Buying Phone with Sim Only Vs Combined Contract

srisport

Hi all,
For the past few years I have always bought my smart phones and then taken out separate sim only deals, but im  just wondering if its still the case that this method is cheaper? ive noticed sky have a good deal at the minute with 10Gb data with an iphone 11 and it works out cheaper than buying the phone direct from Apple and taking the sim only contract.
Just after some opinions.

EDIT
Just realised the sky deal is a 36month which doesnt work out cheaper, im still after opinions about what method is cheaper?

mothertoben10

I think it will always work out cheaper to buy the phone outright and then a sim only contract as most people will forget to cancel their contract, or move it to a cheaper one once the minimum term is over.
Also, as you are after an iPhone, it may work out better if you buy one outright from John Lewis, who give a standard 2 year warantee unlike Apple who only give a year and you pay extra for the extra year.
Other manufacturers give 2 years as standard, for example Samsung, and given the length of a contract now is between 2 and 3 years, you don't want to be paying for a phone you can use after the first year (as they will not replace it regardless of how long you have left under contract).

Cisco001

mobiles.co.uk

iphone 11 64GB  12GB  data 24 months contract O2 total £871 (upfront £199 + £28 pm)
iphone 11 64GB  20GB data  24 months contract EE total £894  (upfront £150 + £31 pm) 
iphone 11 128GB  20GB data  24 months contract EE total £943  (upfront £199 + £31 pm) 

Apple selling iphone 11 64GB at £729, 128GB for £779
If you manage to find 10GB SIMO for under £6, purchase phone + SIMO win.
In this particular case, I would go for contract.