Upgrade

[Nick50w]

So you want to keep my business and suggest an upgrade, yet I can find a better deal for O2 via “affordable mobiles” which offers a brand new no upfront cost iPhone 12 Pro (5G) with unlimited data, unlimited minutes and unlimited texts on a 24 month contract for £65. Can O2 explain?

[Bambino · Accepted solution]

@Nick50w This is a customer community. If you want to discuss this with customer service the numbers are here: Guide: Coronavirus Community Help and Support 

You can say you're thinking of leaving and see what they offer, but you'll probably find that they can't. Third party sites can offer better deals because they don't have the overheads.

If you're happy with signing a 24 month contract, then that's the way you should go. You won't have the advantage of a Refresh contract, but being able to upgrade early doesn't matter to some.

[gmarkj]

3rd party sellers can offer contracts at a lower cost as they get a commission for introducing new customers.
They discount the contract using part of this to make it more attractive, hence why it is lower.
They also don't have the same overheads as o2 (no network infrastructure to pay for).