In this post, I will give you a more detailed look at all available O2 cellphone plans, so if you are considering choosing O2, you can have a more in-depth look, making it easier for you to decide. Since calling and SMS are basic functions that every network provides (and most providers in Germany offer flat-rate except some particular prepaid packages), I will focus more on comparing data and other options between plans.
After reading this post, you will have an overall look at all available options O2 gives you and make an easier decision for yourself. While I’ve been a customer of O2 Germany for 2,5 years+ already, so I believe I understand the options it gives more than most newcomers. I tried my best to write this post unbiasedly, and by no means do I encourage you to go ahead and register for an O2 plan without comparing it with other available networks.
Now, let’s start with the Prepaid packages from O2.
O2 Prepaid Packages
The prepaid packages are pretty straightforward. At this moment, O2 offers these monthly packages:
- 9 Cent package doesn’t include any data volume;
- O2 Prepaid S provides 6 GB of data monthly at 9,99€/month;
- O2 Prepaid M provides 12 GB of data monthly at 14,99€/month;
- O2 Prepaid L provides 18 GB of data monthly at 19,99€/month;
- O2 Prepaid Max provides 999 GB of data monthly at 69.99€/month.
All packages except the 9 Cent package let you access the internet at the maximum speed of 255 Mbit/s (31.875 MB/s). You get a monthly 1GB bonus from using the O2 app, plus a 500MB bonus if you use SEPA-Transfer to top-up your account (maximum one-time 500MB bonus per 4-week period).
Now, here is the hook: you only get the price above for the first 4 weeks for the Prepaid S, M, and L packages. If you want to renew one of those packages, you must pay 3€ more each month than the first month’s price.
Along with those monthly prepaid packages, O2 also offers yearly packages (O2 Jahrespaket):
- O2 Prepaid Internet-to-go: 30 GB for 365 days without calling at 49,99€;
- O2 Prepaid Smartphone: 12 GB for 365 days with Allnet-Flat calls and SMS at 69,99€.
The prepaid packages are suitable for people with short-term stays in Germany (less than 24 months) or those who want to be flexible in choosing their monthly cellphone package. Those are not the most economical options, however.
O2 Postpaid Packages (24 months min. contract duration)
In 2023, O2 recently updated their postpaid plans, adding more GB to each plan. They also added an exciting bonus for loyal customers. After every 12 months, the contract owner will receive some GB of data monthly as a bonus. The table above shows all data, including calculations not shown on the O2 website (for an apparent reason). All packages come with EU-Roaming option. The calculations don’t take into account the app bonuses data volume because those bonuses aren’t applied automatically, and many people might forget to get that bonus. However, they included monthly bonuses after the 12th month, so the average prices per GB (for a 24 months contract) are more accurate, although the difference is only a few cents each.
Now let’s take a closer look. There are a few things we are able to conclude from the table:
- The more data volume you get for a package, the less price per GB you have to pay.
- Only “Boost” packages offer Connect Option, which allows you to have 10 devices to share the total data volume at any time; that means 10 different numbers/sim cards to use for 10 devices (However, only 3 numbers/sim cards are Multi-Sim which also allow calling and sending/receiving SMS. The rest others are data cards only). Other normal packages give you only one number/one sim card.
- The Unlimited packages don’t offer Connect-Option at all. As mentioned above, you get only one number/sim card by registering for one of these packages.
- Except for the Unlimited Max package, the other 2 Unlimited packages offer terrible speed (and in reality, you almost never get anywhere near the number of network providers advertised).
My suggestions
- Whenever possible, choose a postpaid package instead of a prepaid package unless you want to be able to jump between packages/providers frequently. Postpaid packages give absolutely better conditions and benefits and are cheaper than prepaid.
- Unlimited packages are no-go for those who intend to share the benefits of one contract between multiple devices simply because those packages don’t offer that (Connect-Option). They are, however, good if you only plan to use them for one device.
- If you only have one device and don’t need Unlimited data, choose one of the normal (not Boost) packages.
- On the other hand, choose one of the “Boost” packages if you have multiple devices.
- You might choose Mobile M instead of the Unlimited Basic package. It simply gives you better speed at the same monthly price, with a trade-off for total data volume (25 GB vs. Unlimited).
- Same as above, at the same price, you should choose the Mobile L instead of the Unlimited Smart package for better speed. The Mobile L package gives you 70 GB of data, which is pretty decent for an average user.
- Which package you choose should be based wholly on the estimated monthly data amount you need to use. The unused data won’t be added up to next month. At the end of the billing cycle, the allowed data amount is reset to your package limit.
The postpaid packages are more suitable for those who know their needs, especially those ready to commit to a long-term contract (minimum 24 months). In exchange, a postpaid package provides much more benefits at a cheaper rate than other prepaid packages. But you won’t have the flexible as you have with a prepaid package.
Top tip for family and friends (95% of new customers never know)
The last tip is also the most important one, in my opinion. If you choose one of the Boost packages with Connect-Option, and at the same time, there is someone who also needs another package, you both can enjoy the O2 exclusive price for existing customers. This, however, isn’t applied automatically. In fact, many O2 staffs won’t tell you anything about this.
For example, if you are considering registering the Mobile M Boost package and sharing it with your wife and your kids, you can ask the O2 staff to register two Mobile M Boost packages. Yes, you aren’t misreading – two packages! That means two contracts under the same accounts, which makes you going to be an “Existing O2 customer”, and your wife will have a “Partner card”. You will end up paying for 2 contracts at the same price while getting double data volume and double benefits.
I happened to meet nice O2 staffs, who showed me how to save my money. Before I met him, I met some others. Even O2 staff called me from call centers but never mentioned this or refused to confirm that’s an ability. Because I registered and saved big, I’m sure that this little combo trick is available. Just go to an O2 shop when you are ready, and tell the staff there about your needs.
Good luck, happy saving, and happy surfing!
