Buying Guide - Your Guide to buying a Mobile from Orange
Know what you want but not sure which phone is best? Know which phone you want but aren't sure which tariff to go for? Unsure whether to pick contract or pay as you go? We've got some advice that can help you choose the best phone for you.
Should I pick Contract or Pay As You Go?
Contract phones (also known as pay monthly) are usually best if you're a medium or heavy user, or if you want to use the internet. Contract phones are generally free and the charges for calls and texts are usually lower than pay as you go. Most contracts come with a data allowance that allows you to use the internet. Contracts are either 18 or 24 months long - shorter contracts mean that you can change your phone sooner, but the deals available on longer contracts tend to be better.
Pay As You Go (PAYG) phones are a good idea if you are a very light user or want to keep a tight hold on your spending. You buy the phone outright, and then "top up" your phone's allowance whenever you want. PAYG phones are usually older and less attractive models, though some of our premium handsets are also available. Check out Orange Pay-As-You-Go phones.
If you're looking for a cheap phone deal, take a look at our Orange Contract deals under £15. You'll get free texts and internet every month, and a free phone, from just £10.50 a month. For most people this actually means a contract is a lower cost alternative to Pay As You Go.
Which phone is the best?
Like computers, phones behave differently depending on the software they're running, so a good place to start is our comparison of operating systems. Alternatively, check out our latest handsets if you want to be on the cutting edge, or our budget phones if you're conscious of getting a good deal.
For each of our phones we give you a quick overview of the phone's features, along with a list of specifications so you can make sure that your new phone has that must-have feature. You can also check out customer reviews or write your own. In general the better handsets are on more expensive tariffs, so your choice is mainly a trade-off between features and cost.
If you want to browse the web, large touchscreens are especially useful. On the other hand you may prefer a hardware keyboard if you want to send messages and emails - often these come with a smaller touchscreen or none at all. If you want to take photos, then look for phones with good cameras - these usually have a large number of megapixels (MP). If you want to listen to music then various phones offer unique audio technology to improve your listening experience.
Still can't decide? Check out our list of popular phones to see what other people have chosen.
What's the best tariff for me?
With so many tariffs it can be difficult to find one that suits you and gives you a great deal. To make it easier for you to choose, we've picked out the top tariffs on each phone. Usually these give you the phone for free and provide a decent balance of minutes, texts, and data, while not being too expensive.
If you want to pick your tariff first, check out our Tariff Guide. Orange have a number of tariffs, represented by different animals:
- Canary tariffs are ideal if you like to make calls on their phone, giving you lots of free anytime any-network minutes.
- Dolphin tariffs are good if you like to text, with lots of texts and a good data allowance.
- Racoon tariffs are best if you want to call landlines to keep in touch with friends and family, with free minutes to landlines.
- Panther tariffs are great if you use the internet a lot; they come with free internet and free Orange Swapables media addons.
