EE’s Smart Benefits Explained – Are They Worth the Extra Cost?
In the competitive UK mobile market, EE has introduced its Smart Benefits to provide added value and flexibility to customers. These benefits are designed to enhance the mobile experience, offering perks that cater to various interests and needs. However, the question remains: are these benefits worth the additional cost? Let’s delve into the details.
What Are EE Smart Benefits?
EE’s Smart Benefits are perks available to customers on Smart Plans, which include Pay Monthly handset, selected SIM, and tablet plans. Upon purchasing a compatible plan, customers can choose a Smart Benefit, which can be swapped every 30 days via the My EE app or by texting 150. The range of available benefits may change over time, and third-party subscriptions might be required for some (EE).
Types of Smart Benefits
EE offers a variety of Smart Benefits to cater to diverse customer preferences:
- Streaming Services:
- Netflix: Access to Netflix subscriptions, with options to upgrade to higher tiers for an additional cost.
- Apple Music: Enjoy music streaming with Apple’s extensive library.
- Apple TV+: Access to Apple’s original content offerings.
- Apple Arcade: Play a wide range of games without ads or in-app purchases.
- Discovery+: Explore a vast array of documentaries and factual entertainment (EE).
- Gaming:
- Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: Play over 100 high-quality games on console, PC, and mobile devices.
- Cloud Storage:
- Google One Premium (2TB): Secure cloud storage with additional benefits like VPN and enhanced photo editing (4G).
- Productivity:
- Microsoft 365 Personal: Access to Office apps and 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage (blogtech.co.uk).
- Travel:
- Roam Abroad Pass: Use your UK data, minutes, and texts in select destinations (Ken’s Tech Tips).
- Device Care:
- Lifetime Smartphone Warranty: Ensure your device is protected against accidental damage (The Fast Mode).
Cost Implications
The inclusion of Smart Benefits is factored into the monthly cost of Smart Plans. For instance, a plan priced at £64 per month may include benefits like Netflix HD, Apple Music, and Roaming. When broken down, this equates to approximately £32 for the iPhone and data, with the remaining cost covering the benefits (Reddit).
While these perks can add significant value, it’s essential to assess whether they align with your usage patterns and preferences. If you already subscribe to services like Netflix or Apple Music independently, the bundled benefits might offer cost savings. However, if you don’t utilize these services, the additional cost may not be justified.
Customer Feedback
Customer experiences with EE’s Smart Benefits vary:
- Positive Feedback: Some customers appreciate the convenience of bundled services, noting that the inclusion of streaming services and cloud storage adds value to their plans (Reddit).
- Negative Feedback: Others feel that the benefits are not tailored to their needs, with some expressing dissatisfaction over the necessity to pay for services they don’t use (Trustpilot).
Understanding EE’s Smart Benefits
Smart Benefits are available to customers on EE’s Smart Plans, which include Pay Monthly handset, selected SIM, and tablet plans. Upon purchasing a compatible plan, customers can choose a Smart Benefit, which can be swapped every 30 days via the My EE app or by texting 150. The range of available benefits may change over time, and third-party subscriptions might be required for some.
Types of Smart Benefits:
- Streaming Services:
- Netflix: Access to Netflix subscriptions, with options to upgrade to higher tiers for an additional cost.
- Apple Music: Enjoy music streaming with Apple’s extensive library.
- Apple TV+: Access to Apple’s original content offerings.
- Apple Arcade: Play a wide range of games without ads or in-app purchases.
- Discovery+: Explore a vast array of documentaries and factual entertainment.
- Gaming:
- Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: Play over 100 high-quality games on console, PC, and mobile devices.
- Cloud Storage:
- Google One Premium (2TB): Secure cloud storage with additional benefits like VPN and enhanced photo editing.
- Productivity:
- Microsoft 365 Personal: Access to Office apps and 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage.
- Travel:
- Roam Abroad Pass: Use your UK data, minutes, and texts in select destinations.
- Device Care:
- Lifetime Smartphone Warranty: Ensure your device is protected against accidental damage.
Case Studies and Customer Feedback
Case Study 1: The Value of Bundled Services
A customer on EE’s Full Works Unlimited contract pays £64 per month for an iPhone 13 Pro with unlimited data, texts, and calls, along with Netflix HD, Apple Music, and roaming. The customer notes that the cost breakdown equates to approximately £32 for the iPhone and data, making the additional services effectively free. This bundling provides significant value for users who already subscribe to these services independently. (Reddit)
Case Study 2: Evaluating the Necessity of Smart Benefits
Another customer expressed concerns about the necessity of paying for services they don’t use. They questioned the value of Smart Benefits when they already have separate subscriptions to services like Netflix and Apple Music. This highlights the importance of assessing personal usage patterns before opting for bundled services.
Customer Feedback:
- Positive Experiences:
- Some customers appreciate the convenience of bundled services, noting that the inclusion of streaming services and cloud storage adds value to their plans.
- Others have found the Smart Benefits to be superior in terms of value compared to other providers. (4G)
- Negative Experiences:
- Some users have found the Stream box to be superior in terms of value compared to Sky Stream. (4G)
- Others feel that the benefits are not tailored to their needs, with some expressing dissatisfaction over the necessity to pay for services they don’t use.
Conclusion
EE’s Smart Benefits offer a range of perks that can enhance the mobile experience, particularly for users who frequently utilize streaming services, cloud storage, or gaming platforms. However, the value derived from these benefits is contingent upon individual usage patterns. Prospective customers should carefully evaluate their needs and consider whether the bundled services align with their preferences before committing to a Smart Plan.
For those who already subscribe to services like Netflix or Apple Music, the bundled benefits might present cost savings. Conversely, if these services are not of interest, the additional cost may not be justified. Ultimately, the decision to opt for EE’s Smart Benefits should be based on a thorough assessment of personal usage habits and preferences.