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SIM Only Deals
- The perfect choice if you’re happy with your current phone or are waiting for the next big smartphone to land
- A great option for saving money on your monthly bill
- Loads of choice with a wide range of networks, plus you’ll still get all the network benefits
- Super practical as you can keep your current phone number
There are lots of great reasons why someone would choose a SIM only contract. Here are a few of the most popular:
1. You’ve got a phone you’re happy with
If you’ve got a phone you’re perfectly satisfied with, and you’re not too fussed about getting a new one, a SIM Only contract will be perfect for you.
You get all the usual network benefits with a SIM Only contract. So if you’re happy with your phone but not quite so taken with your current network or contract, it could be time to make a switch.
2. You want to spend less money on your mobile
Switching from a pay monthly phone contract to SIM Only is a great move if you want to reduce your mobile spend.
SIM Only deals are usually much cheaper than standard pay monthly contracts for one simple reason – you’re not paying off the cost of a phone each month.
3. You don’t want to be tied down
Short-term SIM Only contracts give you freedom and flexibility. Virtually all networks offer them from as little as 30 days, and you can then keep them rolling month-by-month - so you don’t have to commit to a long term deal if it’s not right for you. If your future plans are unclear and you don’t know what you’ll be doing (or where you’ll be) this time next year, get a SIM Only deal.
4. Your dream phone is coming soon
If you've got your eye on a particular phone that hasn’t been released yet, going SIM Only could be a good move. If you get a rolling monthly deal, you can cancel it as soon as your dream phone is released. You’ll then be able to get your new phone on a pay monthly contract, or buy it SIM free (see our final point below).
5. You need a SIM for your new SIM-free phone
If you want a new phone, there’s an alternative to buying it on a long-term pay monthly contract. Instead, you can pay upfront and buy it SIM free.
SIM free phones are unlocked, so you’ll then be able to pair them up with a SIM Only contract on any network you choose. Doing it this way means that you’re not tied down to a lengthy contract. And if you pay for your SIM free phone with a low interest or interest-free credit card, it could work out cheaper than a pay monthly phone deal – even when you add on the cost of your SIM Only contract.
SIM Only FAQs
A SIM Only deal works in almost the same way as a normal mobile phone contract, except that the deal doesn't include a phone. You simply get a SIM card (so it's 'SIM Only'), along with an agreed amount of monthly minutes, texts and data.
SIM Only deals are great if you want to cut down on your monthly mobile bill, because they're usually cheaper than standard monthly contracts.
It's ideal if you've got a phone you're perfectly happy with. It gives you the flexibility to change networks and take advantage of different network benefits.
If you're waiting for a specific phone, but it's not on sale just yet, SIM only is brilliant. Because of the shorter contracts, you can end your contract and get the phone of your dreams whenever it launches.
This will typically depend on the age of your phone. There have been three sizes of SIM over the years: standard, micro and nano. However, all networks currently use multi-SIM cards, which means that you have all three sizes in one – simply break apart the plastic SIM holder to the size required. If you’re not sure, your phone’s manual will guide you.
The big benefit of a 30-day SIM Only deal is flexibility. It means you can end a deal and start a new one almost whenever you want. If there's a phone you're waiting for and you know it'll be on sale in only a few weeks, a short 30-day SIM Only deal is the perfect choice. However, sometimes there are amazing offers on longer term contracts, so this can depend on whether you value flexibility, or savings.
When you find the deal you know you want, simply add it to your basket, select a delivery option, and complete the checkout process.
You'll be asked to set up a Direct Debit, and to provide some information that allows us to carry out a credit check. Subject to approval, your SIM card will be delivered on the date you requested.
An upgrade deal is when you buy a new deal on your current network to replace your old deal. You can often get better deals by doing this.
The fastest way to check if you can upgrade to a pay monthly SIM only deal is with our Upgrade Checker. Just fill in your details and it'll let you know straight away whether you can upgrade today.
Whether you'll be able to upgrade or not depends on how long you've had your current deal (the length of time varies by network), and whether you're on pay as you go or pay monthly. Have a look at our upgrade help page to find out more.
Some tablets can connect to the internet using a network's mobile coverage, in the same way that smartphones do. These are sometimes called connected tablets. We sell special SIM only deals that include a set amount of data each month. Slot these SIMs into your connected tablet and you can get online anywhere.
SIM Only deals are generally cheaper than device plans, but not in all cases. For new handsets, paying for the device outright can be pricy. When you purchase a fixed term device plan, your monthly fee is split between the cost of the handset and your airtime.
If you’ve already bought your new handset, the main thing that’s likely to increase the price of your monthly SIM Only deal is data. If you rarely use data, or try to stick to public Wi-Fi hotspots when you’re out, you can save even more on your SIM Only plan. To compare SIM Only contracts, check out our cheap SIM Only deals.
Found a new SIM Only deal you like? Keeping your old number is easy. If you’re moving from one network to another, text 65075 from your handset for a PAC (Porting Authorisation Code). You should get this within a minute. Or simply call up your provider. Once it’s arrived, give us the code when you purchase your SIM Only plan online or in store, and we’ll transfer your old number to your new SIM within two working days.
