MOBILE phones are an essential part of everyday life for millions across the UK.
According to Statista, there were just under 63 million smartphone users in the UK in 2021.
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But they can be costly, especially if you don’t know how to navigate tricky phone contracts or know which model to buy.
As the cost of living continues to soar, households are looking for ways to cut back on how much they spend on their phones – but what can you do?
Kyle Wilson, an expert at online mobile phone shop Mobiles.co.uk, has revealed five changes you can make to save on your phone bill.
Be smart when choosing handsets
Most people are quick to grab the latest iPhone, Samsung or Google phones, but these same brands offer mid-range handsets with good quality features, and for less money as well, Kyle said.
“Whether you’re looking for a big display, advanced camera, or 5G connectivity, these features can also be found on mid-ranged priced phones,” he said.
Choosing a deal with an upfront cost will save you in the long run as well, Kyle said.
“This will generally lower the line rental and make the contract cheaper over the course of the agreement.”
Go for a refurbished phone
For those on a tighter budget, refurbished phones are a great option, Kyle said.
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“In most cases, a refurbished device is significantly cheaper than a ‘brand new handset deal’ and will still feature returns and warranty benefits.”
But Kyle added a word of caution, saying: “Make sure you always buy from an authorised reseller, as this will ensure the products have been examined by technicians.”
Go SIM-only
If you are happy with your current device and have paid it off, you can keep hold of it and go for a SIM-only option.
Kyle said: “You may not get the excitement of unboxing a new mobile, but you can enjoy a lower monthly cost and the flexibility of shorter contracts, such as one or 12 month agreements.
“SIM-only options start from as little as £6 per month, but will vary depending on your desired allowance, texts and minutes.”
Re-evaluate your data allowances
We all want unlimited data because of the flexibility it affords us.
But choosing a data package best suited to how much you’ll use is one quick way of reducing costs, Kyle said.
“It’s important to be realistic in how much data you need and use.
“You should be able to check your data usage by logging into your network’s account.
“If you are currently paying for more data than you are using, it may be worth selecting a smaller data allowance when you next buy a contract, potentially saving yourself a lot of money.”
Be wary of extra charges
In-app payments and roaming charges can see you incur inconvenient extra costs on your phone bill.
So keep an eye on what you have installed and delete any you don’t need, Kyle said.
“Take care when using apps on your phone, as many can have in-app costs or free trials that start charging to your phone bill when the free trial ends.
“In-app payments are commonly found in games and can be activated by accident, especially if you have children.”
The Sun spoke to a mobile expert who revealed six ways to make sure you never pay roaming charges while abroad.
Meanwhile, a phone expert shared eight ways to protect your device from hackers.
