Phone Contract Cost Calculator
Compare a phone contract with buying outright and SIM-only over the same period.
Which way of buying costs less?
Compare the same phone and a similar data allowance over the same period. Enter the prices you’ve found; the starting figures are examples.
We compare both options over this many months.
1. Phone on a contract
Any initial handset or setup payment.
The total monthly phone and airtime charge at the start.
Add annual price increases for this option
Use the increase to your total monthly bill shown in the agreement. Leave it at £0 for a flat-price estimate. We repeat the same increase every 12 months after the first.
A £2 increase turns a £10 monthly payment into £12.
12 means pay the starting price for 12 months, then the higher price from month 13. Change this if the first increase is sooner.
2. Buy outright + SIM-only
The price of the same handset, including any upfront setup costs.
Your SIM-only plan’s starting monthly charge.
Add annual price increases for this option
Use the increase to your total monthly bill shown in the agreement. Leave it at £0 for a flat-price estimate. We repeat the same increase every 12 months after the first.
A £2 increase turns a £10 monthly payment into £12.
12 means pay the starting price for 12 months, then the higher price from month 13. Change this if the first increase is sooner.
Potential saving
Comparing your options
Over the full comparison period
- Phone contract total
- —
- Outright + SIM-only total
- —
Your costs side by side
Both options cover the same period.
| Cost | Phone contract | Outright + SIM-only |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront payment | — | — |
| Monthly payments before increases | — | — |
| Extra from price increases | — | — |
| Total cost | — | — |
—
See the cost over time
| Period | Phone contract | Outright + SIM-only |
|---|---|---|
| Total cost | — | — |
How we calculate the comparison
Each total is the upfront payment plus every monthly payment over your chosen period. For an annual increase, we add the stated pound amount to the monthly charge after your chosen number of months, then add it again every 12 months. For example, a £2 increase after 12 months affects months 13–24; a second increase starts in month 25. Payments are calculated in whole pence.
We assume both options stay in use for the whole comparison period, even if the SIM-only plan’s minimum term is shorter. The average per month includes the upfront payment; it isn’t your actual monthly bill. Percentage rises, different increases in future years, finance interest, trade-ins, cashback, resale value, out-of-allowance use and early termination fees are excluded. If a device loan lasts longer than the comparison period, its remaining balance is also excluded: use the full payment term for a fair comparison.
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Compare a phone contract with buying outright and SIM-only over the same period.
