5 ways to cut the cost of your phone
MANY of us are looking to save money right now and your mobile phone could be costing you more than it needs to.
Here’s Uswitch’s mobile expert Ru Bhikha with some tips. 1
Consider going Sim-only If you’re nearing the end of your contract and are happy with your handset, it could be worth it. A Sim-only deal covers just the mobile service, meaning you’ll get a fixed allowance of minutes, texts and data.
These often work out cheaper – and you may even find deals that have a better data allowance. 2
Know how much data you need Log into your account on your network’s website to check your usage. Or measure how much mobile data apps on your phone are using via the “settings” menu. If at the end of the month, you’re still left with lots of unused data, adjust your plan accordingly. 3
Cap your spending Selecting a contract with the capability to put a fixed data cap in place means you will receive a notification if you reach your data limit, so you won’t overspend unknowingly. You could also ask your mobile provider to place a cap on data. 4 Consider a refurbished phone These can be cheaper due to being pre-owned. They may be an old model, have developed a fault previously or are unwanted.
Their condition may vary but they should have been checked to ensure they are fully working.
They often come with a warranty, as well as a charging cable. You may not receive all the accessories you’d get with a new phone, however. 5
Check out other perks A phone package can give you more than you’d expect – for example, free streaming services for fixed time periods. Perfect for film buffs.
For those who love travel, there are various international network roaming perks available, which may be worth considering even if you’re staying put due to the coronavirus pandemic.