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Question

Why are some contracts £50 more upfront?

  • February 10, 2025
  • 3 replies
  • 53 views

Rach Daly
Community Member

I am currently looking into upgrading and I have an idea what I want but was just looking through my options when I noticed that on contracts offered for each handset there are 2 exactly the same except they cost £50 more upfront for example one was £47.99 a month, £49 upfront for 10gb of data and unlimited texts/minutes, just under that option was one for £47.99 a month but £99 upfront for 10gb of data and unlimited texts/mins on the same exact device with the same memory and colour and everything, why would you pay £50 more for the exact same thing?

3 replies

JoeKing
Silver Contributor
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  • Silver Contributor
  • 191 replies
  • February 12, 2025
Rach Daly wrote:

I am currently looking into upgrading and I have an idea what I want but was just looking through my options when I noticed that on contracts offered for each handset there are 2 exactly the same except they cost £50 more upfront for example one was £47.99 a month, £49 upfront for 10gb of data and unlimited texts/minutes, just under that option was one for £47.99 a month but £99 upfront for 10gb of data and unlimited texts/mins on the same exact device with the same memory and colour and everything, why would you pay £50 more for the exact same thing?

The thing is in most case by paying a higher upfront cost over the contact period works out cheaper in the long run the the cheaper upfront cost. 

For an example times your monthly payments over the contract period, 1 year, 2 years and so on and then add the upfront cost to the total monthly payments. 

For both upfront options you'll see the overall cost deference. 

 

Joe


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  • iD Mobile Employee
  • 1854 replies
  • February 13, 2025

Hi ​@Rach Daly 

 

Thank you for getting in touch. 

 

Can you please confirm if you are seeing the mentioned offers on our website or via your exclusive deals on the app? 

 

Thanks, 

 

Nat 


Daz_S
Gold Contributor
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  • Gold Contributor
  • 1628 replies
  • February 14, 2025
Rach Daly wrote:

<snipped>

one was £47.99 a month, £49 upfront for 10gb of data and unlimited texts/minutes... 

one for £47.99 a month but £99 upfront for 10gb of data and unlimited texts/mins …

why would you pay £50 more for the exact same thing?

 

Probably because the latter has a bundle attached to it (is there a yellow oval with writing inside and a yellow gift box to the side of the price). I know the Samsung S25 Ultra shows 2 offers with the same monthly prices but one has an increase of £50 to the upfront cost because of this:

Purchase a Samsung Galaxy S25 (any capacity) between 07/02/2025 - 27/02/2025 on selected 10GB, 50GB, 100GB or Unlimited data tariffs, excluding SIM free purchases, and receive an accessory bundle including a pair of Buds3 Pro, a 45w Charger and a Clear Case usually £288.99 in total