Unlimit Mobile vs giffgaff UK: Best SIM for Students?
Srujan YeletiFounder, Unlimit Mobile
5 min read
New to the UK? Unlimit Mobile vs giffgaff — Don't Choose Your SIM Until You Read This
Landing in the UK is something that every international student pictures for months. However, you need a working phone from the moment you arrive, whether it is to call your accommodation provider, follow maps, reply to your university or take a call from your bank. Hence, many students now sort out their SIM before they fly. In this blog, we compare Unlimit Mobile vs giffgaff UK on pricing, data, UK numbers, eSIM setup, activation and flexibility.
Unlimit Mobile vs giffgaff UK: Quick Answer
Unlimit Mobile is built for students who want their UK number working before they board, with 1- to 12-month eSIM plans that can be bought and switched on from home. giffgaff, on the other hand, is a UK provider on the O2 network, with monthly rolling and 18-month plans on a SIM or eSIM. Hence, the right choice depends on whether you value advance setup, flexibility, data or total cost.
Unlimit Mobile vs giffgaff: Detailed Feature Comparison
Here is how the two compare on the features that matter most.
| Feature | Unlimit Mobile | giffgaff |
| eSIM | Yes, with instant activation | Yes, through the giffgaff app only |
| Physical SIM | Coming soon in the UK | Yes, free and posted abroad |
| UK phone number | Yes | Yes |
| Local calls and SMS | Unlimited | Unlimited on most plans |
| Data | 5GB, 20GB, 50GB or unlimited (100GB high-speed) | 2GB to unlimited |
| Calls to India | Not included | Charged at international rates |
| Roaming | Europe only, not on the unlimited plan | Up to 5GB in the EU zone |
| Installation before travel | Yes | eSIM via the app; SIM posted abroad |
| Activation | Before you fly, with no UK address or credit history | In the app; activation abroad not stated |
| Duration and renewal | 1, 3, 6 or 12 months; five-year rate lock on 12-month plans | Monthly rolling or 18 months |
| Price and cancellation | £87 to £225 for 12 months, paid once, tax included | £20 a month (100GB) or £35 (unlimited) rolling, stop any month |
It is important to note that installing an eSIM, activating the service and connecting to a network are three separate steps. Installing places the eSIM profile on your phone, activation switches your line on, and the network connection happens once you pick up a UK signal. With Unlimit Mobile, the first two steps are done at home, so your UK number is ready before you travel. giffgaff's eSIM help page says activation happens in the app and can take up to 24 hours. However, it does not say whether this works outside the UK.
Which SIM Is Better for Students Moving to the UK?
The better SIM depends on what you need most.
For Students Who Want a SIM Before Landing
Take a scenario where you have a week left before your flight to Manchester. In this case, an Unlimit Mobile eSIM can be installed and switched on before you leave, and set as your primary line after landing. It is advised to check coverage by postcode for your university first. giffgaff will post a free SIM abroad, although delivery outside Europe takes five or more working days.
For Students Who Prefer Flexible Mobile Plans
giffgaff's rolling plans can be changed or stopped every month, which suits uncertain stays. Unlimit Mobile's plans are paid upfront, with no monthly bills. If you are already in the UK, you can also move your number to Unlimit Mobile for free.
For Students Who Need to Call Home
One might assume that unlimited UK calls cover India too. But this is not the case with either provider, since Unlimit Mobile's UK plans have no India minutes and giffgaff charges international rates. Hence, most students call home on WhatsApp over Wi-Fi.
Unlimit Mobile vs giffgaff: Which Offers Better Value?
For a like-for-like comparison, giffgaff's 100GB rolling plan costs £20 a month, or £240 a year, whereas Unlimit Mobile's unlimited plan with 100GB of high-speed data costs £225 for 12 months. Please note that its cheaper 18-month plans tie you in longer, and its EU roaming is capped at 5GB. Either way, Unlimit's yearly plan costs about £195 less than O2's 12-month Unlimited plan at £35 a month.
Pros and Cons: Unlimit Mobile vs giffgaff
Both have strengths, along with points to check.
Unlimit Mobile
Pros: Your UK number works before you fly, and parents can pay from their home country, for example by UPI from India. Every plan includes hotspot, with no overage charges.
Cons: The UK physical SIM is not yet available, roaming excludes the unlimited plan, and India minutes are not included.
giffgaff
Pros: Rolling plans can be stopped in any month; the SIM is free, and EU roaming is included.
Cons: Activation through the app can take up to 24 hours, and giffgaff does not state whether it works outside the UK.
Final Verdict: Which UK SIM Should You Choose?
In short, giffgaff suits students already in the UK who want monthly flexibility, whereas Unlimit Mobile suits those who want a working number on arrival day and one fixed price for their stay. Explore Unlimit Mobile's UK eSIM options before your journey!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Unlimit Mobile better than giffgaff for international students in the UK?
It is if you want your UK number working before you land. giffgaff may suit students already in the UK who prefer rolling plans.
Can I install a giffgaff eSIM before travelling to the UK?
It is not clear. giffgaff sets up its eSIM through its app, and its help pages do not state whether this can be done outside the UK.
Does giffgaff provide a UK phone number and local calls?
Yes. Every giffgaff SIM comes with a UK number, and most plans include unlimited UK calls and texts.
Can I keep my Indian number while using a UK eSIM?
Yes, if your phone supports dual SIM, you can check on our device compatibility page. Keep your Indian SIM for bank OTPs and set the UK eSIM as your primary line.
