OK, so a bit of a numpty on mobile phone contracts so please bear with me -

I bought a phone (Apple Iphone 5, £70 IIRC) and T-mobile monthly contract (24 months, approx £25/mo) through affordable mobiles about 19 months ago. So, I am starting to look at updated to this contract.

The current included minutes/text/data are ideal and at a sensible price so would like to keep this if at all possible. My small brain seems to compute that the £26/mo over 24 months contract I have must cover the trade cost of the phone and the mobile package, therefore I can either keep the phone and significantly reduce the phone tariff or keep the tarriff and get a new phone (preferable, old phone is still Ok and will be passed onto another family member).

But the question I have is - who do I contact to see if there are any deals to be had on updating this package (i.e. keep the tarriff and monthly bill and get a free phone of similar status (Sony Z3 compact ideally)) - T-Mobile, Affordable Mobiles (did not get much joy by email) or do I just bite the bullet and look for a new deal elsewhere and cancel the one I have ?

Thanks in advance for any comments.

Sadly this is what Phones 4U were really good at. Which I guess is why Tmobile stiffed them

Tmobile wanted a big bill (£250) for a top banana phone last time i changed (as well as chunky contract).

Phones 4U gave me the same contract terms and prices with tmobile but the handset was free.

If you still have 5 months to go then and your not on a 'refresh' style tarrif (where phone cost and line rental are seperately financed within the monthly pauyment), then you wont be able to do much till a month or so before the contract ends.
If you are on such a deal you can pay off the phone finance and get a new one.

Once out go to any shop, look for the best deal. (if changing networks, speak to friends/neighbours about signal in your area).
You can get PAC (port auth code) and transfer your existing number to the new deal.

[Edited on 26-11-14 by loggyboy]

You have got to tell T-Mobile ( now EE ) a month before your contract ends if you don't want to renew. If you do renew expect a price hike to pay for 4g even if you only have 3g.

I am also with EE (was with Orange) and near the end of my contract, Orange were great but EE are pretty poor over the last 18 months the 3g coverage outside built up areas has went down hill because they are closing masts to finance 4g. I will initially go sim only with O2 or 3 Mobile if I get decent coverage I might consider a contract phone probably a Samsung Ace 4 as phone status is a concept beyond my ken.