Been searching online for mobile phone deals? Want the hottest new handset or smart phone but don’t think you have the money to afford the model you want? That’s all about to change thanks to MobilePhoneDeals.ie.

 

MobilePhoneDeals.ie is the brand new mobile phone comparison website and the first of its kind to be dedicated to the Irish mobile phones market.

 

All the latest mobile phones

 

Whether you want the latest models from Apple or HTC; smart phones from Blackberry; or more basic handsets from the likes of Nokia and Samsung; Mobilephonedeals.ie will do all the hard work for you.

 

Instead of visiting several websites looking for the best deal on a new phone, Mobilephonedeals.ie removes all the effort. Simply select the manufacturer and the model you’re looking for and it will return all of the mobile phone deals available – including both contract deals and PAYG deals – from all the major networks. So instead of going from 3 Mobile to Vodafone to O2 and so on, all you have to do is use the Mobilephonedeals.ie comparison tool – and it will show you all the offers from all the networks with either the cheapest handset or cheapest line rental listed first.

 

Finding the right mobile phone deals for you

 

Cheap mobile phone deals are certainly appealing – but sometimes they can be a false economy. Just because you get a great offer on a smart phone or handset doesn’t mean it is the right deal for you: as if you sign up for a contract that doesn’t meet your needs in terms of minutes and texts you could pay extortionate charges for exceeding your limit each month.

 

That’s why MobilePhoneDeals.ie has a filter on its comparison tool that allows you to search based on the number of call minutes and text messages you typically send each month. So if you want just 30 free minutes a month – all the way up to an unlimited deal, you can find all of the offers here from across the networks.

 

Which mobile phones can you find?

 

The beauty of MobilePhoneDeals.ie is that it is not restricted to showing deals from one or two manufacturers that it has an agreement with. On the contrary, Mobilephonedeals.ie is completely independent: and will list all of the mobile phones available across the full range of Irish mobile phone networks. So whether you want the latest version of the Apple iPhone; a cool new Blackberry Curve; or a HTC Desire or Wildfire model; you’ll find them all here. In addition, you can rest assured that MobilePhoneDeals.ie is constantly updated with the latest offers: so when these handsets seem like old news, you’ll have access to brand new models at the best available prices.

 

 

If you’ve come to MobilePhoneDeals.ie to find the best mobile phone deal for your needs then you’ve made a great start. However, using its comparison tool alone won’t automatically find you the best phone deal for your individual needs – you’ll also need to do a little bit of research too and follow these steps to securing an offer that’s right for you.

 

Should you choose a contract or PAYG?

 

The first step is to think about whether you want a mobile phone contract or PAYG. 

 

With a contract you’ll pay a monthly fee and get an inclusive bundle that will include a combination of texts, minutes and data. The advantage is that you won’t run out of credit and these deals are often better suited to heavy callers and texters. Smart phones are also generally cheaper when bought with a contract – so signing up for a mobile phone contract can be a great way of getting the handset you want for less. 

 

Meanwhile, PAYG is the best option for light users as there is no fixed contract and you simply pay for what you use. It should make it easier to budget each month and there are no credit checks.

 

How to get the cheapest mobile phone contract

 

Assuming you opt for a contract deal, you should look to pinpoint your exact usage. Take a look back at old mobile phone bills and try to work out as accurately as possible how many calls/texts you are using on a monthly basis; and look at your data charges too if relevant. If you want to save time, you could even ring your provider and ask it directly: just be aware that it may try to get you on to a new deal that may sound appealing but might not be the best offer that’s out there for you. 

 

Once you know how many minutes/texts/data you are using, your aim should be to match this amount as closely as possible with a contract. To do this you can use a comparison website – such as MobilePhoneDeals.ie. MobilePhoneDeals.ie has the advantage of being completely independent and exclusive to the Irish market: meaning it will search across all of the networks available in Ireland in order to find you the best available deal for your needs. 

 

SIM-only or a brand new phone?

 

Another key consideration is whether you want a SIM-only deal or whether you want a brand new mobile phone attached to your contract.

 

Generally, SIM-only deals will always be cheaper as you simply get the SIM-card with the tariff and you stick with the phone you already have: great if you already have a handset you enjoy using. However, you may want to tie your new deal with a new handset too: with some networks even offering free handsets as part of a contract. Use MobilePhoneDeals.ie to make sure you’re getting the best offer however, and don’t be swayed by clever marketing.

 

 

If you’re relatively new to the world of mobile phones you may not know the ins and out of how they work and what’s available: perhaps you’ve just glanced across at members of the younger generation feverishly tapping away at their phones using them for everything from playing games to listening to music.

 

Such advanced handsets are generally known as smartphones: here we take a look at how smartphones work and some of their key features.

 

So what does the term smartphone actually mean?

 

A mobile phone will allow you to make phone calls and perhaps offer a few basic additional technologies, such as sending text messages. However, a smartphone offers features that, in the past, you would only have found on computers or personal digital assistants. You may remember personal digital assistants (PDAs) that were used like portable organisers. They could store contacts, could sync with your computer and allowed you to create to-do lists. From these devices, smartphones were born. PDAs added wireless connectivity and the ability to send emails – and then they added many of the features of traditional mobile phones, such as messaging and calls; while phones themselves started to add the features you would normally have seen on a PDA. The result was that the two effectively merged and the smartphone was born. 

 

So what features will a smartphone include?

 

Smartphones will vary between manufacturers: there is no set list that all of them must include, which is why it is sensible to shop around and think carefully about the features that are important to you. However, here are some of the key features that make them different from regular mobile phones:

 

- Operating system (OS): A smartphone will use an operating system to run applications. For example, Apple uses the iOS on its iPhone; while Blackberry uses the Blackberry OS; and other devices may use Microsoft’s Windows Phone or Google’s Android OS. 

 

- Apps: Apps is short for applications. Most mobile phones include some software – from basic address books to contact managers; but smartphones go to another level. For example, they may include, or allow you to download apps from a computer, that can be used to: edit photographs; act as personal and business managers; create a playlist for your music; get driving directions with a GPS; and more. 

 

- Web access: Most smartphones will allow you to access the internet at high speeds thanks to the growth of the 3G, and now 4G networks. All smartphones will offer some form of web access.

 

- Messaging: All mobile phones should be able to send and receive text messages. However, smartphones can also handle emails and are able to sync with personal or professional email accounts; as well as offering popular instant messaging services.

 

 

Do you want the latest mobile phone or smartphone but you have a bad credit history? MobilePhoneDeals.ie will help you compare phones and find the best mobile phone deals even if you have a less than stellar credit report.

Consider PAYG

 

The obvious step if you want a smartphone but have bad credit, is to consider a PAYG deal. With PAYG there are absolutely no credit checks as you are not tied into a contract: you simply pay for as much credit as you need each month, topping up as and when you need to using vouchers, going online, or on the phone itself. PAYG deals are also beneficial because they make it easier to budget: you’ll know exactly what you’re spending each month and there is no risk of exceeding a monthly allowance. They are also a cheaper option for light phone users. MobilePhoneDeals.ie will compare phone deals across the PAYG market. 

 

What about a mobile phone contract for bad credit?

 

If you’re certain you want a mobile phone contract but have a bad credit history then you run the risk of having applications refused: which can cause further harm to your credit rating. As such you should take all the steps you can to enhance your chances of being accepted. These include:

 

- Improve your credit rating: If you’re willing to wait a while before getting the smartphone of your choice, take some general steps to improve your credit rating. These can include: registering on the electoral roll; staying at your existing address for several years; maintaining regular employment; and potentially taking out a low interest credit card which you pay off in full each month. You could even run a credit check with Experian or Equifax to see if there are any errors on your credit file which you can put right. 

 

- Opt for a SIM-only deal: Generally your chances of being accepted are much higher if you are willing to opt for a SIM-only deal. If you can prove to a mobile phone provider that you will pay your contract in full each month then you may be able to switch to another contract with a smartphone attached after a few months.

 

- Build up loyalty: If you can’t get the mobile phone deal you want now, then consider signing up for a PAYG deal with the network of your choice and building loyalty. Once a provider sees that you are able to make consistent PAYG payments it may be more likely to accept you on to a contract. 

 

- Space out your applications: As mentioned, making consistent applications for a mobile phone contract and being turned down will only harm your credit rating further. So space out your applications and look to improve your circumstances to increase your chances of acceptance. 

 

Isn’t it always the way? You see a fantastic new smartphone or hear about a brilliant new mobile phone deal: but you’re already tied into a long term contract. Mobile phone companies aren’t going to make it easy for you to leave a contract: but there are some steps you can take to boost your chances of an early escape.

 

Move to a cheaper deal

 

If you’re exceeding your minutes/texts allowances each month; or perhaps not using anywhere near the number that you are permitted; then it’s sensible to move to a cheaper plan. Most networks offer numerous tariffs, so use MobilePhoneDeals.ie to compare phone deals based on your usage. Then highlight this offer to your existing provider and see if it is willing to move you to a more suitable deal. Just remember not to sign up for more minutes and texts than you need: as this will be more expensive in the long run.

 

If you’re still in a contract deal and want to switch you can port a number to another provider but you’ll still be obliged to pay the monthly fee until your existing contract ends. So look to move to the cheapest deal first: and then either pay it off in one chunk or let it run until your contract expires.

 

Take advantage of changes

 

In some cases it may be possible to use changes in your contract as a means to escape. For example, if a provider increases your prices then you may be able to claim that this is unfair and therefore be able to escape the contract early.

 

However, bear in mind that this will largely depend on the size of the change that is being implemented. Most providers will state in the small print that they are able to adjust their prices by five- to 10 per cent at any time. So get ready for a fight.

 

Weigh up your options

 

Even if you can’t escape your mobile phone contract early, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t bother to switch to a new mobile phone deal.

 

For example, you may be able to save money by moving to a cheaper deal from another network that is more suitable based on your monthly usage, even if you factor in paying off your existing contract. It’s worth carrying out a quick cost analysis based on how much you would have to pay on the remainder of your existing contract; and your potential savings each month by switching: it may still work out cheaper to make the move.

 

To determine the right move for you, use MobilePhoneDeals.ie to compare phones. As an added bonus, you might even be able to get a new mobile phone handset or smartphone to sweeten the deal.