Upgrading phones on O2

[Wasyls Pec Deck]

Howdi,

So it's come to that time of year when I'm due an upgrade on my business tariff (I'm not a businessman...). I pay £25 a month for my Blackberry. It's perfectly adequate - although the internet is a bit rubbish - and like most people, I want an iPhone!

But shock horror, the best deal I've been offered by O2 is £36 and pay £180. I said I'd think about it. It seems either that, or go sim only on my Blackberry and pay £15 a month.

Has anyone else had dealings with O2 recent;y? Is it a case of saying, 'I'm defecting to Orange, cut me a deal...'

Any help would be much appreciated!

[Matt]

Same problem as me, I'm with Vodafone, my contract runs out next month, I emailed them last night saying I am waiting until the new iPhone 5 comes out to see if I want to get that phone, but have told Vodafone in my email I would like to see what they are offering on a month to month contract and will be expecting it to be VERY cheap and their service to improve dramatically - as currently I struggle to send a text and make a phone call where I work (Where I am based more than where I live) otherwise i'll be leaving. I can (kind of) accept having a poor internet connection but not sending a text or able to make a phone call takes the piss.

Ironically i've heard O2 are about the best around and am looking to change to them.

This is the first phone contract i've had so not sure how to play it, i've been told by someone I should have been getting on to them for a while otherwise they'll think i'm just trying to blag them and get it cheaper, agreed I should have, but i've not really had time. I think in reality no matter how cheap Vodafone come up with i'll be leaving them because like i've said no being able to send a text or make a phone call is a joke, it's just who to go with next - which is a gamble and also i'll be back to square one having to pay alot out to a new company, as i'm under the understand if I stayed with Vodafone i'd have abit more bargaining power and be able to get a slightly better deal.

[Wasyls Pec Deck]

O2 cut me a very good deal on my Blackberry 2 years ago, and I left them from Orange (who are shocking!).

I've just been told that Phones4U do good deals...

[Matt]

I left Orange for Vodafone - because of a good deal Vodafone were offering and tbh over 8 years I never had a problem with Orange.

[Wasyls Pec Deck]

I've just seen the £36 a month on O2 (via Phones4U) on better terms and no fee...hmmm...

[Soar Fox]

I was with Vodafone until October. Like Matt I also struggled to send a text at work and even at home.

I moved too 3 and have to say it's the best network I've ever been on. Full signal wherever I go never struggle to send a text or get on the Internet.

I currently pay £35 a month that's with 500 minutes, 5000 texts and unlimited Internet. I didn't have to pay an upfront cost for the phone either.

[Tielemans63]

Is it a case of saying, 'I'm defecting to Orange, cut me a deal...'

I'd say definitely this mate. I don't think I've ever accepted the first offer they made me but then I love a haggle! I've always found that if you can say 'Vodafone / Orange (whoever) are offering such and such a deal' and provide evidence, O2 will usually match it - I've gone down this route a couple of times.

They're bound to offer you an expensive deal first time you ask - it's your duty to drive them down! BTW - I've also offered to keep my phone and go pay-as-you-go, they don't like that as its less lucrative for them.

PS I have been with them a while but my deal is £25 a month for an iPhone 4 with unlimited texts, 2000 anytime minutes and 500 meg Internet usage. My bill is usually exactly £25 and I use my phone a lot. Say I'm your mate and you want the same deal!

[Ashley]

02 are a terrible network in my eyes. I've been with all phone networks and I have to say THREE are the best l, hands down.

I pay £35 for 2000 minutes(I think), unlimited texts and unlimited Internet. I've use my phone internet for my XBOX and its quite simply superb.

I'm on the One Plan. Had to pay £50 for my phone though....

[Nick]

Howdi,

So it's come to that time of year when I'm due an upgrade on my business tariff (I'm not a businessman...). I pay £25 a month for my Blackberry. It's perfectly adequate - although the internet is a bit rubbish - and like most people, I want an iPhone!

But shock horror, the best deal I've been offered by O2 is £36 and pay £180. I said I'd think about it. It seems either that, or go sim only on my Blackberry and pay £15 a month.

Has anyone else had dealings with O2 recent;y? Is it a case of saying, 'I'm defecting to Orange, cut me a deal...'

Any help would be much appreciated!

ring up several times, each time asking to speak to the retention department. Never give in and keep asking for your pac code. Eventually they'll do you a deal.

It depends who you get on a given day - keep saying you'll think about it, and ring again and again until you like the offer that person decides to give you on that day but always go to retentions dept no matter what the first or second operator tells you.

[Wasyls Pec Deck]

PS I have been with them a while but my deal is £25 a month for an iPhone 4 with unlimited texts, 2000 anytime minutes and 500 meg Internet usage. My bill is usually exactly £25 and I use my phone a lot. Say I'm your mate and you want the same deal!

That's awesome, and ideally what I'm after - as it's the same as what I pay now. Right, they'll be hearing from me soon!

[Wasyls Pec Deck]

ring up several times, each time asking to speak to the retention department. Never give in and keep asking for your pac code. Eventually they'll do you a deal.

It depends who you get on a given day - keep saying you'll think about it, and ring again and again until you like the offer that person decides to give you on that day but always go to retentions dept no matter what the first or second operator tells you.

Sound like a pro! The bell is about to ring for Round 2...

[Wasyls Pec Deck]

Retention team are only available Mon-Fri 9-6... bah

[DANGEROUS TIGER]

I have to say I am pissed off with 02.

Going to change, but to where?

[Guest Col city fan]

Howdi,

So it's come to that time of year when I'm due an upgrade on my business tariff (I'm not a businessman...). I pay £25 a month for my Blackberry. It's perfectly adequate - although the internet is a bit rubbish - and like most people, I want an iPhone!

But shock horror, the best deal I've been offered by O2 is £36 and pay £180. I said I'd think about it. It seems either that, or go sim only on my Blackberry and pay £15 a month.

Has anyone else had dealings with O2 recent;y? Is it a case of saying, 'I'm defecting to Orange, cut me a deal...'

Any help would be much appreciated!

I swapped my old iPhone 3 for the 4gs about six months ago. I stuck with 02 as the reception is very good where I live. Vodaphones reception was rubbish (Glen Parva)

I must have been lucky.. I stuck with the 16 gig version and a 2 year contract. The new handset cost me 100 quid, but they bought back my handset for 100 quid!

I pay 37 quid all in and rarely pay more than that per month.

I recollect making quite a few calls when the contract on my last phone was due for renewal, saying I was thinking about swapping to orange 'cos they did a better deal' etc etc and not committing until I was sure I wanted to.

I've personally yet to have a problem with O2. Then again, thus far with the iPhone I've had little reason to call them.

[Saxondale]

The mobile networks calculate a 'reinvestment value' for every customer, based on your historical spend and therefore worth as a customer. It is from this they derive how decent a package / phone they're prepared to give you.

[Wasyls Pec Deck]

I ended up sticking with O2, and upgrading to a £36 a month all in (unlimited everything) 24 month contract on the iPhone 4S (free handset).

Although I did it through Phones4U. O2's first direct offer of £36 for 200 mins, unlimited texts and 500mb AND £180 for the handset, was a shocker on their part.

[Matt]

Hmmmm I heard O2 were one of the best but after reading a few posts on here maybe I heard wrong.

I may have to take a look at 3 who ironically I heard were quite poor

[AmericanScott]

I just upgraded from Blackberry on o2 to a Samsung S2. Best phone i've ever had. £27 a month, 300 mins, 500 o2 to o2 mins, unlimited texts and 500mb data. I also pay £10 extra for insurance a month. Phones free now (i had to pay £60 ).

[Matt]

So, anyone seen the new iPhone 5?

Doesn't look a great deal better than the iPhone 4 if i'm honest, I was abit underwhelmed, but I thought about it and my 4 is out of contract and the 5 is cheaper than I expected - Hardly any more than what i'm paying for my 4 (A couple of pounds more expensive) so am considering it.

Now I am currently with Vodafone - who are absoloutely awful and to be honest after complaining to them about their service and being fobbed off several times I am considering moving just because of that - Then again do you stick to what you know?

I was always with Orange up until I got an iPhone when I changed to Vodafone, I never really had a problem with Orange so tempted to go back with them, although i've heard O2 are the best and i've heard Three aren't too bad either. Also, i've looked at prices for the iPhone 5 and over the contract Vodafone are the most expensive - working out atleast £10 more expensive than other companies, in some cases Vodafone are £20 more expensive - For an awful sevice.

That said i'm not sure if i'd get a better deal with Vodafone seeing as i've noted them of my problems with their shocking service and seeing as it'd be an upgrade?

Basically what do people think of the new iPhone 5? What are people experiences of Orange, O2, Three and Vodafone? Has anyone seen any good deals on the iPhone 5? And how do people suggest I play it with Vodafone or changing to another provider?

[Monk]

I've pre ordered the new iphone on T Mobile as it'll have 4g first and they're one of the few networks to offer unlimited data. I'm constantly going over allowance on O2 and I'd rather have the piece of mind of knowing exactly what my bill will be each month. That, and I'm looking to change my number as I get so many spam callers.

£41 pm and £50 for the phone. Not bad for an all unlimited package I don't think.

[Monk]

I used to be really into calling up O2 and getting the best deal by threatening to cancel, but end of the day, if that's what it takes to get a good price then it says a thing or two about how they value you as a customer.

[Carter The Boss]

I'm on O2 and don't think I'll change. I've got a 4S and although the iPhone 5 looks good, I don't think its enough to justify the money.

I currently get unlimited minutes and texts and 1gb data for £60 a month. Upgrading to the iPhone 5 means paying £99 for the handset and signing a 2 year contract, or I can go sim only and the exact same package would be £25 on a 12 month contract.

That means getting an iPhone 5 on contract would cost me (including the initial cost) £939 over 2 years just for the phone, which I could buy for £599 direct from Apple.

I'm going Sim only and maybe buy an iPhone on my own.

O2 by the way have been brilliant for years, and some of the extras you get get through them, especially Priority tickets, are well worth it

[syston_fox]

I've been with O2 for about five years. My 18month contract finished ages ago and I just carried it on without upgrading as my phone was fine. Finally my iphone 3gs slowed right down so went to upgrade to iphone 4s on the £36 a month contract (same as I was already on). They wanted £99 off me for the actual phone but I kicked up a fuss as I could get the phone for free if I cancelled my contract and signed up as a new customer with O2 through the carphone warehouse. They refused to budge, and even put me through to the cancellation department. Decided to keep my phone and not upgrade. Next day I went to the apple store in the highcross and they upgraded me through O2 and gave me the iphone 4s for free on the same £36 contract. Baffles me at how O2 treat their long term loyal customers.

[Saxondale]

Speaking of upgrades, I'm due one soon.

I want another Android but not another HTC.

Samsung Galaxy S2? I would naturally prefer the S3 but they seem quite dear. Any suggestions?

[The Year Of The Fox]

Just avoid carphone warehouse at all costs