1. MoneySavingExpert.com
  2. Household Bills
  3. Mobile Phones

In this guide

Tip Email

FREE Weekly MoneySaving email 

For all the latest deals, guides and loopholes simply sign up today - it’s spam free!

Show more
Show less
FAQs Privacy Past Emails Unsubscribe
FAQs Privacy Past Emails Unsubscribe
cheap Samsung deals

Cheap Samsung Deals

Find the best Samsung deals, incl the Galaxy S20, S20 FE, S10 & S10 Lite

Chris Knight
Chris Knight | Edited by Gary Caffell
Updated 18 January 2021

While a new Samsung handset is never MoneySaving, if you've got your heart set on one, read our tips to help minimise the cost – including our pick of the best Galaxy S20 deals.

 

New. The MSE Cheap Mobile Finder 

We recently launched our Cheap Mobile Finder which compares more than 50 different retailers and resellers, covering all major networks to find your top deal. So do have a play and please send feedback, suggestions and bug reports.

illustration

Top Samsung contract deals

Latest Samsung Galaxy top picks

Top deals on older Samsung models

The top Samsung need-to-knows

Should you get a Samsung Galaxy on a contract? What other ways are there to get one? Our Samsung need-to-knows should help you decide, as well as giving you some tips on selling your old phone and getting the most out of your current tariff.

  • 1. Compare ways of buying – contract vs buying outright

    Always check if it's cheaper to buy a Samsung Galaxy outright or on cheap credit before signing up for a contract – and never go direct to the network as resellers usually offer the same deals for £100s less.

    Our Cheap Mobile Finder tool looks at thousands of deals from over 40 retailers and resellers and also tells you if it's cheaper to buy the phone outright and pair with a cheap Sim.

    Never go direct to a network, always check mobile resellers

    Buying a new handset on a traditional mobile contract from the major mobile networks can leave you overpaying by £100s. Reseller sites such as Mobiles.co.uk* (owned by Carphone Warehouse) and MobilePhonesDirect are almost always cheaper than going direct to the network – and can sometimes even undercut buying upfront.

    See our pick of the best Samsung deals below, while Compare My Mobile* and HandsetExpert are also useful sites for comparing deals from the major networks and mobile resellers.

    Buying a handset upfront and pairing with a cheap Sim

    Paying for a handset outright and pairing it with a cheap Sim only deal can sometimes be the cheapest option, so it's worth checking. If you can't afford to shell out a chunk of cash upfront, consider buying your Samsung on cheap or free finance instead and then pairing with a Sim.

    Consider a second-hand or refurbished handset

    Don't forget to check out second-hand models on eBay* and refurbished ones directly from your network. Make sure it's unlocked (see Mobile Unlocking for full info) though, so you can take advantage of super-cheap Sim only tariffs.

    See our Refurbished Mobiles guide for full information and tips.

  • 2. Match your tariff to your usage

    If you don't get close to using your allowance of minutes, data and texts each month, you're essentially overpaying for your contract. Bust your limit, though, and the extra charges can be costly.

    If you want to check your usage, our handy Data Calculator tool can help you. Key in your usage (for when you're not using Wifi) and it'll give you a general idea of how much data you need.

    Alternatively, Billmonitor* is also available. It's currently the only tool that is accredited by Ofcom that'll tap in to your actual mobile bill. It will analyse your bills from the last three months to determine your average usage and suggest deals based on this. It works for customers of EE, O2, Tesco Mobile, Three and Vodafone.

    Don't overestimate how much data you need – most use less than 3GB a month

    don't overestimate data usage

    And even though apps are becoming ever more data-hungry, don't fall for mobile firms pushing high-data deals.

    Try and choose a contract with a data allowance you actually need. Plus with free Wi-Fi readily available, you may find you actually use less now than you used to.

    In our last MSE poll on data use, to which almost 4,000 MSE users responded, only 14% actually used more than 10GB a month, while 78% used less than 3GB.

  • 3. Back up your Samsung Galaxy phone and its data

    lock

    Losing your data, photos and contacts is a nightmare. But there are a number of easy ways to protect your mobile and data, many of which are free.

    Regardless of how expensive your phone is, the info you've got stored on it can also be mega-valuable, and it's a headache(and probably a lost cause) to retrieve contacts, photos, apps, games, messages after losing a handset.

    To beat this, free services can back up this crucial info before you lose it.

    Back up to 'the cloud'

    This type of backup is becoming increasingly common – storing on 'the cloud' means storing your data on Samsung's own servers. Set it to back up automatically each day and you'll always have a backup of your phone should the worst happen, or you just need to free up some storage space. Samsung's cloud-based service, Samsung Cloud, allows you to back up phone settings, message, calendar and your music library.

    Storage costs vary depending on size, but currently it's free for it's basic plan (15GB) if you have a qualifying device. Take a look at this step-by-step guide on Samsung's site for how to back up data.

    There are also other free apps available such as Dropbox or Google Photos, whereby you can transfer content from your phone to the cloud – which can then be securely accessed from any device.

    The old fashioned way – with a cable

    If you don't want to user Samsung's cloud based service or register for the free online cloud platforms, you can still take advantage of the traditional way of backing up your Samsung Galaxy phone, via the USB cable and its Smart Switch application. Take a look at the step-by-step guide on how to back up data using your computer on Samsung's site.

  • 4. Check network coverage where you live/work

    The quality of the signal you'll receive will depend on where you are. Across all the networks, big cities and towns should all have a decent 4G signal - while those in rural areas can struggle.

    All the networks have coverage checkers on their sites, but these tend to be optimistic. Ofcom's research into 4G is the most up-to-date – and unbiased – coverage we've seen. View its mobile checker to see what signal strength is likely to be like in your area.

  • 5. Don't just pluck for the included insurance – you could get it from £70/yr...

    Accidents can and do happen. Because mobiles are worth so much these days, if you lose 'em, break 'em or have 'em nicked, it can be costly to replace them.

    phone insurance

    Insurers play on this fear with hefty prices and unnecessary cover. Yet you can get insurance for your Samsung Galaxy from £70/year. Read our full Mobile Phone Insurance guide for more info and best buys.

    If your phone's stolen...

    Report it to the police and let your network know ASAP. This is important to prevent unauthorised use of your phone, and may also be critical for insurance claims.

    Watch out for auto-insurance

    Some retailers automatically add insurance to a mobile phone contract when you sign up online, regardless of whether you want it or not.

    This has stung quite a few MSE users, so be sure to read all the small print, thoroughly, before clicking the 'buy' button.

    These insurance policies are normally more expensive than standard insurance, and if there's no 'opt out' option – you must remember to cancel it as soon as you get your phone.

    If you cancel over the phone, ask the company to email you with confirmation of the cancellation, so you have it in writing too.

  • 6. Happy with your provider? Try haggling for a better deal

    haggle for a better deal

    Haggling on monthly mobile phone contracts can slash the price you pay. If you have a contract deal and you're nearing the end of your fixed term, the network will be frantic to keep you, so it's the best time to haggle. Long-term customers have a better chance at success here.

    Our poll showed the best mobile providers to haggle with are Three and EE. See our Mobile Phone Haggling guide for help with getting a better deal. Bear in mind though it's usually harder to haggle on a contract for a new phone, particularly if you're after the latest model. 

  • 7. You could make extra savings with some cashback deals – though be warned...

    It's often possible to grab extra cashback on top when you sign up for a mobile phone contract. To get it, you need to sign up via a specialist cashback website rather than directly with the network provider or mobile reseller. Cashback websites use affiliate links to generate revenue, so if they get paid when you sign up, you'll get paid.

    Unfortunately, this cash is never guaranteed, as sometimes cashback sites don't track deals in progress, so it's generally best to pick the right tariff first and view any cashback as an added extra. To find out more about how these sites can pay you, and how you can make the most of them, read the Top Cashback Sites guide.

    Retailer cashback. Don't confuse cashback sites with cashback you can get directly through a retailer, usually through redemption. This kind of cashback isn't straightforward, and can often require you to send several copies of your monthly bills on certain days.

    We usually steer clear of these deals, unless it's sent out automatically. 

  • 8. Finally, things to watch out for when taking out a new contract

    Now you know the cheapest ways to buy a new Samsung Galaxy, there are a few final things you need to be aware of...

    • Prices can rise with inflation each year

      Mobile networks are permitted to increase your monthly tariff price each year, but only if their T&Cs state so before you sign up. And all the major networks have such terms, including EE, O2, Three, Virgin Mobile and Vodafone.

      Changes are usually made in line with the Retail Prices Index (RPI, a measure of inflation) between February and April each year, but recently, some firms have chosen to change the way their prices rise each year. Opting to increase by inflation, plus a percentage amount on top. We've seen such recent announcements from all of the biggies including EE, Vodafone and Three.  

      If a provider hikes your monthly bill and its T&Cs don't allow this – then you can leave your contract penalty-free.

    • You'll be credit checked

      Most providers will carry out a credit check, so if you tend to struggle getting credit, you may want to check your credit score before applying for a mobile contract.

      MoneySavingExpert.com's free Credit Club gives you your free Experian credit score and credit report. While it won't tell you for definite whether you'll pass a credit check for a contract, it will give you a general idea of whether you'll be seen as a good or bad credit risk.

      If you think you're unlikely to pass a credit check, or tried and were declined, it could be better to opt for an affordable handset and pair it with a pay-as-you-go Sim instead.

    • Some deals are for new customers only

      The deals here and on most comparison sites are geared towards new customers of the relevant network. If you're already with that network, even if your existing contract is up and you try to get the deal, then technically you'll be 'upgrading' rather than taking out a new contract, and you may have to pay more as a result. 

      Of course, you can still get the deal if you take out a separate new contract. But if you do, frustratingly you won't be able to transfer your existing number across to your new phone directly.

      There is a way round this, though it's a bit of work. You can get the deal on a separate new contract, and also get yourself a free pay-as-you-go Sim from a different network.

      Port (ie, move) your existing number across to the free pay-as-you-go Sim, then port it again to the new contract once it's been set up. To port your number over you'll need to request a porting authorisation code from your provider.

    • Once your contract is over, switch to avoid overpaying

      The majority of phone contracts which include a handset are paid for monthly over a two-year period, meaning the handset is paid for at the end. Though the handset has been paid for, most providers continue to charge the same monthly price after the initial contract period is over, meaning in effect you're paying for the phone again.

      To avoid this, make a note of your contract end date, and remember to contact your provider one month before it ends to give it notice, which means you're free to leave or change deal. If you're happy with your phone, consider switching to a cheap Sim only deal or see our top tips for haggling a new deal.

New. Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, Galaxy S21+ 5G, Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G

Samsung's latest 2021 range of Galaxy phones has arrived, all with the expected eye-watering prices (if bought direct from Samsung) – the 'entry-level' Galaxy S21 5G from £769, the Galaxy S21+ 5G from £949 and the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G from £1,149.

These can all be pre-ordered ahead of the official on-sale date of Thursday 28 January, but it's safe to say these models are not MoneySaving, and early adopters often pay more – but if you're determined to get one anyway, at least do it cheapest. For the best current prices on S21 pre-orders, check out our new Cheap Mobile Finder tool.

For now, we'll continue to monitor the prices of the now 'old' flagship phones below (Galaxy S20) as well as new budget options such as the  and Galaxy S10 Lite and Galaxy S20 FE.

Top Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite deals

Samsung's latest model is the lower-spec Galaxy S10 Lite – see Galaxy S10 Lite specs. While new smartphones are never MoneySaving, the Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite is considerably cheaper than other models. There are 1,000s of different combos you can get with varying allowances, but to help, we've rounded up a selection of deals below that come with at least 3GB/mth data, as this is enough for most people according to our most recent data usage poll. If these aren't for you, see our Cheap Mobile Finder tool to help you find the right deal.

MSE analysis

Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite – what we'd go for

Right now, the cheapest way to get the Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite with enough data for most is with Three via Affordable Mobiles for £552 over the two-year contract but this deal is only available on the white coloured model.

If you're already with Three, or it's not great in your area, there's also this 4GB data deal from EE via Metrofone.

MODEL

 DATA & NETWORK (1) TOTAL COST (2 YEARS) UPFRONT COST MONTHLY COST
Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite 128GB*
via Affordable Mobiles

30GB/mth

Three

 £552 £0 £23
Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite 128GB*
via Fonehouse		 4GB/mth
EE		 £593 £89 when using code FHMSE30 on the basket page. £21
Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite 128GB*
Via Buymobiles

3GB/mth

O2

 £649 £169 £20

Note: These are today's prices, but providers often increase prices in line with inflation or a set % during the contract. (1) All come with unlimited mins & texts unless stated otherwise and allowances are per month. Note: Deals are for newbies of that network.

Top Samsung Galaxy S20 FE deals

Samsung's latest release, the Galaxy S20 Fan Edition 4G, is a more affordable version of its flagship Galaxy S20 – see Galaxy S20 FE specs. It's still not cheap, but you can save by going through resellers rather than direct to the major networks. There are 1,000s of different combos you can get with varying allowances, but to help, we've rounded up a selection of deals below that come with at least 3GB/mth data, as this is enough for most according to our last data usage poll. If these aren't for you, see our Cheap Mobile Finder tool to help you find the right deal.

MSE analysis

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE – what we'd go for

Right now, the cheapest way you can get the brand new Samsung Galaxy S20 FE is with EE via Metrofone. It's £663 over the two-year contract.

If you're already with EE, then there's this iD Mobile deal (which uses the Three network). It's £701.75 over the two-year contract.

MODEL DATA & NETWORK (1) TOTAL COST (2 YEARS) UPFRONT COST MONTHLY COST
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 128GB*
via Metrofone		 4GB/mth
EE		 £663 £159 £21
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 128GB*
via Carphone Warehouse		 50GB/mth
iD Mobile (uses Three)		 £701.75 £149.99 £22.99
Note: These are today's prices, but providers often increase prices in line with inflation or a set % during the contract. (1) All come with unlimited mins & texts unless stated otherwise and allowances are per month. Note: Deals are for newbies of that network.

Top Samsung Galaxy S20 deals

Samsung's latest standard model is the Galaxy S20 – see Galaxy S20 specs. It's not cheap, but you can save by going through resellers rather than direct to the major networks. There are 1,000s of different combos you can get with varying allowances, but to help, we've rounded up a selection of deals below that come with at least 3GB/mth data, as this is enough for most according to our last data usage poll. If these aren't for you, see our Cheap Mobile Finder tool to help you find the right deal.

MSE analysis

Samsung Galaxy S20 – what we'd go for

Right now, the cheapest way you can get a Samsung Galaxy S20 is with Three. It's £835 over the two-year contract.

If you're already with Three, then there's this 15GB/mth deal with EE via Fonehouse. It's £865 over the 24-month contract.

MODEL DATA & NETWORK (1) TOTAL COST (2 YEARS) UPFRONT COST MONTHLY COST
Samsung Galaxy S20 128GB*
via Fonehouse		 100GB/mth
Three		 £835 £19 when using code FHMSE30 on the basket page. £34
Samsung Galaxy S20 128GB*
via Fonehouse

15GB/mth

EE

 £865 £169 when using code FHMSE30 on the basket page. £29
Note: These are today's prices, but providers often increase prices in line with inflation or a set % during the contract. (1) All come with unlimited mins & texts unless stated otherwise and allowances are per month. Note: Deals are for newbies of that network.

Samsung Galaxy S20 5G

Samsung's latest flagship that's 5G capable is the Galaxy S20 5G – see Galaxy S20 5G specs. As 5G is in its infancy, models that support it are not cheap, but you can still save by going through resellers rather than direct to the networks. There are 1,000s of different combos you can get with varying allowances, but to help, we've rounded up a selection of deals below that come with at least 3GB+/mth data, as this is enough for most people according to our most recent data usage poll. If these aren't for you, see our Cheap Mobile Finder tool to help you find the right deal.

MODEL

 DATA & NETWORK (1) TOTAL COST (2 YEARS) UPFRONT COST MONTHLY COST
Samsung Galaxy S20 5G 128GB* 
via Fonehouse		 30GB/mth
Three
 £889 £49 when using code FHMSE30 on the basket page. £35
Samsung S20 5G 128GB*
via EE		 10GB/mth
EE		 £958 £70 £37
(1) All come with unlimited mins & texts unless stated otherwise and allowances are per month.

Older Samsung Galaxy models

If you're not set on getting the latest smartphone, then you can save money by plucking for an older Samsung Galaxy model. Prices take a tumble once newer models are announced, so to help you decide among the 1,000s of different combos, we've rounded up a selection of deals below that come with at least 3GB+/mth data, as this is enough for most people according to our most recent data usage poll. If these aren't for you, see our Cheap Mobile Finder tool to help you find the right deal.

MSE analysis

Older Samsung Galaxy models – what we'd go for

Right now, there are very few decent deals on Samsung's older models and some cost just as much as its latest flagships. But we've found this one for its Galaxy S10e model (released 2019) which costs £633 over the two-year contract.

MODEL

 DATA & NETWORK (1) TOTAL COST (2 YEARS) UPFRONT COST MONTHLY COST
Samsung Galaxy S10e 128GB*
via Fonehouse

4GB/mth

EE

 £633 £129 when using code FHMSE30 on the basket page. £21
Note: These are today's prices, but providers often increase prices in line with inflation or a set % during the contract. (1) All come with unlimited mins & texts unless stated otherwise and allowances are per month. Note: Deals are for newbies of that network.

How to complain about your network

The mobile industry doesn't have the best customer service reputation and while a provider may be good for some, it can be hell for others. Common problems include limited network coverage, slow data speeds, unexpected charges and more. It's always worth trying to call your provider first, but if not then…

Free tool to help you complain

This tool helps you draft and manage your complaint. It's totally free to use, and it's offered by Resolver, a firm we work with to help people get complaints justice.

RESOLVER – FREE COMPLAINTS TOOL*

If the complaint isn't resolved, Resolver can escalate it to the free Ombudsman Services (or CISAS if you're complaining about Virgin Mobile).

Important: if your issue is about a voucher or incentive that was part of an MSE Blagged deal, then instead just let us know by emailing voucherhelp@moneysavingexpert.com as that's usually quicker.

Share this guide
MSE Forum

Have your say in our forum!

Cheap Samsung Deals

Spotted out of date info/broken links? Email: brokenlink@moneysavingexpert.com

MSE Tools & Calculators

Clever ways to calculate your finances 

Cheap Energy Club

We ensure you're on the cheapest tariff

Tool

Loans Eligibility

All of the top unsecured personal loans

Tool

Credit Card Eligibility

Tools for different credit card types & purchases

Tool

Mortgage best buys

Compares thousands of mortgages

Tool

Mortgage Calculator

Eight calcs for all your mortgage sums

Tool

Free complaints tool

Resolver - the automated complaints system

Tool
Tools and Calculators
What the * means above

If a link has an * by it, that means it is an affiliated link and therefore it helps MoneySavingExpert stay free to use, as it is tracked to us. If you go through it, it can sometimes result in a payment or benefit to the site. It's worth noting this means the third party used may be named on any credit agreements.

You shouldn’t notice any difference and the link will never negatively impact the product. Plus the editorial line (the things we write) is NEVER impacted by these links. We aim to look at all available products. If it isn't possible to get an affiliate link for the top deal, it is still included in exactly the same way, just with a non-paying link. For more details, read How This Site Is Financed.

Duplicate links of the * links above for the sake of transparency, but this version doesn't help MoneySavingExpert.com: 

Bill Monitor, Buy Mobiles, Chitter Chatter, Fonehouse, iD Mobile, Mobiles.co.uk, Mobile Phones Direct, Metrofone, Three

MoneySupermarket.com Financial Group Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 303190). The registered office address of both MoneySupermarket.com Group PLC and MoneySupermarket.com Financial Group Limited (registered in England No. 3157344) is MoneySupermarket House, St. David's Park, Ewloe, Chester, CH5 3UZ. MoneySavingExpert.com Limited is an appointed representative of MoneySupermarket.com Financial Group Limited.