Get A Better Smartphone For Less
Computer Shopper|July 2019

With so many handsets and contract deals to choose from, it can be hard to workout if your device is offering you the best package or whether to awitch to a different provider or phone. Read on for your guide.

Get A Better Smartphone For  Less

AVOID THE CONTRACT

It’s tempting to max out all the features for your smartphone contract, but that won’t give you the best value. David Ludlow helps you get the right contract at the right price

Buying a new phone contract can be adaunting prospect. Looking through all the available options, you need to make sure that you buy one that will give you enough data, SMS messages and phone calls. Often, the easiest solution is to just max out everything as far as your budget will go and hope for the best.

Throw in buying a new phone on contract, and the choices vary hugely again: should you put down a massive lump sum, or go for the longer pay-off? The truth is that the right answer varies from person to person, but lumping for the most expensive contract that you can afford is rarely the right idea; going too cheap is often a false economy, too, as you’ll end up topping up every month.

Here, we’ll take you through all the choices and help you find the right phone contract for you.

PAYG OR CONTRACT?

The first question to ask is whether you should choose pay as you go (PAYG) or opt for a contract. The answer will depend on how you use a phone. On the one hand, PAYG can be attractive, as you don’t have any lock-in period and are free to switch networks as you want.

For light users, PAYG can work out well, as you spend the minimum every month but top up for those times that you need extra data or calls. The main downside is that you need a handset to work with PAYG, which invariably means buying your own. Of course, once you come to the end of a contract and you own your handset, you can switch to PAYG and keep running your smartphone for another year or two.

This story is from the July 2019 edition of Computer Shopper.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the July 2019 edition of Computer Shopper.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM COMPUTER SHOPPERView All
XIAOMI Mi Mix 3 5G
Computer Shopper

XIAOMI Mi Mix 3 5G

VERDICT This is the most affordable of the first 5G smartphones, but even with great hardware, the service isn’t yet worth the expense

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2019
RHA T20 Wireless
Computer Shopper

RHA T20 Wireless

VERDICT They’re not cheap, but these well-designed earphones deliver superb sound quality

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2019
Protect And Preserve
Computer Shopper

Protect And Preserve

Data might be A Valuable Commodity, But It’s Remarkably Easy To Lose Or For Others To Get Their Hands On. Mike Bedford Provides Guidance On How To Preserve, Recover And Destroy Data, And Looks At The Technologies Involved

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 2019
NZXT H510i
Computer Shopper

NZXT H510i

VERDICT Some qualities shine through, but this is an underwhelming case from a maker we know can do better

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2019
Kicking Off A New Era Of Football?
Computer Shopper

Kicking Off A New Era Of Football?

With the new football season well and truly under way, David Crookes talks to Jon Hare about reviving the spirit of Sensible Soccer with a new, more sociable offering that he hopes will avoid an own goal

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2019
NAIM Mu-so 2
Computer Shopper

NAIM Mu-so 2

VERDICT A luxurious and fine-sounding slab of metal, but for most homes it won’t be worth the expense

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2019
Motorola One Vision
Computer Shopper

Motorola One Vision

VERDICT The One Vision comes close to being a brilliant mishmash of tech – shame about the camera

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2019
JBL Xtreme 2
Computer Shopper

JBL Xtreme 2

VERDICT With top-quality sound and a versatile design, this is a great – if expensive – rugged Bluetooth speaker

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2019
HUAWEI MateBook 13
Computer Shopper

HUAWEI MateBook 13

VERDICT What the MateBook 13 lacks in flourish, it makes up for in value and performance

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2019
GIGABYTE X570 Aorus Master
Computer Shopper

GIGABYTE X570 Aorus Master

VERDICT A loaded and forward-thinking motherboard, but not one that fully justifies its high price

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2019