The UK mobile comparison library for handsets and apps
App rankings for daily life and a straight-talking look at what really matters when comparing UK mobile contracts in 2026. Focused, zero fluff.
30%+
Typical saving by pairing a refurbished handset with a SIM-only plan
24 mo
Standard UK pay-monthly contract length to factor into total cost
12 mo
Minimum warranty a reputable UK refurbished seller should offer
1 GB
Smallest data plan that covers typical daily app use comfortably
Comparing UK mobile contracts sounds simple until you realise the network price is almost never the cheapest price. SIM-only plans from MVNOs regularly undercut the host networks by 30 to 50% on identical data allowances. Pair a SIM-only plan with a refurbished handset and the 24-month total cost can fall to less than half what the network's own bundle costs upfront. Understanding that gap is the first reason this comparison library exists.
The second reason is the refurbished market. Older iPhones and Android handsets still run core apps cleanly and sell at a fraction of their original RRP. Knowing which grade to buy, which seller offers a real 12-month warranty and which iOS or Android version you are actually getting changes the risk calculation entirely. Pair these guides with our deals category for current prices and our brand guides for the full iPhone and Samsung model map.
Focused comparison
Start with the comparison guide every UK buyer needs
Apps that are genuinely worth installing, ranked for productivity, money management, fitness, travel and entertainment. Written for a real purchase decision.
Every compare guide on one page
Browse the comparison guide
Strong enough to act as a buying guide in its own right, and updated for 2026.
Popular comparison topics
Jump straight to the comparison you need
The most-searched comparison topics in the UK mobile library: mix of guide articles, brand pages and deal pages for a complete picture.
Best mobile apps
iOS and Android, daily use
Apple iPhone brand guide
All UK iPhone models mapped
Samsung Galaxy brand guide
Galaxy A, S and Z series
Mobile Phones Direct review
Cashback by redemption explained
iPhone 7 deals
Cheapest iPhone entry point
Samsung Galaxy S9 deals
Refurb pick for Android buyers
Tailored to your situation
Find the right comparison guide by use case
Three common UK buyer profiles. Pick the one that matches your goal and we point you at the right guide immediately.
Cheapest entry iPhone
You want into the Apple ecosystem at the lowest possible price. The iPhone 7 remains the cheapest iPhone you can still buy from reputable UK refurb sellers, and pairs cleanly with a sub-£8 SIM-only plan for a true budget bundle.
From £8
Per month with a SIM-only plan
Best apps for daily life
You have a working phone but the app drawer is a graveyard of things you never open. Our editors cut the list down to the apps that earn their place every day: productivity, money, fitness and travel, on both iOS and Android.
Free
Most recommended daily-use apps
Refurbished vs new
Refurbished UK handsets can save 30 to 50% versus new. Grade A looks and works like new; Grade B and C cost less but show wear. The 12-month warranty changes the risk equation entirely.
Grade A
Looks new, costs less, full warranty
3 steps to a sharper comparison
How to compare a UK mobile contract in 3 steps
Most buyers focus on the monthly headline price and miss the two numbers that actually determine whether the deal is good or not. Three checks fix that.
Decide handset vs SIM-only
A network handset bundle spreads the phone cost across 24 months but hides the real price. A refurbished handset bought outright paired with a 30-day SIM-only deal often costs less in total and keeps you flexible. Work out both total 24-month costs before you commit.
Add a network coverage check
The cheapest SIM is worthless if the network does not cover your home or commute. Run the free Ofcom checker for indoor 4G at your postcode before signing anything. A one-network comparison is not a comparison at all.
Calculate the total 24-month cost
Add the upfront cost of the handset (or the upfront charge on a bundle) to 24 times the monthly fee. That is the real price. Compare that single number across options, not the monthly fee alone. The network with the lowest monthly is rarely the cheapest over 24 months.
Three numbers every UK buyer should compare
Before you sign: the three numbers that matter
Most UK mobile shoppers check the monthly price and nothing else. These three numbers tell the real story.
Upfront
The one-off cost: handset purchase price or bundle upfront charge
Monthly
The recurring fee: airtime plan cost for the full contract length
Total
Upfront + (monthly x 24): the only number that lets you compare fairly
Source: Ofcom consumer guidance on mobile contracts and UK Consumer Contracts Regulations, June 2026.
UK mobile comparison FAQ
The Selectra expert answers your questions
Yes, for most buyers. A UK refurbished iPhone sold by a reputable seller comes with a 12-month warranty, has been inspected and reset to factory settings, and is typically priced 15 to 30% below an equivalent new model. Grade A units show no visible wear; Grade B may have minor scratches on the body. The biggest risk factor is battery health: always check the stated percentage and factor in a £40 to £80 replacement cost if it is below 80%. More guidance in our refurbished phones guide.
For outright purchase, the iPhone 8 refurbished Grade A offers the best cost-per-useful-year ratio among older iPhones. It still receives security patches via iOS 16, supports Apple Pay, Face ID-generation cameras and all mainstream apps. The iPhone X is marginally newer but iOS updates have ended for both. If you need a supported model for longer, the iPhone 11 refurbished extends your update window by several years at a moderate price premium. See our Apple iPhone brand guide for the full model comparison.
Generally no, with a few exceptions. Network apps (EE, O2, Vodafone, Three) are useful for checking your data usage and renewing bolt-ons without calling support. Beyond that, most network features are accessible through their websites. The apps worth installing on any UK phone are more universal: a banking app, a maps app with offline capability and a password manager. Our best mobile apps guide ranks the ones that earn their place every day.
It depends entirely on what you already own. A pay-monthly bundle subsidises the handset across 24 months and is convenient, but the total 24-month cost is almost always higher than buying a refurbished handset outright and pairing it with a SIM-only plan. SIM-only plans on MVNOs (giffgaff, Smarty, Lebara) regularly undercut the four main networks by 30 to 50% on identical data allowances. If you can afford the upfront handset cost, SIM-only typically wins.
The iPhone 7 remains the cheapest mainstream entry into the Apple ecosystem on the UK refurbished market. It is past the iOS update window but still runs core apps (banking, maps, messaging, email) cleanly, and Grade A units from reputable sellers are widely available with a 12-month warranty. For a marginal step up in cameras and Face ID, the iPhone X is the next option but commands a noticeable price premium. See our iPhone 7 deals guide for current UK prices.
The cheapest total cost almost always comes from buying a refurbished handset outright plus a 30-day SIM-only plan. For the handset, check Back Market, Refurbed and Music Magpie for Grade A units with warranty. For the SIM, compare Smarty, giffgaff, Lebara and iD Mobile against your coverage postcode on the Ofcom checker. The retailer route is also worth checking: see our Mobile Phones Direct review for the cashback-by-redemption model that often undercuts all other channels on flagship new handsets.
Yes, provided the handset is network-unlocked. Most refurbished iPhones sold by reputable UK sellers are unlocked as standard. An unlocked iPhone 8 or iPhone X works on EE, O2, Vodafone, Three and any MVNO. Check the listing carefully: "locked to EE" means it will only work on EE (and EE-network MVNOs) unless you request an unlock, which is free after the original contract ends. Always confirm unlock status before buying a refurbished phone.