18 or 24 month?

millsymuttleylaugh

Hello I've been on contract before, but after my last one ended I went onto PAYG so lost any loyalty. Now I'm in a better financial position so looking to go back on contract.

You seem to be stung on 18 month plans, are 24 month any good? I still have the phone from my first contract 3 years ago so I'm not bothered about being up to date as such.

I'm wanting something with unlimited texts and a good internet allowance with pref a new phone for as cheap as possible, can anyone help?

Thanks

Sponge

It depends on your priorities and what you mean by 'stung'. If you want lower monthly payments and aren't bothered about the total cost, then a 24 month contract might be for you.

You have to work out the value for each deal: what calls, sms & data you get, the monthly rental and the cost of the phone (if any). Over the contract term, sometimes 18 month deals are cheaper, sometimes 24 (although rarely in my experience), sometimes 12 (if you can find them). Me, I'm more interested in the total cost and keeping the term as short as possible.

For example, a 12 month contract might be more £ per month, but over the term could be cheaper than an 18 month contract. But you then need to factor in the 'missing' 6 months. Personally, I'd rather have the freedom of being able to re-assess my mobile needs and move to a new phone and/or contract after 12 months, than be locked in for another 6.

£40 x 12 = £480
£30 x 18 = £540

The MSE guide explains it all.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/phones/mobile-phone-cost-cutting

The iPhone comparison guide explains how to compare costs, but the theory works with non-iPhone contracts too.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/deals/cheap-iphone

Personally, I 'm yet to go over 18 months (and that's a kicker): Phone technology moves so fast and new models are being released every few months; not to mention the simple desire to have a new phone (getting bored of the old one); the idea of (potentially) being stuck with the same phone for 2 years is not for me.

If you're not bothered about being up to date and can live with your current phone, then a SIM only deal may well be the best option.

spiro

Looking at VF (who I use) they offer various SIM Only deals.

Two examples - 30 day contract, 600min, 3000 texts, 500mb internet & email for £20 pm. If you sign for 12 months they increase the minutes from 600 to 900. With these plans the more you pay typically only add minutes, possibly free unlimited landline calls and maybe some extra internet allowance but not more texts. You say you want unlimited texts but is 100 a day not enough?

Personally if you are OK with the phone you have then I would go with a deal like this because any handset you get will be factored into what you pay every month.

millsymuttleylaugh

On the text side of things I have a tendency to either text no end or not at all. For example on PAYG now a month or so ago I was topping up a tenner a month, getting 300 free texts and not using them all. But now I'm texting someone and so far since 17th March I've topped up £30 already and its all going on texts. So I'd like to have a limit that I'm not gonna go over.

I am looking into sim only deals however my phones locked with orange so would either need to stay with orange on a sim only deal or get the phone unlocked

donnamevans

I'd agree with 18 month also. Technology is moving so fast, it's hard to keep up. But it depends what type of person you are with phones. If you always want the newest, hippest phone, 18 month is a way to go.

I think of it like this, the more you renew or threaten to leave at the end of shorter contracts, the more money you will save in the long run, and get offered better deals more frequently.

spikeyjac

Thing is, it's about £100 more expensive for me to go for an 18 month contract ( and get the same amount as I would if I went for a 24 m) - makes me laugh really!

esuhl

If you're happy with your old phone, get a SIM-only deal. A 12-month contract with 900 mins + 3000 texts + 500MB data is normally £20/month on Vodafone.

But Quidco offer £100 cashback, effectively making the line rental £11.67/month for the first year.