If you’re buying a 5G phone or 5G SIM-only plan on EE then you’ll be able to choose between four different types of plan, each with their own perks, so it’s worth being aware of your options.
The options are an Essentials Plan, an All Rounder, a Full Works Plan for Android, or a Full Works Plan for iPhone, and most of them include Smart Benefits, which is something we’ll explain further in this article too.
So read on for an explanation of exactly what all these options are, how to get Smart Benefits, and everything else you need to know.
EE 5G plans compared
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Plans
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Essentials
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All Rounder
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Full Works for Android
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Full Works for iPhone
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5G-ready
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Yes, 100Mbps speed cap
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Yes
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Yes
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Yes
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Smart Benefits
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No
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Yes, one
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Yes, three
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Yes
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Apple One
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No
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No
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No
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Yes
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Stay Connected
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Yes
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Yes
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No
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No
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Upgrade Anytime
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No
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Yes
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Yes
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Yes
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As you can see from the table above, there are quite a few differences between EE’s various 5G plans.
Essential plans
Let’s start with the most basic – the Essentials Plans. These appear to come with 5G data – though EE’s messaging on this isn’t entirely clear - but unlike the other options your speeds are capped at 100Mbps, meaning you can’t make the most of this network technology.
However, you do get some perks, including Stay Connected, which means you can still use data – at a much lower 0.5Mbps speed – once your allowance runs out. Essentials Plans also currently come with six months free access to Apple Music, Apple TV Plus, Apple Arcade and Apple News Plus.
All rounder plans
Next up there’s All Rounder Plans. These don’t cap your speeds, and they let you choose one ‘Smart Benefit’ from the following selection:
A subscription to Apple Music, Netflix, BT Sport, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, or Microsoft 365. Or a Roam Abroad Pass (which lets you roam in numerous countries at no extra cost), or an Entertainment Data Pass (which lets you stream music and video from numerous services without it coming out of your data allowance).
This remains active for the life of your plan. Plus, All Rounder Plans also include Stay Connected, and – if you get a handset - they come with Upgrade Anytime, which allows you to upgrade your device whenever you want, even if you’re still in contract – though there may be a fee for this, depending on how close to the end of your contract you are.
Full works for Android
Next up there’s Full Works for Android, which is very similar to the All Rounder, except that you can choose three Smart Benefits rather than just one. These plans also don’t come with Stay Connected, though at the time of writing they all include unlimited data, so that perk wouldn’t benefit them anyway.
Full works for iPhone
Finally, Full Works for iPhone is a bit different. This is aimed at iPhone users, and rather than letting you select your own Smart Benefits, it comes with Roam Abroad and Apple One, the latter being a combined subscription that gives you access to Apple Music, Apple TV Plus, Apple Arcade, and 50GB of iCloud Plus storage.
This also comes with Upgrade Anytime, but not Stay Connected – because again, data allowances here seem to always be unlimited.
How does EE Stay Connected work?
Stay Connected (which comes as standard on Essentials and All Rounder plans bought from August 17th, 2022) is a feature that means you can keep using data even once you’ve used up your monthly allowance.
Speeds are reduced to 0.5Mbps, but you can use an unlimited amount of data with no additional restrictions. And when your allowances reset – or you buy a data add-on or receive a data gift - you’ll be back up to full speed.
0.5Mbps is slow, but it’s enough for things like instant messaging and using maps.
How does Upgrade Anytime work?
With Upgrade Anytime (included on All Rounder and Full Works handset plans) you can upgrade to a new handset as soon as 15 days after you get your current one, and up to 45 days before your contract ends.
In the first 6 months of your plan there's a £200 - £600 upgrade fee depending on what device you have, whereas if you’re between 6 and 12 months into your plan there's a £50 - £300 upgrade fee depending on your device, and after 12 months there’s no upgrade fee.
In all cases you’ll have to swap your old phone for the new one, and sign up to a new 24-month contract.
FAQs
Can I get EE 5G without Smart Benefits?
Yes. Essentials Plans technically also include 5G. However speeds are capped at 100Mbps, which means you won’t get the highest possible 5G speeds.
Do all EE plans come with 5G?
All currently available SIM-only and handset plans come with 5G – though of course you’ll also need a 5G phone to take advantage of it. Note also that Essentials Plans limit your speeds to 100Mbps.
Can I get unlimited data with an EE 5G plan?
Yes. Data allowances on EE’s plans vary from 1GB to unlimited data.
Can I get more than one Smart Benefit?
Yes, choose a Full Works plan and you’ll get multiple Smart Benefits. With a Full Works for Android plan you can select three of your choice, while the Full Works for iPhone plan comes with Apple One and Roam Abroad.
Can I get Smart Benefits with a tablet?
Yes, EE also offers All Rounder and Full Works plans with tablets.
Can I get Smart Benefits on pay as you go?
No, Smart Benefits aren’t available on EE pay as you go.
