Last Updated on April 24, 2024 by Ryan
Today, a smartphone has become an essential piece of kit for most people around the world. Home telephones are quickly becoming obsolete, as more and more people prefer to use their smartphones for most communications. And smartphones are much more than just telephones; many people barely use them for making calls. Instead, they make as much use as possible of this mini-computer in their pocket with downloadable apps, internet connectivity, camera features, and much more.
However, the advanced technology of smartphones today means that they have become more and more expensive. The latest iPhone could easily set you back over a thousand pounds, so it’s no surprise that this is one expense that most people want to cut back on as much as possible and find ways to spend less money. Here are some tips to keep in mind if you want to reduce the amount of money that you spend on owning a smartphone.
Consider a SIM Only Deal:
The easiest way to spend a lot of money on your phone is to get locked into paying for it for two years. Thankfully, there are other, much cheaper options available. Chances are that your current smartphone is still working well and, if this is the case, there’s no need to continue paying a premium price for it if you’re not tied into making any payments.
Instead, opt for a much cheaper SIM-only deal from Lebara. Starting at just £5, Lebara offers a range of thirty-day rolling plans where you are never obligated to make any payments and can cancel at any time. You can change your allowance each month depending on how much you need and want to spend, and if you want to skip a month, you can easily do that too with no repercussions. There’s no need to pass a credit check to sign up.
Buy a Refurbished Handset:
If you need a new smartphone, the good news is that there are cheaper options to consider that will allow you to get the new phone that you need without being tied into making any monthly payments. Along with a SIM-only deal, you might want to consider getting a refurbished handset, which is available at much cheaper prices compared to their brand-new counterparts.
Refurbished handsets have been used before, but they don’t feel second-hand because they are restored to a high standard and packaged up like a brand-new phone ready for you to open. As long as you get the handset from the manufacturer or a trusted retailer, you can usually be sure that it’s going to serve you just as well as getting the same phone brand-new. In addition, if you are concerned for the planet and want to do more when it comes to living an eco-friendly lifestyle, bear in mind that refurbished phones are keeping unused electronics from going into landfills and helping to cut down on the amount of new phone production needed to keep up with demand.
Or Consider a Second-Hand Phone:
While refurbished is the best way to go if you want to get a used handset that you can trust, you can get an even better price if you purchase your handset second-hand privately. However, bear in mind that you won’t have the perks that come with buying a refurbished handset if you do this.
For example, the phone will not have been restored to a high standard, and there will be no warranty. If you can handle, this, then you can find plenty of unwanted phones for sale at eBay, Gumtree, and Facebook Marketplace – often they are in great working condition and only up for sale because the owner has upgraded to a newer handset. Be sure to pick a phone that you can check in person before you hand over your money to make sure that it’s all working as it should.
Use a Spending Cap
One of the best things about a SIM-only plan is that there is no additional spending. Once you have used up the allowance that you have paid for the month, you will have to purchase more to continue using your phone when it is not connected to Wi-Fi. However, if you are currently in a situation where there is the option to go over your phone allowance and want to make sure that this does not happen, you can usually set a spending cap of £0 with most networks.
As a result, this ensures that you don’t end up accidentally going over on your minutes, texts, or data and end up with a surprisingly large bill.
Review What You Use
Another benefit of using a SIM-only deal is that you can review what you use on a month-by-month basis and adjust your spending accordingly. For example, if you’ve signed up to get 10GB of data, you might want to save money by reducing this if you get to the end of the month and find out that you have only used up 4GB of it.
Similarly, you might go for unlimited minutes only to realize that you barely use your phone for calling or make use of Wi-Fi calling options like WhatsApp calls that don’t use your minutes. All of these options can reduce your allowance – and your spending as a result. It’s a good idea to check how much you have used at the end of each month, as this gives you the chance to learn more about the plan that is best for you in terms of both usage needs and your budget.
For most people, having a smartphone has become an essential expense. But with the price of smartphones shooting up over the past few years, many of us are paying more than we would like to for the ability to have and use this piece of tech. The good news is that there are several things that you can do to get a great smartphone and a plan that’s ideal for you on a much smaller budget. In other words, there are great options on how to spend less money when buying a smartphone. For more information before buying a smartphone visit this interesting guide by Internet Advisor to see what type of smartphone most people prefer.
Meet Kourtney, a fashion and beauty enthusiast who tells stories through style. To her, clothing is a language, and every accessory adds punctuation to her narrative. Kourtney explores vintage fashion markets on weekends, blending classic with contemporary to create a signature style that reflects her vibrant personality. Beyond aesthetics, she's a passionate advocate for body positivity and inclusivity in fashion, celebrating diversity to ensure everyone feels seen and embraced.
