SIM only deals are more common than ever and more carriers now offer them. They allow you to pick up an easy contract that you won’t have to be tied to. Fixed contracts are tough for some people to get, and SIM only deals might be more accessible to them. That doesn’t mean that SIM only plans are the best choice for everybody, and there are a few cases when sticking with a longer-term plan might be the best option. Let’s take a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of SIM only deals.
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Pro – More Liberty
Perhaps the biggest benefit of SIM only deals is the liberty that they offer. While some plans will tie you up for 18-24 months, there are SIM only plans that will only require you to stay for a month, after which you have the choice to stay or choose another carrier.
Con – You Don’t Get a “Free” Phone
One of the reasons why many people decide to go with a fixed plan is because of that shiny new phone that comes with it. And there are cases when it might be worth it.
Not everyone can afford to spend £699 on a phone but they might want something that will be powerful enough for their needs. This is not only for superfluous things either. Some people may need the performance because they do specific work and need a top-of-the-line camera, processor, or video editing capabilities.
One thing you should know, however, is that you don’t technically get a new phone when you sign up for a contract deal. You’ll effectively be paying the phone throughout the plan. There’s also the possibility that the price of the phone you have drops drastically shortly after you get the deal or is replaced by a better model. So, it’s not all roses.
Pro – You Can Pick Whatever Phone You Like
Not having a free phone can also be an advantage. Not everyone wants or needs a brand new iPhone. There are hundreds of phones that can perform just as great at most things as the iPhone, and you might not see the difference.
If you’re the pragmatic type and you only need a phone to check emails, make calls, and play the occasional game or YouTube video, then you probably don’t need the best phone there is out there.
With a SIM only deal, you could get a phone virtually anywhere and pop the SIM in. This could be a phone you found on eBay, at a discount retailer, or from someone you know. The market for second-hand phones is huge and there are great deals to be had on refurbished phones.
All you have to do is make sure that it’s unlocked and works on the network you choose. Carriers will often also have a list of recommended phones that you can use. You can then either buy them from the carrier, usually at a discount or find them cheap somewhere else.
Con – Not Always the Best Terms
If you’ve heard things about SIM only deals not always having the best of terms, this is not entirely false. You have to make sure that you check the contract in detail before you pick a particular carrier. One of the things you have to pay special attention to is the charges if you happen to go over your allotted minutes or data, as these can be surprisingly high.
In this case, you want to go with a supplier that will put an automatic cap on your excess minutes and data, like Lebara, for instance. They have some of the best deals in the business, and we suggest you compare SIM only deals here from Lebara right now to see what they offer. Compare SIM only deals here and get 2GB of data and 1000 minutes for as little as £5, or get an unlimited plan that will give you unlimited 4g data for £30. This is pretty reasonable considering that you won’t have to be stuck into a long-term contract.
Another thing you have to check is how hard or easy it is to get out of your contract if you want to. This is if you want to take a long-term SIM only deal. Some plans will give you harsh penalties if you try to get out and feel more like a fixed plan than anything. So, make sure that you look everything over and don’t hesitate to speak with customer support if there are any sticking points.
Pro – No Credit Check
A lot of people would love to be able to get into a long-term contract, but don’t have the credit for it. Most carriers will ask that you pass a credit check for these types of deals. If you don’t, not only will you not get your contract but you will get a hard search on your credit report, which could actually hurt it even more.
If you have bad credit, then a SIM only contract could be your only option. Know, however, that some will still require you to pass a credit check, so make sure that you ask beforehand.
Con – Upfront Costs
If finances are tight for you right now, then SIM only deals might not be the most accessible. Especially if you wanted to get yourself a decent phone. It can sometimes be difficult to see which one of the two options would end up costing you more in the long end.
This is why we would suggest that you concentrate on budget phones if you wanted to go the SIM only route. Know that budget doesn’t automatically equal poor quality, however. There are tons of handsets that you can get for under £200 that will be more than enough for the average person. Some examples include the Redmi Note 10, the Motorola Moto G9 Power, and the Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC.
Pro – You can Switch SIM Cards
You should also know that nothing stops you from switching cards. You could even get a dual SIM phone and get the best of both worlds. If you’re stuck into a long-term deal and you don’t have enough data, for instance, you can always get a SIM only deal with plenty of data to supplement it. Or maybe you could pick one that has more international minutes if you like making international calls.
Con – Unlocking a Handset can be a Hassle
We mentioned earlier that you would have to unlock any handset that you buy before you can use a new SIM on it. You have the option of buying a phone that’s already unlocked, but there’s a strong chance that you’ll have to have it unlocked if you bought it online or from a third party.
In this case, you might have to pay someone to unlock the phone for you. Costs may vary depending on who you go with, and these will need to be factored into your total costs.
These are only some of the pros and cons of SIM only deals. They’re the most flexible option out there and could be the perfect choice for you. This is why you shouldn’t automatically dismiss them and understand their benefits and limitations before going for them.
