Phone upgrade: upgrade with your network or switch?
Your network's upgrade offer and a new deal elsewhere can come to different totals over the contract. Add up each one, with any fees, to see them next to each other.
To see any fees for leaving early, text INFO to 85075. The text is free.
Source: Ofcom, Switching mobile phone provider, updated 25 August 2026
Work out both totals
Text INFO to 85075 for free to see any fees for leaving early.
Source: Ofcom, Switching mobile phone provider, updated 25 August 2026
Contracts started since 17 January 2025 must state any yearly price rise in pounds and pence. Older contracts may use a percentage: enter roughly what that adds each month.
Each rise is added once every 12 months, from month 13. Source: Ofcom ban on inflation-linked mid-contract price rises, in force from 17 January 2025
Upgrade with your network
Over months
- Upfront
- Monthly payments
- Early upgrade fee
- Average per month
Switch to a new deal
Over months
- Upfront
- Monthly payments
- Fee to leave
- Average per month
See phone contract deals
Deals from our partners are further down this page. There is no obligation to buy.
Compare upgrade dealsWhen can I upgrade my phone?
Usually when your contract ends. Your network must message you 10 to 40 days before it ends, with your end date and what you'll pay afterwards. To check now, text INFO to 85075. The text is free, and the reply tells you if you're in contract and what fees apply.
If you want to upgrade before your contract ends, your network may charge a fee. See Upgrading early: the fee, below.
Check when your phone contract ends
Source: Ofcom, Companies must tell customers about their best deals, last updated 16 March 2023; Ofcom, Switching mobile phone provider, updated 25 August 2026
Upgrading early: the fee
Upgrading early or leaving early can come with a fee. Count it in the total for that side.
What to count
Yearly price rises
Contracts started since 17 January 2025 must state any yearly price rise in pounds and pence.
Source: Ofcom ban on inflation-linked mid-contract price rises, in force from 17 January 2025
Contract length
A longer contract means more monthly payments. When two deals run for different lengths, the average per month is the fairer figure to put side by side.
Compare upgrade deals
Deals come from our comparison partners.
Some providers pay for higher placement in the Featured order.
Upgrade vs switching network
Your network's upgrade offer is for existing customers. Deals elsewhere are for new customers, and the two can come to different totals for the same phone and data.
To compare them, count everything on each side: the upfront cost, every monthly payment, any yearly price rises, and any fee to upgrade early or leave your current contract. The calculator above puts both totals side by side.
If you switch, text PAC to 65075 to keep your number.
Source: Ofcom, Switching mobile phone provider, updated 25 August 2026
What to check
- Are you still in contract, and what fees apply if you leave or upgrade now?
- Is your network's upgrade offer for the same phone and the same data?
- Does either deal include a yearly price rise?
- Do you want to keep your number? Text PAC to 65075. How to get a PAC code
Source: Ofcom, Switching mobile phone provider, updated 25 August 2026
Sources and dates
- Ofcom, Switching mobile phone providerLast updated 25 August 2026The INFO and PAC text codes.
- Ofcom, Companies must tell customers about their best dealsLast updated 16 March 2023The message your network must send 10 to 40 days before your contract ends.
- Ofcom, Ofcom bans mid-contract price rises linked to inflation (in force from 17 January 2025)Published 19 July 2024Price rises in contracts started since 17 January 2025 must be set out in pounds and pence.
- Ofcom, Pricing and consumer engagement: Trends in the UK communications sectorPublished 26 February 20262026 price rises on new mobile contracts.
Figures on this page are a guide, not advice. They show typical prices for new deals, not what is right for you. Prices and rules change often, so check the details with the provider before you decide.