Orange contract - upgrade early?

blizzards

I'm currently 16 months into a 24 month contract with Orange and would really like to change my phone.

Is there any way that you can upgrade before your contract ends? I read somewhere that you can upgrade an 18 month contract after 15 months but don't know what the upgrade period is for a 24 month contract...

Would I be able to pay for an upgrade or maybe even pay off my contract? I don't really know much about this so any advice is appreciated, thanks!

MorrisonsEmployee

You could pay off your contract early however this is expensive as it would be your monthly line rental cost minus VAT - So in your case you would be paying off 9 months of line rental.

It might be cheaper to buy the handset you want and then sell it/recycle it when you can upgrade in 9 months.

hcb42

21 months..

stclair

Im on a 24 month contract with Orange and mine says:

Your current plan
Upgrade

your contract ends:
01/03/2012

next upgrade date:
02/12/2011

So im presuming you can upgrade 3 months before your contracts ends however the extra 3 months will be added onto your new contract.

sammyjammy

I'm on a 36 month contract and my account says I can upgrade 3 months before it finishes next June. What I don't understand is why they do this, surely it would be better to let you upgrade halfway through your contract? I don't see what they gain, particularly if I move from Orange at the end of my contract.

In addition to this when I took out my contract it said you could have an upgrade 18 months in which has obviously past, does that not mean I can have an upgrade now?

drbesty

Why would it be better to let you upgrade halfway through a contract? They'd be losing 12 months line rental on a 24 month contract. You can have a new phone halfway through a 36 month contract, the contract stays the same

sammyjammy

Oh I see, I just thought an upgrade was a new phone I didn't realise it extended your contract, that makes more sense, you get a new phone and they get to tie you in for longer - clever!

First time I've had a contract phone - can you tell!

grumbler

sammyjammy wrote: »

I'm on a 36 month contract and my account says I can upgrade 3 months before it finishes next June. What I don't understand is why they do this, surely it would be better to let you upgrade halfway through your contract?

Or even better after the first 3 months.

In addition to this when I took out my contract it said you could have an upgrade 18 months in which has obviously past, does that not mean I can have an upgrade now?

If the contract says 18 then it is 18 regardless of what your account says. This doesn't mean that they are obliged to give you a free or a heavily discounted new phone. And don't forget to add 18 months to the new contract.

However, I can be wrong, but I think 18 was for downgrading, not upgrading.

sammyjammy

grumbler wrote: »

Or even better after the first 3 months.
If the contract says 18 then it is 18 regardless of what your account says. This doesn't mean that they are obliged to give you a free or a heavily discounted new phone. And don't forget to add 18 months to the new contract.

However, I can be wrong, but I think 18 was for downgrading, not upgrading.

I found this which I think applies to my contract http://newsroom.orange.co.uk/2009/06/01/orange-introduces-first-ever-5-a-month-mobile-tariff-with-inclusive-benefits/

I've sent them an email to enquire as to whats what.

drbesty

You get a new phone after 18 months on the 36 month Orange 5 deal, they didn't think people would want to stick with the same phone for three years, call them on 150 they'll explain it all, you'll be entitled to a new handset and your contract will stay as it is

Buzby

Alternatively, instead of being locked in - buy the phone of your choice and wave 2 fingers at their minimum term. Sell your existing handset for some money - to help offset the up-front cost, then either switch to a different network offering a 30 days cancellation, or retain your existing service (without an upgrade) leaving you fully in control.