Comparing UK mobile phone deals can be a difficult task, as there are so many different factors to consider.You need to consider the provider, the retailer, and what kind of phone contract you actually want. But most importantly — what is the best mobile phone deal?
With so much information to process, IGN is here to help you compare the best UK mobile phone deals, and break down all the complicated mobile phone jargon along the way. All of the essential information you need is right here, alongside some helpful links in case you already know what you’re looking for.
UK mobile phone deals are constantly changing, so it can be worth checking back every so often to see if there’s an even better deal that has become available.
Editor’s Note: Most mobile phone contracts now include unlimited calls and texts, unless stated otherwise.
Deals of the Day – August 1 2019
These deals are handpicked, reviewed, and updated daily, so be assured these are the top deals going at the time of reading.
Our Pick
iPhone XR
On Mobiles.co.uk
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£37 p/m, 30GB data, £90 upfront with code IGN10
Our deal of the day is on the iPhone XR, at just £37 per month deal from Mobiles.co.uk. The deal packs 30GB data with only a £90 upfront cost using the code IGN10. This is a great opportunity to pick up one of the most affordable iPhone deals out there.
Our Pick
Galaxy S10
On Mobiles.co.uk
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£37 p/m, 30GB data, £50 upfront with code IGN10
There’s also a similar deal on the Galaxy S10 from Mobiles.co.uk as well, for £37 per month, and only £50 upfront with the code IGN10. This includes unlimited calls and texts, and more than enough data for the month.
Compare the Best Apple iPhone Deals
iPhone XR
The iPhone XR offers a great mix of affordability and quality. The low-cost Apple handset boasts an attractive design, plenty of features, and a reasonable monthly cost on most contracts.
Top Deal: Only £49 upfront, unlimited texts and calls, and plenty of data for most users. If you need a big data package, and you’re not a fan of upfront costs, this is the deal for you. (EE, 24 month contract)
Our Pick
iPhone XR
On Affordable Mobiles
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£45 p/m, 60GB data, FREE upfront
iPhone XS
The iPhone XS is the superb middle ground for those seeking a new iPhone, as it isn’t as expensive as the XS Max, and packs a little more punch than the more affordable XR.
Top Deal: If you overshoot your data limit every month, it may be time to upgrade. This big data package is perfect for streaming BT Sport HD on that beautiful liquid retina screen, and should provide enough data every single month. (EE, 24 Month Contract)
Our Pick
iPhone XS
On Carphone Warehouse
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£54 p/m, 60GB data, £129.99 upfront
iPhone XS Max
The iPhone XS Max dramatically increases the screen usability for an iPhone, and is the big brother to the iPhone XS.
Top Deal: This £63 per month offer from EE packs 50GB of data, and free BT Sport and Apple Music, making it a very tempting deal for those seeking the top iPhone model. (EE, 24 Month Contract)
Our Pick
iPhone XS Max
On Affordable Mobiles
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£63 p/m, 50GB data, £85 upfront
iPhone X
Back in 2017 the iPhone X offered a brand-new look for the Apple iPhone. The sleek and bezel-less appearance has become a cornerstone for later editions, and even that infamous notch is still around. In 2019, this model still impresses, but does tend to fluctuate in price, so don’t be disheartened if you catch it during an expensive period.
Top Deal: This is actually a great price point for the iPhone X, and well worth the purchase with only £49 to pay upfront. (EE, 24 Month Contract)
Our Pick
iPhone X
On Affordable Mobiles
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£45 p/m, 50GB data, £49 upfront
Compare the Best Samsung Galaxy Deals
Galaxy S10+
The Galaxy S10+ is probably the best mobile Samsung has produced. Standout features for the handset include pin-hole cameras, reverse charging, and in-screen fingerprint scanners.
Top Deal: Three is still running its six month contract discount, meaning you’ll only be paying £29 per month at the beginning of your contract, with the price increasing to £58 after the discounted period. (Three, 24 Month Contract)
Our Pick
Galaxy S10+
On Three
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£29 p/m for 6 months (£58 thereafter), unlimited data, £79 upfront
Galaxy S10
One of the latest releases from Samsung, the S10 is one of the most powerful phones available at the moment. No longer held back by any bezels, the S10’s flawless screen means this phone stands out in the crowd.
Top Deal: This is a no-nonsense deal, with loads of data and a perfectly reasonable price-point for the top handset. (O2, 24 Month Contract)
Our Pick
Galaxy S10
On Affordable Mobiles
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£45 p/m, 50GB data, FREE upfront
Galaxy S9
Similarly to the iPhone X, the S9 tends to sit in a strange position between expensive and affordable. There wasn’t a massive jump between the quality of the S8 and S9, but the S9 does have an advanced design and impressive biometric security additions.
Top Deal: Once you redeem the £150 cashback, this contract effectively becomes only £29.75 per month. Considering it also includes free BT Sport and Apple Music, this offer is an absolute steal if you don’t mind buying into an older device. (EE, 24 Month Contract)
Our Pick
Galaxy S9
On Affordable Mobiles
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£36 p/m, 30GB data, FREE upfront, £150 cashback
Galaxy Note9
Despite the Note 10 being on the cusp of an official announcement, the Note 9 is still an incredibly powerful device and worth picking up. It sports the unique S pen, alongside a top-line camera and beautiful 6.4-inch QUAD HD+ Infinity Display. Even when compared to the S10, this handset is one of the best Samsung Galaxy devices out there.
Top Deal: Not only is this a fantastic price for such an advanced handset, this deal also includes the Galaxy Note 9 at its highest memory capacity, 512GB — now that’s a lot of storage. (EE, 24 Month Contract)
Our Pick
Galaxy Note9
On Affordable Mobiles
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£36 p/m, 30GB data, FREE upfront
Compare the Best Huawei Deals
Huawei P30 Pro
Highly touted as one of the best handsets of the year, its hard to dislike the brilliant P30 Pro. The level of detail the camera can capture is astounding, and it’s no wonder Huawei are pushing it as the main selling point of the P30 Pro.
Top Deal: Pack your powerhouse phone with plenty of data, and revel in the lack of any upfront costs. (EE, 24 Month Contract)
Our Pick
Huawei P30 Pro
On Affordable Mobiles
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£43 p/m, 50GB data, FREE upfront
Huawei P30
The P30 still has all of the brilliant features of its big brother, including the signature 30x zoom and huge battery life, just at a lower cost and without a few bells and whistles. If you don’t mind the cut features, such as no wireless charging, or water resistance (instead of water-proof), the P30 is a superb phone to consider.
Top Deal: This is hardly a deal to turn your nose up at, packing 50GB of data and a whopping £270 cashback. That cashback will bring your monthly costs down greatly, coming in at only £31.75 per month post-redemption. (EE, 24 Month Contract)
Our Pick
Huawei P30
On Affordable Mobiles
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£43 p/m, 50GB data, FREE upfront, £270 cashback
Compare the Best Google Pixel Deals
Google Pixel 3
The Pixel 3 should be praised for its reliable performance, superb camera capabilities, and advanced AI functionality. If you’re looking for a modern and stylish smartphone, the Pixel 3 should definitely be on your list.
Top Deal: With only £29 upfront, buying into a big data deal couldn’t be easier. At only £35 per month as well, this is the perfect deal for anyone looking to join the Google Pixel family. (Three, 24 Month Contract)
Our Pick
Pixel 3
On Three
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£35 p/m, 30GB data, £29 upfront
Google Pixel 3 XL
The Pixel 3’s big brother offers a bigger screen size and a sharp QLED screen. There’s not a lot of difference when it comes down to hardware between the 3 and the 3 XL – so there’s only really the size and the look to consider when making a purchase.
Top Deal: This low cost package from Sky Mobile is a great deal and well worth considering if you don’t need any more than 8GB data per month. Sky runs with a standard 30-month contract, but will let you upgrade after two years. (Sky Mobile, 30 Month Contract)
Our Pick
Pixel 3 XL
On Sky Mobile
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£36 p/m, 8GB data, FREE upfront
Google Pixel 3a
The new and even more affordable Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL handsets still include that brilliant Google camera quality, alongside some equally impressive hardware for a budget device.
If you were considering the Google Pixel 3 simply because of its powerful camera, but were put off by its price tag, the 3a is much more competitively priced.
Top Deal: This is a great deal to consider, and your monthly costs effectively drop to £18 after cashback. When it comes to cheap phone deals, this is up there with the best. (Vodafone, 24 Month Contract)
Our Pick
Pixel 3a
On Mobiles.co.uk
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£24 p/m, 5GB data, FREE upfront
Google Pixel 3a XL
As always, the XL is worth considering if you want a little extra screen size. The battery is the other big difference between the XL and its younger sibling.
Top Deal: This deal comes packed with a brilliant £264 in cashback, effectively bringing the monthly cost down to only £32. (EE, 24 Month Contract)
Our Pick
Pixel 3a XL
On Affordable Mobiles
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£43 p/m, 50GB data, FREE upfront, £264 cashback
Can I keep my mobile phone number when I change contracts?
Switching mobile networks has never been easier thanks to the latest Ofcom regulations. All you need is a PAC (Porting Authorisation Code) from your old network, which can now be acquired through a simple text. If you want to find out more info on your contract, such as the final balance to pay after switching, text ‘INFO’ to 85075 to find this out without requesting a switching code.
All it takes is one text, here are the relevant steps:
- If you want to switch and keep your existing phone number text “PAC” to 65075 to begin the process
- Your existing provider will respond by text within a minute
- You will then receive the switching code (PAC), which will be valid for 30 days
- All provider’s reply must also include important information about any early termination charges or pay-as-you-go credit balances
- Your PAC code can be handed to new provider, and the company must arrange for the switch to complete within one working day
One in six people want to keep their mobile number when they switch. For those who don’t, you can text “STAC” to 75075 to request a “service termination authorisation code”.
Which phone network is the best?
Every provider has plenty of benefits and incentives, but there isn’t a definite one UK network to rule them all scenario at the moment. All the networks have their own set of advantages, so here’s some to take note of when buying your next phone.
EE
- Great 4G and 5G speeds
- Free BT Sport
- Free Apple Music
O2
- Priority rewards (2-4-1 dinners, free coffee, and more)
- WiFi hot-spot access
Vodafone
- Data coverage abroad
- Red Entertainment deals
- New unlimited 5G coverage
Three
- Unlimited data packages
- 4G calls and texts
- London Underground WiFi coverage
Should I get a contract or a SIM-free phone?
The most popular option in the UK is paying for your phone through a contract. These allow you to pay for both your device and SIM in one package and benefits those who don’t want to pay-out a massive sum when they get a new phone.
The other option is to buy a phone outright, and then buying the SIM separately. This is a less common option, but it can come with a number of benefits, if you can afford the handset. There’s plenty of freedom when it comes to your data plan and going SIM-free is cheaper in the long run. Although, that initial upfront payment does tend to put most people off.
What data plan should I get?
- 1-2GB – Realistically, you need at least 1GB on your plan, as most providers will offer this at a reasonable price and will allow for plenty of messaging, mapping, and emailing services on the go.
- 3-5GB – If you find yourself scrolling through social media in your spare time, we’d suggest opting for the 2-3GB mark.
- 6-9GB – The occasional YouTube video or music streaming session won’t be a problem with this bracket.
- 10-19GB – This amount of data is normally more than enough for the majority of users, and will let you download audio, scan social media, and watch YouTube on the go.
- 20-30GB – Big data is perfect for streaming online video from sites like Netflix. Packages like this will also offer plenty of add-ons as well.
- Unlimited – Plenty of providers now offer unlimited data plans, although it can be pricey. If you do want to go unlimited, it could be smart to opt for a SIMO plan and buy your phone outright to reduce overall cost.
How much memory do I need on my phone?
If you like having all your photos, music, downloads, and videos to hand, directly on your device, you should opt for the larger 128GB or 256GB models.
However, a lot of devices now pride themselves on their cloud storage capabilities, so if you stream from Spotify, and save loads to Google Drive, you could save some money and use a lower memory handset, if possible.
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