How to compare fairly
For both, add up what you pay in 24 months:
- Plan with a phone: the monthly amounts, with the promotional price and the price after it, plus the one-off costs.
- Separate phone + Sim Only: the price of the phone plus the monthly amounts of your Sim Only plan.
Two examples
Prices from our comparison of 30 October 2026, both with a contract length of 24 months.
Apple iPhone 17
- With a plan (Ben 7.5 GB): 12 × €39 + 12 × €43 = €984, without one-off costs.
- Separate + Sim Only (Simpel 10 GB): €1,049 + 12 × €1 + 12 × €7.50 = €1,151.
- The plan with a phone is €167 cheaper.
Samsung Galaxy A56
- With a plan (Lebara 10 GB): €211 one-off + 6 × €4 + 18 × €8 = €379.
- Separate + Sim Only (Simpel 10 GB): €328 + €102 = €430.
- The plan with a phone is €51 cheaper.
That is down to deals: if you add a plan, you often get a discount on the phone. That isn't always the case, and prices change every day. If you find the phone separately for much less somewhere, it can tip the other way. On our pages per phone the plans are listed by what you pay in total, with the phone included.
When do you choose Sim Only?
- Your phone still works well. Then Sim Only is always cheapest, because you only pay for your plan. Why Sim Only?
- You want to be able to switch quickly. Sim Only is also available cancellable monthly.
- You don't want a loan for your phone. Device credit of €250 or more is registered with BKR, the Dutch credit registration bureau.
When do you choose a plan with a phone?
- You want a new phone anyway and the deal makes it cheaper than buying it separately.
- You would rather pay for your phone per month than in one go.
