All smartphones have access to the internet , which means you can browse the web, check your emails, do some online shopping and watch those all-important cat videos on YouTube. If you want to watch films or TV programmes on the extremely small screen, you'll need a package with enough mobile data to allow this without going over your data threshold. Using more than your allotted mobile internet data could result in being charged a princely sum for the privilege. Or you may see the internet function on your phone get a lot slower or certain apps not opening.
However, making sure that you use free wi-fi wherever possible - as long as you keep your device adequately protected in public places - can help you avoid using up your data. Before choosing a mobile phone tariff, take into account how much mobile data you'll actually be using, because there's no point in splashing out on 10gb of data if you only use your phone to send emails. You can also turn off mobile data on your phone manually, which can come in useful when taking your phone abroad.
Most providers will have an online service which permits you to see how much available data you have left, they may even send you a text or email when you're getting close to the predetermined limit. Another factor to take into account when choosing your mobile phone deal is the type of handset that you want.
Most of the big hitters in the mobile phone industry also manufacture other smart devices including tablets and smart watches. If you already have anything like this from a certain brand, you may want to consider choosing a handset from them too.
For instance, an Apple watch won't have much functionality without an iPhone to connect to, whereas if you use them in conjunction with each other, you could conquer the world… or receive texts and emails on your watch - which is the same thing really. This will differ depending on the type of phone you have and it will needed to be updated regularly. Updating your mobile operating system can help fix any bugs or glitches currently plaguing your device, as well as improving the software that you use every day.
If you choose a mobile phone contract rather than a pay as you go option - your mobile phone tariff is essentially a breakdown of the different charges included in your monthly bill. It will state how many minutes and texts make up your package, as well as the amount of mobile data available to you monthly.
Be warned that you'll be charged for going over what's detailed in your tariff though. You can choose whether to pay an upfront cost for your handset, or to choose a tariff with a free handset. Do bear in mind that tariffs with 'free' handsets are likely to factor the cost of the phone into what you 'll pay each month, meaning it's really more like spreading the cost than getting it free.
To secure exclusive, money-saving offers for our customers, we negotiate extensively with our full range of partners. Not only does this generate competition between retailers, but it ensures that our customers are offered some of the UK's leading mobile phone deals and tariffs. From the highest-end smartphones at the cutting edge of technology to more affordable, less fully featured handsets, uSwitch Mobile Phones puts all the latest smartphones to the test in our reviews section.
If you need help choosing between phones, you can take a look at our head-to-head reviews, where we compare two smartphones vying for your cash. You can trust us to get behind the marketing hype for fair and honest reviews. How do you get the most out of your mobile internet allowance? What exactly is an MVNO?
How much will international roaming cost you? And what do the smartphones of the future have in store for us? Our jargon-busting guides are where we answer all these questions. And a lot more besides. Need some help? Take a look at uSwitch Tech's consumer guides. Check out the top 10 mobile phones at our dedicated comparison page: Top mobile phones.
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