5 Things You Absolutely Have To Know Before You Get A New Phone

Thinking about taking the plunge and upgrading your phone this year? Here are the key things you need to know.

Buying a new phone is super exciting, but it can also be a bit overwhelming too, especially if it’s not something you’ve done before if your parents have normally sorted it out for you. Not to mention, phones and phone contracts can be expensive if you’re not a savvy shopper.

If you’re thinking of finally updating your phone to a newer model, here are the 5 things you absolutely need to know before you buy that will help you save money and make the process super easy for you!

1. Learn the differences between new phone models

Buying a new phone can seem hard when there are so many new models out there that all offer similar things. However, if you’re trying to keep your phone bill low you probably don’t need to buy the most expensive phone out there, and with some research, you can find what will work best for you.

Based on your hobbies and what you use your phone for, you can make a decision on what phone would be best for you based on what features it offers. For example, if you enjoy photography the iPhone 13 Pro Max might be a great option, but if you don’t need to take photos on a professional level, the standard iPhone 13 still has amazing front and back cameras, but it could be a more affordable option.

2. You can get a discount code to make your phone cheaper

Yep, by using your Student Beans account you get access to a range of student discounts from EE to help you save on your phone, contract or both. You can currently get 20% student discount on the latest handsets, which can really help you cut the monthly costs of your new phone bill.

3. You can probably get freebies and extras

Buying a new phone isn’t just about the phone, it’s about what you can get in return for taking out a new contract. Many phone suppliers offer benefits and freebies in exchange for buying your phone, which is perfect for students.

With EE you can customise your phone package when you’re setting it up to get access to Apple Music, BT Sports, Apple TV and more, either as Smart Benefits which are free, or you can choose to pay a little bit extra each month to add them to your plan later on down the line.

4. Work out how much data you need per month

If your student wifi is unreliable, you probably depend on data quite a lot of the time, especially if you frequently work in coffee shops or on the train. Your data plan is pretty important, as we all know what it’s like to completely run out of data when you need it the most and feel completely cut off from the world.

How much or how little data you choose as part of your plan can really affect the overall price, however, if you do use a fair amount of data each month don’t be tempted to cut corners by choosing less as you’ll only have to deal the consequences when you run out every month. On the other hand, don’t feel like you need to get unlimited data if you don’t think you’ll need to use it all, you can save money by opting for a lower data plan and still have enough to never run out.

5. You don’t have to stick with your current network

If you’re coming to the end of your phone contract or you’re just thinking about upgrading, you might think it’s easier to stay with your current network out of convenience. However, shopping around might actually help you to cut costs as other networks might be able to offer you something your current one can’t.

It’s actually super easy to switch networks, all you have to do is find the new phone and contract that you’d like, buy it, and let your old network know to close your old account and transfer your number over to your new phone. Trust us, it’s super easy and can all be done within a couple of days.

This is a sponsored post in partnership with EE.