Posted 7 October 2023

Mobile contract ending with EE - what to do?

Hi all, my contract with EE is ending soon, and I just found out that if I don't make up my mind I will still be charged the same amount just for the SIM.
I'm currently trying to look for another contract with a phone, as the pixel 6 pro keeps overeating and the pixel 8 pro is not as appealing as the S23 ultra.

Do you think calling the retention team and mentioning to them offers from other providers could lower the prices?
I'm sure they can't offer any bonus for trade in (CPW offering an extra £150 on top of the 145 which they offer by default).

Or is it worth waiting another month for the black Friday deals?
I thought to downgrade to a PAYG for the next month and then see what the market offers.

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8th Oct 2023
If you think there is ANY chance you want to stick with EE, do not go to pay as you go. Call up and get a retentions deal - Existing customers out of contract are the only people who get a good price. Everyone else ends up overpaying for EE. They may well be the UK's best network right now but they're super overpriced.

Going SIM only and getting your new phone separately will definitely be the cheapest option. But if you want a phone included they'll sell you one too. Just it will work out more expensive... When you call them - Make it clear you're willing to leave and say you're wanting your PAC code if you can't get the deal you want. EE only give the best deals if you 1) Express that you're considering leaving and 2) Tell them you've looked at other places and found better deals like X Y and Z.

You're correct in thinking they can't match trade in deals.

And finally, check 1p Mobile if you want to stick with EE Signal but can't get them to negotiate a good deal on SIM Only. They have 30 day rolling contracts with the same EE signal and network features you'd get by sticking with them directly. Just at a lower price.
Author
8th Oct 2023
Thanks a lot! I will stick with what you recommended
Do you think the phone would be cheaper even if I were to buy it in a separate monthly payment( for example the s23 Ultra directly from Samsung?
8th Oct 2023
Not sure if the deal is still available, but this MVNO runs off EE and has been good so far despite a few minor hiccups.

8th Oct 2023
It's not full EE signal but a cut-back version. Lyca is also not fully functional right now. I don't think you can join again yet, and you definitely can't port in or out yet as they're still recovering from the huge cyberattack.

That's why I didn't mention them in my reply initially and instead recommended 1p as an EE partner with the additional bonus of supporting FULL EE Signal.
9th Oct 2023
Don't call EE. Request your PAC info by texting INFO to 85075 (double check the number) and the retentions team will probably call within an hour or 2. I noticed calling them myself wouldn't get the same deals (even when threatening to leave) as the retentions team that'll call when you request PAC info
7 h, 44 m ago
Done this and got a call within 1 minute
7th Oct 2023
Have you considered any underlying insecurity your phone may have that's causing the overeating? Maybe you shouldn't be looking at other phones in front of it?
8th Oct 2023
[deleted]
Author
8th Oct 2023
Is it actually? I'm seeing lots of deals where the phone is included, but not a lot where there's only the phone.
I'm planning to buy.both on a contract, but if you are saying is cheaper, I may have to buy the phone separately on a finance?
8th Oct 2023
I called EE to price match some very decent offers this year. The person I spoke to was honest and said EE cannot match all these offers going on recently. I wanted to stick with them as they offered BT sports cheap and they are the only good provider in my area. Ended up sticking with them for a slightly higher price for 32 gb with double data (64Gb) 50gb ee roaming for £12pm. They also offer 30gb for £9 and 15gb for 100gb. But do buy the sim only plan seperately.
Author
8th Oct 2023
I called them today too and they offered me 40gb, unlimited calls/messages and roaming for £15 a month. I'm pretty sure yours comes down cheaper because you have BT as broadband?
8th Oct 2023
Why not just wait till the S24 Ultra comes out next year? In that time you can try other networks see what's best for you?
Author
8th Oct 2023
I was reading about it and I can see some downgrades/changes. Also EU seems to have Exynos on the s24's, which I hate with passion. I'd get it only for the snapdragon 8gen2 (edited)
8th Oct 2023
I look at phones like the Ultra 23 and IPhone 15 and think that’s more than I paid for cars in the past.
Im not kidding.
Rover 218 & 418 diesels £1000 to £1200 a time.
Clock up 120k more miles on them in 3 years and then give them away to friends.

I need a phone for calls and alarm clock.
Taking the odd photos and storing my music on.
I use a POCO F2 PRO 256gb 8gb ram £299 had it since 19/11/2020.
I still get 3/4 days between charging.

I like to buy a phone outright and go sim only.
Do not need much data.
10/12 gb is fine.
Im switching between Lebara and LycaMobile on 6 month deals at £2.49 and £1.49 a month.
£24 for a year contract is not to bad.

I gave up with 3 this year, my £10 a month unlimited everything ran out in October.

I called retention for an offer, I wanted 8gb for £6.

A few friends got this price in September.
The best offer was £12 for 8gb.

Bye Bye 3.
Author
8th Oct 2023
Same for me, but let's be honest, you get what you pay these days.
I had a poco F2 pro too and I loved that phone, but the 60hz screen was a pain, and no wireless charging.

Xiaomi/pocos seems to not be as reliable these days, that's why I did stick with a pixel 6 pro 2 years ago.
3 m ago
1p mobile, same signal/speeds as its on EEs network. No fancy app but far cheaper and no commitment 🏽