[Broosta]

How long does it usually take you to want another phone?
For me its normally about 12 months and then I'm counting down to the end of my 18 month contract.
Can't imagine being stuck with the same phone for 24 months!
Now I'm thinking why not get a 12 month contract - what are the cons of 12 month contracts?

[MarkE19]

Rather than 'what are the cons of 12 month contracts?' I think it is more a case of 'can you find a 12 month contract?'
Just about all new contracts are 18 months or longer and the only 12 month contracts I know of are the o2 SIM only deals. But that is fine for me as I normally buy my phones and just put whatever SIM I want in them. I find the cost of running the phone is often cheaper and I have the option of upgrading whenever I want. Plus I don't get a network branded handset or slower branded software on the phone with disabled features etc.

Mark.

[Broosta]

Well I also thought 12 month contracts were virtually a thing of the past until I was looking for HTC HD2 deals and found loads of 12 month contracts on Voda and T-mob. So that got me thinking...

[RobM]

It wont be long until 12 month contracts are a distant memory. Currently operators have to offer them, as dictated by OFCOM, but I don't see that lasting forever.

I predicted a few years ago in fact that we would follow the USA, where 24 and 36 month contracts are the norm and mobile handsets are not subsidised anywhere near the levels we enjoy here, if at all. This is slowly but surely coming true.

My prediction is SIM-Only deals will increase in popularity, 12 month contracts will disappear and 24 month contracts will start replacing 18 months, just as 18 replaced 12.