Six ways to save money when buying a smartphone

In the modern world, it’s almost impossible to function without a smartphone. They are essential for communication and navigation, helping users to feel more secure, whilst also making their lives that much easier. The only downside is that they are expensive to purchase and require paying a mobile network provider. For those who don’t have much disposable income to spare, buying a new smartphone can be a real nightmare. Not only is it necessary to think about the immediate costs, but also maintaining a contract for the future. Fortunately, there are a few different ways to save money when purchasing a new mobile phone. Here are some tips and tricks.

1. Trade in

To save money when buying a new smartphone, it’s worth trading in previous models – it’s an excellent way to earn a little additional cash on the side. Most smartphone retailers will allow customers to sell their old devices back, helping them to generate income which to use towards purchasing a new mobile phone. Of course, it’s not necessary to go to a smartphone retailer – some buyers have luck with selling old mobiles online. Websites like eBay or social media platforms (such as Facebook marketplace) are commonly used for this purpose. It’s just a good idea to double-check to ensure that the buyer is legitimate and that the website is reputable, otherwise there’s a risk of losing money.

2. Recycle

Most people need to buy a new smartphone because their old model is unsalvageable. Unfortunately, in these circumstances, it’s not possible to trade a former phone in for cash. After all, if it’s not useable, why would anybody else want it? There is a solution to this problem, though: several companies now offer mobile phone recycling services. Essentially, they buy broken models and use the spare parts to create new devices. Not only can this provide some additional income, but it also helps the environment because, rather than extracting resources from the earth and expending energy to manufacture new parts, companies can use existing components instead. It’s a win-win.

3. Fix it

When a smartphone breaks, the first solution should not be to try and replace it. Instead, it’s a good idea to try fixing the device first, as it could save a huge amount of money. There are several different ways to repair a smartphone. For one, there’s the DIY option – there are thousands of articles online, as well as YouTube demonstration videos that guide their audiences through the process. Nowadays, it isn’t difficult to order spare parts, either. Why spend hundreds of pounds when all that’s needed is a tenner for a single component? If fixing the phone is a stretch, there are always electronic repair shops. Professionals are able to have a look at a device, identify the issue, order the necessary parts, and fix everything up. When the phone is eventually returned it could be working as new, so it’s definitely worth having a mobile looked at by a specialist before attempting to replace it.

4. Choose the right tariff

New smartphones come with tariff packages from mobile network providers, so that users can access all the device’s resources and capabilities. There are three types of tariff. For starters, there is pay as you go (PAYG); this form of tariff means customers only pay for the texts and calls used. However, PAYG is largely outdated now because it’s not very convenient and can be a real problem in a dire situation. Next up, there are contract agreements. These are popular because they are hassle-free and tend to be included with smartphones. However, they do mean being shackled to the mobile network provider for a long time, and if the contract allowance is exceeded, users incur high charges. Finally, there are SIM only deals. These are perfect for people on a budget because they tend to be cheaper in the long term, plus they don’t require a credit history. To save money overall, SIM only deals are probably the way to go.

5. Find the best provider

Once the type of tariff has been chosen, the next port of call is a mobile network provider. There are several on the market – some are brilliant, some are mediocre, and some are horrendous. To save money when buying a new smartphone, buyers should invest a significant amount of time finding the right mobile network provider. Fortunately, there are websites like Trustpilot that can assist. These companies collect customer reviews, so it’s easy to research by seeing what others have said. According to Trustpilot, some of the best SIM only deals on the Internet come from Lebara. This mobile network provider has a range of tariffs for customers to choose from, so they can find the very best deal. Their cheapest SIM only deal is £5 a month – plus, new customers can receive a Double Data offer on some plans for the first three months. The company also has an average rating of 4.6 stars from users. As such, money is saved without any compromise on quality of service.

6. Pick a model

To save money in the short or long-term, it’s necessary to carefully choose a new smartphone. Most of the time it’s best to avoid being tantalised by the cheapness of some models because they likely won’t be very good. However, just because something is expensive and flashy doesn’t mean it is better than the mid-range products. To find the best-value smartphone, some market research is a good plan. Comparison websites like Which? are helpful in this regard, as they are unbiased and have been professionally reviewed. It’s also good to look at old and new phone models. Sure, the iPhone 12 might be appealing, but it isn’t necessarily any better than the iPhone 8, aside from gimmicky features. All a mobile needs to do is function properly – so buyers should avoid being lured by the latest and flashiest models. It’s also worth considering buying a smartphone from a lesser-known brand. Apple and Samsung are undoubtedly the most popular retailers, but this also means they can afford to charge customers extra, simply for their brand. Therefore, to save money in the long run, focus on products that are of excellent value, as opposed to really cheap or really expensive.

The editorial unit