Best mobile phone deals with free gifts in the UK

Looking for a great deal on a new mobile phone? Well, you’re in luck! Not only have we found some great deals on the latest smartphones, but we’ve also dug up some deals that include free gifts — after all, who doesn’t love a gift?

You can get mobile phone deals with free gifts in the UK from both network providers and retailers, so wherever you prefer to buy your phone, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about finding the perfect deal that includes a mobile phone with a free gift!

Want to get an iPhone 15 Pro with AirPods? How about a Samsung S24 with a smartwatch? Try out the filters below to see what you can find. There are plenty of deals that give you devices from Samsung, Apple, Oppo, OnePlus, and other top brands.

Best mobile phone deals with free gifts

What are mobile phone deals with free gifts?

Mobile phone contracts with free gifts might seem pretty self-explanatory. You sign up for a contract to get a new smartphone, and the provider will throw in a free gift to sweeten the deal. For providers and retailers, it’s a great way to entice more people to buy mobile phones from them, and for buyers, it’s always great to get some freebies with your brand-new smartphone.

But there’s way more to it once you dig under the surface. Free gifts aren’t always “free”. Sometimes, there’s a catch to it, and if you’re not careful, you could be roped into something like a longer contract, hidden costs, or even a loophole that means you need to pay extra at the end of your contract.

Luckily, though, some mobile phone deals come with truly free gifts, and we’ll help you find those below!

Types of gifts offered

“Free gifts” is a pretty vague term. It could be anything, right? Well, there are a few different types of gifts that could be included in your mobile phone deal. This is what makes these deals so great — you get to choose which gift is best for you.

For example, if you’re a gamer, you can go for a deal that includes an Xbox or PlayStation (it’s rare, but they’re out there). Or, if you love listening to music, you can get a deal that includes awesome noise-cancelling headphones! There’s a world of choice; you just need to find a provider that offers the best deal for you.

Below are some of the free gifts you’ll find with most mobile phone deals:

• Electronic devices: Some mobile phone deals include add-on devices, such as tablets, TVs, or gaming consoles. While these gifts may be rare, they can be a great find. Of course, these deals will have extra costs — no one is giving you an entire PlayStation for free! But as a combo deal, it’s certainly worth it!
• Accessories: Accessories are one of the most common free gift deals you’ll get with a mobile phone contract. Accessories are great add-ons because they’ll take your experience with the new phone to the next level. Accessories can include headphones or earphones (such as AirPods with an iPhone), speakers, or even smartwatches. These free gifts are great because everyone needs accessories for their new smartphones, and with these deals, they’re included!
• Vouchers and gift cards: If you’re shopping for smartphone deals with free gifts, you’ll notice tons of vouchers and gift cards. They’re a firm favourite for the providers because they’re not too expensive (compared to the other gifts). They’re also incredibly flexible because they allow the buyer to choose what they want to get instead of having to take a specific gift that they might not want. Amazon gift cards are fairly common, but there are plenty of others you can find, too.
• Cashback: Another popular free gift that providers love to offer is cashback. When you commit to the contract, you’ll get a certain percentage of money back. Ultimately, this will reduce the money you spend on your contract and give you some extra cash to spend.
• Subscriptions: Some providers also offer subscriptions. With the booming popularity of subscription-based streaming services, this has become another popular option among providers. They can offer you a 6-month to a year-long subscription to streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and more. It’s a nice add-on to your new phone if you’re planning on using it for entertainment.

How do mobile phone deals with free gifts work?

For the most part, mobile phone deals with free gifts are similar to standard phone contracts. However, there are some added steps when it comes to the free gifts. They certainly don’t make it easy for you to get these gifts, but if you’re willing to commit time and effort, you can claim your free gift with your new phone.

Choosing a contract and gift

First of all, you need to find a contract that offers you a free gift along with the new smartphone. They’re not always easy to find, and sometimes they only run for a limited time. That’s why you must be ready to pull the trigger when you see one you like. You’ll likely be sifting through hundreds of deals, but note down which ones appeal to you most based on your budget, the phone you want, and the gift you get with it.

Activation requirements

Next, you need to fulfil the activation requirements. There are always some barriers to getting the gift. After all, there are only so many times you can give away free gifts. Activation often requires you to fill in additional forms, wait for some time, or jump through a few extra hoops. It requires time and effort, which most people don’t have the patience for. Always ask about the activation requirements (or read the T’s & C’s) before committing to the mobile phone deal.

Receiving the gift

The next step is the most exciting. Once you’ve committed to a smartphone deal and signed the relevant paperwork, you’ll get your free gift along with your brand-new phone.

Providers offering mobile phone deals with free gifts

Mobile phone deals with free gifts are great, but you need to be quick to get one of these. They’re often rare, only showing up at certain times of the year, such as Black Friday or Christmas, for example. That makes it tricky to get one that you want, especially if you have to wait a couple of months.

But it can’t hurt to look for these deals throughout the year. There are a couple of places to check out, but the main thing you need to keep in mind is the difference between first-party providers and third-party providers.

First-party providers

First-party providers include phone companies and network providers such as O2, Vodafone, Three, etc. These companies usually run their deals for a long time, so you could get lucky with a deal at a random time of year. They may even offer freebies to users who are switching to their service.

They’re often pushing to get new customers through the doors, so it’s the best place to go if you’re keen on getting a deal as soon as possible. For example, O2 mobile phone deals with free gifts can be found at any time of the year, but their free gifts will change from time to time.

These providers mainly offer vouchers, cashback, or subscriptions. Bigger gifts are harder to find here.

Third-party providers

Third-party providers, such as retail stores and comparison websites, are great if you’re shopping during the biggest sales period, such as Black Friday or Christmas. They’re more likely to throw in appliances, devices, and larger gifts.

Retailers can get these “free gifts” at a lower cost than first-part providers (who specialise in phones), which means they’ve got bigger gifts to give away. You can expect smartwatches, tablets, and gaming consoles from third-party providers!

Benefits of phone contracts with free gifts

Nabbing a mobile phone deal with a free gift comes with numerous benefits. Firstly, you don’t have to pay for the phone (or the gift) upfront, and you can split your costs across several months or years. It certainly eases the pressure of a big purchase!

Of course, there’s the gift. You can get an add-on of something you need or something you’ve always wanted. It always helps to bundle your purchase into one cost and split it across a year or two. Have you always wanted to have a smartwatch? Why not get one with your brand-new smartphone?

What is cashback on mobile phone deals?

Cashback on phone deals is when the provider gives you a specific percentage of the cost back. Depending on your contract, this can either be at the end of your payment schedule or a couple of months in (make sure to check the small print for this).

It can also be done as one lump sum or in monthly instalments. Generally, cashback can be anywhere from 1% to 5% or even more than that. Cashbacks are great as free gifts because they give you more flexibility. Whether you want to use the extra money for something else or just get a discount on your new smartphone, it’s an excellent add-on.

When will I receive my free gift?

You could receive your free gift with your new phone, part-way through the contract, or once you’ve fully paid off the phone. Always check the terms and conditions or ask the provider about the details of your free gift.

FAQ