The best ways to buy the latest mobile phone!

If you want to get your hands on the latest mobile phone, there are more ways than ever to do it. Whether you’re looking for the Apple iPhone 12, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G or the Huawei Mate 40 Pro, you’ll have a range of purchase options.

So here’s a guide to the best ways to get yourself the latest mobile phone!

Why buy the latest mobile phone?

Mobile phones are one of life’s essentials. We rely on them for so many of our daily tasks: from checking the time to buying a train ticket, messaging friends to taking the perfect photo.

And the latest mobile phones are packed with the very best features. With cameras capable of capturing photos and videos in stunning high definition and LCD displays that enable you to watch the latest blockbuster whenever you want, and the up-to-date handset is everything you need for work, rest and play!

Buying options

Depending on how you want to pay and how much you want to pay, there are a number of options when it comes to buying the latest mobile phone. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, but they all mean you’ll get your hands on the device you want:

• Contracts
• Pay As You Go
• Trade-in
• Refurbished Phones

Contracts

It’s estimated that there are around 65 million mobile phones in circulation across the UK. Many of these devices are on a contract – often with network providers like Vodafone, EE or Three. In most cases, you’ll pay monthly and contracts last anywhere between 12 and 36 months.

For the latest handsets (such as the Apple iPhone 12), you may also be required to pay an ‘up front’ fee. This can be negotiated depending on how much you’re willing to pay in each month of your agreed contract. For example, you can pay a bigger ‘up front’ fee to make your monthly payments lower or agree to pay higher monthly payments and bring your ‘up front’ fee down.

Either way, it’s always important to take note of the total contract cost. This is because it will include all the costs (up-front fee and total monthly payments). And don’t assume the lowest monthly price is the best available – it’s always a good idea to look at the bigger picture!

Pros

• Spreads the cost of paying for the latest mobile phone over a longer period
• Ability to often negotiate lower monthly payments if paying more ‘up front’

Cons

• Ties you down to a long payment plan
• Cancellation fees are usually required to break any phone contract

Pay As You Go

Pay As You Go is far less common these days, especially when it comes to buying the latest mobile phone. This is because it requires you to pay the full handset cost upfront – which can often be over £1,000.

However, a real advantage of this option is that you’re in complete control of how much you spend and only pay for the services you use (calls, texts, mobile data, etc.).

Pros

• You own the handset from the start, which means total control overselling or upgrading it at a later date
• You only pay for the services you use

Cons

• High up-front costs

Trade-in

A great way of bringing down the cost of paying for the latest phone is to trade-in your old device – either with a retailer or directly with a network provider. Depending on what you’ve got to trade-in, you could be looking at a sizable discount on any new phone: whether buying the handset outright or moving onto a new contract.

Another real plus with trade-in is that – by buying the latest phone – you’ll usually be guaranteed higher trade-in when you come to sell again. It’s basically a good habit to get into and allows you to get the latest mobile phone for a significantly lower price every time you upgrade!

Pros

• A discounted handset price that makes the latest mobile phone more affordable

Cons

• Can be difficult to get high trade-in prices for older handsets

Refurbished Phones

An increasingly popular way to get your hands on the latest mobile phone is to buy a refurbished device. This is a great way of bringing down a handset price and getting the latest device from retailers like The Big Phone Store.

Unlike buying a ‘used’ phone, a ‘refurbished’ device has gone through an extensive pre-sale process. The term ‘used’ basically covers anything from a few scrapes and scratches to a phone that’s been dropped several times… But ‘refurbished’ phones are fully tested, cleaned and had their memory wiped. They’re also covered by a warranty that gives you complete peace of mind!

And if you want the latest phone, you’ll usually make a saving when purchasing a refurbished handset. This means you can get the latest Apple, Samsung or Sony device for a lower price than buying ‘new’!

Pros

• A lower (sometimes much lower) handset price for the latest mobile phone
• You own the handset from the start
• The device has been tested, cleaned and had its memory wiped, as well as being covered by a warranty
• Flexibility to choose your own provider and choose a data/calling plan that’s right for you

Cons

• Despite being fully tested, it’s not a ‘new’ mobile phone

Recommendations

Unless your heart is set on getting a ‘new’ device, when buying the latest mobile phone, you should really consider buying a refurbished handset. You’ll often save money and get yourself a phone that’s been fully tested and checked over before being sold.For more such content stay tuned to techniblogic.