Shopping for a brand new cell phone is pricey sufficient in 2026 given the growing prices of smartphones, however one other price to fret about is the cellular plan you pay for alongside the gadget itself. Whether or not you’re paying off the price of a handset in addition to an airtime plan, or have opted for a SIM solely deal, you is likely to be topic to some undesirable value rises this 12 months.
If you wish to keep away from your payments growing, you may need to take into account switching cellular suppliers.
Many UK cellular operators and third occasion resellers provide contracts on telephones or on airtime that improve yearly. This improve was once linked to inflation, which makes the yearly will increase barely unpredictable.
In January 2025, new guidelines enforced by UK regulator Ofcom had been launched that imply cellular suppliers should state by how a lot contract costs will improve over the course of a contract in plain kilos and pence. Over the previous few months, acquainted cellphone firms have began to hike costs, with O2 saying most of its clients will see a £2.50 month-to-month invoice improve from April 2026.
Rivals EE and Vodafone may also increase costs by the identical quantity for contracts taken out since July 31 and November 12 respectively. New Three clients who take out information plans will see payments rise by no less than £1.80 this 12 months.
Sky Cellular has additionally simply raised costs for in-contract clients for the primary time in seven years, a rarity for a supplier that prides itself on not having to do that.
If you’re unimpressed with value rises set to have an effect on your month-to-month payments, you can swap to a brand new cellular supplier. It is a nice possibility specifically in case you already your personal your cellphone outright and are usually not paying off an extended contract.
If you have not accomplished the preliminary time period of your contract, you could have to pay a termination price to depart early.
When you’ve paid off the price of your handset, seemingly over 12, 24 or 36 months, it’s possible you’ll discover that you’re not tied to paying the month-to-month price for the airtime.
The truth is, many suppliers don’t inform you this, as sadly they will legally proceed overcharging you even in case you’ve paid off the price of the cellphone. As an alternative, you may swap to a unique cellphone operator, a few of whom have lately promised to not increase their costs.
Giffgaff, which gives SIM-only offers utilizing the O2 community, hasn’t raised costs of any of its plans for six years.
“At Giffgaff we imagine in truthful worth for our members, which is why we don’t do mid-contract value rises and haven’t raised our plan costs in six years,” mentioned Kate Dohaney, Giffgaff CEO. “We additionally give our members the liberty to alter their plan up and down every month ought to they want to go well with their price range.”
Giffgaff offers you the selection between 18 month SIM contracts, or month-to-month rolling plans that don’t tie you right into a contract. A notable non-contract plan is £10 per thirty days, which will get you a good 20GB of month-to-month 5G information. Costs begin from £6 for 2GB.
The agency mentioned it does not increase costs mid-contract for any of its clients, a promise echoed by Lebara.
“Sky Cellular joins O2 in growing costs mid-contract for his or her hundreds of thousands of current clients,” mentioned Mayur Jauhari, Industrial Director, Lebara Cellular UK. “Value hikes like this have develop into all too frequent throughout main networks, penalising folks for staying loyal.
“At Lebara, we imagine in equity and transparency, which is why we by no means increase costs mid-contract. The value you comply with is the worth you pay – no surprises, no hidden hikes. We stay dedicated to maintaining issues easy and reasonably priced for our clients.”
Lebara, which makes use of the Vodafone community, gives a month-to-month rolling, no contract £5 plan with 5GB information, 1,000 minutes and texts with 100 worldwide minutes. Its Limitless information tariff is £25 per thirty days.
Tesco Cellular, which makes use of the O2 community, has lately dedicated to freezing cellular costs for Clubcard-carrying clients. The agency gives particular pricing and perks to these Clubcard members who use their card when signing up for a Tesco Cellular deal.
“Because the UK faces a chilly snap, Tesco Cellular is placing mid-contract value rises firmly on ice. We’re proud to supply frozen costs on our unique Clubcard Value offers, guaranteeing that your month-to-month prices keep the identical for your complete size of your contract,” mentioned Laura Joseph, Chief Buyer Officer at Tesco Cellular.
“We all know readability and certainty matter relating to family budgets. With heating payments climbing, we would like your cellular invoice to be one much less factor to fret about.
“For anybody reconsidering their choices after current value hikes throughout the market, Tesco Cellular supplies a easy different: clear pricing, frozen prices, and real worth by way of Clubcard. Regardless of the climate, at Tesco Cellular we assist households keep related with out the stress of sudden will increase.”
