A SIM only deal gives you a monthly allowance of calls, texts and mobile data, without a phone included in the bundle. You pay for the SIM and the service, nothing else. Because networks are not subsidising the cost of a handset, monthly prices are significantly lower than phone contracts.
A SIM only deal is the right move if:
- You are happy with your current phone and do not want to upgrade
- You have just finished a phone contract and want to stop paying off a handset
- You have bought a phone outright or received one as a gift
- You want flexibility: 30-day rolling plans let you cancel any time with 30 days' notice
According to Ofcom research, buying a handset separately and pairing it with a SIM only plan is on average 23% cheaper than taking a combined handset-and-SIM contract. On a mid-range phone, that difference can be over £200 across 24 months.