O2 Mobile Review
O2 SIM Only Deals
O2 Mobile is a large mobile phone company in the UK that provides services like mobile plans, SIM cards, and data deals. It’s part of a global company called Telefónica. O2 gives people the option to get a pay monthly phone or a pay-as-you-go plan, where you only pay for what you use.
O2 has a really strong network, so you can get good 4G and 5G coverage for fast internet and calls almost everywhere in the UK. They also have cool extras like O2 Priority, where you can get access to special tickets and offers for things like concerts, events, and more.
If you’re looking for an affordable O2 SIM-only deal, there are some great offers available right now, like 40GB of data for £8 and 60GB of data for £9.99 per month (on a 12-month contract).
Both deals give you access to O2’s 4G and 5G networks across the UK, plus European roaming at no extra cost (up to 25GB per month). You’ll also enjoy O2 Priority tickets and exclusive offers, as well as extra perks if you’re a Virgin Media customer, such as double data and USA roaming included.
What SIM Only Deals Can You Get With O2 Mobile?
O2 offers great flexibility with its Custom Plans, making it easy to tailor your pay monthly contract to suit your needs. When you choose a handset plus airtime deal, your bill is split into two parts: the cost of your device (your handset) and the cost of your airtime (data, texts, and minutes). This setup allows you to make changes if needed.
You can customize the length of your device plan from 3 to 36 months when you sign your contract, giving you control over how much you pay upfront and how much to spread across the term. No matter which length you choose, you can upgrade your device at any time by paying off the remaining balance on your device.
O2 also lets you change your SIM plan every 30 days, so you can adjust your data allowance as your needs change—whether you need more data or less. Once you’ve paid off your device, you can switch to a rolling monthly airtime plan that you can cancel with just one month’s notice. In addition to phones, O2 offers a variety of other devices like tablets, laptops, and smartwatches.
Does O2 Mobile Have Pay As You Go?
If you’re looking for a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) plan, O2 has some affordable and simple phones to choose from, but you won’t find the latest iPhones or Samsungs. It’s a good option if you just need a basic phone and want to keep things flexible.
O2’s PAYG SIM deals are called Big Bundles, and they give you lots of data, plus unlimited texts and calls every month. The best part? Any data you don’t use will roll over to the next month as long as you renew your bundle. Just make sure you have enough credit in your account to renew, or you’ll be charged at regular rates.
If you already have a phone you like, O2’s pay-monthly SIM-only plans might be a good fit. You can pick from 30-day, 12-month, or 24-month contracts, with different amounts of data, from 1GB to Unlimited. No matter which one you choose, you’ll get unlimited texts and calls. The price depends on how much data you want and how long you’re okay with being on the plan.
What Phones And Devices Can You Get With O2?
O2 has a big selection of pay-monthly and PAYG phones, from cheaper options to the latest high-end smartphones. You can pick from popular brands like Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi, plus other cool brands like Oppo and OnePlus. O2 also lets you pre-order new phones before they come out.
If you want a cheaper phone, O2 sells ‘Like New’ phones on pay monthly plans. These are refurbished phones that have been checked, wiped clean of all old stuff, and come with the same plans and extras as new phones.
You can even sell your old phone to O2 through their O2 Recycle scheme, no matter which network you’re with. But if your phone is in good condition and you still have the box, you might make more money selling it on eBay.
O2 also sells cool tech gadgets like Apple Watches, Samsung Galaxy watches, VR headsets, wireless earbuds, fitness trackers, and Bluetooth speakers.
How Is O2 Mobile's Coverage?
O2 is one of the four main mobile networks in the UK, alongside Vodafone, EE, and Three. Other providers like Tesco Mobile and Sky Mobile also use O2’s network to offer their services. After Virgin Media merged with O2, Virgin Mobile fully switched to the O2 network. While the Virgin Mobile brand still exists, you can no longer get a Virgin Mobile deal—it’s all part of O2 now.
O2 covers over 99% of the UK with its 2G, 3G, and 4G networks. As for 5G, O2 now covers more than 50% of the UK population, with coverage in over 3,200 towns, cities, and smaller locations. This includes major cities like London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Glasgow, as well as smaller places like Derby, Coventry, and Hull.
In 2024, O2 launched its 5G Standalone network in cities like Manchester, Birmingham, and Glasgow, offering faster speeds, lower delays, and better capacity in busy areas. This is part of O2’s ongoing investment of £1 million per day in improving its network.
You can check O2’s network coverage on their website to see if 4G or 5G is available in your area. Even if you’re not in a 5G zone, you can still use O2’s reliable 4G network if you have a 5G-enabled device.
Are O2 Mobile And Virgin Mobile The Same?
Yes, O2 and Virgin Mobile are the same now! After Virgin Media and O2 merged, Virgin Mobile started using O2’s network for all its mobile services. Even though Virgin Mobile still has its name, all the phone plans and services are now part of O2. So, if you’re with Virgin Mobile, you’re actually using O2’s network, but everything still works the same.
The good news is that if you’re already with Virgin Mobile, you don’t need to worry. Your service and plans will still work the same way, but now you’re connected to O2’s strong network, which has lots of great features like 5G coverage and special extras through O2 Priority. So, while the brand name might be different, the service you get is basically from O2!
Final Thoughts - Is O2 Mobile Good?
O2 is a great choice for mobile phones because it’s flexible with prices and how long you want your contract. The network works well, and their 5G coverage keeps getting bigger, so you can enjoy faster speeds. There are lots of phones and plans to pick from, too. Plus, if you travel, O2 Travel makes it easy to use your phone abroad.
If you love going to gigs or events, O2 Priority is awesome. It gives you early access to pre-sale tickets, special exhibitions, and discounts at shops. When picking a mobile network, most of them are pretty similar, so it’s all about which one works best where you spend the most time, especially when you’re not at home with Wi-Fi.