topic Upgrade or move to SIM only in Contracts & Billing

Upgrade or move to SIM only

Bex_blu — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 12:02:00 GMT

Hello, I am now out of contract and have an iPhone 13. I qualify to upgrade but wondering whether it’s more cost effective to buy directly from Apple and take a SIM only deal. Although I know if doesn’t ’work like that’ taking a contract with a new phone means you pay a hefty price even after you’ve ’paid back’ the phone.

if I take SIM only is there still good coverage an data offers? Is it usual to order a new sim when purchasing a new phone elsewhere?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you BB

Re: Upgrade or move to SIM only

Chris_B — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 12:44:04 GMT

@Bex_blu You get the same service if you go sim only or full contract. Not sure where you getting this from “ a hefty price even after you’ve ’paid back’ the phone” as you go sim only at the minimum term. Have you looked at the flex tariffs ? You get two bills one for the airtime contract and the other for the device. So one the device is paid off your left with the airtime contract plus the yearly price increase is only on the airtime contract not the device. It’s basically like having a sim only and you’re also purchasing a device and that device contract can be from 24 months or 36 months and that’s your choice. You pay a bit more over 24 months to cover the cost of the device or pay a bit less over 36 months to cover the cost of the device.

Re: Upgrade or move to SIM only

Bex_blu — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 13:04:24 GMT

Thank you that’s so interesting. I obviously went for a contract with the iPhone 13 when it first came out that was about £50 and had expected after the value of the phone was paid back that the monthly charges would reduce significantly.

I’m not aware of any device and airtime split contracts. That would have saved me a considerable amount.

I will look at the various options you’ve put forward.

Thank you

💬 Sent via iPad

Re: Upgrade or move to SIM only

Peter_W — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 14:55:33 GMT

Hey there @Bex_blu.

Welcome to the EE Community 😊

The FlexPay plans that @Chris_B mentioned here have only been available for a few years, so this wouldn't have been an option when you took out your iPhone 13.

The great thing about them is that you can pick a longer contract term if you'd like too, which helps split the monthly cost.

When you log into your account and select the upgrade option you should be able to see these.

Peter