Mobile Phone Buying Guide
Contract versus pay as you go
Buying a contract (also known as pay monthly) phone is usually best if you're a medium or heavy user. Contract phones are generally free and the charges for calls and texts are usually lower than pay as you go, especially on 3 who offer some of the lowest contract prices available.
Contracts with 3 last 12, 18 or 24 months. Shorter contracts mean that you can change your phone sooner, but the deals available on longer contracts are better.
Buying a pay as you go (PAYG) phone is usually best if you are a very light user or want to budget for your phone use. PAYG phones are often older and less attractive models.
If you're under 18 you won't be able to buy a contract phone in your own name, so PAYG is your only option unless a parent is happy to buy a contract phone on your behalf.
Contract phones always involve a credit check. If your credit score is marginal you may be asked to pay a deposit. Provided you're sure you'll be able to keep up the monthly payments, paying a deposit is worthwhile as you'll get the benefits of a contract phone and improve your credit score all at the same time.
Choosing the right tariff
3 offer several different tariffs, but only one or two are really popular. We've picked these out for you. The popular tariffs usually offer a balance of included calls and texts, and include all the best handsets free.
The most popular tariffs from 3 are their Mix & Match range, which allow you to combine your minutes and texts allowance into one handy bundle where 1 minute = 1 text. For those who prefer to use their thumbs, though, 3 also offer several great value Texter plans, including some 12-month plans.
Having chosen a tariff it is worth checking whether the network offers any extras that are of value. The most common are extra bundled texts and web (for browsing, downloads and email). 3's X-series is a very popular add-on that can give you unlimited internet and email access, plus other bonuses such as accessing your TV and computer from your phone, all for a small extra cost each month. However the X-series is only available on certain handsets.
Other things to check include:
- costs if you exceed the included calls and texts
- whether the included calls are restricted to evenings or weekends
- whether calls to mobiles on other networks are included or not
Which handset?
Handsets are increasingly regarded as fashion statements, and whilst your choice may be driven by look or feel, don't forget the importance of reliability and ease of use. Fashion moves quickly of course, so we won't presume to offer fashion advice!
Mobile phones are increasingly packed with other features, particularly cameras and music players. However, even the very best mobiles in these categories are unlikely to be as good as their dedicated digital camera and music player counterparts. The question you should ask yourself is whether or not the added convenience of one feature-rich device is worth the potential drop in audio or visual quality.
All of the handsets offered by 3 support 3G video calling. 3 has the largest 3G network in the UK and has several partners around the world that let you use these features while abroad. 3G not only lets you make and receive video calls, but it gives you fast internet access - especially when in an area covered by 3's rapidly-expanding Turbo network.
Although most people get their handset free, this doesn't mean that all handsets cost the same. The more expensive and (usually) best handsets are often only free with more costly tariffs. One way around this is to choose a refurbished phone. Typically these have been returned by another shopper in the 14 day no questions asked return period, and so they are next to new.