Smartphones are a device that we can’t live without. Although they have only been with us for less than a decade and a half, they have become an important part of our lives.
But owning a smartphone can be expensive. Between buying the device and paying the monthly bills, the costs mount up.
Are you looking to save money on your smartphone?
Here are 3 top tips for saving money on your next phone.
Shop Around For The Best Deals
If you want to save money on your next smartphone handset, don’t just head to your current phone provider. Chances are when you renew, you won’t get their best deal. The best phone deals are often reserved for new customers.
The best way to find out who is offering the biggest savings on their deals is to shop around.
Of course, that doesn’t mean that you have to go to every phone shop on the high street. Unfortunately, if you did that, you are unlikely to get past the first one. We all know how persuasive phone salespeople can be.
Instead, head online and look for comparison sites.
If you know what phone you are looking for, you can search for a comparison of offers relating to that specific make and model. For example, you may be very interested in finding the galaxy note 10 deals. Having all of the different deals laid out in a clear format makes comparing them to weigh up your options far easier.
Go SIM-Only
If you want to save money on your phone bills, why not go SIM-only?
Often, when you are paying for a mobile phone contract, much of the monthly cost will be spent on repayments on your phone handset. But, if you can get away with using your existing phone for longer, or you plan on using a device that you are buying elsewhere, you can save money on your repayment costs.
There is a whole range of different SIM-only options ranging from contracts that last for just one month that you can use on a rolling basis, through to full contracts that can last a year or more.
Buy Your Handsets Second Hand
If you want the top new smartphone, you have to be willing to pay a lot for it. But with so many phone users out there changing their phone the moment a new release is issued, there are a lot of perfectly good, nearly new smartphones out there.
When you are buying a second-hand smartphone, you can often pick up a real bargain. You will be able to buy everything from older models that will cost very little, right up to the newest handsets.
Before you buy a second-hand phone, remember to check the following:
- The device has been cleared of any of the previous owner’s data
- That the handset has never been reported stolen. You can find this out by entering the IMEI number into a stolen phone checker online
- If you are buying from a business, check that your phone has a warranty