What is O2 Switch Up? Explained

With O2 Switch Up, you can swap your O2 phone as many times as you’d like during your contract, including to the latest phones such as the Apple iPhone 16 and Samsung Galaxy S24.

O2 Switch Up is included with Plus Plans at no additional cost. If you’re on a Custom Plan, you can add Switch Up as a Bolt On for £3.99 per month, however you must do this at the time of signing up for your contract - you cannot add Switch Up at a later date.

In order to be eligible for a swap, your phone must be in a good condition, with no cracks, chips or deep scratches. In addition, the phone you wish to trade in must be the same phone that was originally included as part of your Plus Plan or Custom Plan - an exception applies if you’ve since had your phone replaced with a different model from an insurance claim.

Once you’ve decided which phone you wish to swap to, you must visit an O2 store, where a shop assistant will inspect your current phone to ensure it is in a good condition. If it’s in a good condition, your current plan will be settled, meaning you won’t have to pay any remaining amounts on your contract.

However, whenever you swap your phone, you will be starting a new Plus Plan or Custom plan, which are typically 24 or 36 month contracts. Your new contract may be more expensive or cheaper, depending on the value of the phone you are upgrading to.

There are no additional fees whenever you swap your phone, or limits on the amount of times you can swap during your contract. As long as your phone’s in a good condition, you’re good to go.

Which phones can I swap to with Switch Up?

With O2 Switch Up, you can swap to any phone you like, including the latest devices such as the Apple iPhone 16 and Samsung Galaxy S24.

You should be aware that whenever you swap with O2 Switch Up, you’ll be taking out a new 24 or 36 month contract. If you’re trading in for the latest tech, your new contract may be more expensive compared to your previous contract. On the flip side, if you’re trading in for a mid-range device, your new contract may actually be cheaper.

For a discount, O2 also allow you to swap to a “Like New” phone, which are essentially refurbished devices.

Can I be denied a swap with Switch Up?

If your phone is in a bad condition and does not meet the criteria for good condition, you will be denied a swap from O2.

You must also have a Switch Up plan. If you originally purchased Switch Up separately as a Bolt On, but have since cancelled the Bolt On, you will no longer be eligible for a swap.

In addition, whenever you use O2 Switch Up, a credit check will be performed for your new contract. If you do not pass the credit check, you won’t be able to swap for a new phone.

What if my phone is not in a good condition?

Unfortunately, if your phone is not in a good condition, you won’t be eligible to swap for a new device, even if you have Switch Up.

However, if you originally took out insurance with your O2 contract, you may be able to get your current phone repaired or replaced, so that it can be restored to a good condition and meet the criteria for a swap.

Alternatively, if you don’t have insurance, you can pay O2 to have your phone repaired to a good condition so that it meets the criteria for Switch Up.

What is the criteria for good condition?

The criteria for good condition looks at several aspects of a phone, including:

• No cracks, chips or deep scratches
• No damage to the screen, including dead pixels or brightness issues
• Fulling working functionality, as intended by the manufacturer when originally sold
• No water damage
• Genuine parts with no third party replacements
• No software locks, such as with Apple Find My or Google Find My Device
• No reported IMEI numbers

What will happen to my old phone?

Your old phone will be wiped, inspected and refurbished, so that it can be sold to another O2 customer as a “Like New” device.

Are there any alternatives to O2 Switch Up?

Although there are similar alternatives to Switch Up with other networks, O2 are the only network that allows you to swap as many times as you like, without limits.

Sky are a noteworthy alternative, offering a similar service with Sky Swap, however unlike with O2 Switch Up, you can only swap every 31 days. Sky Swap is slightly more flexible with damaged phones, as you can still swap by paying an upfront fee depending on the severity of the damage. With O2 Switch Up, you can only swap as long as your phone is in a good condition.

Is O2 Switch Up worth it?

That depends. If you’re someone who always likes to have the latest phone, then O2 Switch Up can offer good value for money, as you won’t need to pay an early upgrade fee that is normally required with traditional contracts.

However, broadly speaking, O2 is not the cheapest network for phone contracts, and their Plus Plans and Custom Plans are certainly no exceptions.

Compared to cheaper networks such as Three and iD Mobile, O2 charge an exceptional premium for their airtime tariffs, with less data for your money. Having said that, O2 do offer additional extras that you normally don’t get with cheaper networks, such as UK only call centres and additional add-ons like Apple Music and Disney+.

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