No upfront cost phones

You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a 5G phone, in fact you can now get many 5G handsets with no upfront cost. So you can enjoy all the speed of 5G on a brand-new phone, without spending any money upfront.

You’re not limited to low-end or even mid-range phones for this either – a lot of high-end 5G handsets can be had with no upfront cost too, including iPhones and Samsung Galaxy devices.

Why choose a no upfront cost phone?

Many phones cost money upfront, even when bought on contract. The amount varies but can often be well over £100, so with a no upfront cost phone you avoid that – you don’t need to spend anything upfront.

You’ll still have a monthly charge of course, but this is often lower than the upfront cost, so it can take a lot of the sting out of buying a new handset.

Which no upfront cost phone should I choose?

That depends on what you want from your phone and how much you want to spend. If you want a top-end phone with loads of power, an excellent screen, and superb cameras, then you’ll typically have to spend a lot. For this, consider one of the latest iPhones, Samsung Galaxy S phones, or other flagship handsets.

However, if you’re not looking to spend big then you should take a look at a mid-range or low-end 5G phone. There’s an even greater selection of these that are available with no upfront cost, so there’s plenty of choice.

That said, these cheaper phones tend only to excel in certain areas, so figure out what matters most to you, be it screen quality, battery life, cameras, or whatever else, and choose a phone that handles those things well.

You’ll find overviews of most 5G phones on our site, so you can see which features stand out.

Can you get a no upfront cost iPhone?

Yes, no upfront cost deals are always changing, but you can usually get a selection of iPhones with no upfront cost, including the very latest and most high-end models.

Which networks offer no upfront cost phones?

A wide range of networks offer 5G phones with no upfront cost, including Three, Vodafone, O2, Sky Mobile, Virgin Mobile, and iD Mobile.

The selection of networks may change over time, but you can see all the current options above, and if you’re only interested in a specific network then just click on it to filter the deals.

Which brands offer no upfront cost phones?

Most brands have 5G phones that can be bought with no upfront cost. The selection will sometimes change, but typically includes the likes of Apple, Samsung, Google, Sony, Xiaomi, OnePlus, Huawei, Honor, Motorola, Nokia, Oppo, and TCL.

FAQs

Can I get unlimited data with a no upfront cost phone?

Yes, many 5G phones are available at no upfront cost with unlimited data, so you can get the ultimate smartphone package without paying a penny in advance.

Can I keep my number when switching to a no upfront cost phone?

Yes, keeping your number when buying a no upfront cost 5G phone is simple. If you’re upgrading on the same network then your number should automatically come with you, but if you’re changing network then you just need to fill in a number transfer form with your new network.

To do this, you’ll need a PAC code, which you can get by texting ‘PAC’ to 65075 from the number that you want to keep. The transfer form itself can usually be found on your new network’s site, but if you can’t see it, just give them a call for help. We’ve also got a full guide to getting a PAC code and keeping your number.

Are monthly prices higher with no upfront cost phones?

Monthly prices will often be higher if you buy a no upfront cost 5G phone, since the money you’d otherwise be paying upfront is instead split across your monthly payments.

However, it doesn’t have to be expensive – you can get very affordable 5G phones with no upfront cost, and if you don’t need masses of data then you can keep monthly costs down with lower allowances too.

What if I’m not in a 5G coverage area?

If you’re not in a 5G coverage area then your 5G phone will simply connect to a 4G or 3G network. It will automatically use the best available network type, so you don’t need to worry.