Brits pay out £197 more for top mobile phones than in 2018
The most popular mobile phone handsets now cost £197 more on average than they did three years ago[1]
Contract payment prices have also increased by £8 more per month (£96 extra per year)[2]
But Brits now benefit from 5GB extra SIM-only data since 2018 on the most popular deals[3]
Uswitch.com provides top tips to save money on your mobile bill.
The cost of popular mobile phone handsets has increased by £197 on average since 2018, according to new data from Uswitch, the comparison service[1].
The Apple iPhone 8 was the most popular individually sold handset available back in 2018, coming in with a total average cost of £920. In 2021 however, people have forked out between £998 and £1,468 on average for some of the most popular handsets, such as the Apple iPhone 12 and Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Contract payments for top smartphone tech have increased as well. The average monthly cost for the most popular smartphones in 2018 was £39.60. In 2021, this increased to £47.20 on average per month. The most popular contract of 2021 to date is the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max (100GB data), costing consumers £55 per month with a £49 upfront payment[2].
Which is cheaper - individual handsets or contracts?
Those opting to buy a contract over an individual handset have tended to hit the nail on the head for savings in 2021 so far.
The average handset price for the most popular smartphones comes in at £1,101. Combining this with a SIM-only deal to make use of the device, adds an extra £105 on average per year, totalling £1,206.
When it comes to contracts, though, consumers can expect to pay £1,162 on average - £44 less than a handset and SIM-only deal.
Savvy shoppers who are still happy with their handset at the end of their contract will be pleased to hear that SIM-only deals now provide 5GB more data, on average, than they did three years ago - all for the same cost[3].
Uswitch’s mobiles expert, Catherine Hiley, comments: “With new tech features and applications built in, the price of smartphones has skyrocketed in recent years. But there are many ways to push costs down and still get top of the range tech.
“It is worth shopping around for the right features and data allowance and deciding whether getting a SIM-only deal is an option for you. Keep an eye out for bonus features as well. Many smartphone contracts come with free subscriptions to services such as Disney+ and Amazon Prime, which may save you money elsewhere”.
Top 5 Uswitch tips for saving money when buying a new mobile phone.
How much data do you need? Log into your account on your network's website to check your usage. If at the end of the month, you’re still left with lots of unused data, you’re probably paying for a data allowance that's too generous for your needs. You can also check this by measuring how much mobile data the apps on your phone are using, via the Settings menu.
SIM-only switching: If your contract is ending, you may benefit from shopping around for a SIM-only contract. These often come with a cheaper price tag, and will likely have a better data allowance. The average SIM-only deal could cost £600 less on average, than a 24-month iPhone 8 contract (based on prices 2 years ago to date)[4].
Choose a refurbished phone: A refurbished phone is generally one that has been pre-owned. They come in varying conditions (graded A to D) but are thoroughly checked to ensure they are in full working order. You’ll find they’re almost always sold cheaper and often come with a warranty, as well as a charging cable. There is no guarantee you will receive the other accessories, however. These may particularly suit those looking to get the latest tech, but who are not looking to buy into a longer-term contract.
Use of fixed data cap: If you choose to go with a contract, ensure you select one with the capability to put a fixed data cap in place. This means you will receive a notification if you reach your data limit, so you won’t overspend without realising. You can get in touch with your mobile provider to request a cap be placed on your data in some cases.
Are there any add ons? These days, a lot of phone packages come with really attractive perks, such as free access to big name streaming services. Many networks provide access to streaming services such as Disney+, Amazon Prime or Britbox completely free for existing customers. So, think beyond the handset model if you’re looking to save money.
Find out how you could save nearly £1,000 a year with Uswitch here.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Chris Thomas
Phone: 07974 471 314
Email: a-chris.thomas@rvu.co.uk
Twitter: @UswitchPR
Notes to editors:
[1] Popularity of handsets is determined by the number of sales of each according to Uswitch internal data. Table 1 lists out the most popular handsets by sale in both 2018 and 2021.
[2] Change in contract payment prices was calculated by taking five of the most popular deals (by sales) in 2018 and comparing them against 2021.
[3] Change in SIM-only cost and data amount were calculated by comparing five of the most popular (by Uswitch sales) SIM-only deals in 2018 against 2021. In one case, the provider offers unlimited data, hence the use of the term ‘more than 5GB of data’.
[4] The £600 saving figure is based on the difference between the average iPhone XR (34.5GB data) 24-month contract in 2019 (one of the most popular phones of the time), which cost £966 over 2 years (or £40.45 per month) compared to the current Smarty deal (£10 for 30GB) with equivalent data allowance. All mobile deals referenced are effective monthly costs rather than actual, given a number of deals do have an upfront cost.
About Uswitch
Uswitch is one of the UK’s top comparison websites for home services switching, including energy, broadband and mobiles.
More people go to Uswitch to switch their energy, broadband and mobile than any other site, and we have saved consumers over £2.7 billion off their bills since we launched in September 2000.
Free mobile app Utrack also helps households manage their home energy usage and make potential savings.
Uswitch is part of RVU, a group of online brands with a mission to empower consumers to make more confident home services, insurance and financial decisions.