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Where would we be without our phones? They’re the life essentials we need in our orbit at all times; all hell breaks loose if they’re lost.
We use them for just about everything; streaming entertainment, using apps, maps, paying bills - you name it, we'll use our phones to solve it. These days the handsets in our pockets are more powerful than NASA’s Apollo-era computers which propelled astronauts to the Moon, which is as mind-blowing a fact as it is an illustration of how rapidly tech is evolving.
If you’re looking for a new handset or phone contract, the good news is that there’s plenty of choice around. Maybe too much, in fact. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
While minutes and texts were once the top priorities, the focus is now very much on data.
If you’re about to finish your contract and hunting for a new handset, SIM or a contract bundle which gives you both, it’s vital to know how much data you’re typically using a month. Do this easily by checking your monthly average usage in your settings.
Many networks offer Unlimited Data deals which, at first glance, have all the lure of a fill-yer-boots open buffet. But if you’re someone who works from home or the office a lot, you’re probably already connected to paid-for broadband and Wi-Fi networks and so, the need for all-you-can-eat data is dwindling by the day.
Once you’ve worked out how much data you use a month, the next step is to consider how much you’re willing to spend every month. Both figures should help narrow down the options.
To help, we’ve rounded up the best phone deals and contracts to shop right now.
Scroll on to find a handset section if you need a new device (and don't forget that refurbished is a highly cost-effective route), as well as SIM-only offers and phone contract deals that will kit you out with a new phone and SIM deal - but it does typically mean you’ll be tied in for at least 24 months, often more.
See our favourites below
Read More
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Best places to buy refurbished second-hand phones in the UK
Best deals on mobile phones and SIM contracts to expect on Black Friday 2024
Best Samsung phones in 2024: Top handsets for your money rated
Best handset deals, news and reviews for December 2024
A shiny new handset for less than the usual RRP? Sign us up.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
Samsung
This impressive new launch from Samsung only gets better the more time you spend with it.
From a sharp and bright display and a whip-fast processor to incredible zoom on the cameras and auto adjust that picks out the finest detail, this may be the most capable handset on the market today. The slightly larger main display and sharper corners make the most of every millimetre so you’re getting as much viewing and browsing space as possible (especially helpful when you’re using multiple apps at once).
The 120hz refresh rate is perfect for streaming shows, scrolling your newsfeed or catching up on the latest headlines, not to mention remote working, especially with the Multi View feature which allows you to see up to three apps at once.
Its range of developed AI features is what makes the Galaxy Z Fold6 soar above the competition, from Live Translate, Chat Assist, Browsing Assist and its much-celebrated Circle to Search innovation (in partnership with Google). This tech is reflected in the elevated RRP, but if you can afford it, it’s the best phone for your pocket. Oh and the folding mechanism? Well, that never gets old.
The phone is powered by a 4400mAh battery but there’s also super fast charging to get your handset back up to full power quicker.
Samsung has once again raised the bar for mobile technology with this device, leaving the competition quaking in its wake.
Was: £1799
Buy now£1399, Amazon
Price Comparison
Amazon
£1399
Buy now
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G Mobile Phone SIM Free Android Folding Smartphone 256GB Phantom Black (UK Version)
Amazon
This folding device is full of surprises. Folded, the screen spans 6.2inches, but open it up and you’ll have 7.6inches of viewing space to enjoy on the Infinity Flex Display.
The 120hz refresh rate is perfect for streaming shows, scrolling your newsfeed or catching up on the latest headlines, not to mention remote working, especially with the Multi View feature which allows you to use up to three apps at once. Find a refurbished model for even less here.
Was £1,599
Buy now£593.51, Amazon
Price Comparison
eBay
£740.97
Buy now
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6
Samsung
Connecting over Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3, the Z Flip6 is ideally suited to pairing up with wireless speakers or smartwatches, such as the all-new Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra, giving epically strong connections that won’t falter and leave you high and dry. There is also a range of precision sensors and GPS to see to all your location and security needs, while a reasonably capacious 4000mAH battery will stand you in good stead for longer before charges.
Is this Samsung’s opus magnum of opening phones? Yes, yes it is. A stunningly realised thing of ringing beauty, it’s extremely attractive and equally well-built, every part of it is of premium-quality and it simply demands to be picked up, cherished and admired every few minutes in a manner that some from the outside may find obsessive, maybe even weird, but I challenge anyone to resist. Then there’s performance – speed is unsurpassed and functionality comes in smart-spades, instantly making itself at home as the hub of all your tech time.
So, the Z Flip6 is the best Samsung flip phone, that’s a given, but is it the best flip phone on the market full-stop? Well, from the cover screen to the cameras to the way it makes every action feel so utterly effortless, I confidently state the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 phone is the flip phone that flip phone fans have been eagerly awaiting for so long; so yes again, yes it is.
Buy now£1049, Amazon
Price Comparison
Amazon
£79.25
Buy now
Argos
£89.99
Buy now
JD Williams
£95
Buy now
Currys
£95
Buy now
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Samsung
Best for: keeping in your pocket
The 200MP main wide-angle camera on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra takes some excellent still images, and it’s really good for video too. It’s capable of shooting 8K at up to 30fps, but perhaps more interesting is the ability to capture 4K video at up to 120fps for high-res slow-motion effects. You’ll need a lot of storage to hold so much video data, and up to 1TB of internal capacity is available.
The S24 Ultra’s cameras are optically stabilised and use phase-detection autofocus. The phone also has a dual-recording feature that captures footage from the front and rear cameras simultaneously, perfect for vloggers documenting an event as they can walk and talk without a complicated camera setup.
Was: £847
Buy now£788, Amazon
Price Comparison
Amazon
£788
Buy now
Amazon
£791
Buy now
eBay
£869
Buy now
AO.com
£949
Buy now
Google Pixel 9 Pro Smartphone
The Google Pixel 9 series has seen the introduction of AI into our handsets. The four phones in the collection (the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel 9 Pro Fold) have entered their ‘Gemini Era’ as the brand explains with the ability to ask a range of commands not dissimilar from voice assistant - like what the weather will be like today - but with the added benefit of distilling complex information, learning something new and solving problems such as settling a debate or drafting a resignation letter.
As is always the case with Google phones, the camera has the biggest upgrade with new features like ‘Add Me’, which changes the photo-taking game. This allows you to incorporate the photographer into the shot. There are also improvements to panoramic shots with Night Vision and Action for moving snaps and the editing process is more advanced with the ability to use prompts to add elements into the shot like a tree or autumn leaves.
The Pixel Pro 9 has a 24-hour battery life, comes in four chic colours and is waterproof.
The only gripe? Google Pixel phones used to be a cost-friendly alternative to iPhones but now come at around the same RRP. That being said, it’s a lot of phone for the price.
Buy now£1099, John Lewis
Price Comparison
Very
£999
Buy now
John Lewis & Partners
£1099
Buy now
Jacamo
£1099
Buy now
Argos
£1099
Buy now
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max (256 GB)
Amazon
During the ‘Wonderlust’ showcase, we were shown a new design for the phone, namely a colour-infused back glass with a matte, textured finish and a more contoured edge. All devices come with a 48MP main camera while the more advanced Pro and Pro Max models have the added bonus of a 2x Telephoto option for 3x optical zoom.
There has also been a switch-up in the charging port to the widely used USB-C and greater precision for Find My Friends and Roadside Assistance connected via satellite to suit those off the grid. The phones are available in five new colours; pink, yellow, green, blue, and black.
It also has a slightly bigger battery: Apple says the Pro Max can handle a staggering 29 hours of video playback, while the Pro can manage a respectable 23 hours.
Was £1,187.10
Buy now£1049, Amazon
Price Comparison
Mobiles.co.uk
£1049
Buy now
Argos
£1049
Buy now
Appliances Direct (BID)
£1049
Buy now
Currys
£1049
Buy now
HONOR X6b Mobile Phone Unlocked
Honor
Was: £219.99
Buy now£79, Amazon
Price Comparison
Very
£79
Buy now
AO.com
£79
Buy now
Amazon
£79
Buy now
Argos
£79.99
Buy now
Moto Razr50 Koala Grey
Motorola
A clamshell phone for modern users, Motorola's device boasts beautiful full-colour displays on both the external and internal displays, a next-gen 50 MP camera systemthe multidimensional sound of Dolby Atmos. Plus, with all-day battery, it will go as long as you do.
Was: £799.99
Buy now£599, Amazon
Price Comparison
Currys
£599
Buy now
John Lewis & Partners
£599
Buy now
AO.com
£599
Buy now
Very
£599
Buy now
Best SIM-only Deals for December
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If you’re happy with your existing handset, signing up for a new SIM-only deal can keep your monthly costs down. Excellent news in these times, we think you’d agree.
Vodafone SIM-only deals
PA Wire
Offering SIM-only contracts for 1, 12 and 24 months, Vodafone offers the flexibility to adjust terms in a world where 24 months appear to be the new standard. Generally speaking, the longer you commit, the more favourable the prices.
Get Unlimited 5G data for £23 a month.
Buy now Vodafone
giffgaff SIM-only deals
giffgaff
Famed for its cheap prices, the budget network has some seriously low-priced SIM-only deals starting from a mere £6 a month. All plans come with unlimited calls and texts, so just set your data ceiling and you’re good to go.
The current headline deal is a piddly £20 a month for Unlimited data on an 18-month contract.
Buy now Giffgaff
Lebara SIM-only deals
Pexels
Budget players like Lebara are rising in popularity and upping its SIM-only offering to meet demand.
On the low end of the scale, pocket a 5GB SIM with 1000 minutes and texts and 100 international minutes for a fiver. It’s low-data so best for those who are nonplussed about asking for local Wi-Fi passwords when they’re out and about.
Meanwhile, the Unlimited data SIM costs £30 on a rolling 30-day plan with all-you-can-eat UK minutes and texts as well as 100 international minutes to 42 countries, so you can catch up with overseas pals without worrying about racking up your bill.
Buy now Lebara
O2 SIM-only deals
O2
Famous for customer rewards, O2 is giving back to customers through its SIM-only offering. Pick the right deal and you’ll be treated to daily offers with O2 Priority, free O2 WiFi, O2 Travel Inclusive Zone and six months of on-demand service Disney+ too - although there are alternatives if The Magic Kingdom doesn’t do it for you.
Currently, bargain-hunting shoppers can find an Unlimited SIM-only deal for £24.99 a month on a 24-month plan. It also comes with roaming to 75 destinations including the EU, US and Down Under; perfect for those planning long-haul trips in the two years ahead.
Buy now O2
EE SIM-only deals
EE
The data rewards are huge at EE. If you've got your heart set on Unlimited Data, there are three top offers to choose from with the best called Unlimited Essentials Plus. Running on a 24-month contract, it gives you half off the first six months so you'll only pay £27pm at first with a £1.50pm hike coming in at the end of March 2025.
Don't need Unlimited? Fixed data plans include a 50GB SIM for £18pm for 24 months and you can gift whatever you don’t get through to friends and family.
Buy now EE
Three SIM-only deals
PA Archive
Three offers an array of SIM-only deals, and many of them are Unlimited. But before you cough up £26 a month for all-you-can-eat unlimited, think first: do you really need that much data?
If it’s a yes, you’re in luck! The network has just announced an unlimited deal (on a 24-month contract) for £20pm. It includes Three’s rewards app, which unlocks access to pre-sale tickets, giveaways and more.
Buy now Three
Smarty SIM-only deals
Smarty
Promising jargon-free deals, Smarty is the go-to choice for those watching the pennies. The Unlimited plan is £20pm, but if that’s excessive and unnecessary, you can land a rolling monthly deal that gives you 80GB for £10.
Buy now Smarty
Best phone contract deals for December 2024
Unsplash
Don't have the time or inclination to shop around? Get a new phone and a SIM to go with it from one provider.
Vodafone pay monthly deals
There’s more than enough time to take advantage of the special offers under Vodafone’s roof. All the big names are here, from Apple and Samsung to Google and Motorola.
While the offers are comparable to the other big networks, you can save up to triple figures if you trade-in.
Buy now Vodafone
Mobiles.co.uk pay monthly deals
Apple's
Whether you’re eyeing up a brand new contract or trying to wrangle an upgrade, Mobiles.co.uk has a raft of offers to see.
The comparison site puts all the best contract deals from the biggest players in one place, allowing you to see it all at a glance, like a newborn Simba looking over the Pride Lands.
Buy now Mobiles.co.uk
Three pay monthly deals
Apple
Find contract deals on all the leading phone brands at Three with extras like double storage and free smartwatches with selected contracts.
Get yourself a new iPhone 16 Pro Max for £33pm after paying £60 upfront on a 36-month contract. You'll have to add the price of a SIM plan to this; the cheapest is £9pm which gives you 15GB.
Buy now Three
EE pay monthly deals
EE
From Google phones to Samsung and Apple’s iPhone, there are plenty of contract offers to snap up at EE. An ‘as new’ model is the perfect choice for a first phone for teens as well as for the more mature user who isn’t fazed by brand names. As well as competitive contracts, EE will chuck in a benefit - like Apple Music, Prime Video and Roam Further - across many plans for free too.
Buy now EE