31.25% April 2026 Price Increase from O2

330d

I've not had any notification yet. Is this being staggered or has everyone had there notification?

Bladed

mmel said:

rdajackson said:

mmel said:

rdajackson said:

mmel said:

mmel said:

I recently purchased a Samsung phone via their website and opted for the O2 2 year contract. The phone was provided by Samsung / Mobileshop Affordable Mobiles Limited.

The email from when I ordered with Samsung stated the device "is supplied by Mobileshop and not by O2. "

So if I cancel the O2 Airtime contract, will the device be "left alone" i.e. it won't get blocked??

Update: I've just noticed the thread about this stated "We've asked O2 how this will work if you took out a bundled contract through a third-party reseller and we'll update this story when we get an answer."

I assume I'll be in that group then?

Edit: I have paid an amount to Samsung for the device and no further payments are due, but it was a rather low amount - presumably they were reliant on their "referral" amount of me taking out an O2 Airtime agreement.

I am in the same boat. Just cancelled the contract, haven't even made my first payment. Have had text confirmation and MyO2 no longer shows the account.

Super cheap 25 Ultra! Gone from being very annoyed with the increase to being absolutely chuffed.

I've just been reading the T&C's (I know I'm sad!!) but it looks as though they may be able to take action, (if they wish to do so) - a summary below:

Discounted Device Linked to Network Contract

If you paid a reduced one-off fee for the handset because you agreed to a Network Contract, then:

You’re contractually bound to:

• Maintain the Network Contract for the full Minimum Term (usually 12, 24, or 36 months).
• Pay the Tariff (monthly airtime charges) to the network provider as agreed.

What happens if you don’t?

• Samsung may remotely disable your device 14 days after a missed payment.
• You may be liable for:
• Outstanding Tariff payments to the network provider.
• Legal action from Samsung to recover the handset.
• You could lose access to:

• Promotional benefits (e.g. cashback, free gifts, line rental refunds).
• Future purchases — Samsung may refuse further orders from you.

Key Clauses

• Clause 7–8 under “Contract Phones Only” outlines that the discount is conditional on maintaining the Network Contract.
• Clause 4 under “Risk and Title” confirms Samsung retains rights to disable the device if the contract terms aren’t met.

I won't invoke my PAC code just yet.

I have paid the contract "as agreed". O2 have offered to end my liability to them "penalty free" due to their price rise, so I have taken them up on this offer.

But good luck to you. Hopefully it works out for us both.

I'm wondering if there will be an update on Martin's show tonight about the 3rd party deals. Hope so.

Any update on this as of yet? I also purchased a phone on contract from samsung on o2 and expected price rises in april but not as high as they have announced.

mmel

Bladed said:

mmel said:

rdajackson said:

mmel said:

rdajackson said:

mmel said:

mmel said:

I recently purchased a Samsung phone via their website and opted for the O2 2 year contract. The phone was provided by Samsung / Mobileshop Affordable Mobiles Limited.

The email from when I ordered with Samsung stated the device "is supplied by Mobileshop and not by O2. "

So if I cancel the O2 Airtime contract, will the device be "left alone" i.e. it won't get blocked??

Update: I've just noticed the thread about this stated "We've asked O2 how this will work if you took out a bundled contract through a third-party reseller and we'll update this story when we get an answer."

I assume I'll be in that group then?

Edit: I have paid an amount to Samsung for the device and no further payments are due, but it was a rather low amount - presumably they were reliant on their "referral" amount of me taking out an O2 Airtime agreement.

I am in the same boat. Just cancelled the contract, haven't even made my first payment. Have had text confirmation and MyO2 no longer shows the account.

Super cheap 25 Ultra! Gone from being very annoyed with the increase to being absolutely chuffed.

I've just been reading the T&C's (I know I'm sad!!) but it looks as though they may be able to take action, (if they wish to do so) - a summary below:

Discounted Device Linked to Network Contract

If you paid a reduced one-off fee for the handset because you agreed to a Network Contract, then:

You’re contractually bound to:

• Maintain the Network Contract for the full Minimum Term (usually 12, 24, or 36 months).
• Pay the Tariff (monthly airtime charges) to the network provider as agreed.

What happens if you don’t?

• Samsung may remotely disable your device 14 days after a missed payment.
• You may be liable for:
• Outstanding Tariff payments to the network provider.
• Legal action from Samsung to recover the handset.
• You could lose access to:

• Promotional benefits (e.g. cashback, free gifts, line rental refunds).
• Future purchases — Samsung may refuse further orders from you.

Key Clauses

• Clause 7–8 under “Contract Phones Only” outlines that the discount is conditional on maintaining the Network Contract.
• Clause 4 under “Risk and Title” confirms Samsung retains rights to disable the device if the contract terms aren’t met.

I won't invoke my PAC code just yet.

I have paid the contract "as agreed". O2 have offered to end my liability to them "penalty free" due to their price rise, so I have taken them up on this offer.

But good luck to you. Hopefully it works out for us both.

I'm wondering if there will be an update on Martin's show tonight about the 3rd party deals. Hope so.

Any update on this as of yet? I also purchased a phone on contract from samsung on o2 and expected price rises in april but not as high as they have announced.

There was no mention of people buying via 3rd party providers. 

Sachakins

The proposed changes are complicated and lack of OFCOM teeth can't see them getting better.

Option One
The simplest solution is to ban any price rises during the contract term. Easy for user to budget and compare.
Requires the supplier to be smarter on its charging structure. So the longer the contract the greater the risk to company, forces suppliers to rethink their charging structures.

I understand the above simplified solution will force risk onto supplier, but that's for their finance department to manage.

Option 2
I think a more balanced a simple solution is that the suppliers should only be allowed two types of contracts.

Monthly 30 day rolling contracts or
12 month fixed price deals.

Simple NO rises allowed during the contract term.

The longer contracts should be band.

Easy management and choice for user.

Reduced costs to supplier with simpler contract control.
Only need to notify user in 30 days to end of  contract what the next deal available and charges will be

buildersjoy

I have (or had 2 accounts with O2. One for Work and One for Personal), and for me the increases were 30.05% and 19.72%. So I did a comparison using MSE and another provider and chose for one account a 30GB sim with 50 Countries Roaming included up to 30GB (ID Mobile) at £7pm, and for the other account I went with the same provider but 108GB for £9pm. So I reduced my bills by 15.87% and 29.02%.
I'm one of those people who think contracts should be fixed for terms up to 12 months and then 18,24,36 month contracts are fixed for 12 months with the price increases for the following 12/24 months advised prior to signing up.

MA1972

googyflip said:

flaneurs_lobster said:

The increase doesn't happen until next April.

Don't sweat it, you've 5 months on your current deal. Diarise something in mid March '26 and see what deals are available (from O2, O2's resellers, O2's MVNOs or another network altogether). 

It's what I do with my O2 PAYM, on the same deal you have via USwitch - been good for the past 3 years, never been more than £8, just make sure it's an UPGRADE rather than a new deal.

Thanks, that's exactly what I've done as nothing to act on now, if I did, likely more out of pocket given the decent current cost. Reminder set for March and will keep an eye on things. SMARTY 'looks' a possibility, but will check best option closer to the time.

but I thought we would be penalised if we don't cancel within the 30 days?

GTR_King

October 2024 I bought on Contract iPhone 16 pro Max 256GB 36 Months (3 Years)

I am happy to pay what I pay now but refuse to Pay the extra £2.80 on my airtime plan, is there anything I can do to get out of paying that. 

I will keep paying the Device Plan till it's paid off, 

mmel

GTR_King said:

October 2024 I bought on Contract iPhone 16 pro Max 256GB 36 Months (3 Years)

I am happy to pay what I pay now but refuse to Pay the extra £2.80 on my airtime plan, is there anything I can do to get out of paying that. 

I will keep paying the Device Plan till it's paid off, 

Have you called O2 to "re-negotiate" your contract. Say you want to exercise your rights to cancel early with no termination fees, UNLESS they can encourage you to stay. My Airtime agreement was £16 per month, and I called them and got it down to £8 per month. Admittedly I had to sign up to a new 2 year Airtime agreement, but the current one had only been gong for 3 months, so not an issue for me. 
Just look at some deals like Lebara etc to get an idea of how much a Sim only 30 day rolling contract could be, as they ask you what deals you have been offered. And use that as your bargaining tool!

GTR_King

mmel said:

GTR_King said:

October 2024 I bought on Contract iPhone 16 pro Max 256GB 36 Months (3 Years)

I am happy to pay what I pay now but refuse to Pay the extra £2.80 on my airtime plan, is there anything I can do to get out of paying that. 

I will keep paying the Device Plan till it's paid off, 

Have you called O2 to "re-negotiate" your contract. Say you want to exercise your rights to cancel early with no termination fees, UNLESS they can encourage you to stay. My Airtime agreement was £16 per month, and I called them and got it down to £8 per month. Admittedly I had to sign up to a new 2 year Airtime agreement, but the current one had only been gong for 3 months, so not an issue for me. 
Just look at some deals like Lebara etc to get an idea of how much a Sim only 30 day rolling contract could be, as they ask you what deals you have been offered. And use that as your bargaining tool!

My Broadband is with EE and for £24 a month I can get unlimited Everything No-Charge Roaming In EU Inclusive Extra Like Apple Music Or Apple TV, 24 Months, 

I 100% Refuse to talk to someone in India With My Autism I Really Struggle talking with them etc Just want to talk to a Friendly Person from The U.K , So it's Either go into my local o2 Shop or not bother at all 

I am still happy to pay my Device Plan monthly for 16 Pro Max £830.37 (Left) & Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen 40mm 32GB £67.08 (Left)