Budgeting & Savings

I Thought I Scored A Deal, But I Ended Up Paying More Than Double For My Phone And Data Bundle

This content is brought to you by SIMBAI’m not an influencer, but I love capturing moments through pictures and videos! From the food that I eat to the places I visit, I document every part of my life digitally. I even take photos of myself on the days when I’m just lounging at home doing nothing. My phone has become a visual diary of my life. So, when it was time to upgrade my phone, I knew I had to go for the latest iPhone. Its advanced camera system, impressive zoom features, and top-notch video quality were exactly what I was looking for. But, of course, all these high-end specs came with a hefty price tag – the phone costs over $1,500! Luckily for me, I stumbled on a bundle deal that would allow me to get the phone for free! All I had to do was sign up for a package deal that included 350GB of mobile data for over $160 a month, which was exactly what I needed for my new phone anyway. While the two-year contract meant I’d be locked in for a while, I couldn’t pass up what felt like a great bargain as I’d practically be getting an iPhone for free! At first, everything seemed perfect. I was happily making my monthly payments and enjoying my sleek new phone. But as time went on, I noticed that my plan was quite expensive, and I was paying much more than my friends who were paying for their mobile plan each month. That’s because, in order to get the phone for free, I had signed up for their most expensive package. Concerned, I tried to switch to a more affordable plan. I had found an incredible deal – a mobile plan with 300GB data for just $10 every 30 days! This plan even included additional APAC roaming, and international roaming data to over 60 countries, which is something I had to pay extra for in my current plan, whenever I travelled. However, when I tried to make the change, I was informed that I couldn’t switch due to the terms tied to my package deal. I was stuck with my monthly bill of $160! After doing the math, I was shocked to realise just how much more I was paying for the package. If I had purchased the items separately, I would have paid around $1,600 for the phone and $240 for two years of mobile plans, which even included roaming data. The total for that would be well under $2,000. But with the plan I subscribed to, I would be paying more than double – and worst of all, I was tied down for 2 years! Although my mobile plan was more costly, I had to honour the terms of my contract. While this was a painful lesson, I've since learnt from the experience. Now, I always do the math and check on my usage before committing to any deals or contracts. Sponsored content by  SIMBA.You might think you are getting a great deal when you sign up for a package that offers a free phone, but in reality, you are paying more than double with a lock-in contract that you can’t break. A smarter way is to buy the phone and mobile plan separately. This could save you a lot of money, as you’ll only be paying for what you actually need and not because it is simply part of the package. For example, SIMBA offers an amazing SuperRoam10 plan that comes with 300GB that can be used in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong or just $10 for 30 days! This plan even comes with 12GB of APAC roaming and 3GB of international roaming to 60+ countries. Best of all, as there is no contract, you’re never locked in (though you’ll probably want to stay on this deal for a long time!). Plus, EXCLUSIVELY to The Simple Sum readers, when you port your existing number to SIMBA, you’ll receive $20 in free SIMBA credit, which you can use for upcoming renewals. This means that if you are on the $10 plan, you’ll get two cycles free! But act fast because this offer is only available until 13 April 2025 at eight SIMBA Service Centres. Just say the quote “Simply The Best” to get the offer. So, make your switch today and start saving! SIMBA Service Centres: Orchard Central 181 Orchard Road, #04-25/25A Orchard Central, S238896 11am - 9pm daily Kaki Bukit 1 Kaki Bukit View, #02-10 Techview 9am - 6pm daily Clementi 442 Clementi Ave 3, #01-87A, S120442 11am - 3pm, 4pm - 8pm daily PLQ10 Paya Lebar Road, #B1-27 PLQ Mall, S409057 11am - 3pm, 4pm - 8pm daily Pasir Ris7 Pasir Ris Central, #02-K11, Pasir Ris Mall, S519612 11am - 3pm, 4pm - 8pm daily Thomson Plaza 301 Upper Thomson Rd, #01-81, Thomson Plaza, S574408 11am - 3pm, 4pm - 8pm daily Tengah127 Plantation Crescent, #B1-03, Plantation Plaza, S690127 11am - 3pm, 4pm - 8pm daily NexSerangoon Bus Interchange, 20 Serangoon Ave 2 Booth B, S556138 11am - 3pm, 4pm - 8pm daily