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Phone contracts we have costed end to end, cheapest total first
Total over the agreement = upfront cost + handset instalments + airtime instalments, worked from the network's own advertised terms checked 22 October 2026. Handset and airtime are usually separate agreements.
| Phone | Monthly | Upfront | Data | Total over the agreement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone 16e · 128GB | £37.00/month | £20.00 | 30GB | £1100.00 |
| Google Pixel 11 Pro · 256GB | £41.50/month | £50.00 | 30GB | £1220.00 |
| Apple iPhone Air · 1TB | £40.50/month | £50.00 | 1GB | £1424.00 |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 · 256GB | £47.50/month | £30.00 | 30GB | £1428.00 |
| Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra · 256GB | £42.00/month | £50.00 | 1GB | £1430.00 |
| Google Pixel 10 · 128GB | £48.50/month | £30.00 | 30GB | £1464.00 |
| Apple iPhone 16 · 128GB | £49.00/month | £30.00 | 30GB | £1482.00 |
| Google Pixel 11 · 256GB | £50.50/month | £40.00 | 30GB | £1546.00 |
| Samsung Galaxy S26 · 256GB | £51.50/month | £40.00 | 30GB | £1582.00 |
| Apple iPhone 17 · 256GB | £52.00/month | £30.00 | 30GB | £1590.00 |
| Apple iPhone 17 Pro · 256GB | £52.25/month | £40.00 | 30GB | £1609.00 |
| Google Pixel 10 Pro · 128GB | £54.50/month | £40.00 | 30GB | £1690.00 |
| Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max · 256GB | £55.00/month | £50.00 | 30GB | £1718.00 |
| Apple iPhone 18 Pro · 256GB | £56.16/month | £40.00 | 30GB | £2015.68 |
| Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max · 256GB | £58.20/month | £50.00 | 30GB | £2123.60 |
Prices are advertised rates from each provider's own page on the date we checked, not live quotes. Clicking a name takes you to the provider.
Find out what you are paying for right now
Text INFO to 85075 — free, instant, and it commits you to nothing — and your network must reply with your contract end date, any early-exit charge and any notice period. If your handset and airtime are separate agreements, check the device balance as well: that is the figure that decides whether leaving early is worth doing.
Then look at your data use in your phone's own settings, which show the last month or two. A lot of people pay for an allowance several times larger than what they actually use, and that gap is where the first saving usually sits.
The cheapest route for most people: own the phone, buy the airtime separately
Once a device plan is paid off, the airtime you need can usually be bought far more cheaply on its own. Our SIM comparison lists advertised rolling and contract plans with the network behind each one, so you can see what your actual usage costs without a handset attached.
The same arithmetic applies when it is time for a new phone: buying outright with trade-in credit and adding a SIM only plan frequently costs less across two years than the smartest-looking contract. Price both routes against the totals in the table above rather than against the monthly headline.
If you do want a new phone on contract, compare the totals
Add the upfront cost to the handset instalments and the airtime instalments across the whole term. Two agreements with the same monthly figure can differ by hundreds of pounds in total, because the device plan length and the airtime tariff behind them differ. The table above does that arithmetic for every contract in our snapshot, cheapest total first.
Check whether the price you are being offered is a new-customer price, and ask for any mid-contract rise in pounds and pence — under the rules in force since January 2025 networks must show it to you when you sign up. The total you are quoted is the total you should be given in writing.
The small things that quietly add up
Do not let a contract roll over. When the minimum term ends, most networks move you onto their standard out-of-contract tariff, which is normally dearer than anything they are advertising to new customers. Note the end date and shop the month before it arrives.
Early-upgrade schemes that waive part of your device balance usually start a fresh tie-in, so read exactly what you are signing up to. Handset insurance and protection add-ons are frequently cheaper elsewhere or already covered by the card you paid with. And data used outside the EU is charged per megabyte on most plans, so one holiday can cost more than a month's bill.
What to ask before you sign anything
Ask for the total payable across the agreement, the early-termination figure, and any mid-contract rise in pounds and pence. If the handset is being financed, expect a credit check.
CompareDirect is not a credit broker or lender and gives no financial advice. We list advertised terms from each network's own pages and link you there to buy, so the final price and your eligibility are always confirmed by the network.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my phone bill still high when my contract has ended?
When the minimum term ends, most networks move you onto their standard out-of-contract tariff, which is usually dearer than a new-customer deal. Text INFO to 85075 to confirm where you stand, then compare the market before you roll over.
Is it cheaper to buy a phone outright and use a SIM only plan?
Often, yes — especially with trade-in credit. Add the outright price to the airtime you would pay over two years and compare that with the total in the table above. The outright route also leaves you free to change network whenever you like.
My phone is paid off. How do I get a cheaper bill?
Move the airtime to a cheaper plan. If you are changing network, text PAC to 65075 for a free switching code and give it to the new network — your number moves, usually within one working day. If you are staying, ask for the best out-of-contract rate in writing and be ready to show a competitor's price.
Can I leave a phone contract early without paying?
Usually not for nothing. Most agreements need the remaining device balance or the rest of the airtime term paying, and early-upgrade schemes that waive part of it normally start a new tie-in. Ask your network for the exact early-termination figure in writing first.
Does a cheaper SIM mean worse coverage?
Not necessarily — several low-cost brands run on the same masts as the bigger networks. Our SIM comparison shows which network each plan uses, and it is worth checking coverage at the addresses you actually spend time at before you switch.
How much data do I actually need?
Your phone's settings show recent data use, and most people use far less than they pay for. If you are on Wi-Fi at home and at work, a small allowance is normally plenty; if you stream video or tether a laptop, size up. Paying for data you never use is the most common waste on a phone bill.
Do networks have to tell me when my contract ends?
Under Ofcom's notification rules, providers must tell you when your minimum term is ending and that your costs may change. Notices are easy to miss, so keep your own note of the date or text INFO to 85075 at any time.
Keep comparing
- Compare all mobile phone deals
- Compare all SIM only deals
- Cheap SIM only deals under £6
- How to upgrade your phone contract
- Phone contract buying guide
Listings are dated snapshots of providers' own pages, not live prices, and CompareDirect does not sell the products we list. We are not a credit broker or lender and give no financial advice.
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