The handset trap
- Most phone contracts bundle the handset cost into the monthly price over 24 months. After that, the phone is yours — but the bill often stays the same.
- Your provider must notify you when your minimum term ends. Treat that message as your cue to act, not to ignore.
- Check your bill: if it hasn't dropped since your contract ended, you're almost certainly overpaying.
Do the maths
Compare the total cost, not the monthly figure in isolation:
- Add up a SIM-only deal over 24 months, plus the outright price of the phone you want. Compare that with the 24-month total of a bundled contract for the same phone.
- Factor in what you'd get for your current phone if you sold or traded it in.
- Remember data needs honestly — paying for 100GB you never use is wasted money whatever the deal type.
When SIM-only wins
- Your phone is paid off and you're happy keeping it — this is the classic SIM-only moment.
- You want flexibility: 30-day rolling SIMs let you leave or change deal any month.
- You use Wi-Fi most of the time and need only a modest data allowance.
When a contract still makes sense
- You need a new handset and can't or don't want to pay upfront.
- The bundled total genuinely beats SIM-only plus outright purchase — it happens, especially with promotions.
- You value spreading the cost evenly, as long as you've checked the total isn't inflated.
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep my number when I switch?
Yes. Text PAC to 65075 for a switching code, give it to your new provider, and your number moves over — usually the next working day.
Are SIM-only deals really cheaper?
Almost always, once the handset is paid for. You're no longer repaying a phone, so the monthly price reflects just calls, texts and data.
What happens if I do nothing when my contract ends?
You roll onto a rolling contract at the same (or sometimes higher) price. Nothing bad happens, but you keep paying handset-level prices indefinitely.
Should I buy the phone outright?
If you can afford it, usually yes — you can then pick the cheapest SIM-only deal freely and switch whenever a better one appears.
Keep reading
Related: broadband contracts have the same end-of-term trap.