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24-month SIM only deals

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Last updated: 07 July 2023

Happy with your current phone and looking to save money on your mobile contract? Consider a 24-month SIM only deal, in which you only pay for the minutes, texts, and mobile data you use each month. 

While you’ll have less flexibility than a rolling, monthly SIM deal, or even a 12-month plan, 24-month SIM contracts will invariably be the best value for money. And compared to a traditional mobile phone contract, where you’ll also paying off the cost of a handset, you could easily save over £100 a year. 

Best 24-month SIM only deals in 2023

Provider Data Monthly cost
Three Mobile 1 GB £3 See deal
iD Mobile 8 GB £6 See deal
Three Mobile 25 GB £8 See deal
Vodafone 6 GB £18 See deal
Three Mobile Unlimited £18 See deal
Vodafone Unlimited £26 See deal

Which networks offer 24-month SIM only contracts?

All the major networks in the UK offer 24-month SIM only deals, including:

EE

EE currently offers one of the fastest and most widespread 5G networks in the UK, and it offers a selection of 5G-ready SIMs on a 24-month contract. Get Smart Benefits too, which gives you access to your choice of Apple Music, Apple TV+, BT Sport Ultimate, Roam Abroad, and more.

EE 24-month SIM only deals

O2

O2 is the only major UK network not to have reintroduced roaming charges in Europe, so is a great choice of provider if you’re a frequent traveller. It offers a selection of 24-month SIM only deals, ranging from 5GB of data per month, up to unlimited. Extra perks are also available, such as gift cards or 6 months’ free of Apple Music.

O2 24-month SIM only deals

Three

Three offers a wide choice of 24-month SIM only deals, ranging from data allowances of 1GB all the way up to unlimited. All of Three’s SIMs are 5G-ready, while you can get a £5 monthly discount if you pay by direct debit.

Three 24-month SIM only deals

Vodafone

Vodafone offers a good selection of 24-month SIM only deals, ranging from 1GB of data per month on the cheapest plan, to unlimited data and a whole host of benefits on the most comprehensive bundles.

Vodafone 24-month SIM only deals

BT Mobile

BT Mobile’s 24-month SIM only plans range from 5GB up to 100GB of data per month, which should suit the vast majority of mobile internet users. Some packages include benefits such as access to the BT Sport app, while you can also get a £5 monthly discount if you’re a BT broadband customer too.

BT Mobile 24-month SIM only deals

What to look out for in 24-month SIM only deals

A 24-monthly SIM only contract can be a great way to save money on your mobile phone bills, you should take the time out to compare alternative options before entering such a lengthy commitment. When deciding which type of mobile deal is right for you, consider the following:

  • Data allowance: Choosing the right amount of data is probably the most crucial factor you’ll need to consider. If you choose too little, you’ll end up being cut off each month and will have to pay for data boosters to get back online, while too much will mean you’re paying over the odds for something you don’t need. For more info, check out our page on how much mobile data you need.
  • Contract length: 24-month plans are typically the longest contracts you can get on a SIM only deal. While this means you’ll get the best value for money, you’ll have less flexibility to switch network providers down the line as you may have to pay exit fees. Consider alternatives such as 1 month, rolling SIM only deals, or 12-month SIM only contracts.
  • Extra benefits: Most of the major network providers try to entice customers by offering freebies with their SIM-only deals, which can include subscriptions to online streaming services, gift cards, and free international roaming. Make sure you take the time out to compare different providers and offers to see what bonuses are out there.
  • Network: While you’ve most likely heard of the Big Four networks – EE, O2, Three, and Vodafone – others, such as iD Mobile, have less of a reputation but this doesn’t mean they’re unreliable. Smaller networks (MVNOs) piggyback off the bigger networks’ infrastructure, so you won’t notice any drop in coverage, but you can often find great value deals.

Consider the pros and cons of 24-month SIM only plans before deciding whether it’s the right type of contract for you:

The good: The bad:
Some of the best value SIM only deals, including on unlimited packages Lengthy contracts mean less flexibility to switch networks
Can use the SIM in any handset/td> Some network providers may impose mid-contract price hikes
Greater choice of perks & extras No new handset
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Fergus Cole

Author: Fergus Cole

Fergus is a journalist specialising in the personal finance, energy and broadband sectors. He also has a passion for travel and adventure so tries to make the most of this in any spare time he gets.

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