Phone contracts
Separate the phone from the monthly headline.
A handset deal can combine device financing, airtime, upfront charges and scheduled price changes. Total cost makes comparisons easier.
Illustrative calculator
Estimate the full minimum-term cost.
This tool is educational. Enter the figures stated by the provider. It does not include every possible fee or optional add-on.
Illustrative total: —
What makes up the bill
Four numbers to separate.
01
Upfront payment
An initial handset or connection payment. A low monthly price can still have a significant upfront cost.
02
Device cost
The handset portion may be financed separately or combined with airtime, depending on the provider.
03
Airtime
Data, calls, texts, roaming and network service. Read the plan conditions, not only the phone model.
04
Scheduled increases
For new UK contracts, specified in-contract rises must be presented in pounds and pence before sign-up.
Comparison discipline
Do not compare different contracts using only “£X/month”.
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Same contract length? | £35 for 24 months and £35 for 36 months create very different total commitments. |
| Same upfront cost? | A £0 upfront offer and a £199 upfront offer are not equivalent even if the monthly figure matches. |
| Same data? | Handset pricing can distract from a much smaller or larger data allowance. |
| Same future price path? | Scheduled increases change the total amount paid during the minimum term. |