Latest news with #iDMobile
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Major provider offering £418 FREEBIE bundle with Samsung Galaxy S24 – deals from £25p/m
IF you're shopping for a new phone, this Samsung deal is hard to ignore. is throwing in a tech bundle worth £418 when you pick up the Galaxy S24, with contract plans starting at just £24.99 a month. BUY HERE Samsung is no stranger to dishing out freebies, and lately, we've seen several generous offers making the rounds. Right now, one of the best comes from on the Samsung Galaxy S24. Plans start from just £14 per month, though that does come with a hefty upfront cost. The standout deal for me is on the iD Mobile network: 500GB of data for just £24.99 per month, and only £99 upfront. That alone is strong value, but you'll also get a pair of Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro (worth £179) thrown in free, delivered to the same address as your handset. Already a solid bundle, for a limited time, you can also lay claim to a Samsung Galaxy Watch7 BT, worth £239, at no extra cost. That means you're walking away with a new Android ecosystem and £418 worth of free gear, hard to argue with that. There's no catch either; this deal comes with a top-tier Samsung handset that's still one of the brand's best. The phone boasts a crisp 6.2-inch 2X AMOLED display and a beefy 3880mAh battery, bigger than what Apple's top iPhone offers. Its triple-rear camera setup is equally impressive, enhanced by Samsung's Galaxy AI smarts for better shots. While I haven't tested the device myself, the specs speak for themselves. Our tech team got hands-on with the series in their Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review and came away impressed by the AI features. As our tech expert Sean Keach noted, the AI can even 'break down lengthy text into a nice quick read.' Sean also noted how the cameras' improved low-light photos produce 'vibrant colours and objects with extreme detail.' With Samsung promising seven years of software updates, the S24 still has a long life ahead and remains a smart Android buy. That said, Samsung has just added a new member to its lineup, the Galaxy S25 Edge. Touted as the thinnest Samsung phone yet, the Edge is a stylish, slightly whimsical option, not for everyone, but certainly eye-catching. Tech editor Jamie Harris tried it out and noted, 'I can't remember the last time I held a phone of this size and power that felt this light.' So if you're after a big screen without the bulk, it's a compelling alternative. Still, if it's top value you're chasing, looking back a generation or two is a smart move, and with freebies like these, it's a no-brainer. To claim your free watch, you'll need to purchase the Galaxy S24 between June 25 and July 29, 2025. Freebies must be claimed within 14 days and will be dispatched within 21 days of a successful claim. The Galaxy Watch redemption closes on August 28, 2025, so don't miss the deadline. And if this deal's not quite your match, check out our roundup of the best SIM-only deals across all major networks for more great savings.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Tourists issued warning over hidden £300 charge in popular European holiday destination as people call it 'disgusting'
Holidaymakers heading to Corfu this summer have been warned of a hidden network charge that could cost them hundreds before they've even stepped out of the airport. Tourists have been left baffled by a 'Welcome to Albania' text message they'd received shortly after touching down at Corfu Airport - despite being on a Greek island. An employee from MailOnline, who recently holidayed at the popular European hotspot, shared a text he'd received upon landing from a service named 'Rate Advice.' It reads: 'Welcome to Albania! Calls, texts and data in Albania are chargeable and do not come out of your standard allowances or UK data add-ons. Roam Beyond data add-ons for this destination are available in the iD Mobile app for as little as GBP5.00. 'If you haven't already purchased a Roam Beyond data add-on, it will cost GBP1.50 per MB. Minutes and texts are not included , and will cost GBP0.60 per text to roam. To protect you from excessive charges, a GBP45.00 roaming data cap is in place.' Though Corfu in the northwestern corner of Greece, it is situated only a short stretch (48.2 km) from Ksamil, a small coastal village in the riviera of Southern Albania. Because of the island's location, the strength of the Albanian mobile phone signals near the coast can cause phones to connect to them automatically, even when the user is in Greece. Some holidaymakers have taken to social media over the summer to warn others of unexpected charges and sky-high phone bills. An employee from MailOnline, who recently holidayed at the popular European hotspot, shared a text he'd received upon landing from a service named 'Rate Advice' Steve Moore, from Chesterfield, shared his experience in the popular Facebook group, We Love Sidari, writing: 'I arrived Sunday, usual welcome text to corfu charges just the same as UK - 2 days later message welcome to Albania this is your charges. 'Wow what a rip off, phoned company and after 45 mins of conversation was told the network must of changed to a different mast. You need to keep an eye on it otherwise it will cost you a lot.' Another Facebook user chimed, 'Only if you go to the east of the island. I did that mistake while on a quad. Using google maps. £128 to drive up road lol,' while a third added, 'We got caught out £298 bill when we got home.' To avoid these charges, travellers are urged to either inform their provider of the situation, turn off 'roaming,' or manually select a Greek network in their phone's settings instead of relying on automatic network selection. One Facebook user suggested: 'All you do is let your phone set it's paired Greek network automatically when you arrive on the island at the airport. 'Once it's selected the correct Greek network, go into your settings and turn OFF "automatically select network". This means your phone will not hunt for or connect to anything else other than your correct Greek network.' They also warned users to 'remember to turn it back on when you get back to UK'. Another urged: 'Just carry on then when you get back tell your provider to do one. You're not gonna pay for a different provider. I did and got all charges stopped,' while a third shared, 'We keep our roaming off at all times and just log into WiFi in bars, hotels, etc.' Some holidaymakers have taken to social media over the summer to warn others of unexpected charges and sky-high phone bills It comes after a travel expert revealed an overlooked phone setting that could end up costing holidaymakers hundreds in unexpected roaming charges. Georgia Brivida, of international SIM provider Sim Local, is urging Brits to switch off the 'autoplay' feature on their phones before boarding their next flight. The setting, she says, could quietly drain data and rack up a significant phone bill - often without users even realising it. She explained: 'Autoplay is a feature that automatically plays videos as you scroll through apps like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube, often without you even tapping play.
Forbes
03-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Currys Shares Soar 9% As FY Profits Top Expectations
Photo byShares in electricals retailer Currys rose strongly after it said 'resilient' consumer spending in the UK helped it beat profit forecasts for the last financial year. At 129.3p per share, the FTSE 250 stock was last 9.4% higher in Thursday business. Group revenues rose 3% during the financial year ending 3 May, to £8.7 billion. On a like-for-like basis sales were up 2%, driven by strength at the company's core UK and Ireland unit. Adjusted earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) increased 11% to £225 million, while adjusted profit before tax improved 37% to £162 million, as strict cost-cutting also boosted the bottom line. Free cash flow increased 82% year on year to £149 million. Currys ended the year with net cash of £184 million, a rise of £88 million year on year. UK Impresses In the UK and Ireland, revenues increased 6% over the year, to £5.3 billion. This represented growth of 4% on a like-for-like basis. Adjusted EBIT, meanwhile, improved 8% to £153m. Currys said that 'sales growth in both channels and gross margin expansion more than offset planned and inflationary cost increases.' The business said its closer-to-home operations benefitted from 'market share gains and strategic initiatives,' with Services revenues and Credit sales increasing 12% and 14% respectively. The number of subscribers to its iD Mobile service rose 26% year on year, to 2.2 million. The retailer said it aims to raise this level to 'at least' 2.5 million before the end of the current financial year. In the Nordics, revenues dropped 2% on a headline basis, to £3.4 billion, but were flat at the like-for-like level. Adjusted EBIT improved 18% year on year. Dividends Return Chief executive Alex Baldock commented that 'Currys' performance continues to strengthen and the business has real momentum,' adding that 'customers are increasingly adopting our credit, setup, installation, repair and connectivity services, building valuable recurring revenues.' He noted that 'I'm pleased that thanks to all this hard work we can resume the dividend. We aim to return more of our growing free cash flow to shareholders.' Currys paid a final dividend of 1.5p per share, the first cash reward since 2023. It plans to set future dividends at a level that is covered around five times by adjusted earnings per share. The retailer said trading so far in financial 2026 had been in line with expectations, though it said that it 'is facing into several headwinds this year.' These include rising labour costs in the UK, general cost inflation, and the impact of a weaker Norwegian Kroner. Adjusted pre-tax profit for the full year is expected to rise to around £167 million. Robust Recovery Analyst Mark Crouch of eToro noted that 'Currys has delivered a turnaround few expected,' with the business continuing to beat profit forecasts. He commented that the retailer has 'decisively reshaped itself over the past 18 months,' and that "by pivoting toward services, repairs, and mobile, and reducing its reliance on pure hardware sales, Currys is building a more resilient, higher-margin business model. Crouch added, however, that 'while the recovery so far has been impressive, the next chapter may be tougher,' amid growing signs of consumer spending weakness in the UK.
Daily Mail
03-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Currys' turnaround strategy pays off as group looks to automation and offshoring to beat Reeves' tax hikes
Currys saw its net cash stash rise to the highest level in a decade last year, as the group's turnaround strategy drove higher sales and profits. The electronics retailer said it was cutting costs, automating more systems and dishing out more work offshore in a bid to offset millions of pounds worth of cost hikes triggered by Rachel Reeves' Autumn Budget last year. Free cash flow, the difference between a firm's total inflows and outflows, reached £184million in the year ending 3 May. Currys posted an adjusted pre-tax profit of £162million, up 37 per cent year-on-year. Revenue across the UK and Ireland rose 6 per cent to £5.3billion, while remaining largely flat in the Nordics. Currys said its revenue was bolstered by market share gains and 'strategic initiatives', including its services arm, credit sales and iD mobile subscriptions. Currys shares were up 6.5 per cent or 7.70p to 126.20p on Thursday, having risen nearly 70 per cent in the last year. The retailer enjoyed growth across all divisions with services revenue and credit sales up 12 and 14 per cent respectively. Subscribers to iD Mobile, Currys' mobile virtual network operator, soared 26 per cent to over two million. Alex Baldock, chief executive of Currys, said: 'Currys' performance continues to strengthen and the business has real momentum. 'A stronger Currys is good for colleagues, customers, shareholders and society, and we're doing a better job for all of them.' Total UK and Ireland sales rose 6 per cent, driven by like-for-like sales growth of 4 per cent. The group saw both in-store and online sales rise. The retailer had raised its annual profit target three times this year, supported by robust demand for its mobile, gaming and premium computing in the UK and Ireland. Curry said it remained focused on controlling costs. It said: 'We will continue to face cost headwinds in the UK&I in the coming year, including an additional £32million of annual costs from the UK government's Autumn 2024 budget. 'To mitigate this impact we are underway with removing central costs, and continuing to automate and offshore activities.' In January, Currys said it would ramp up automation and move more business processes to cheaper overseas locations, in addition to price hikes, to mitigate costs. The group said early trading in the current financial year had been in line with expectations and that it remained confident for the year ahead. Currys has also began to establish a B2B team as it looks to cater to small-to-medium sized businesses. A final payout of 1.5p per share was proposed for investors as Currys resumed its dividend. Zoe Gillespie, wealth manager at RBC Brewin Dolphin, said: 'Currys demonstrates what retail can be when you combine digital and bricks and mortar in the right way. 'The group's turnaround in recent years has been underpinned by delivering amazing customer experience, social media engagement, and being associated with the latest technologies. 'The results of that strategy can be seen today, with the strongest balance sheet in more than a decade, profits up 37 per cent, and the resumption of the dividend – all while customer satisfaction continues to rise. 'Of course, there are challenges ahead – not least in terms of costs and ongoing issues at its Nordics division – but Currys has built itself a solid foundation on which to overcome them.'
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Currys reveals stronger profits amid boost from ‘resilient' UK shoppers
Currys has reported stronger sales and profits for the past year as it hailed 'resilient' demand from UK shoppers. The technology retailer said slower inflation and falling interest rates helped support sales from shoppers in the UK. The London company also resumed dividend payments following the upbeat update to shareholders. Group sales grew by 3% to £8.7 billion for the year to May 3, driven by 6% growth in the UK. The retailer, which runs 708 stores, said its UK business benefited from growth in its iD Mobile business, as well as positive computing sales, with 'AI technology sales building momentum'. Meanwhile, sales dropped 2% in its Nordics region, where it said profitability was knocked by 'tough' market conditions. The company said it has traded in line with expectations over the past two months but is 'facing into several headwinds' in the new financial year, including cost increases linked to the Government budget, cost inflation and currency weakness. Alex Baldock, group chief executive, said: 'Currys' performance continues to strengthen and the business has real momentum. 'A stronger Currys is good for colleagues, customers, shareholders and society, and we're doing a better job for all of them. 'We're pleased with our progress, but even more excited about the opportunities ahead of us.' Meanwhile, the group also revealed a 37% increase in adjusted pre-tax profits to £162 million for the year. It also announced a dividend of 1.5p per share for the year after suspending dividend payments in 2023 amid efforts to turn around its Nordics operation.
