If you have a 5G enabled smartphone or are considering getting one, then you might be wondering what’s best – getting a new contract, or a 5G SIM only deal? A smartphone contract might be the best way to get a new phone in your hands from as early as tomorrow, but they are also some of the most expensive ways to get your hands on a new smartphone. In general, smartphone contracts only offer the latest handset releases or recent releases from the past year or two, meaning that you don’t always have a huge range of choice available. Along with this, the handsets are all brand new, so there are no options for you to save any money. On the other hand, 5G SIM Only deals don’t come with a handset included, but they are more flexible and give you more options to save if you still want to get a new handset.
Why Consider 5G SIM Only Deals?
With the rollout of 5G and the subsequent release of expensive 5G-enabled phones to boot, it’s no surprise that more and more people are looking for cheaper ways to get their hands on a smartphone. Contracts might be a simple and effective option, but you’re tied in for at least two years, meaning that even if the value of your handset drops drastically during the time that you are paying for it, you’ll still need to pay the same amount of money each month until your 24-month term is up. For many customers, this is becoming more and more unreasonable, considering that smartphones now drop in value extremely quickly, and to get one of the latest 5G-enabled handsets, you could be paying £100 a month.
On the other hand, getting a 5G SIM only deal from Lebara means that you have more freedom to choose what you want to do with your smartphone. You won’t be tied into a contract for two years, and you can shop second hand or refurbished easily if you want a new phone and would like to save money.
Where to Find the Best 5G SIM Only Deals
More and more phone networks in the UK are now offering 5G SIM only deals as an increasing number of customers get 5G-enabled handsets. You can check Lebara to find the best 5G SIM only deals on offer right now. You can get several different types of 5G SIM only deals including bundle deals which work similar to Pay as You Go. With these deals, you are never tied into a contract and don’t have to pay every month if you don’t want to – just pay for the bundle that you want, and it will last for thirty days. This means no shocking bills or credit checks.
Benefits of the Best 5G SIM Only Deals UK
There are many advantages of opting for one of the best 5G SIM only deals instead of getting a new smartphone contract. Firstly, if you have a smartphone that works great and will probably last you for another couple of years at least after the contract period is up, then it makes sense to look for a SIM only deal rather than upgrading. Of course, an upgrade can be tempting, but it might not seem as appealing when you think about all the money that you can save by keeping your current phone and going SIM-only instead.
It’s also worth thinking about the environmental benefits of keeping your current smartphone and getting a SIM-only contract, too. Phones are not great for the environment when they are thrown out and end up in landfill, which has led many environmentally-conscious customers to consider how they can avoid contributing to this. Using your phone for as long as it lasts is one way to do this, before selling it to a recycling company that can give it a new lease of life.
Another benefit of a SIM only deal is that it won’t harm your credit rating. If you have a poor credit score, for example, you won’t need to apply and go through a credit check that could be declined, damaging your score. Or, if you’re currently applying for a mortgage or need to keep your total amount of credit down for any reason, a bundle SIM only contract isn’t going to show up on your credit report like a regular phone contract would.
How to Save Money with Cheap 5G SIM Only Deals
Since 5G SIM only deals don’t include a phone handset, there are plenty of ways that you can use them to save money. Aside from keeping hold of your current smartphone and using it for as long as possible, you can also save money by shopping around if you do need or want a new phone. With a SIM only deal, you’re not paying off a handset, so there are no financial consequences if you decide to sell or trade in your current phone and get a new one. You can also save money by purchasing your new phone second-hand or checking out refurbished phone deals since your phone cost and the cost of your SIM plan are completely separate.
How to Find the Cheapest 5G SIM Only Contract
The price of SIM only deals and contracts are always changing, but Lebara always has great deals. To find the best prices, think about how many minutes and texts you need and how much data you will be able to get with a 5G SIM only deal from Lebara. Once you know what you need, you can compare the offers currently available on Lebara. Lebara will show you how their deals compare to offers from other providers, so you can be certain you are making the right decision and selecting the cheapest SIM only deal.
Choosing the Right Phone for SIM Only 5G Deals
With 5G rolling out across the country, more and more 5G-enabled handsets are becoming available to consumers in the UK. And unlike in the early days of 5G network connectivity when a 5G-enabled phone would come with a hefty premium, the good news is that as more manufacturers release handsets that are ready to connect to the 5G network, it has become easier and easier to get your hands on an affordable one with many mid-range and affordable 5G handsets on offer, along with refurbished options to choose from.
If you are in the market for a new phone to use with your 5G SIM only plan, then it’s worth considering the different handsets available. Bear in mind that the best 5G enabled handset for you might not be the best one for somebody else and choosing the right one means carefully considering your needs and how each smartphone handset stacks up.
Best Phones to Use with the Cheapest 5G SIM Only Deals
While choosing the best 5G enabled handset for you is largely down to your personal requirements and preference, there are some good 5G handsets that are definitely worth considering. These include:
iPhone 13
Apple’s latest flagship phone the iPhone 13 is currently one of the most affordable flagship smartphones on the market, retailing at £779. While it might look very similar to is predecessor the iPhone 12, this handset has several upgrades. It comes equipped with 4G of RAM and is powered by an A15 Bionic chipset, which makes it easier than ever for users to run multiple apps or conduct several tasks at a time without any lagging. Apple has also improved the battery life on this handset – although there is no charger in the box, the battery is significantly improved compared to the iPhone 12 and is compatible with 20W fast-charging.
OnePlus 9 Pro
If you are an Android user then you have probably heard of the increasingly popular OnePlus phones. This handset performs well with a Snapdragon 888 CPU – that’s the fastest you will get for an Android device – and an excellent 6.7-inch AMOLED display with QHD resolution and 120Hz variable refresh rate. The camera is one of the main selling points of this device; OnePlus partners with Hasselblad to create a stunning camera app including new image sensors allowing users to create balanced, bright wide shots and amazing landscape shots in ultrawide frames.
Samsung Galaxy S21
One of the most popular Android phone ranges, the S21 is the latest Samsung Galaxy handset. It’s one of the most powerful 5G handsets on the market today and comes with a powerful 64MP camera and one of the fastest chipsets in a smartphone. With 8GB of RAM, you can be sure of excellent, smooth performance while running the latest Android OS. Although some key specs have been dropped in comparison to the previous S20, this model is cheaper. If you have a 5G enabled phone or are considering getting a new 5G compatible handset and want to save money, there are plenty of reasons why going for a SIM only contract from Lebara is a good idea.
