Early upgrade?

[jababe]

I have a phone contract with 3 and am fed up with my phone as I, unknowingly, took out the contract for 18 months having being led to believe it was only a year. Anyway, I phoned 3 and asked if I could upgrade early (6 months) and they said I could but there would be a charge. Does anyone know if there is anywhere I can go to get an early upgrade for free? Thanks.