The shop for new mobile phone deals is a laborious task that just has to happen every so often. But there's so many different factors to consider. Do you want to go down the route of Apple or Android? Is an EE contract best for you, or maybe O2? Will paying more upfront for your contract save you money in the long run?
We're fully aware that when it comes to mobile phone deals there is a lot to consider - but don't worry, we're here to help make these decisions easier. We've condensed all the most important points into this guide so you can compare the best phone deals with ease. We'll show you what the cheapest and best options for your new smartphone contracts are, thanks to our custom-made price comparison chart.
Compare mobile phone deals
The above comparison is a great place to start the hunt for your new device, as it simplifies the whole process allowing you to quickly find the smartphone and tariff for you. But if you still need help, we're not going to leave you on your own! Further down the page you'll also find key tips on buying, choosing and switching your new handset. As well as more information on specific handsets - everything from Apple iPhones, to Samsung, Sony, Huawei, Google and all the rest.
So whether you're looking for something cheap and cheerful or the best of the best with an Apple iPhone deal or a Samsung mobile phone deal, you will find it below. There you can compare the best mobile phone deals in the UK and have all of your queries and concerns answered.
The top mobile phone deals right now:
When it comes to finding the best mobile phone deals, our team of editors is constantly working to find the cheapest options, the most data and all of the best offers on each device. Below we've highlighted all of the best phones on the market with links to dedicated deals pages for each one so you can scan prices.
If you can't find the device you were looking for below then try searching for it using our custom made comparison chart above. Just refine your search and pick the device you want to see all of the available contracts on.
- Get £10 off the upfront cost of any mobile phone deal (except for the Samsung Galaxy S10, S10 Plus and S10e) at Mobiles.co.uk with our exclusive 10OFF discount code.
Best iPhone deals
iPhone XR
When it comes to Apple devices there's no hiding our love of the iPhone XR. The device came in to shake up Apple's expensive flagship landscape, offering up a more affordable alternative. as a competing option with the prices of Apple's other new, pretty expensive devices and despite the price drop it still seriously delivers. This is one of our favourite devices even now in 2019.
Discover more iPhone XR deals
iPhone XS
The iPhone X was a massive leap for Apple so the iPhone XS didn't have to change much to impress. It made tweaks to the camera technology, added an extra 1GB of RAM and introduces a mighty 512GB storage model. Perhaps the 6.5-inch Max model is more exciting this year.
We've found the best iPhone XS deals and iPhone XS Max deals
iPhone X
For a company that has a tendency to not change much between devices Apple really went all out on the innovation with the iPhone X and it is safe to say we were impressed. Even now going into 2019 this is still a brilliant device, although prices do seem to go up and down so don't feel too disheartened if you come across it during a costly period.
We've found the best iPhone X deals
iPhone 8
The iPhone 8 fits perfectly into the slot between Apple's older devices (the iPhone 7 and SE) and some of it's newer options (iPhone XR and X). What makes this device so popular is its takes from both of these areas - cheap and affordable pricing with high-end specs.
Here are the best iPhone 8 deals and iPhone 8 Plus deals
iPhone 7
So there's no getting around the fact that the iPhone 7 is feeling its age now. After almost three years, this device has been replaced by a host of new Apple handsets but, it is still brilliant for its age. While this may not suit the needs of spec fans, it definitely will win over the low price hopefuls, wanting to bag a cheap phone deal.
Here are the best iPhone 7 deals and iPhone 7 Plus deals
iPhone 6S
Much like the iPhone 7 series, the iPhone 6S isn't exactly top of the line anymore. But, it provides some of the cheapest mobile phone deals from Apple now. Luckily, Apple has always been pretty good at being ahead in design so even if it feels a bit older, it won't look it.
See our other iPhone 6S deals and iPhone 6S Plus deals
iPhone 6
Prices absolutely dived on the iPhone 6. Great news, considering it remains an excellent way to own an awesome Apple phone for meagre amounts of money.
See more ace prices with our best iPhone 6 deals and iPhone 6 Plus deals
iPhone SE
Sadly, the iPhone SE really doesn't look like its going to be around much longer. As deals slowly disappear and only a few retailers still stock it, we don't give this phone much longer. You can still try and get one but we would advise looking at one of Apple's other cheap devices as an alternative.
Here are the best iPhone SE deals
- For all of the best iPhone deals check out our full guide
Best Samsung deals
Samsung Galaxy S10
Samsung's newest release, the S10 is a powerhouse of a phone. Finally removing the bezels to create a flawless screen makes this a device to stand out. With this handset you're getting three impressive cameras, a big battery and processor and a hefty price tag to back it all up.
See more Samsung Galaxy S10 deals and Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus deals
Samsung Galaxy S10e
Were you hoping to get Samsung's newest device, the S10 but we're put off by the price. This is Samsung's direct answer to that issue, a relatively budget device with high-end specs. While you won't get quite as many features as the S10 or S10 Plus and a slightly smaller screen, you're really not losing a whole lot for the reduced price.
See more Samsung Galaxy S10e deals
Samsung Galaxy Note 9
When it comes to high-end phablet devices, the Note 9 has been well ahead of its time since its release. With the unique S pen, a top-line camera and high-end specs, this really is one of Samsung's best devices yet (even with the release of the S10). The one downside is the price, but for specs this good, who can complain.
See more Samsung Note 9 deals
Samsung Galaxy S9
Much like the Galaxy S8, the S9 is now in a weird state of limbo when it comes to pricing, jumping back and forth between extremely affordable and a little bit more on the expensive side.
Although the S9 didn't make many big changes on the S8 we're still big fans of the design, features and swift biometric security - not to mention the price of this device has dropped considerably since its release.
See more Samsung Galaxy S9 deals and Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus deals
Samsung Galaxy S8
The prices of the S8 have been in constant fluctuation. When it first came out it was pretty expensive and since then it has dropped and risen at alarming rates and at one point was even more expensive than it's predecessor the S9! But now it seems the S8 has settled at a nice low price - perfect time to grab yourself a deal on a cheap powerful Galaxy device.
See more Samsung Galaxy S8 deals and Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus deals
Samsung Galaxy Note 8
Not all too different to the Note 9, the Note 8 can make a brilliant replacement if you're not quite willing to pay Note 9 prices. You still get the powerful S pen, the beautiful infinity display that Samsung has become known for and a powerful processor.
See more Samsung Note 8 deals
Samsung Galaxy S7
It may now have been superseded by a few different devices but the Samsung Galaxy S7 is still a brilliant phone. Now three years old, prices have collapsed on both the S7 and S7 Edge. That means there has never been a better time to buy them for cheap pricing.
Get more great Samsung Galaxy S7 deals and Galaxy S7 Edge deals
- Go to our best Samsung phone deals page to compare all of Samsung's devices
Best Huawei deals
Huawei P30 Pro
Huawei's latest and greatest, the P30 Pro is one of the best phones in the world right now. With a camera to match Google, a screen to compete with Samsung and a processor pushing for Apple's crown - this is the phone to be looking out for in 2019. Consider this a direct competitor to the likes of the iPhone XS and Galaxy S10.
Learn more about the best Huawei P30 Pro deals
Huawei P30
The P30 is the younger brother to the P30 Pro and while it takes a bit of a dive in terms of features, cutting out the likes of wireless charging and dropping down to water resistant instead of water-proof, the massive drop in cost makes it worthwhile. It still has all of the brilliant features of the P30 Pro, like 30x zoom and a massive battery but without the blinding price tag.
Learn more about the best Huawei P30 deals
Huawei Mate 20 Pro
Until very recently, this was Huawei's biggest, boldest and most expensive device. Now the P30 Pro might have replaced it but this is still a incredible device. The Mate 20 Pro is a massive powerhouse device, sporting three unique cameras and impressive features such as in-screen fingerprint scanning and reverse charging. If you're looking for a phablet device with powerful specs this is the one to go for.
Learn more about the best Huawei Mate 20 Pro deals
Huawei P20 Pro
Back in 2018 The Huawei P20 Pro won our award for best phone of the year and it is clear to see why. With a brilliant camera, high-end specs, a brilliant battery life, fast face unlock and an camera to perform in most conditions, the P20 Pro is one of the best phones out right now.
Learn more about the best Huawei P20 Pro deals
Huawei P20
Huawei might be slightly lesser known than its competitors - Apple and Samsung - in the UK, but it is a major rising force. The P20 was the device to kick start Huawei's mainstream appeal. With a top-notch camera, big battery and strong processor, this is a budget device with some decent specs.
Learn more about the best Huawei P20 deals
- For all of Huawei's devices in one place go to our best Huawei mobile phone deals page
Best of the rest
Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL
There is one thing that the Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL do better than any other device - photography. Both devices come with incredibly powerful cameras and features including night and portrait mode. On top of the camera, this is an overall impressive device with a nice display and decent processor.
See today's best Google Pixel 3 deals
OnePlus 6T
When the OnePlus 6T came on the seen, it hit hard with the angle of budget flagship and it hit it well. Offering up top-end specs for a lower price than its competitors, this lesser known device is a very worthy competitor. You don't get a headphone jack or wireless charging but when the rest of the phone is this good and cheap, do those things really matter?
See today's best OnePlus 6T deals
LG G7 Thinq
The LG G7 Thinq is a great alternative to the more expensive devices that Samsung and Apple are pushing out. Yes it might not have quite the same features but for the price you are paying this is a great device to own.
See today's best LG G7 Thinq deals
Honor View 20
Something quite new in the grand scheme of mobile phones, the Honor View 20 only recently came out in 2019. It was the first device to bring in the infinity-O display and packs in a incredibly impressive camera. These high-end features are topped off by a less than high-end price, dropping it well into the range of budget flagships.
See today's best Honor View 20 deals
Honor 10
When it comes to buying a new phone it can be a delicate balance between cost and performance - but why not get both? The Honor 10 floats the line between affordable and powerful. Yes, it isn't the best phone out there by any stretch, but with contracts as cheap as £18 a month that really shouldn't matter.
See today's best Honor 10 deals
Blackberry Key2
Ah nostalgia calls, this device from Blackberry feels somewhat like a throwback to the good old days of keyboards, and we love it. A hybrid of keyboard and smartphone, this is a truly unique device and it comes in at a pretty cheap price now too. Just be wary, the camera doesn't exactly perform brilliantly so if that's a requirement for you, this might not be the phone you were looking for.
See today's best BlackBerry Key2 deals
Sony Xperia XZ3
Ah Sony, it used to be the go to brand for phone fans but now the likes of Samsung, Apple and Huawei have taken over. But, and this is a big but, the Sony Xperia XZ3 is easily a competitor to those devices. With a incredibly good screen, premium look and feel and brilliant 4K video - this phone is a underdog worth consideration.
See today's best Sony Xperia XZ3 deals
SIM only
Want to hold on to your phone for a little bit longer? Or feel like a SIM-free contract is the way to go? We understand and that's why grabbing a SIM only deal can be a great way to go.If you have a little bit of spare cash lying around, you may even find that teaming up a cheap SIM only deal with a new handset is a cheaper way of getting your new smartphone, with tariffs for less than a fiver a month.
Looking for a high data SIM only? Three Mobile has that region under lock, although you will have to pay a bit more. Or on the other side of the spectrum, iD offers some of the cheapest contracts for just a SIM.
Visit our dedicated round-up of the best SIM only deals
Mobile phone deals FAQ
What you need to know about buying your new phone
Of course you want to find the cheapest price for your new smartphone - and our comparison chart at the top of the page will narrow that down for you - but we know there are likely to be dozens more questions you'll want answering. Keep reading below, where we answer some of the key commonly asked questions about mobile phone deals.
Which mobile phone retailer should I go with?
When it comes to choosing which retailer to get your phone from there are a tonne of options. Some exclusively offer SIM-free, some just contracts and some offer a wide range of choices. Whether you want to go for one with a trustworthy name or somewhere that prides themselves on their incredibly cheap prices - we've listed some of our guides to the top names below:
SIM-free:
- Argos mobile phones - If you want your phone straight away, Argos' click and collect can be one of the easiest ways to do it.
- John Lewis phones - Frequently offering some of the cheapest SIM-free prices, John Lewis is always a great option to check for your new phone contract.
Contracts and SIM-free:
- Mobiles.co.uk deals - Owned by Carphone, Mobiles.co.uk usually offers top deals on new devices - one to keep an eye out for your new phone + £10 off with 10OFF.
- Carphone Warehouse deals - One of the best known mobile phone retailers, Carphone is an obvious shout. It has a stellar reputation and brilliant deals to back it
Can I keep my mobile phone number when I change contracts?
So you've seen the phone you want, you've found the perfect contract that suits you, but it's on a different network - so can you keep your memorable old telephone number? You can indeed, and it's really easy - so no need to send one of those texts to everybody in your phone book telling them your new digits.
What you need to do is grab a PAC - or Porting Authorisation Code - from your old network. We've listed the direct numbers you need for the four major networks below. As soon as they've sent it to you, which should be within a day or two, you just need to give it to your new network. Voila - brand new phone with the same old number. Easy.
It becomes slightly less easy if the deal you pick out above is on the same network as your current one. They won't let you keep your number, so you have to use this workaround. Buy a free pay-as-you-go SIM from any other network and tell your network that you're moving. They'll release the PAC code, which you then give to the substitute network. Then, you immediately get another PAC code from them. Take that to your old network, and they'll move your number to your new contract. Long winded, but worth it.
- EE 07953 966 250
- O2 0344 8090202
- Vodafone 03333 040 191
- Three 0333 300 3333
- ID 0333 003 7777
- GiffGaff 43431 from your handset
- Virgin 0345 6000 789
- BT 0800 800 150
- Tesco 0345 301 4455
- Sky 03300 412 524
- Asda 0800 079 2732
What phone network is the best?
Each phone network has it's own advantages and disadvantages, there isn't necessarily a wrong choice it just depends on what's most important to you. Whether that be free rewards, good signal, cheap prices or good roaming options. Loyalty may be an admirable trait but we advise going for the phone network which has the best deal on the device you're looking for, you can't go too wrong no matter which network it is.
Nobody else can come close to EE's 4G speeds in the UK. So if you rely on fast internet while away from WI-Fi, then an EE phone deal is the obvious choice. Plus, EE gives you three free months of BT Sport (or more if you get a Max plan) when you sign up, as well as six months of Apple Music. The EE coverage checker will confirm how strong it is where you live.
The biggest lure to O2 is the network's Priority rewards. From 2-4-1 dinners and free coffees to first refusal on big gig tickets, O2 is the network for regular goodies. Plus, they have 1,000s of Wi-Fi hotspots in shops and cafes that you can connect to. Use the O2 coverage checker to see whether you'll be able to access 4G and then decide if an O2 phone deal is for you.
Good news for jet-setters - with a Vodafone phone deal, you can use your data, calls and texts allowances in 50 countries around the world without charge (except on its Basics tariffs). But things really start to get good when you splash out on its bigger Red Entertainment data plans, as Vodafone will give you your choice of a NOW TV Entertainment Pass, Spotify Premium or Sky Sports Mobile subscription. Click to check if Vodafone covers your home.
Three remains the king of the big data mobile phone deals, and still the only one of the big four networks to offer unlimited, uncapped, all-you-can-eat delicious data. We also like that with a Three phone deal you can use 4G to make calls and texts via the dedicated Three inTouch app, and you can connect to Wi-Fi in the London Underground if you ever find yourself in the capital. Its Wuntu app gives weekly perks, too. But 4G coverage isn't as strong as the other networks - check whether your postcode is covered with the Three coverage checker.
Should I get a contract or a SIM-free phone?
When trying to find a new mobile phone deal, it essentially boils down to two options. A phone contract or going SIM-free and combining the handset with a SIM only deal.
Most of the options you will see are contracts. These allow you to pay for both the phone and a SIM in one bundle. These are the more popular options in the UK and tend to be a lot easier, especially if you don't want to spend a tonne upfront on your new phone.
The other, less used option is buying phones SIM-free. This means buying the handset in full and then buying the SIM separately. There is a bunch of advantages of doing it this way. You get a lot more freedom with your data plan so you can choose the cheapest or biggest data plans from EE, O2, Three or Vodafone. It also tends to be a lot cheaper doing it this way. The one downside, you will have to pay a tonne of money upfront.
How much data do I need on my phone?
- 1GB Some networks offer 500MB plans, but realistically we think you should get at least 1GB. It won't be much more expensive (if at all) and will afford you a little bit of Google Mapping, WhatsApping and emailing when you need them.
- 2-3GB If you like to scroll through your social media feeds and emails while out and about without fear of extra cash to pay on your monthly bill, then up your data.
- 4-8GB The likes of Spotify and Apple Music have promised us all our favourite tunes wherever we roam. Kit yourself out with a bit more data and you'll have plenty for music streaming and the occasional video, too.
10-16GB This should be more than enough for most users. Loads of data for streaming music, downloading podcasts and enjoying social media videos. Because there's no such thing as too many cats falling into bins. - 20-30GB Big data for the big phone user. Perfect for watching Netflix videos, downloading content and streaming loads of music. And these plans often have extra freebies thrown in, too.
- Unlimited The Three network is still the only one of the 'Big 4' to offer unlimited data. It can be really pricey though, so think long and hard whether you really need it.
How much memory do I need on my phone?
You're likely to be one of two kinds of person:
Person 1: You like all your photos, music, downloads and other media to be saved directly on to your phone. If that sounds like you, 16GB or 32GB handsets may not be enough and you should use our comparison chart to find the most affordable 64GB, 128GB or 256GB models.
Person 2: You're a stream demon. You've got subscriptions to Spotify and Netflix and you save all your Word docs and snaps into the cloud. Save your money and go for a cheaper, lower memory handset.
OK person 3, calm down - you fall somewhere between the two, right? If you can afford to get a smartphone with more memory, that is probably safest. But don't forget that most phones do allow you to insert an additional SD card if you run out of space - most phones apart from iPhones, that is.
Are refurbished handsets any good?
Refurbished phones have built up a bad reputation but you shouldn't be scared of them they are perfectly safe and can be great if you're budget isn't quite up to the high-end prices that 2018 and 2019 seem to have brought in.
'Refurbished' often means that the previous owner simply changed their mind about the phone soon after buying it, so it's still practically brand new - and the potential savings can be substantial.
If you do spy an unbelievable deal on a refurbed phone, the main thing to make sure of is the warranty. Double check that you are properly covered for a decent length of time. A year's warranty is preferable.
Sound good? Then head to our dedicated buying guide to the best refurbished phone deals or go to one of the more recognisable refurbished sites such as Music Magpie or maybe something like Envirofone.
So there you have it - we hope that you're now fully prepared to go ahead and finally commit to one of the UK's best mobile phone deals. Now you're equipped with all the information, you can head back to the top of this page and narrow down the deal for you.