Mobile phones

Mobile phone contracts vary by network, but typically include: 

Inclusive minutes: You'll get to choose from a set number of inclusive call minutes. This is where finding the right deal is really important, as you'll be charged if you exceed your limit. Be aware that not all types of calls will be covered by your inclusive minutes. 

International calls from the UK: If you call overseas frequently, then look for a plan that offers a good deal on international calls. If there's one country you call often, see how different providers' charges vary for that location. 

Travelling abroad: If you travel overseas often, you'll have to pay roaming charges, but only outside of the European Union. Although the UK left the EU on 31 January 2020, the free roaming rules that apply within the EU, should continue to apply to UK citizens - at least until the Brexit transition period ends on 31 December, 2020.  
But outside of the EU, roaming charges apply to calls, texts and data. The amount you’ll have to pay depends on what country you’re in, and what plan you’re on. 

Data: Most deals come with a data allowance, so it’s important to know how much data you’ll need. 1GB of data lets you send around 10,000 emails and allows you to stream about eight hours of high-quality music. 

Inclusive texts: Most packages come with a number of inclusive texts but, just as with inclusive minutes, you could be charged if you go over your limit. 

When it comes to choosing a handset, you might want to think about things like: 

Operating system:  Android, Windows and Apple operating systems each have their own unique features, so it's largely a matter of what you prefer. But you also need to think about whether you want to integrate your phone with other devices. 

Camera quality:  If you're a keen photographer, this will be a real deciding factor, particularly if you often shoot in poor light conditions. 

Screen size and image quality:  This will be important, especially if you're planning to watch video on your phone. 

3G /4G capability:  4G phones are faster than 3G phones when it comes to browsing the internet and streaming video. 

Data storage capability:  If you want to store games, videos and images on your phone, you'll need to consider how much storage capacity you’ll need.  

Extra storage may be useful if you keep lots of photos and video clips on your phone, and have a lot of apps. Then you’ll probably need a phone with at least 64GB.

Alternatively, you may be happy to have a smaller amount of storage capacity on your phone and use Cloud storage instead. 

Battery life:  You'll want a phone that will last for a reasonable amount of time after being charged. 

Switch when it’s cheaper: If you’re outside your contract, you won’t need to pay any cancellation fee. 

Work out what you need: How much data do you use every month? How many texts and minutes? You don’t want to pay for more than you’ll use, but remember that going over your data limit could be expensive. That’s because you could be charged more for using extra data. 

Get the right length of contract: Don’t get tied into a long contract if you think that you’ll want to switch deals soon. 

Look for add-ons: If you make a lot of international calls or think you’ll need to top up your data, look for add-ons that can save you money. For example, you may be able to add on an international call bundle. 

Check the network: Make sure there’s good reception in your area for the network you’ve chosen. 

Make your old handset pay: Getting a new handset? See if you could make money by recycling the old one. There are many online-based companies that take old mobile phones in exchange for cash. 

We have a huge range of mobile networks, handset deals and contracts to choose from. Compare by: 

• Contract 
• SIM-only deal 

You can also shop by network, including deals from EE, O2 and giffgaff. 
 
Once the quotes come in, you can filter the results by data limit, text and minutes allowance, or phone tech spec – until you find the deal that suits your needs.