Phone deals with no upfront cost
A no-upfront phone contract spreads the whole cost of the phone into the monthly payments, so you pay nothing on day one. That usually means a higher monthly price, so compare the total cost over the contract. Every live £0-upfront deal below is sorted by that total.
Last checked: · Reviewed by the billsqueeze team · Prices update daily
At a glance
Paid on day one. The phone’s cost moves into the monthly payments.
All deals on this pageEE’s yearly rise on phone plans, every 31 March.
Source: EE · checked Oct 2026EE, O2, Vodafone, Three and iD Mobile credit-check every phone contract.
Source: networks · checked Oct 2026Since this date, mid-contract rises must be shown in pounds before you sign.
Source: OfcomLive £0 upfront phone deals
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Is £0 upfront a good deal?
It can be, if the total over the contract is close to deals with a small upfront payment. Paying even £30 to £100 upfront often lowers the monthly price enough to save more over two years, so compare totals, not just the monthly figure.
Compare all phone deals →Can I get a phone contract with bad credit?
EE, O2, Vodafone, Three and iD Mobile run a hard credit check on every phone contract, so a poor score can mean a refusal or a bigger upfront payment.
The reliable alternative is to buy the phone outright and pair it with a SIM only plan that needs no credit check, such as giffgaff, SMARTY, Lebara, VOXI or Asda Mobile.
Phone deals with bad credit →Which networks raise prices in April, and by how much?
Since 17 January 2025, Ofcom has required networks to state mid-contract rises in pounds and pence before you sign. On O2 and Vodafone the rise applies to the airtime plan, while the device plan for the phone stays the same.
| Network | Rise each year | Applies to | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| EE | +£4/mo | Phone plans | 31 March |
| O2 | +£2.50/mo | Airtime plan; device plan frozen | April |
| Vodafone | +£2.50/mo | Airtime plan; device plan unchanged | April |
| Three | +£1.80 to £2.30 | Airtime, by data allowance | April |
| iD Mobile | +£1.80/mo | Phone plans (from 11 March 2026) | April |
| Tesco Mobile | about 6% | Set as a fixed £ amount; Clubcard Price deals frozen | April |
| Sky Mobile | +£1.50/mo | Not written into the contract, so you can leave within 30 days without a fee | From 14 February 2026 |
Signed in 2026 after the rise date? Your first rise lands in April 2027 (31 March 2027 on EE). Every April price rise, in pounds →
When does your contract end?
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No upfront cost questions
Do no-upfront phone contracts cost more?
Usually more per month, because the phone’s full price is in the monthly payments. Compare the total cost over the contract with deals that have a small upfront payment.
Do I need a credit check for a £0 upfront contract?
Yes. EE, O2, Vodafone, Three and iD Mobile run a hard credit check on phone contracts, whatever the upfront cost.
Do £0 upfront deals go up in April?
Yes, if the network raises prices. EE adds £4 a month every 31 March; O2 and Vodafone add £2.50 to the airtime plan.