Finding a free phone

Free phone deals are available with all the major UK mobile phone networks. They offer consumers the chance to get their hands on the latest and greatest handsets, provided they sign up to a pay monthly contract.

Free phone deals explained

In some respects, the term 'free phone' is something of a misnomer. In reality, networks absorb the cost of the handset into the monthly contract and consumers pay for it in increments over the course of their contract term.

However, a 'free phone' is 'free' in the sense that there is no upfront payment required. The advantage of this is not to be underestimated, especially given that the latest models can cost as much as £600 to buy outright.

The key caveat you need to be aware of is that in order to get a free phone, you’ll need to commit to a contract. To cover the cost of the handsets, these are between 18 and 24 months long. As a result, it’s very important that you make the right decision or risk being saddled with a handset that's not right for your needs.

Find a great free phone deal with our dedicated free phones comparison page

Are free phones just cheap handsets?

Not always. If you are signing up to an 18 month contract at £30 per month, you can expect to get a handset equal to an iPhone or the highest-end Android, like the Google Nexus. If, however, you pay £10 per month for 12 months then it’s unlikely that you will get a top-end device.

Providers O2, T-Mobile, Three and Vodafone all offer attractive contract deals that feature the most high-tech mobiles from the likes of Nokia, Sony Ericsson, BlackBerry, HTC, LG and Samsung.

What’s more, it’s likely that whatever kind of phone you’re looking for – whether that’s a camera phone, a music phone or a smartphone – there will always be a free deal available.

Are all phones free with pay monthly contracts?

While it’s pretty much possible to find almost every new phone for free, that’s not to say that all monthly contract deals give handsets away.

As a rule of thumb with the most advanced handsets, the lower the monthly tariff you pay the more likely you will have to pay an upfront fee.

However, this one-off charge will be nothing like as steep as it would be were you to buy the handset outright, without a contract.

Do I have to choose a smartphone to get it free?

Alongside the high-tech handsets on offer on free phone deals, there are thousands of contract options that feature less advanced models. These can be as little as £10 per month and are perfect for anyone who does not require a phone with cutting-edge functionality, but simply wants a handset for making calls and sending texts.

Handsets such as Nokia’s Classic range, for instance, are widely available for free. These team new functions with a traditional layout and form factor that will be instantly familiar and easy to use for even the least experienced mobile users. Don't need a high-tech smartphone? Compare all the best retro phone deals at uSwitch now.

Free phones & renewing contracts

When you come to the end of your contract, it’s now standard for your network provider to offer you an upgrade for no extra charge. Even if you are happy with your existing phone, it’s always worth seeing what they are prepared to offer you to stay with them. If they are especially keen on keeping you as a customer, you could get your hands on a terrific phone for free.

Alternatively, if you insist on keeping your current handset, you could negotiate a cheaper monthly contract – principally because your new tariff should reflect the fact that you are no longer paying for a new handset.

Which are the most popular free phones?

Perhaps the most sought-after mobiles on free phone deals right now are iPhones. These Apple handsets team incredible, minimal looks with a choice of thousands of apps and great onboard functions.

Just as in demand are Android phones. These are smartphones that run on Google’s Android operating system. Like iPhones, they are popular in part because of the sheer range of apps they offer and easy to use interfaces, as well as the smooth smartphone experience they offer.

Not what you’re looking for? Check out all our mobile phone deals and offers at uSwitch now.