If you’re looking for a cheap deal on your cell phone plan, the first thing you need to do is decide which type of plan is best for you. A great place to start is by checking out comparemymobile.co.uk. There are various types of plans so it’s important to find the one most suitable for your lifestyle, and your budget. You could opt for cheap prepaid sim only deals, or go for a more long-term contract. There are even family plans and various packages. It also depends on the amount of data, calls, and SMS you use. Here is an overview of sim only deals, cheap plans, and other offers to help you decide.
What are the different types of cell phone plans?
Sim only deals
This is a prepaid plan for a sim card only. You’ll get a set amount of data, calls, and SMS but it won’t come with a handset. If you don’t need a new phone it’s a good option, and you’ll get cheap deals on your allowances. These are often some of the best cell phone plans.
Pay as you go
If you’re looking for something short-term or abroad, pay as you go sims are simple as you only pay for what you use. You won’t get as many cheap deals, however.
Contract
Contracts are more long-term solutions. You can get a handset included and unlimited options. They tend to cost more monthly than sim only deals.
Families, kids, and seniors
Certain demographics can get a discount on their cell phone plan. This isn’t always offered but depends on your provider. Families on the same plan will get a discount for up to a certain amount of devices. Cheap, but more limited plans are also available as sim only deals for kids and seniors.
Which is the best deal for you?
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each type of plan and how to get the best deal. It depends on your lifestyle and how much you intend to use your phone, and what for.
Sim only deals
SIM cards usually come prepaid, but you can get some postpaid deals that are a bit more expensive. Prepaid sim only deals are good if you’re not bothered about the handset. Here are some pros and cons of sim only deals.
Pros:
- You have more choice of provider. You can also pay on a rolling monthly basis. This means you’re not tied into a long-term contract and change provider when you like.
- Sim only deals tend to be cheap, and especially compared to a long-term contract where you’re essentially paying off the price of a cell phone as well.
- You also don’t need a new phone. You can simply insert the sim card into your old phone and it will work fine. If you’re looking for a cheap sim only deal but don’t want to spend money on a new phone, then this is ideal.
- It’s not a long-term contract, so you may not have to be credit checked, this depends on your provider.
- There are plenty of options and packages to choose from. Many of them are designed for a specific type of user persona. For example, if you’re a business executive talking on the phone all day, then unlimited minutes will be very useful. Certain people also spend a lot of data, this might involve streaming videos online. You can choose from a range of data packages from as little as 1GB to unlimited use. The price varies of course with the type of sim only deal you choose.
Cons:
- If you do want a new phone it won’t be included in the price. Often sim only deals offer a discount on the price of a new phone, but you’ll be in a more long-term agreement.
- You might need to unlock your phone and wait for the new number to change over. This can take about a day.
Contract deals
There are also pros and cons to opting for a phone contract that includes a new handset, with a monthly payment plan.
Pros:
- Great for those interested in smart technology. If you want the latest state-of-the-art handset then most of them come with this type of plan. You’ll be able to pay for the phone monthly alongside your allowances for data, minutes, and SMS.
- It’s a hassle-free way to get a new phone and plan set up together. You’ll also get a better deal and special offers in exchange for your commitment.
- You can also choose a plan according to your expenditure. You can still opt for a cheaper more limited option if you don’t use much data for example.
Cons:
- You are making more of a long-term commitment. Most phone contracts are for at least 18months so you need to be sure. It’s also recommended to pay for insurance if your phone is lost or stolen, as the contract won’t automatically be canceled in this case.
Pay as you go
Pay as you go is really only suitable if you don’t use your phone very often or you’re using it abroad. In other cases, it’s better to opt for a prepaid price plan. This will save you more money and you can choose whether you want to pay monthly or over a set period. Any discounts for families, children, and seniors can be applied to different sorts of plans, it just depends on the offers your providers have.
The best way to get a cheap deal on your phone plan is by prioritising. Figure out how much data you realistically use and how often you make phone calls or send texts. Sim only deals are ideal if you don’t want a new phone, and if you want to upgrade to the latest model, maybe a long-term contract is better. In any case, there are many cheap sim only deals for you to get started with a prepaid price plan.
If you would like to know more about offers for your mobile phone, get in touch today for cheap sim only deals.
