Can I upgrade my phone half way through it's contract without having to pay extra a month?

[CorinneD]

I'm a little confused and wondered if someone could please help!

When I go to manage my phone its saying I'm eligible for an upgrade, however I don't want to return my current phone as I can't afford to make the one off payment for the contract. 

I've seen somewhere that someone mentioned that you can get the upgrade but not activate the new SIM.

Could I essentially get the upgrade and then put my old SIM in, so I have a new phone but on my current contract rather than a new one? Then when my current contract is paid I could activate the new SIM?

[caesarome]

If you want a new phone then you can just order the new phone only and use the sim yoh already have in it. Or when

you pay off the phone you already have (and don't order a new one) you will be a sim only customer.

[CorinneD]

Ok so when you say 'order a phone only', how do I do that? 

Do I still follow the same process to upgrade? Because I don't see a no SIM option...

Or do you mean just order a new phone outright? Because I cant afford to do that!

[PandJ2020]

It all hinges on the residual value of your current phone.

If you swap at the usual point (i.e. 1 year for Swap12 or 2 years for Swap24) then the residual value should be close to the outstanding balance.  (Depending on condition)

Then you'll only be paying for the new phone.  (Any shortfall in the valuation vs credit is payable in full on your next bill)

You simply move your current SIM to your new phone.  (This keeps the number)   Ordering and activating a new SIM will have a new number and you'll end up paying for 2 SIM's.

[CorinneD]

Ok so I currently have about 300 left to pay on my 24m contract which I am almost 1 year in to.

I dont want to send it back because its saying I need to pay 240 odd on my next bill, which I can't afford. 

Can I just upgrade the phone with a new SIM but not activate that new SIM, and instead just use my old SIM in the new phone? 

Is that possible?

I will then continue paying my old SIM off until the end of my contract next year, and also mean I'm not paying for 2 SIMs at once? I don't know if that's a possibility though!

Sorry, I just need it in plain english, because its all a bit confusing for me, and I don't want to end up out of pocket!

[caesarome]

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@CorinneD wrote:

Can I just upgrade the phone with a new SIM but not activate that new SIM, and instead just use my old SIM in the new phone? 

Is that possible?

I will then continue paying my old SIM off until the end of my contract next year, and also mean I'm not paying for 2 SIMs at once? I don't know if that's a possibility though!

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You can but you will be paying for two phones though if you were to order a new phone as that £240 still has to be paid.

[PandJ2020]

The SIM isn't really the issue.  SIM contracts only last a minimum of 12 months, regardless of the length of your device plan.

But if you're on Swap24 then it's actually a 3 year contract.  (2 years is the point where a normal swap would be considered).

If you are on Swap12 (2 year contract) then your usual swap window is close anyway.  The residual value of the phone should cover the remaining credit without having to pay the sizeable lump sum.

If you want to keep your phone number then you simply move your current SIM from old to new phones.  (Do not activate a new plan)