o2 price hike termination- no separate device plan

Qrbrrbl

Looking for a bit of clarification with my o2 deal.

I bought a new phone and contract plan around August through Samsung, where I paid an initial sum to Samsung for the device followed by a 24 month contract with o2 for the remainder of the device and the airtime plan.

With the recent comms on price increases, I have been looking at how that contract is set up, and I think I can exit with no termination fees and no outstanding device payments required.

I dont have any ongoing financial relationship with Samsung. No payments go directly to them and no agreement for payment has been set up directly with them (other than a credit card transaction for the original part payment).

The o2 contract I took out was only listed as an "airtime" plan with a single line item - there is no mention of the device, and no separate cost listed as a device payment. The airtime line is described as "2025 Standard Plan Handset IND0S6 Airtime"

My o2 account lists this in the same way - just an Airtime plan - no mention of any device or separate payments against a device plan.

Based on this and the rules in place, I think I can terminate and not pay another penny to o2, and get a cheaper SIM only deal elsewhere.

Does that sound right?

kathie1404

I am the same, handset came directly from samsung with no ongoing commitment to them. I have seen contradicting information today. Some saying samsung will block phone or expect it returning, as they receive a percentage of airtime payment monthly from o2 to cover reduced initial cost. Others saying they can just cancel and handset is just paid for and to keep. Martin Lewis did ask this question of o2 about 3rd party bundles and the handset question and said would update site when answer received.
Have you heard anything since your original post?
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2025/10/o2-price-rise/

PHK

If you had a discount price on the phone then the discount was contingent on you paying the contract for the minimum term.

If you didn't then Affordable Mobile (that supply the phones) have the right to claim back the discount of they don't get the commission from O2.

So there's two questions. Will O2 pay the commission and will Samsung Affordable chase for the discount if they don't. 

Qrbrrbl

As far as I can see there's no mention of any sort of discount price for the phone in any of the paperwork I have from either Samsung or o2, and I definitely don't have any sort of direct relationship with "Affordable Mobile" - I'd be very surprised if they could pursue me directly and nothing in my agreement with o2 is indicating that they might be able to pursue me either. I got hold of my PAC code which tells you your termination cost as well, and that came back as £0

I've started the process to switch, will see what happens.

PoppyJack

I have exactly the same issue. I called O2 yesterday and was told that I did not have a device plan and that the whole £27 per month that I pay is all airtime!! I asked 3 times if I changed the SIM card to that of another provider, would I owe anything to O2 every month and was told no I wouldn't. What I'm confused about is how did Samsung get paid for the handset as I haven't been paying anything to them separately? I now want to switch but am scared to in case Samsung block my handset - any advice would be welcome.

PHK

Qrbrrbl said:

As far as I can see there's no mention of any sort of discount price for the phone in any of the paperwork I have from either Samsung or o2, and I definitely don't have any sort of direct relationship with "Affordable Mobile" - I'd be very surprised if they could pursue me directly and nothing in my agreement with o2 is indicating that they might be able to pursue me either. I got hold of my PAC code which tells you your termination cost as well, and that came back as £0

I've started the process to switch, will see what happens.

This is section 8 of the terms and conditions for taking out a contract via Samsung. 

". Except in circumstances where you cancel your Contract and Network Contract in accordance with the 14 day cooling-off period section below, if you fail to pay the Tariff when it falls due and for the Minimum Term and/or your Network Contract ends before the Minimum Term, Samsung may remotely disable your Contract Phone until you make payment of any outstanding Tariff due. If we take this action, it shall take place 14 days after payment of the Tariff falls due. Failure to make payment of the Tariff may result in Samsung taking legal action to recover the Handset from you and/or the Network Provider commencing legal proceedings against you."

So, if the contract ends before the end of the minimum term, Samsung MAY disable the phone until you compensate them. 

UrbanAchiever

My contact has the same terms as quoted above, albeit my phone was supplied by mobileshop on behalf of Samsung,  so they will potentially ask for my phone to be returned if I cancel my airtime contract. 

Trouble is, I instigated a port from O2 to Tesco Mobile yesterday (Saturday).

I called Tesco Mobile today (Sunday) and asked them to cancel the Port.  They said they'd cancelled it and that I would get a text confirming this.  It hasn't arrived yet so I'm a bit worried, but as I understand it no porting activity takes place over weekends, so hopefully the text will arrive tomorrow.  I will call them when they open tomorrow morning anyway just to be sure.  

I've done loads of searching and I see that EE have an FAQ that states ports can be cancelled up to 5pm on the day before the port is due to happen.  My port was due to happen on Tuesday,  so hopefully I will be ok, if Tesco Mobile work the same as EE...

Anyone have any experience of cancelling a port?

UrbanAchiever

Seems the cancellation of my port was successful thankfully. 

330d

Is there any update on this?

I also have a bought bought from Samsung and wondering if I am able to leave O2 without any penalties.