SIM Only v Phone Included.

SaverRate

It depend what phone you get. It can be cheaper to buy a contract sim and phone or buy separately. Look at the MSE phone/sim comparison tool

PHK

SaverRate said:

It depend what phone you get. It can be cheaper to buy a contract sim and phone or buy separately. Look at the MSE phone/sim comparison tool

This is good advice . Often it's cheaper to buy the phone separately from the SIM but sometimes the network does such a good deal that its cheaper than buying separately  (due to their buying power)

lovelifer

I do the maths when a new contract or phone is needed- the total cost of a contract with phone and the cost of sim only and phone I want. Last time I got an open box never used phone off ebay for a few 00s less than new price, plus lebara sim. V happy with it 4 years on. Always get the PAC code too so I keep my number

wild666

The latest phones can cost anywhere from around £400 to £1300. This depends on the manufacturer, New manufacturers might sell them with very little profit for themselves until established then increase the prices. The latest iPhone or Samsung phones, IMHO are a rip off, I have an iPhone 7 with 128Gb, Daughters partner has his own phone repair shop and I got the iphone for free off him but I gave him three phones, an umidigi power, Doogee BL9000 and an Oukitel for the iPhone.

savergrant

"If you are unsure of coverage you can always buy a cheap PAYG SIM from various providers and stick it in the phone to see what the coverage is like in the places you are likely to be."

Many networks will send you a free sim which you can pop into your phone and see what signal strength you get. You just won't be able to send texts or make calls without paying.