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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 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.

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)

​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)

​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)

​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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

Can I keep my mobile phone number when I change contracts?

• Text PAC to 65075

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.

Activision is bringing back Call of Duty: Modern Warfare with a reboot, and a big part of capturing the spirit of the original will be refreshing its signature multiplayer. We’ll get our first extended look at that aspect of the game today, with a multiplayer reveal livestream.

So far we’ve only gotten a brief glimpse at the new 2-on-2 Gunfight mode, so this livestream looks to offer more details on that mode and any other modes coming to this year’s shooter. We also expect to hear more about its promised cross-play feature. You can bookmark this page to tune in and watch below.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Multiplayer Livestream Start Time:

• 10 AM PT
• 1 PM ET
• 6 PM BST
• 3 AM AET on August 2

Activision promoted the livestream by teasing the return of killstreak rewards. That tease came with its share of controversy, however, as one of the killstreak rewards is use of the controversial chemical weapon white phosphorus. Other killstreak rewards include the juggernaut care package and an armored assault vehicle.

For more on Modern Warfare, check out how weapon customization will work, as well as the pricey Premium Edition with working night vision goggles. We’re likely to see more about the Premium Edition during today’s event as well.

The start of a new season in Fortnite brings with it changes to the island all the action takes place on, and that is the case with the newly launched Season 10, officially dubbed Season X. However, things are a little different this time around, as some of the new elements are actually older ones from previous seasons. The theme for Season 10 involves a little bit of time travel to create a kind of best-of experience in the game. Items from seasons gone have reappeared and, similarly, the map has changed to reflect the old alongside the new.

The biggest change to the map is the introduction of Rift Zones, which transform different locations on the island when you venture to them. Developer Epic Games has indicated that, over the course of the season, how these Rift Zones impact the areas around them will change and evolve, which makes sense given that the studio likes to mix things up regularly to keep the game fresh.

In terms of what’s returned, the main one is Dusty Depot. In Season 4, a comet crashed onto the island and transformed it into Dusty Divot; it seems this has been undone in Season 10. Now there are a few warehouses there and a Reboot Van, if you need to bring friends back to life. The newly introduced Brute mechs will also appear there.

The comet that caused all the destruction has also returned and is hovering above the island, positioned so that players can visit it and get a closer look. It’s frozen in the sky, so you can safely drop or build your way up to it and, if you do, there’s usually a chest to be opened there. There’s also a way inside the actual comet for those looking to explore.

Over in Loot Lake, you’ll find a giant orb, which seems to be the cause of all the time manipulating shenanigans. It looks to be expanding, with the time suspension bubble around it growing in influence. If you venture close enough, you’ll notice the gravity changes, allowing you to float around. You can be sure that this orb will play a big part in the events that unfold in the coming weeks.

Another noticeable addition is the giant skeleton of a monster with a sword pierced through it. Interestingly, there’s a strange purple fluid of some sort leaking out onto the ground around it. What’s peculiar about this is the liquid seems to be forming spiral-like patterns around it. The question is how far this will spread, and will it result in the monster being resurrected in some fashion?

A couple of other noteworthy things include the Durr Burger Head and Stone Head Statue reappearing. These seem to be just a nice little throwback for a bit of Fortnite nostalgia. You can see the new map above.

Again, the Rifts have opened the door for Epic Games to make more frequent updates to the island. Previously, significant changes to the map were tied to major events such as the comet crash or the pirate invasion, but with these new time anomalies, the orb, and the skeleton, there are ample ways to get creative with more regular changes. The Rift Zones can also impact the gameplay, such as by preventing the use of Harvesting Tools, for example.

The way you play Fortnite has also changed in Season 10, as challenges are now themed and grouped together as “Missions.” Currently, there are no weekly or daily challenges, as there have been in the past, but it’s unclear whether this will remain the case throughout Season 10 or if they will return in the future. More information can be found in our Fortnite Season 10 Challenge and Mission breakdown.

Of course, there’s a new Battle Pass too, and it functions in the same way it has for the past few seasons. To make the most of Fortnite you’ll need to have one, especially as there’s much less for those without a Battle Pass to do. We’ve put together a comprehensive gallery featuring all the new Fortnite skins, emotes, back bling, wraps, pets, and more, so you can take a look and figure out if you want to invest the time and money.

For a wider view of what’s new and different, head over to the Fortnite update 10.00 patch notes.

The United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has set a date and an agenda for its upcoming public workshop on video game loot boxes. The event, which will take place on August 7 in Washington DC, is titled “Inside the Game: Unlocking the Consumer Issues Surrounding Loot Boxes.” A schedule posted on the FTC site outlines three key panels to take place throughout the day.

The first panel to take place at 10:15 AM ET promises to explore the role of loot boxes and “the impact of these monetization models on end users.” It will include panelists from the National Consumers League, Common Sense Media, International Game Developers Association, and Entertainment Software Association.

The second panel, to take place at 1:15 PM ET after a short break for lunch, will take a look at the “social, psychological, and economic motivations” behind loot boxes. It will feature university professors in the fields of psychology, industrial engineering, marketing, and computer science.

The final afternoon session, set for 2:45 PM ET, is centered on how to make sure concerns around loot boxes are addressed. It will review current initiatives for disclosing microtransactions, as well as “other mechanisms that may enhance consumer protection.” That panel will include representatives of Common Sense Media, Consumer Reports, the ESA, and the National Council on Problem Gambling. Each of the three panels will be moderated by an FTC representative.

All of this comes amid a backdrop of criticism of microtransactions, including comparisons to gambling and concerns about them being targeted towards children. The FTC hasn’t formally made any moves to restrict the practice, but proposed the workshop as a “non-law enforcement option” that could “help elicit information to guide subsequent consumer outreach.” U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) has introduced a bill that would ban the practice.

Various countries have responded in their own ways to loot boxes, including some like France and New Zealand that have determined that the practice does not constitute gambling. Still, some countries have already banned the practice, leading games like Rocket League to remove those purchases in select countries.

Fortnite: Season 10 is now live, introducing “Brute” mechs, new skins and emotes, and a fresh batch of challenges. However the launch of the new season has not been without its issues, and developer Epic Games has been forced to disable a number of features as it investigates the problems further.

First, the company tweeted that “the mech has been disabled in the Creative and Playground playlists, due to an issue with movement speed.” It then said that “due to an issue, gifting the Battle Pass on PC has been disabled.” Finally, it stated the following: “We’re aware of some players experiencing an increased level of hitching/stuttering while in-game. We are investigating this and will provide status updates once we have more information.”

None of the problems seen so far have been serious enough to bring the game’s servers down–Epic’s service status page still lists all Fortnite’s systems as “operational”–but it’s still disappointing to see some of these problems crop up on such a big day for the battle royale game.

If you want to see all the changes and tweaks in Season 10, check out the Fortnite update 10.00 patch notes. We’ve also put together a comprehensive guide on the Season 10 Battle Pass, which includes everything you need to know about what it is, what you get for having one, and making the most of one. For more on the new season, take a look at our Fortnite Season 10 hub, which collects all the pre-release teases, information on the season’s launch, and details on everything that is new. This hub is being updated regularly, so check back for the latest updates on what’s happening with the game.

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The start of a new season in Fortnite inevitably brings with it a number of new features and tweaks to the way the popular battle royale title plays. However, the newly launched Season 10, has one of the most significant changes the game has received in quite some time. Developer Epic Games has done away with Weekly Challenges and, in turn, made playing the game without spending money on a premium Battle Pass far less rewarding.

Previously, players could load up Fortnite and see a set of Daily Challenges alongside a set of Weekly Challenges. The Weekly Challenges would have a set of challenges that could be completed by anyone playing the game and another set that was only available to those that purchased a Battle Pass.

Now, however, the Daily Challenges have been replaced by Limited Time Missions. Epic Games has explained in a statement that these Limited Time Missions “are free for all players” and “by completing objectives, players can earn rewards.”

It continued: “As part of the Limited Time Mission, a new objective will unlock daily at 9AM ET. Players will have a week to complete these objectives. They will then be replaced by a new set of Limited Time Mission objectives.”

All players will now have 70 unique objectives to undertake and complete over the course of the Season 10. Additionally, free events will be introduced throughout the season along with additional rewards. Weekly Challenges, meanwhile, have been morphed into themed sets.

Currently, there’s the Rumble Royale and Road Trip Mission sets available and, in both cases, the challenges that are included in them are locked entirely behind a Battle Pass. This is a huge change as it effectively locks out Fortnite players that don’t spend money on a Battle Pass from a huge part of the game that they’ve become accustomed to engaging with.

While a free silver tier of the Battle Pass still exists and there are unlockable rewards attached to them, the rewards aren’t nearly as exciting as those available to Battle Pass owners. And unlocking them is done primarily through simply playing the Battle Royale mode to score kills and earn Victory Royales. You can take a look at the difference between challenge availability with and without a Battle Pass above.

Those that purchased the Breakpoint bundle, which includes Daily Challenges that must be completed to earn its rewards, are now finding that the challenges are not available, halting their progress entirely.

Fortnite is a game that is continuously evolving, so it may be that the way challenges work changes in the coming weeks and, similarly, more to do is introduced for those without the premium Battle Pass. GameSpot has contacted Epic for further insight on why these changes were made and if players can expect more free-focused content in the future.

If you want to see all the changes and tweaks, check out the Fortnite Update 10.00 patch notes. We’ve also put together a comprehensive guide on the Season 10 Battle Pass, which includes everything you need to know about what it is, what you get for having one, and making the most of one. For more on the new season, take a look at our Fortnite Season 10 hub, which collects all the pre-releases teases, information on its launch, and details on everything that is new. This hub is being updated regularly, so check back for the latest updates on what’s happening with the game.

Patrice Desilets, the creator of the Assassin’s Creed franchise, has a mind full of game ideas. He told GI.biz that in addition to making the long-awaited 1666 Amsterdam, he has ideas for numerous other games, including some that are very personal to him.

Desilets heads up the independent studio Panache Digital Games, which is working with Take-Two’s indie label on Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey, which launches this year. That game sees you playing as human ancestor animal and trying to survive in a harsh world. 1666 Amsterdam, which Desilets had returned to him amid a lawsuit with Ubisoft, is also set in a historical time period. But Desilets does eventually plan to make games that take place in different time periods.

“Panache has another IP called 1666 Amsterdam, which we will eventually make,” he said. “But I have my own personal portfolio of ideas and they’re not all set in the past. Eventually, for sure, we will need to do a game set in the future, or a fantasy land, or set in reality… I have a game idea that’s really precise about a story that happened to my father. My father is a survivor of the earthquake in Haiti in 2010, and I want to tell that story eventually.”

Ancestors is Desilet’s first new game since 2010’s Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood. According to GI.biz, Desilets also said he doesn’t plan to make AAA games again; Panache is staffed by 35 people, according to the report. Additionally, the site reported that Desilets said the team could eventually work on multiple games at the same time; one example reportedly provided was supporting a live service game alongside developing a different title.

Also in the interview, Desilets talked about how Ancestors is being positioned as “the next game from the creator of Assassin’s Creed.”

“We have an understanding between each other that if the game is good, it is them,” he said. “If the game is sh**, then it’s my fault. So I make the decisions. Panache is not a democracy, but I am open to discussion and saying let’s create the game together.”

You can read the full interview here at GI.biz.

In 2017, Desilets shared some high-level details on 1666. “That’s my game about the devil in us that we are all good guys but sometimes we’re not and how come sometimes we’re not?” he said. “And it’s an international subject matter also and in our culture the devil symbol is there so I want to attack that and eventually we’re going to make it here at Panache.”

Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry publisher Ubisoft has added another studio to its stable.

The company bought a 70 percent stake in the “hyper-casual” free-to-play game developer Green Panda Games. The studio and Ubisoft are both headquartered in Paris, France. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed, though Ubisoft did say the agreement gives Ubisoft the option to buy 100 percent of Green Panda’s shares in the next four years.

Green Panda–which is staffed by 30 people–is the developer and publisher of mobile games like Sushi Bar, Terrarium, Emoji Craft, and Golf Inc Tycoon, among many others. In all, the company has released 55 games since its founding in 2013. Altogether, the studio’s games have reached 85 million people around the globe, according to a press release from Ubisoft.

As for why Ubisoft is buying a controlling stake in Green Panda, the company said Green Panda gives Ubisoft a “sharp editorial vision in the idle games segment, data-based iterative creative processes, and undisputed expertise in both user acquisition and ad monetization strategies.”

Ubisoft Mobile boss Jean-Michel Detoc said, “This acquisition strengthens our position in the hyper-casual market, particularly within the idle games segment.”

Green Panda founder Guillaume Sztejnberg, meanwhile, said in his own statement that the studio is “delighted to be coming on board with Ubisoft…”

This is just the latest move from Ubisoft to invest further into mobile games. In 2016, the company acquired developer Ketchapp. Ubisoft already has a mobile game business, one of its biggest and best-known franchises being Hungry Shark.