Sim only (with O2 or CW) vs. Upgrading - advice needed....

[Anonymous]

Hi guys/girls,

Well its that exciting time of the year when a new iPhone is about to be released.

I'm due for an upgrade this month and was all set to wait outside my local O2 store tomorrow morning (just like with the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5).

However, having checked out the tariffs on O2's site, I feel less than impressed with the options.

A friend suggested I look at the Sim only options and buy the handset outright instead.

Having looked at O2's options, I found the following to be a decent offer:

I then looked at Carphone Warehouse and they are offering this:

Both of the above options look good but with the £120 cashback with CW I'd be effectively saving £10 a month.

So £20 a month for only 12 months (£240) plus £619 for 64GB iPhone 6 = £859

To pay a similar monthly payment when Upgrading with O2:

£23 a month over 24 months (£552) plus £729.99 for handset = £1,281.99

Purchasing the handset outright is obviously the best option - cheaper and I'm only commited for 12 months.

I understand O2 are offering their Refresh plan (Device + Airtime) which is suppose to be flexible but I still think going Sim only is the best option (if you can afford the upfront handset cost).

Anyone else agree with me or am I missing something here?

Lastly, who here has dealt with CW and their CashBack promotion? It seems too good to be true...

Regards,

Mo.

[Anonymous]

Hi

I totally agree.

If a person can buy the iPhone sim free from Apple then add a sim only account then that's the way I'd go too.

[jonsie]

Seems a sensible way to go. CPW are fine to deal with these days, much improved from the company it once was.

[Cleoriff]

@Anonymous  what an excellent informative post. Thanks for that.:smileywink:

Edit: I havent dealt with CPW myself...but family members have and they have no problems with them

[viridis]

cheapest option with flexibility on o2 is to buy on refresh and pay the device plan off immediately.
the airtime then becomes a 30 day rolling contract with much better limits than sim only or 12 month plans.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your quick replies! 

I guess I'll just have to save up for a few months then purchase the handset outright.

I'm sure I can sell my 32GB iPhone 5 for about £200(ish) so that will help!

In the meantime, as I will be moving to a Sim only contract with CW what would you recommend:

1) Wait until contract expires (in 2 days time) then request a PUK code from O2 and proceed to order Sim from CW.

2) Order Sim now from CW (and saying "no" to using current mobile number) then switching Mobile number to new Sim once contract has expired.

Which option would be best? Both options will probably result in having no mobile service for a few days as mobile number has to be ported over to new Sim card - not a major problem.

Thanks in advance for your help!!!

[Anonymous]

@Cleoriff You're welcome!

[Cleoriff]

A pleasure to help...and good call by you...:smileywink:

EDIT; @viridis  loving the new avatar ....

[Anonymous]

Hi

I'd wait and request a PAC CODE ~ Not a PUK CODE and go that way.

Pac Code Help

[Anonymous]

Hmm.. interesting - didn't realise you could pay Device plan off earlier....