Contract phones
Phone deals, ranked by what you actually pay
A £10-a-month deal with £600 upfront is not cheap. We add up the upfront cost, every monthly payment and the network’s April price rise, then rank by the total.
bemobiles tips
Is it cheaper to buy a phone outright?
Often. Add the shop price to 24 months of a SIM only plan and compare it with the contract total — our calculator does it for you.
What happens to my bill in April?
EE, O2, Vodafone and Three add a fixed amount in pounds every spring. It is in the contract, so add it to the total before you choose.
Can I get a contract with a thin credit file?
The big four always run a hard credit check. Buying the phone and adding a SIM with no credit check avoids it.
Apple- £39 upfront
- then £29.99 a month
- On iD Mobile, 24 months
24-month total £801.96
Get this dealAll iPhone 17 deals →The iPhone 17 deal with the lowest total cost over 24 months — live from retailers.
The lowest monthly figure is rarely the lowest total: a bigger upfront payment usually cuts the monthly price by less than it costs. If you can pay for the phone outright, a SIM only plan is often cheaper again — compare both before you sign.
Updated 25 October 2026 · bemobiles editorial team · How we compare
Popular phones this month
The 24-month deal with the lowest total cost for each phone. Prices checked 28 October 2026.
Every phone deal, live
Filter by brand, budget, data and network. Prices come straight from retailers and refresh several times a day.
}’ sort=”TOTAL_COST”]How to pick a phone deal without overpaying
1. Compare the total, not the monthly price
Upfront + (monthly × months) is the number that matters. Two deals for the same phone can look almost identical per month and still be far apart over two years.
2. Add the April rise
EE, O2, Vodafone and Three raise prices every spring by a fixed amount in pounds that is written into the contract. On a 24-month deal you pay the higher price for most of the second year. Tesco Mobile adds a fixed rise of about 6%, and Sky Mobile’s rise is not fixed in the contract.
3. Check the buy-outright route
Shop price plus a cheap SIM only plan often beats a contract, especially on mid-range phones. Our calculator runs both numbers side by side.
4. Choose the network by coverage first
A cheaper deal on a network with weak signal at home or work is a false saving. Brands such as giffgaff, SMARTY and Lebara use the same masts as O2, Three and Vodafone.
5. Know what the credit check looks at
Phone contracts on the big four always involve a hard credit check. If your file is thin, buying the phone and pairing it with a no-credit-check SIM avoids the search entirely.
Phone deals in brief
- Rank deals by the 24-month total, not the monthly price.
- A small upfront payment often saves more than it costs.
- Every big network adds a yearly rise — EE’s is £4 a month on phone plans.
- Check the buy-outright route before you sign.
Mobile phone contracts explained
A pay monthly phone contract bundles two things: the phone itself and the airtime (calls, texts and data). Some networks, including O2 and Sky Mobile, split them into a device plan that pays off the handset and a separate airtime plan; others combine them in one monthly price. Either way, what you pay over the contract is the upfront cost plus every monthly payment plus any rise during the term.
Most phone contracts run for 24 months, and a few retailers sell 36-month plans that lower the monthly price by stretching the payments. A longer term means more months at the risen price, so always compare the full total.
What the April rise adds to a phone contract
Since 17 January 2025, Ofcom has required networks to state any mid-contract rise in pounds and pence before you sign. Here is what each network’s current rule adds to a typical phone contract:
| Network | Rise on phone contracts | Added over 24 months on a £30 plan* |
|---|---|---|
| EE | +£4 a month every 31 March | +£96 |
| O2 | +£2.50 a month every April | +£60 |
| Vodafone | +£2.50 a month every April | +£60 |
| Three | +£1.80 to £2.30 every April, by data | +£45.60 |
| iD Mobile | +£1.80 a month every April | +£43.20 |
| Tesco Mobile | About 6% every April | +£43.20 |
| Sky Mobile | Not fixed in the contract | Unknown — you can leave if it rises |
*For a 24-month contract starting this month. Three uses £1.90 (mid data); Tesco Mobile 6% of £30. Checked 28 October 2026.
The cheapest way to get a new phone
1. Compare the same phone across networks
The same handset can differ by £100 or more over two years between networks. Every Apple, Samsung and Google phone page on bemobiles ranks each network by its true total.
2. Consider last year’s model
Prices drop after a new launch — Apple usually announces iPhones in September and Samsung its Galaxy S range early in the year. The previous model often costs far less over 24 months for a very similar phone. Compare pairs such as iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16.
3. Price the outright route
Buying SIM-free and adding a SIM only plan sometimes wins, and the SIM can be changed any month. Our contract vs outright calculator runs both numbers for any phone.
4. Pick by budget, not just by phone
Shortcuts: no upfront cost, under £20 a month, 5G phones, phones for kids and phones for seniors.
Credit checks and phone contracts
Every pay monthly phone contract involves a credit check, and on the big networks it is a hard search that shows on your file. If you have a thin or poor credit history, buying a phone outright, refurbished or second-hand and pairing it with a SIM from giffgaff, SMARTY, Lebara or VOXI avoids the check entirely. Options with bad credit.
Upgrading before your contract ends
Leaving early usually means paying the remaining months. Text INFO to 65075 for free to see your end date and exit fee, then use our upgrade or keep calculator to see whether a new phone is worth it now.
FAQ
Common questions
Is it cheaper to buy a phone outright?
Often, yes — especially for mid-range phones and if you keep the phone longer than the contract. Add the shop price to 24 months of a SIM only plan and compare it with the contract total.
What does “upfront” mean?
The amount you pay on the day you order. Everything else is spread over the monthly payments.
Why do prices go up in April?
Most big networks add a fixed amount in pounds every April (EE on 31 March). Since January 2025 Ofcom rules require the rise to be stated in pounds and pence before you sign.
Can I get a phone contract with bad credit?
Approval depends on the network’s check. If you are refused, buying a phone outright or refurbished and using a SIM without a credit check is the usual route.
Do I pay more by buying through bemobiles?
No. Retailers pay us a commission, and the price is the same as going direct.