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Thinking about a SIM only deal? Here’s all you need to know.
6 minute read
Staying connected shouldn’t have to cost you a packet. And being able to change or cancel your plan shouldn’t warrant 3 hours on hold, two customer service members and an admin fee on top.
If you’re not in the market for a phone contract upgrade, you need a great value SIM only deal.
Here’s our handy guide to our terrific SIM only deals.
Our best SIM only deals
Choose your monthly deal
- Get a SIM only deal and enjoy the flexibility and savings that come with it.
- Get the most data for your money
- Change your plan anytime
- No credit checks
Contents:
- What actually is a SIM only deal?
- How do SIM only deals work?
- Why choose SIM only?
- The difference between SIM only and pay as you go
- SIM only deals for tablets
- SIM only deals for travel
- Keeping your number with a SIM only deal
- How you can find the best SIM only deal for you
1. What actually is a SIM only deal?
A SIM only deal works just like a normal mobile phone plan but without the handset. They come packed full of data, minutes and texts and all you have to do is choose the one that’s right for you.
With giffgaff, you can switch your plan up or down at any time, so you’ll always get the biggest bang for your buck.
2. How do SIM only deals work?
Our SIM only deals come in different bundles, depending on what you need. You can choose either a pay as you go, monthly rolling or 18 month contract plan. And the best part is, they all give you the chance to switch your plan up or down whenever you fancy.
3. Why choose a SIM only deal?
There are a ton of reasons to go for a SIM only deal. Firstly, they’re great value. You pay for exactly what you need every month, which means you’re not wasting a penny. Perfect if you’re someone who changes their usage a lot, or if you’re on a slightly tighter budget.
Another benefit of choosing a SIM only deal is that you’re free to trade in and grab a new phone whenever you want. You don’t need to feel pressured into upgrading to the newest phone deal every year. Take your time, mull it over, buy second hand or even borrow your Mum’s old phone. The choice is yours.
4. The difference between SIM only and pay as you go
When you think of ‘SIM only’ and ‘pay as you go’, you might get flashbacks of buying £5 top-up vouchers from the corner shop. But thankfully, those days are over.
SIM only deals work just like a contract, which means they can be for a set term or auto renew each month. They give you a monthly allowance of data, minutes and texts.
With pay as you go, there’s no contract involved at all. Simply top up with a new data package whenever you want. You pay upfront, and when your plan runs out (or the month ends) you top up again. Our basic SIM only plans work just like pay as you go deals. You can check these out here.
5. SIM only deals for tablets
Most network providers offer SIM cards that work in any 4G or 5G tablet, you’ll just need to ensure you get the right SIM size for your device. You may also want to look at an increased data allowance for your tablet if you use it for streaming.
We offer larger SIM plans that work great with tablets. Follow this community members thread to learn more about using a giffgaff sim card in a tablet.
6. SIM only deals for travel
SIM only deals can be used for travel in the EU with most network providers, but there may be an extra charge when you travel further afield. There’s usually a cap for using your data abroad. With giffgaff, we give you up to 5GB when roaming in the EU and will keep you updated with a text if you’re getting close to your limit.
SIM only deals can also be a great option if you regularly visit the UK for work or as a tourist. With cost-effective international calling and roaming, you can stay connected in a way that’s both flexible and affordable.
7. Keeping your number with a SIM only deal
Is there anything worse than the palaver of changing your mobile number? We think not.
When you take out your SIM only deal, you’ll be able to keep your old number. Here at giffgaff, we love it when you bring your old digits with you. We’ll even send you a link to make it super easy to transfer your old number.
8. How you can find the best SIM only deal for you
Finding the best SIM only deal doesn’t need to be confusing. Simply work out what you need every month in terms of minutes, calls and data, and look for the plan that matches your needs. Use our handy data calculator to find a deal that suits you.
SIM only deals come with 4G, with most coming 5G-ready, so you’ll have the best connection possible. You’ll also be able to tether your mobile hotspot to other devices, so you can still work in that local coffee shop and get your emails done without any hiccups. You can read more about tethering and hotspots here.
Need a little extra guidance? We’ve also written specialised blogs on how to figure out how much data you really need and our top three data tracking apps.
Monthly rolling plans
18 month plans
Other SIM only tidbits
You’ll be able to choose the SIM card size that fits your phone; whether that’s macro, micro or standard. Here at giffgaff, we offer the ultimate triple SIM so you can just pop out whichever SIM size you need.
Most SIM only suppliers will be more than happy for you to tether your internet; say adios to stressing about bad public wifi on the go.
Here at giffgaff, we don’t like to pry into your credit history. That’s why all our SIM only deals come with no credit checks.
Oh, and did we mention that you can change your plan up or down at any time, even with our 18 month contracts? No matter what SIM only deal you choose, you’ll have complete control over your spending. We’ll even let you know if there’s a better deal for your data usage as you go.
Conclusion: Is a SIM only deal really for me?
If you’re looking for a great value, hassle-free plan with no frills, a SIM only deal could be right up your street.
Explore all our SIM only deals today to find the perfect plan for you.
