Upgrading Phone on Contract question.

[Vlad Drac]

Hi All

Can anyone please tell me how often mobile phone operators ( O2, Vodaphone, T Mobile) give you the option of upgrading your handset once you have signed to a contract.
I'm thinking of signing up in the new year and it would be reassuring to know that I will be offered, or that I can ask for an upgrade every 12 to 18 months or so.
Can anyone with any knowledge on how the operators deal with handset upgrades please help me out.

 

[stoofa]

You are only actually "due" an upgrade at the end of your contract period when you then sign up for another period of time.
Basically when you first take out your contract, over the next 12-18 months you are also paying for your handset.
At the end of your contract you've finished "paying" for your handset and you are also out of contract - can leave at any time.

At this point you contact your network and talk to them about getting an upgrade phone.
You will then be tied into another 12-18 month contract, however you'll get an upgrade phone nice and cheap (you'll just pay for it again over the next 12-18 months of your new contract).

People have reported that if you contact your network upto 2-3 months before your contract is due for renewal you maybe offered an upgrade.
The network won't contact you and offer you an upgrade - you will need to contact them.