Refresh Guide Updated January 2026

O2 Refresh: How It Works & Early Upgrades

Everything you need to know about O2 Refresh contracts. Understand how Device Plan and Airtime work together, your early upgrade options, how to pay off your phone, and what it costs to upgrade.

Disclaimer: This is an independent help resource and is not affiliated with O2, Telefonica UK, or Virgin Media O2. For official support, visit o2.co.uk

We've helped thousands of readers understand O2 Refresh contracts and their upgrade options. Here's what you need to know about Device Plans and Airtime.

How O2 Refresh Works

O2 Refresh is O2's approach to phone contracts. Instead of one monthly payment that covers everything, your bill is split into two separate parts: the Device Plan and the Airtime Plan.

Device Plan

The cost of your phone spread over your contract

Pays for your handset
Fixed monthly amount
Ends when phone is paid off
No annual price increases

Airtime Plan

Your calls, texts, and data allowance

Covers your monthly allowances
Can be upgraded or changed
Subject to annual increases
Continues after Device Plan ends

Example O2 Refresh Contract

Component	Monthly Cost	Contract Length
Device Plan (iPhone 15)	£35.00	36 months
Airtime Plan (100GB data)	£25.00	36 months (then rolling)
Total Monthly	£60.00	-

Key Benefit: With O2 Refresh, you can see exactly how much you are paying for your phone versus your tariff. When your Device Plan ends, your bill automatically drops by that amount.

Quick tip from our team: Check your Device Plan balance regularly in the My O2 app. Readers often forget their plan is nearly paid off and miss the chance to save money or upgrade early.

Early Upgrade Options

O2 Refresh gives you flexibility to upgrade to a new phone before your contract ends. Here are your options:

Option 1: Pay Off and Upgrade

Pay off the remaining balance on your Device Plan, then start a new contract with a new phone.

Pay the outstanding amount on your Device Plan
Your Airtime Plan continues or can be renewed
Start a new Device Plan for your new phone
You keep your current phone (it is yours once paid off)

In our experience: Readers who keep their phone in good condition with a screen protector and case get significantly higher trade-in values. It's worth the upfront investment.

Option 2: Trade In and Upgrade

Trade in your current phone to reduce or eliminate your remaining Device Plan balance.

O2 values your current phone
Trade-in value is applied to your outstanding balance
Pay any remaining difference
Start a new Device Plan for your new phone

Option 3: Wait for Contract End

Wait until your Device Plan ends, then upgrade without any early termination costs.

No additional costs when Device Plan completes
Your bill drops automatically when Device Plan ends
Upgrade at any time after Device Plan finishes
Keep your phone and continue with just Airtime

Tip: Check your remaining Device Plan balance in the My O2 app. If you are close to the end, it may be worth waiting a few months to avoid paying off the balance.

Paying Off Your Device

You can pay off your Device Plan at any time without penalty. Here is how:

Check Your Balance: Log in to the My O2 app or your online account to see your remaining Device Plan balance.
Decide Your Next Step: Choose whether you want to upgrade to a new phone or just own your current phone outright.
Contact O2: Call 202 from your O2 mobile or visit an O2 store to arrange payment of your Device Plan balance.
Make Payment: Pay the outstanding balance by card or through the My O2 app.
Confirmation: Your Device Plan will be marked as complete, and you will only pay for your Airtime from then on.

What Happens After Paying Off?

Lower Monthly Bill: Your bill reduces by the Device Plan amount immediately
You Own the Phone: The phone is yours with no further obligations
Airtime Continues: Your Airtime Plan continues until you change or cancel it
Free to Switch: You can switch networks at any time without paying off anything

Note: There are no early payment fees or penalties for paying off your Device Plan early. The balance is simply the remaining cost of the phone.

Upgrade Costs Explained

Understanding the costs involved when upgrading with O2 Refresh:

If You Upgrade Early

Cost Component	Amount
Remaining Device Plan Balance	Variable (check My O2)
Trade-In Credit (if applicable)	Reduces balance
New Phone Upfront Cost	£0 - £hundreds (varies by phone)
New Device Plan Monthly	Depends on new phone chosen

If You Upgrade at Contract End

Cost Component	Amount
Remaining Device Plan Balance	£0 (already paid off)
New Phone Upfront Cost	£0 - £hundreds (varies by phone)
New Device Plan Monthly	Depends on new phone chosen

Trade-In Values

Trade-in values depend on:

Phone Model: Newer and premium phones have higher trade-in values
Condition: Working phones in good condition get better prices
Market Demand: Values fluctuate based on demand
Storage Capacity: Higher storage models may have slightly higher values

Important: Trade-in values can change quickly. Get an up-to-date quote from O2 before making upgrade decisions.

O2 Refresh FAQs

What happens to my Airtime Plan when my Device Plan ends?

Your Airtime Plan continues as normal after your Device Plan ends. Your monthly bill will automatically reduce by the Device Plan amount. You can continue with your current Airtime Plan, upgrade it, or switch to a different tariff.

Can I change my Airtime Plan during my contract?

Yes, you can upgrade your Airtime Plan at any time to get more data, minutes, or texts. Downgrading may require you to wait until your minimum term ends. Changes to Airtime do not affect your Device Plan.

Does my Device Plan price ever increase?

No, your Device Plan monthly payment is fixed for the duration of your contract. Only the Airtime Plan is subject to the annual CPI+3.9% price increases that O2 applies each April.

What if I want to leave O2 before my Device Plan ends?

You can leave O2 at any time, but you must pay off your remaining Device Plan balance. You can request your PAC code to keep your number and transfer to another network. The Airtime Plan cancellation is separate from the Device Plan settlement.

Can I sell my phone after paying off the Device Plan?

Yes, once you have paid off your Device Plan, the phone belongs to you outright. You can sell it, trade it in, give it away, or keep it as a spare. There are no restrictions on what you do with the phone.

How do I check my Device Plan balance?

You can check your remaining Device Plan balance in the My O2 app under Account or Payment Details. You can also call 202 from your O2 mobile or log in to your account online at o2.co.uk.

Is O2 Refresh better than a traditional contract?

O2 Refresh offers more transparency and flexibility. You can see exactly what you pay for your phone versus your tariff, pay off your phone early without penalty, and your bill drops when the Device Plan ends. Traditional contracts bundle everything together with less visibility.

More O2 Refresh Resources

If you need further assistance with O2 Refresh:

Call 202: Free from your O2 mobile (Mon-Fri 8am-9pm, Sat-Sun 8am-8pm)
Call 0344 809 0202: From any other phone
My O2 App: Check your Device Plan balance and manage your account
Visit an O2 Store: Get in-person help with upgrades and trade-ins
O2 Help Centre: Browse all O2 help topics

Sources & References

Written by Sarah Mitchell

Mobile & Broadband Specialist

Sarah has over 8 years of experience helping UK consumers navigate mobile and broadband issues. Previously worked in telecommunications customer service and now writes guides to help others avoid common pitfalls.

Last reviewed: January 2026