Pay Monthly

What is a Pay Monthly plan?

A Pay Monthly plan bundles a new handset with your airtime into one monthly payment. The device cost is spread over 24 months at 0% interest.

O2 Refresh: the transparent model

O2's Refresh model splits your bill into a Device Plan and a separate Airtime Plan. Pay off the device early to switch to SIM Only, or upgrade via Switch Up at 11 months.

Sky Mobile Swap12

Sky Mobile's Swap12 lets you upgrade your handset after 12 months on a 24-month contract by returning your current phone in good condition — without a full buyout.

What to check before signing

• Annual rises: O2 (2.50/mo), Three (1.80-1.90/mo), Sky Mobile (RPI) — all disclosed upfront since January 2025.
• Early exit: leaving Pay Monthly typically means paying the remaining device balance.
• Upgrade path: O2 Switch Up at 11 months, Sky Mobile Swap12 at 12 months.

Pay Monthly vs SIM Only

If you own an unlocked phone, SIM Only is almost always cheaper. Pay Monthly makes sense if you want a new device and prefer spreading the cost. Compare the SIM Only price plus device retail divided by 24 months — that is what Pay Monthly should cost. If the bundled deal costs more, you are paying a premium for convenience.