts include unlimited texts and unlimited minutes.

If you already have a Tesco Clubcard, the good news is that the most competitive deals are reserved for existing customers through the Clubcard Prices programme. The SIM deals currently on offer include:

Tesco Mobile pay-as-you-go SIM

If you don’t want to be tied to a contract, you can opt for a Tesco pay-as-you-go SIM instead. You can order a free SIM and buy a data pack (or ‘Rocket Pack’) to ’load’ on to the SIM each month. If you find you’re running low on data before the end of the month, you can buy another Rocket Pack at any point.

Choosing a pay-as-you-go SIM means you’re limited to 5,000 minutes and 5,000 texts. The Rocket Packs currently on offer include:

• 10GB for £10
• 25GB for £15
• 50GB for £20
• 100GB for £30

Tesco Mobile phone network

Tesco Mobile doesn’t operate its own mobile network. This means it’s what’s known as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO). Only four companies own mobile phone infrastructure in the UK – collectively known as the ‘big four’. They are EE, O2, Three and Vodafone. All other mobile operators are called MVNOs and piggyback off one of the big four.

As an MVNO, Tesco Mobile uses the O2 network, which means you’ll get the same coverage as other O2 customers, which currently covers around 99% of the UK.

If you only use your mobile for voice and video calls and messaging, the O2 network is likely to be more than adequate. It’s also suitable if you use your smartphone to browse online and check your social media. However, if you’re looking for a provider that will support online gaming from your mobile phone, O2 (and by default Tesco Mobile) may not be the best choice.

Data from mobile analytics firm Open Signal found that O2 lagged behind joint-winners EE and Vodafone when it came to game experience. O2 was the slowest of all four networks when it came to download speed, offering 17Mbps (megabits per second), while the winner EE clocked 44Mbps.

Tesco Clubcard

If you shop at Tesco already and have a Clubcard, you’ll be able to use your Clubcard points and vouchers to lower your Tesco Mobile phone bill. As a Clubcard holder, you can also enjoy exclusive offers on selected mobile deals.

To get the most out of your Clubcard, simply convert your points to vouchers and redeem these against your bill. At the moment, you’ll be able to convert at the following rates:

What is Clubcard Plus?

Clubcard Plus is a new subscription offer from Tesco. You’ll need to pay to join, (it currently costs £7.99 a month) but in return, monthly contract customers will receive extra benefits including double data for a Tesco Mobile phone and double Clubcard points to redeem.