Learn how in the Forum Introduction Guide. Credit Cards Debt-Free Wannabe Savings and Investments. Utilities Old Style MoneySaving MoneySaving in Relationships. Grabbit Shop don't drop Freebies Competitions.

Join s of MoneySavers in the Forum's many discussion boards. For all the latest deals, guides and loopholes - join the 12m who get it. Nick Edited by Steve N. 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.

Our Sim-only and PAYG top picks have moved. For the best deals see the new Sim-only and PAYG guides, plus we've a new guide with 14 Cheap Mobile Phone Contract Tips. For a full rundown of the options, see Sim-only vs PAYG vs contracts.

How much is your mobile bill each month? If you don't need that big an allowance, it's possible to get even cheaper deals — see our full list of top picks in the new Cheap Sim-only Deals guide. In our November poll almost 25, of you told us how much you pay for your mobile. Of course, there are valid reasons why you may be paying more. 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'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. 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 a good guide to picking a new handset including low-end options.

Money Saving Expert Review - Actual Customer Feedback & Opinions

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. If you definitely do need a new mobile phone, then there are essentially three ways to get one.

Straightforward — buy the handset at the cheapest price you can find it, and pair it with a Sim-only deal of your choice. 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. How to do it: Get the handset at the best price possible. If you're going for an iPhone 7, see if you can spread the cost interest-free.

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. There are a few providers to choose from, and they work a little differently.

See Mobile financing below for full info. 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.

Phones voucher codes, Discount codes & Deals - Money Saving Expert

Plus you'll be locked in, usually for two years. It's also easy to increase the cost unnecessarily if you're not really on the ball with remembering to hand in your notice as early as possible once the contract ends, as if you leave it you'll keep paying the same high monthly price until you switch. 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.

Best Budget Smartphones 2017 - How To Get Iphone-Level Specs For A Quarter Of The 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 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. This just provides a snapshot of costs on a particular date 5 August to give an idea.

Bear in mind tariffs and prices change constantly so always check before making a decision. Match free mins, texts and data closely to your usage. If you don't, you'll go over and overpay for calls. Go under and you'll overpay on the package.

But only the heaviest users would need this amount of allowance. The easiest way to check your usage is to simply dust off your last three to six months' bills, jot down what you use every month and then work out the average.

MobilePhoneChecker and Billmonitor encrypt all users' passwords and are registered data controllers with the Information Commissioner's Office.

Both say your login and billing information will never be shared with third parties. Don't forget about cashback. The mobile market is rife with a variety of discount packages, so it's important to understand the difference. Reclaiming usually involves filling in a form and sending it off up to five times during the contract period.

Fail to do exactly this and you'll miss out on the whole discount. The main things to watch for are:. 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.

See the Mobile Contracts guide for full details on how to find the right contract and everything else you need to consider before tying into that lengthy commitment. Find a few top pick tariffs and other tips in Cheap iPhones and Cheap Samsungs. For tips on finding the best deal our own top picks, see the Sim-only guide. For all things pay-as-you-go, including our top picks Sims, see the Pay-as-you-go guide.

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. Mobile prices change hourly, but as of Tue 2 May these were the cheapest we could find from a UK-based retailer.

Unshackled says if you get the deal via a cashback site you won't receive any cashback. You'll get next-day delivery included and 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.

The discount also works on its finance plans on the same handsets. You can only get it in store; you'll need to take ID with you and you'll be credit-checked. Here's how the costs stack up:. See the Interest-free iPhone 7 MSE News story for a comparison with the networks' tariffs at launch. Then just pair it with a cheap Sim-only deal and off you go. If you're happy to stick with your current provider, then it's often possible to upgrade your handset before your current contract comes to an end.

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. If you don't want to switch, and are near or past your contract's end, you're wielding a powerful weapon 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 itwith real chutzpah! We know this method works, as you regularly tell us it does. Full help on how to do this in our Haggle Down Your Mobile Bill guide. 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. If you're happy with your mobile handset or are buying one upfront, then it's well worth looking at Sim-only deals as they generally offer a cheaper alternative.

Unless you're already with a Sim-only tariff provider, you'll probably need to get your phone unlocked though Giffgaff will work if your phone is locked to O2. Our Mobile Unlocking guide has full help. Also see our PAYG top picksincluding Giffgaff bundles and options for low users or those concerned about being credit-scored. Vodafone's offering this one-year contract Sim-only deal via Mobiles.

As part of the deal you get unlimited data for the first two months. We don't like these types of rewards as they're a faff and any mistakes can mean you lose out, but it's a pretty significant amount so we've mentioned it.

Obviously this is dependent on which service you're more likely to use, but we've analysed the cost of getting each for a year so you can compare:. If you already pay for Spotify you'd have to cancel your Premium account to take advantage of this. Sky Sports Mobile TV: You get Sky Sports 1, 2 and News HQ on one mobile device only. Anyone with an unlocked or Vodafone-locked handset can get the deal, though existing Vodafone customers will have to take it out as a new line and won't be able to switch their number to it unless they follow this trick.

Remember, if you're not out of contract yet you'll face early termination charges. The 'free' entertainment subscription will roll on at the standard price unless you cancel you'll be sent a reminder text before this. You'll be free to leave the phone contract at that point, though, with 30 days' notice, so call up and haggle Vodafone was voted one of the top firms to haggle with in our recent poll or switch to another deal when the time comes. Also included in the deal is: The offer can't be used with any other discount code or cashback offer and is only available online.

You'll get Apple Music and BT Sport too. After the first 12 months the price subject to inflation and allowance should remain the same. Three now offers two different types of Sim-only tariffs — 'Advanced' and 'Essential'. Advanced plans give you free roaming in 42 countries and tethering see belowwhereas its stripped-down Essential plans don't provide either, but are some of the cheapest around.

This is a stonking almost 'all-you-can-eat' deal from one of the major networks, given for the vast majority 4GB is plenty. However, all except one of these offer fewer minutes and less data for the same money. Know someone already with Three? See refer a friend for details. All the plans come with 4G data, access to the BT Sport app and to more than five million BT Wi-Fi hotspots. Plus until Thu 27 Oct if you use one of the links below you can claim an Amazon or iTunes voucher.

Unltd mins and texts, 15GB. Originating in The States, FreedomPop is a new network claiming to be the first to offer a free phone service in the UK. The 'free' plan uses Voice over Internet Protocol meaning you make phone calls and send texts over the internet via it's app much like What's App, but it won't use your data if you're within your text allowance. Our top pick plan will cost you but it uses Three's 3G and 4G networks so you don't have to rely on the internet for calls.

You'll have to pay a 99p setup charge but it says you're welcome to cancel at any point, even if you just use the first 'free' month. Unlimited mins, unlimited texts, 2. This is a decent almost 'all-you-can-eat' deal from one of major networks, given that for the vast majority 4GB will be enough. Existing O2 customers can also get the deal if they're out of contract: Unlike many other promo tariffs, the price doesn't jump after the contract ends — though O2 may increase prices in line with inflation each year.

You'll need the O2 Priority app. Existing O2 customers can get it too, but only if they're past the mininmum term of their current contract. It's got a huge range of plans — long term, short term, with handset, Sim-only — all on 4G.

Its roaming 'Takeaway' plans allow you to use your allowance in 29 countries. Here are a few more of its 'ShockProof' plans:. The People's Operator, launched inis a piggyback network running off EE's signal.

The company has mixed reviews on customer service in the past, but it's taken steps to improve since. Some give a discount in the first month, but after that aren't the cheapest in the market for what they offer.

Use the link above and the voucher will be automatically emailed to you within four months of completing your order if you cancel during the day grace period you won't get the voucher.

How to ensure you get the voucher. Vodafone says there won't be any issues tracking this deal, but to be doubly certain we suggest you turn off ad- and cookie-blockers when you order. As the voucher is sent by email, sometimes it can get caught in spam filters.

Please check your spam folder regularly in case it's diverted there. If after three months you still haven't received your voucher, please email voucherhelp moneysavingexpert. If you're an existing Netflix customer, you'll have equivalent value added to your account.

If you already pay for Spotify you'd have to cancel your premium account to take advantage of this. Bear in mind that you'll have access to Spotify Premium for the six-month period even if you cancel during it. Anyone who doesn't currently have a Vodafone mobile contract, though you'll need to already have a Vodafone or an unlocked phone or plan to buy one in order to use this Sim. The Sim itself costs slightly more each month than the very cheapest with the same allowance.

If you were planning on taking one of the entertainment packages it's even less. Considering the ones we've seen, this is a cracking deal. Yes, you can move your number to this Sim. See number porting for more. After a year you're free to leave the contract but have to give 30 days' notice.

Vodafone has said it promises the monthly cost of your contract will remain the same for the duration of the 12mths as long as you stay within you allowance. Three's 'Advanced' as opposed to 'Essential' plans let you use your data, text and call allowances in 42 countries at no extra charge, and also let you tether. You can't do either on the Essential plans. It's available to new customers, and to existing customers who are out of contract or want a second line.

These are the pick of them It's on a day contract; the network piggybacks on EE's signal. The company's had mixed feedback in the past, so it's worth being aware of this and doing your own research. It does look like customer service has been improving lately however, and this deal's so competitive — with only a one-month commitment — we think it's worth considering.

It offers a range other plans too, which are also competitive, they're all one-month contracts and 3G-only. Unlimited mins, Unlimited texts, 6GB. A nice additional feature is the ability to cap your monthly bill to prevent being charged outside your allowance beyond a set amount each month.

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.

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. If you're a very low user, can't pass a credit score or just want to be totally in control of how much you spend, then opting for a pay-as-you-go PAYG deal might be a good option.

Why does my credit score matter? When you apply for a mobile contract including Sim-only contracts you're usually credit scored because the company is spreading the cost of the handset over the contract, so for the firm, it's effectively a loan.

If your credit history's poor then there's a chance you will be rejected and won't get a contract. You can choose between Giffgaff which doesn't credit score you because you're technically prepaying rather than signing up for a contract or another PAYG provider. Alternatively you could always try boosting your credit score. All its Goodybags now give 4G data. All include unlimited Giffgaff-to-Giffgaff calls and texts. The cheapest bundles have very low allowances, so make sure it's enough before you buy.

If you do run out of minutes or data you can binary theorem trading another Goodybag if you don't want to wait until your current one expires.

Note though — if you do this, you'll lose any remaining allowance you had on the existing Goodybag. It's a cracking deal for occasional mobile users, by far the cheapest PAYG rate on the market.

It's a Sim-only deal, forex trading example tutorial pdf you'll need an unlocked or Three handset to put the Sim into.

It'll only work in 3G-compatible handsets, so much older non-smartphones are a no no. How much is it? Can I add extras? If you want extras, such as MB data bundle, you can add these whenever you need to see the Three website for info.

There are a range of other PAYG providers to choose best forex trading course in south africa. Here are their pay-as-you-go rates: They're more like Sim-only plans in that you get a fixed allowance each month, the difference being you'll still have to top up if you want to use more or buy auto binary options reviews com bundle.

If you want a snazzy phone but can't afford to buy the handset upfront, you're best off saving up. Use our eligibility calc or the new free MoneySavingExpert. A 'granny in a glovebox phone is great to stash in your car as an emergency stock market crashed in 1929 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 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 Money saving expert mobiles.co.uk 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. The major providers all have maps indicating what coverage they offer. But telecoms regulator Ofcom has its own Telecoms Coverage Checker and smartphone app which goes beyond what the networks' own tools do. 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 applyso it's your responsibility to check. 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 how to buy dassault systemes stock 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.

It very much depends. Under the Consumer Contracts Regulationsif 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 Vodafonefor 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. In these circumstances the customer should be offered compensation or be allowed to leave the contract early without penalty.

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, making money fast gta online 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. Alternatively, go to free complaints-handling company Resolverwhich 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. 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 that most Vodafone, EE and O2 pay-monthly customers would see a 2. In April, Three announced a 2. You're protected against other types of mid-contract price increases though — see below for more.

Cheap Mobile Phones: The cheapest way to get a new handset

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. 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 iPhoneAndroid 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.

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. See screen-locking instructions for iOSAndroid again, this may vary by handset and Windows Phone. If your phone's stolen This is important to prevent unauthorised use of your service, and may also be critical for insurance claims.

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 discrete scaling in stock markets before crashes 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 how to get free robux on roblox april 2016 take them anymore.

If you're upgrading to a newer handset, most networks can very easily swap your Sim card for the right credit earn extra money online legitimately if you ask. 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. 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. 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. 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 trend trading system forex factory 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.

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.

If you live somewhere with rubbish phone signal and you can only get coverage on one or two networks, fear not. All the others piggyback on and buy space from one of these four. For example, Tesco and Giffgaff are on O2, Asda is on EE and TalkMobile is on Vodafone. You're still using the same network as the larger company so the reliability's the same, but it's normally cheaper or you get more for your money.

Signing up to a new mobile deal, especially if it's a contract that locks you in, is a big commitment. Most contracts lock you in for 24 months, which means you won't be able to get out of paying for it during this time. That's why we've come up with six MUST-CHECK points to consider before you sign on the dotted line. Unlocking your phone means you can use any network's Sim, which gives you the freedom to switch providers and hopefully cut your mobile phone bill.

But if you got your handset from a network it will often be 'locked' to that specific provider. You may be able to unlock your phone for assistance in binary options, depending on your network and the type of handset you have. See our Mobile Phone Unlocking guide for full details. The best mobile phones no longer just make calls.

Insurers play on this fear with hefty prices and unnecessary cover. But do you really need insurance? Deciding whether to get a policy comes down to the fact that you know yourself better than insurers will. How likely are you to lose or damage your phone? If your mobile's been permanently attached to your hand and you haven't broken or lost it in the last 10 years, the chances you'll lose or break it in the future are slim.

If you have smashed or misplaced a phone in the past, however, it might be worth considering. It's important to know yourself, then you can play the odds.

Are you worried about mobile phone theft? If you live in a crime hotspot then insuring your phone for theft might be a good idea. If you use up your data allowance before the end of each month it could end up costing you. The majority of networks will joptionpane numeric input you to pay an extra chunk of cash if you want to extend your allowance. Many mobile contract and Sim-only deals offer 'unlimited' minutes, texts or data, but it's important to understand what that actually covers.

Always make sure you know exactly what's covered and what you'll have to pay extra for. Similarly some networks place 'fair usage' caps on their 'unlimited' tariffs, confusingly limiting the allowance you actually get. Where a provider does this on a plan we write about we'll say so, but it's worth checking yourself before signing up. If you've a smartphone, you may find you can keep costs down by taking a smaller data plan flash crash of the stock market in may 2016 using free Wi-Fi while you're out and about.

There are Wi-Fi hotspots dotted all over the UK and abroadmany of which are free. McDonald's, Starbucks and Wetherspoons and Walkabout pubs all offer free wireless internet. It's also worth checking My Hotspots UK-only, quite limited. Find out more about free Wi-Fi hotspots and how to save on mobile data costs in the Free Wi-Fi and Mobile Broadband guides. Head abroad and your mobile provider may hike prices massively, and even charge turbotax option trading receiving calls as well.

Yet you can substantially cut the cost by using networks' hidden deals or by getting a specialist Sim card to use overseas. Calling someone overseas from your mobile often costs big bucks, yet it doesn't have to be that way. Making free internet phone calls Forex crude oil forecast sounds complicated, but it's very easy, especially if you have a smartphone.

Our guide to Free Web Calls has details on apps that let you call for nowt, how to make free calls from your computer and the best way to call friends who don't use VoIP.

Alternatively, if you want to call a foreign mobile or landline number, it's possible to do this for next to nothing — see the Cheap International Calls guide.

If your phone is faulty, then it's the responsibility of the retailer to fix it All the usual consumer rights apply when you buy a mobile phone. The phone must be of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose. See the Consumer Rights guide for more. Remember here, the responsibility lies with the retailer, not the manufacturer. So if you discover a problem after buying a new phone, it's the retailer who must sort the problem for you.

If the fault is minor, it's reasonable to accept a repair. If not, you're entitled to a refund, although the retailer can deduct an amount for the use you've already had. If you think you've been mis-sold, either by the mobile phone company or by a company selling on its behalf, you need to know your rights. Your incentive stock option shareholder approval action should be to inform the provider and follow its complaints procedure.

Or, use free complaints-handling company Resolverwhich will help you with your claim. If you're locked into a phone contract and your provider decides to hike prices, then you may be able to get out of the deal without paying a penalty. Over the past few years mobile phone firms have started introducing annual price hikes, usually in line with inflation see abovewhich affect customers who are mid-contract.

This used to mean the price of your contract would rise and there was nothing you could do about it. However, in January Ofcom changed the rules around orient exchange dubai rates today price rises.

It confirmed that anyone with a landline, broadband or mobile contract should be allowed to leave if their provider introduces unilateral mid-contract price rises. Ofcom said price increases to a recurring monthly subscription are "materially detrimental" to users.

Providers now need to give at least 30 days' notice of any such rises and allow users to leave the contract without penalty see the O2 to hike its prices MSE News story. These rules apply to any NEW contract direct line stock market flotation out after 23 January Unfortunately they don't apply retrospectively though, so companies can still hike prices for contracts taken out before this date.

If you've switched mobile provider within the last six years and still had money remaining in your account when you left then it's possible to claim it back. Many providers don't automatically refund credit when you leave, so it's worth checking. See our Reclaim Phone Credit guide for full details. The mobile industry doesn't have the best customer service reputation and while a provider may be good for some, it can be hell for others.

Common problems the impact of mega-sporting events on stock markets limited network coverage, slow data speeds, unexpected charges and more. This tool helps you draft your complaint and manage it too. It's totally free, and offered by a firm called Resolver which we like so much we work with it to help people get complaints justice.

If the complaint isn't resolved, Resolver will escalate it to the free Ombudsman Services or CISAS if you're complaining about EE or Virgin Mobile. NOT YET A FORUM MEMBER? If you go through it, it can sometimes result in a payment or benefit to the site. It's worth noting this means the third party used may be named on any credit agreements. Plus the editorial line the things we write is NEVER impacted by these links.

We aim to look at all available products. If it isn't possible to get an affiliate link for the top deal, it is still included in exactly the same way, just with a non-paying link. For more details, read How This Site Is Financed. BillMonitorBTEbayEEGiffgaffMobilephonecheckerMoneysupermarketO2Tesco MobileThreeuSwitchVirgin MediaBre forex nawigator MoneySavingExpert.

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Students Student Bank Accounts Student Loans Grad Accounts Education Grants Teen Cash Class News Eligible for carer's credit? Tools Free Tax Code Calculator Find if you're owed a tax rebate Income Tax Checker See what the tax man and more! Get Our Free Money Tips Email! Buying a new handset? Do it the cheapest way If you definitely do need a new mobile phone, then there are essentially three ways to get one. Buy it outright Straightforward — buy the handset at the cheapest price you can find it, and pair it with a Sim-only deal of your choice.

Buy it on finance 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. Get it on contract 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. 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.

It works with customers of EE, O2, Tesco Mobile, Three and Vodafone. It's not quite as user-friendly as MobilePhoneChecker belowthough it gives a more detailed bill analysis. Free matchmaking and comparison tool: It also has a bill reading feature similar to Billmonitor's; it's not as thorough in its analysis, though it works with more networks — the big four bar VodafoneBT Mobile, Giffgaff, iD Mobile, TalkMobile, Tesco Mobile and Virgin Mobile.

Its true strength really lies in the broad range of deals and filter options it on offer — it's easy to use and the most comprehensive we've come across. It's the go-to contract comparison tool as far as we're concerned.

Is it safe to give MobilePhoneChecker and Billmonitor your login details? The big discounts come in the form of a "cashback redemption" that has to be claimed from the retailer, yet they're notoriously unreliable. These are cashback deals where you're sent a cheque automatically without claiming.

They usually don't offer as big a discount as manual cashback. Cashback via cashback sites. It's possible to sometimes beat the deals above with some powerhouse cashback offers, most commonly for Sim-only deals. Read the Top Cashback Sites guide for full info. The main things to watch for are: Always read the small print. It's important to discover every hoop they'll force you through.

Does each time you send a form trigger some payment? Or, as usual, is it a "send all or get nothing" scenario, so if you miss sending one form, the whole thing's invalidated? Call and check the timings needed. Never assume a cashback deal is simple. If it says "send your bill after three months", this may mean three months from application, three months from activating the phone or after you've received your third monthly bill.

Call the cashback company and check. Be careful with addresses.

The address you send claims from needs to be the address used to order with, otherwise the claim may be invalidated. So if you move house, let them know immediately. Are you keeping your old mobile number? Use the Tart Alert as a reminder. Enter the rebate date and you'll be sent a free text message or email it's your choice six weeks beforehand. Consider another form of cashback. Regardless of whether cashback is officially offered, there's a possible additional amount.

Simply sign up for the phone via a cashback website. These are special sites carrying paid links from retailers and if you click through them and get a product, they're paid. Importantly, they then give you some of this cash.

Find out more in the Top Cashback Sites guide. The cashback deal's with the retailer, the tariff with the network. Even if things go wrong, you still keep the tariff with the network. But sadly cashback retailers can and do go bust; if yours does, it'll be tough to recoup. Yet don't forget the networks encourage these deals, and if you believe you've been unfairly treated, a strong letter to the network asking it to step in may be worthwhile.

If you do have cashback problems, always make sure you report the company to Trading Standards. If you've been treated unfairly, consider a small claims court action. FAQs Unsubscribe Past Emails Privacy. Choose the right type of plan: There are three different types of plans to choose from.

Here's how they work: You'll be locked in for 24 months in the majority of cases. You'll be credit checked. Great value if you already have a handset or can afford to buy yourself. Rolling day contracts offer maximum flexibility. Often good for heavy data users. PAYG doesn't require any credit check. Generally more expensive for medium or heavy users.

Once it's back in stock you'll be sent a different code, which must be used within 24 hours of receipt. Here's how the costs stack up: There are two main providers to try: Get a potential cheap-ish loan on many types of phone with Unshackled.

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. 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 more than If it's closer to Or try Giffgaff at It's not as competitive as Unshackled.

Many providers allow early upgrades If you're happy to stick with your current provider, then it's often possible to upgrade your handset before your current contract comes to an end. How early can you upgrade? Provider Early upgrade policy EE incl T-Mobile and Orange Switch to a new phone and plan up to 45 days before your contract ends. O2 O2 Refresh splits your monthly statement into a cost for the handset and cost for your allowance. Vodafone Upgrade up to 60 days before your contract ends if you're on a Red or Red Value Bundle, or up to 30 days if on a standard plan.

Three Upgrade up to 30 days before your contract ends. Virgin Mobile 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 Take your pick of the top Sim-only deals If you're happy with your mobile handset or are buying one upfront, then it's well worth looking at Sim-only deals as they generally offer a cheaper alternative.

A choice of 12 months' 'free' Now TV Entertainment, Spotify Premium or Sky Sports Mobile TV. Here's how to get this deal: Your Sim will be delivered within three to five working days. Pick your entertainment package — once you've activated your Sim you'll receive a text message asking which package you want. You'll automatically be sent the cashback as a cheque within 90 days of placing your order. Key questions Which entertainment package should I take?

Obviously this is dependent on which service you're more likely to use, but we've analysed the cost of getting each for a year so you can compare: Bear in mind that you'll have access to Spotify Premium for the month period even if you cancel during it.

Who can get it? What happens after the year's contract? Here's how to get the deal: Add your 'free' extras. Six months' Apple Music. At the checkout, select 'Add Apple Music' under the dropdown. Alternatively, text MUSIC to within 30 days of sign-up. Six months' BT Sport. Same as above, add to your basket under the 'BT Sport app' button.

Or text SPORT to This is applied automatically to your account. Cancel by texting STOP MUSIC to Cancel by texting STOP SPORT to Here's how to get the deal from this page, after 9am on Wednesday: Go to the EE site we'll post the code here when the deal's available Add your 'free' extras.

No free roaming 'Feel at Home'tethering or free calls to customer service on these plans. See Advanced plans if this is what you need. Three may increase the price annually in line with inflation. Here are the options Runs off the EE network. Here are the options: The premium service trial and the premium voice trials may be preselected depending on the option you go for.

One handy feature of the premium service is you can roll-over up to MB of unused data each month up to 20GB or share it with other FreedomPop users.

Here are a few more of its 'ShockProof' plans: Runs off the Three network. If you exceed your allowance, it's Tethering isn't allowed with this network. Need-to-knows day rolling contract; contracts terminate at the end of the calendar month in which you give notice. You won't be credit-checked, though it'll carry out a basic ID check.

Choose your Sim size: It'll be sent in two to four working days; alternatively pick it up from a Vodafone shop. Choose your entertainment package. Once you've activated your Sim you'll receive a text message asking you to confirm which entertainment package you want. How to ensure you get the voucher Vodafone says there won't be any issues tracking this deal, but to be doubly certain we suggest you turn off ad- and cookie-blockers when you order.

Which entertainment package should I take? Obviously this is dependent on which service you're more likely to use. The value of the Amazon voucher has been deducted in each case: How good is it? Can I move my number? Unltd mins, unltd texts, unltd data.

Three's 'Feel at Home' lets you use your allowance in 42 countries at no charge on Advanced plans. Need-to-knows One-month rolling contract. You won't be able to use your phone abroad unless you activate roaming. Unlimited mins, unlimited texts, "Always On" data. Need-to-knows Buy bundles on a day rolling basis. Runs off the O2 network. You won't be able to go over your allowance without buying another Goodybag unless you have credit.

Mapping tool shows mobile signal strength — check before you commit to a contract The major providers all have maps indicating what coverage they offer.

How good is the tool? 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.

Lock your Sim You can find instructions online for locking your Sim on an iPhoneAndroid phone may vary by handset or Windows Phone.

Lock your handset As we said, most do this already. 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. Don't ditch your digits! 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.

Don't sign on the dotted line until you've used our 'before you buy' checklist Signing up to a new mobile deal, especially if it's a contract that locks you in, is a big commitment.

It's well worth checking before signing up. Don't forget about credit checks. If you have a poor credit history then there's a chance you could be rejected for a contract. When you apply for a mobile contract the provider will check your score to see how reliable you are at paying bills on time. Before applying, check your credit score, and if necessary see our tips for boosting your credit score. Consider the contract length and its total cost. Do the maths to make sure you're getting a good deal.

Do you need mobile phone insurance? Depending on the cost of replacing your handset it might be worth getting mobile phone insurance. See our Cheap Mobile Insurance guide for full info. Keep your number when you switch. It's easy to keep your number but you'll need to get your PAC code. Know how to unlock your phone so you have maximum choice of provider Unlocking your phone means you can use any network's Sim, which gives you the freedom to switch providers and hopefully cut your mobile phone bill.

Full info and best buys in Cheap Mobile Phone Insurance. There are a number of ways to avoid this: Make sure any apps you use aren't eating up your allowance.

Be sure you understand what 'unlimited' includes Many mobile contract and Sim-only deals offer 'unlimited' minutes, texts or data, but it's important to understand what that actually covers. Get more info on the cost of using your phone abroad and the various specialist Sims available in the Mobile Roaming guide. If you think you've been mis-sold your mobile contract then you have rights If you think you've been mis-sold, either by the mobile phone company or by a company selling on its behalf, you need to know your rights.

You have rights if your mobile phone provider hikes prices mid-contract If you're locked into a phone contract and your provider decides to hike prices, then you may be able to get out of the deal without paying a penalty. If you've switched providers recently, check whether you're owed cash If you've switched mobile provider within the last six years and still had money remaining in your account when you left then it's possible to claim it back.

How to complain about your network The mobile industry doesn't have the best customer service reputation and while a provider may be good for some, it can be hell for others.

Join in the MSE Forum Discussion: By Nick Edited by Steve N. Related Guides Are Your Savings Safe? FREE MoneySaving email Week from 21 June MSE News Martin's Blog Deals Hunters. How this site works We think it's important you understand the strengths and limitations of the site. This info does not constitute financial advice, always do your own research on top to ensure it's right for your specific circumstances and remember we focus on rates not service. Do note, while we always aim to give you accurate product info at the point of publication, unfortunately price and terms of products and deals can always be changed by the provider afterwards, so double check first.

We don't as a general policy investigate the solvency of companies mentioned how likely they are to go bustbut there is a risk any company can struggle and it's rarely made public until it's too late see the Section 75 guide for protection tips. We often link to other websites, but we can't be responsible for their content. Always remember anyone can post on the MSE forums, so it can be very different from our opinion. More tools from MoneySavingExpert Budget Planner Free tool to analyse your finances and scrutinise spending.

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Credit Card Eligibility Calc Shows which top cards you're most likely to get. Cheap Energy Club Ensures the cheapest energy deal constantly. About the Site MSE's Editorial Code Site's Funding Sitemap Jobs Accessibility Email FAQs Site FAQs Forum Rules New to Forum? Martin Lewis is a registered trade mark belonging to Martin S Lewis. Prices correct at 5 Aug O2 Refresh splits your monthly statement into a cost for the handset and cost for your allowance.

Upgrade up to 60 days before your contract ends if you're on a Red or Red Value Bundle, or up to 30 days if on a standard plan. No official policy on early upgrades. Table correct as of 25 May