SIM Only contracts have been around for quite a few years now but it’s really surprising to find out that not a lot of people know what they are or that they could saving hundreds on pounds by switching to one.
For those of you not aware, a SIM Only plan is essentially where you pay for a monthly tariff, but you just get a SIM card and no phone. Normally, when you buy a phone as well, the cost of the monthly tariff is considerably higher because the contract takes into account the cost of the mobile phone.
SIM only deals range from just £3.99 a month with up to £40 a month where you might get unlimited minutes, texts and data. There is a sweet spot for most people might use between 4GB and 20GB where you could bag a deal between £10 and £20.
Why should I get a SIM Only contract?
Flexibility
Other than the lower cost, there is also great flexibility because the contract length is typically either 30 days or 12 months long compared to 24 months or longer for a mobile phone contract. Shorter terms will allow you switch between networks more easily and your not tied down when there might be better offers available elsewhere.
Keeping your phone number and switching networks is also much easier than it once was. It’s pretty quick and can be hassle-free. See our guide for more details.
Keep your phone
When getting a SIM Only deal you will have more control over your phone ownership. If you have a phone already, your savings are likely to be greater and you can decide when you want to change it, if at all. You won’t have to wait until the end of your contract or anything like that. The cost of buying a phone outright can also be a big expense so if you’re happy with your current mobile then it’s worthwhile switching to a SIM deal to lower your monthly cost and get better value for your money too.
Great Value
We’ve touched on it already, but SIM Only contracts really are great value for money. Some of the best deals I’ve seen include 10GB for £10 a month with 3000 minutes and unlimited texts. These are normally special offers that aren’t around for long but do happen.
There are also network-specific offer like Free Gift Vouchers (BT Mobile do these regularly) or entertainment packages that come as part of the deal like on Vodafone or EE.
How much could I save?
This will largely depend if you are switching from a mobile phone contract or are buying a new phone outright. Typically, for the latter, you could be saving as much as at least £100 a year and over time this will be hundreds! If you are switching from a mobile contract, that might be costing you £36 a month for example. Your savings could be around £400 to £500 a year. You can calculate your savings with our nifty calculator here.
Overall, it’s a wise choice to be comparing what’s on offer, whether that’s a mobile phone contract or a SIM Only deal. You don’t want to be spending money every month when it could be used elsewhere so it just makes sense to see if you can lower your bills.