SIM-only switching: should you leave the handset contract?
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Quick answer: Yes once the handset is paid off: move to SIM-only and monthly costs often drop from £40+ to about £8–£15 for similar data. Use a 30-day rolling plan if you want flexibility; check social tariffs if you receive Universal Credit or Pension Credit. Keep your number with a PAC (text PAC to 65075) — do not cancel the old SIM before the port completes.
Mobile is the second-fastest household saving after energy for many families. Networks rely on customers staying on inflated airtime after the phone is theirs. SIM-only separates the handset from the monthly plan. Ofcom's mid-contract pounds-and-pence rules apply to new mobile contracts as they do to broadband.
Skip this if: Skip SIM-only if you still owe handset instalments you cannot settle, or if you need a brand-new phone on finance this month. This is not a live tariff shop — compare data, contract length and roaming, not just the first-month price.
Last reviewed:
Read the full bills & utilities guide →Quick answer: Compare mobile deals →Primary source: www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband
When should you switch to SIM-only?
Check the contract statement. If the handset line has ended but the bill stayed high, you are paying airtime you could buy cheaper elsewhere. Match data to actual use — unlimited is wasted if you are on Wi-Fi most of the day.
Buying the handset outright and pairing it with SIM-only often wins over two to three years if you keep phones longer. That is a total-cost decision, not a monthly-payment one.
| If this is you | Usually do this | Skip this if |
|---|---|---|
| Handset fully paid, bill still high | SIM-only on 30-day or 12-month, keep number via PAC | You need a new phone on finance this month |
| On Universal Credit or Pension Credit | Check social mobile tariffs first | A retail 'unlimited' plan is cheaper than the social tariff after you compare |
| Travel in the EU often | Read roaming extras before you port | You assume UK inclusive minutes cover roaming |
How do you switch and keep your number?
Request a PAC from the old network (text PAC to 65075), give it to the new provider, and they schedule the port — usually within one working day. Do not cancel the old contract before the port completes or you may lose the number.
eSIM vs physical SIM is a convenience choice, not a price one. If your phone supports eSIM, you can often switch without waiting for a card in the post.
Common questions
Is it worth buying the handset outright?
Often yes over two to three years — total cost can beat bundled contracts, especially if you keep phones longer. Pair with a cheap SIM-only plan.
Do social tariffs include 5G?
Depends on the network — compare data limits and speeds. Eligibility usually follows the same benefits tests as broadband social tariffs.
Will switching affect my credit file?
A new contract may involve a credit check. 30-day rolling SIM-only is often lighter than a two-year bundled handset plan. Check the provider's process before you apply if you are about to take a mortgage.