Mobile phone companies are upping their prices from April, typically by the rate of inflation plus a fixed amount, of about 4%, on top.

This means some mobile users will see bill hikes of more than 14% at a time when budgets are already stretched due to the cost-of-living crisis. See YourMoney.com’s mobile price hike guide to find out when, and by how much, your bills will rise.

However, there are several ways you can save money on your smartphone costs.

Rehan Ali, mobile expert at Uswitch, said: “Since energy prices, food prices and other expenses are already high and predicted to rise, it’s understandable that many of us are concerned about how much we spend on mobile phone bills and are looking to cut the costs. Luckily, there are a variety of ways to save money on your mobile bills.”

1) Switch to a SIM-only plan

One of best ways to save money on a mobile phone is to switch to a SIM-only plan when you’ve reached the end of your pay monthly contract.

With no handset to pay for, you can get a plan with all the data, minutes and texts you need for a lot less than monthly handset contracts.

Uswitch estimates you can save up to £321 by switching to a SIM-only plan.

2) Buy a refurbished phone

When the time comes to buy a new phone, why not opt for a refurbished model?

Although many people enjoy the excitement of buying a brand new phone, refurbished models are a lot cheaper. Buying a refurbished phone is also a more sustainable choice than buying a new phone, as you’re re-homing an existing device.

3) Choose a mid-range phone

Rather than buying the latest flagship phone from your favourite brand, choosing a cheaper mid-range phone will save you money.

The iPhone SE and Samsung Galaxy A Series are examples of the highly-rated and budget-mid-range options available, providing plenty of premium features, such as a high-quality camera and wireless charging.

4) Only pay for the data you use

Consider whether you really need an unlimited data plan. You can check your monthly data usage on your network’s website or app, so you can calculate how much data you actually need.

If you have a data surplus at the end of each month, you could save money by switching to a smaller allowance.

5) Cap your spending

If you find yourself spending extra on out-of-plan charges, the expenses can add up quickly. This is because networks typically charge inflated rates for out-of-plan allowances such as additional data packages.

To limit further costs, you can set up a spending cap on your mobile account. Most providers will then notify you when you get close to your monthly cap limit, preventing you from surpassing your allowance.