Every UK phone retailer in one directory
Carphone Warehouse, Mobile Phones Direct, Tesco, Argos, Currys, Apple, Samsung and every network shop. 15 places to buy a UK mobile phone, ranked by what they do best.
5+
Aggregators we cover
10+
Network direct stores indexed
£400
Saved on the same handset via the right retailer
24
Months average UK Pay Monthly contract
Where you buy your phone often matters more than which network you sign up to. The same iPhone on the same EE tariff can vary by hundreds of pounds across 24 months, depending on whether you bought it from the network direct, a multi-network aggregator, a supermarket or a manufacturer store.
Below we list every UK mobile retailer that matters: 15 places to buy a handset, SIM or Pay Monthly contract. Filter by aggregator, network direct, supermarket or online-only to see who suits your shopping style.
The flagship retailers
The four UK retailers every shopper should know
The two biggest aggregators, the UK’s top-rated network shop and the supermarket that wins on entry-level value.
Carphone Warehouse
Aggregator (now Currys)
The UK’s longest-running mobile phone retailer, absorbed into Currys in 2020. Carphone Warehouse pioneered multi-network comparison on the high street before moving entirely online.
Read the full reviewMobile Phones Direct
Aggregator (online)
Award-winning online-only retailer offering EE, O2, Vodafone and Three contracts with automatic cashback by redemption. Often beats the networks on total cost over 24 months.
Read the full reviewEE Shop
Network direct
EE’s own retail channel selling Pay Monthly handsets, SIM-only plans and home broadband. Same prices as in-store but with full online tracking and EE perks bundled in.
Tesco Mobile
Supermarket (O2 host)
Bought in store or online via tescomobile.com. Clubcard prices on selected SIM-only plans, plus Family Perks to share allowances across up to four lines.
Every UK retailer
Compare all 15 UK mobile retailers
Filter by retailer type and shopping style. Aggregators bundle multiple networks under one checkout; network direct stores sell only their own plans.
Carphone Warehouse
Aggregator (now Currys) . UK legacy
The UK’s longest-running mobile phone retailer, absorbed into Currys in 2020. Carphone Warehouse pioneered multi-network comparison on the high street before moving entirely online.
Mobile Phones Direct
Aggregator (online) . Cashback specialist
Award-winning online-only retailer offering EE, O2, Vodafone and Three contracts with automatic cashback by redemption. Often beats the networks on total cost over 24 months.
Affordable Mobiles
Aggregator (online) . Trade-in deals
Online aggregator covering all four host networks with a strong focus on trade-in discounts. Trustpilot-rated and frequently bundles free gifts on flagship handset contracts.
EE Shop
Network direct . Best 5G
EE’s own retail channel selling Pay Monthly handsets, SIM-only plans and home broadband. Same prices as in-store but with full online tracking and EE perks bundled in.
O2 Direct
Network direct . Priority perks
O2’s direct sales channel: pick from Refresh tariffs that split airtime and device cost, with O2 Priority rewards and Volt benefits if you also subscribe to Virgin Media.
Vodafone Direct
Network direct . EU roaming
Vodafone’s online store with EVO contracts splitting handset and airtime, plus VeryMe rewards. Many plans still include free EU roaming as a built-in benefit.
Three Direct
Network direct . Unlimited data
Three’s own online store, strong on unlimited-data Pay Monthly handsets. Look out for the regular SIM-only flash sales that undercut every aggregator.
Sky Direct
Network direct (Sky Mobile) . Data rollover
Sky Mobile’s direct sales channel for existing Sky TV and broadband customers. Swap up to a new handset every 12 months and roll unused data forward for up to three years.
Tesco Mobile
Supermarket (O2 host) . Clubcard prices
Bought in store or online via tescomobile.com. Clubcard prices on selected SIM-only plans, plus Family Perks to share allowances across up to four lines.
Argos Mobile
Supermarket (Sainsbury’s) . Click and collect
Argos sells SIM-free smartphones and PAYG bundles with same-day click-and-collect from hundreds of UK stores. Argos Card finance available on most handsets.
Asda Mobile
Supermarket (Vodafone host) . Cheap PAYG
Asda’s in-house PAYG and 30-day SIM plans on the Vodafone network. Available in-store and online at asda.com. No credit check on PAYG bundles.
Apple UK Store
Manufacturer direct . iPhone trade-in
Apple’s UK online and retail stores sell SIM-free iPhones with up to 36-month interest-free finance via Apple Pay Later. Trade-in valuation handled in-store or by post.
Samsung UK
Manufacturer direct . Galaxy trade-in
Samsung’s UK online store sells SIM-free Galaxy handsets and watches with Samsung Financial Services finance. Strong trade-in offers around new Galaxy launches.
Amazon UK
Online marketplace . Same-day delivery
Amazon UK sells SIM-free smartphones, refurbished handsets via Amazon Renewed and PAYG SIM packs. Prime delivery and the 30-day return window apply to most listings.
Currys
High-street electronics . Carphone parent
Currys absorbed Carphone Warehouse in 2020 and now sells SIM-free smartphones, network contracts and SIM-only plans across all four host networks. Available in-store and online.
Retailers at a glance
What each retailer actually does
Some bundle every UK network under one roof. Others sell only their own brand. A visual key to each retailer’s reach.
Carphone Warehouse
Mobile Phones Direct
Affordable Mobiles
EE Shop
O2 Direct
Vodafone Direct
Three Direct
Sky Direct
Tesco Mobile
Argos Mobile
Asda Mobile
Apple UK Store
Samsung UK
Amazon UK
Currys
Last updated: June 2026. Retailer ownership, networks stocked and trade-in offers change frequently. Always verify with the retailer before buying.
6 questions to ask
How to choose the right UK mobile retailer
Total cost, finance, returns, trade-in and after-sale support. Six checks that decide whether a retailer is right for you.
Compare total cost over 24 months
Add the upfront payment to 24 monthly bills. Aggregators like Mobile Phones Direct often beat the network direct price by £100 to £400 once cashback by redemption is included.
Check the consumer-credit licence
Any retailer offering Pay Monthly contracts in the UK must be authorised by the FCA. Look for the FCA reference at the bottom of the homepage; never finance a phone through an unregistered seller.
Confirm the 14-day return window
UK Consumer Contracts Regulations give you 14 calendar days to cancel any online phone order without reason. In-store purchases from networks like EE and O2 carry a separate 14-day buyer’s remorse policy. Always keep the original packaging.
Trade-in valuation in writing
Apple, Samsung and the four networks all run trade-in schemes, but quotes vary by hundreds of pounds for the same handset. Get the valuation in writing, lock the price for 14 days and never post the device without a tracked label.
Price match and cashback rules
Currys and EE will price-match an identical contract from another approved retailer within 7 days. Cashback-by-redemption deals at Mobile Phones Direct need claims at fixed dates; miss the window and the saving disappears.
After-sale support and repairs
In-store retailers like EE, O2 and Currys offer face-to-face support that purely online aggregators cannot match. If you are not comfortable troubleshooting by phone, choose a retailer with a physical UK store near your postcode.
What it costs in 2026
The cheapest places to buy a UK mobile contract
Aggregators consistently undercut network direct stores on flagship handset contracts, mainly through cashback by redemption and exclusive online-only deals. The figures below are typical 24-month savings vs the same plan on the network’s own website.
£400
Mobile Phones Direct - cashback by redemption on flagship iPhone deals
£200
Affordable Mobiles - trade-in bonus on Galaxy launch handsets
£120
Tesco Mobile - Clubcard price on 36-month split contracts
Indicative 24-month savings vs network direct, 2026. Always verify the current offer before subscribing.
Keep exploring
More on UK mobile
Picked your retailer? Now choose the right network, find your next handset or read the in-depth how-to guides.
Networks
Mobile networks
EE, O2, Vodafone, Three and every UK MVNO compared. Coverage, host network, contract types and SIM-only prices side by side.
ExploreHandsets
Phone brands
Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Honor and Huawei: which range fits your budget and how UK contracts compare.
ExploreHow-to
Mobile guides
70+ guides on switching network, 5G, eSIM, dual-SIM phones, saving mobile data and fixing common SIM errors.
ExploreUK retailers FAQ
The Selectra expert answers your questions
Aggregators like Mobile Phones Direct and Affordable Mobiles consistently beat Apple, the four networks and Currys on total 24-month cost when you include cashback by redemption. Apple UK’s store wins if you want a SIM-free handset with interest-free Apple Pay Later finance. For refurbished iPhones, Amazon Renewed and Music Magpie are usually the cheapest verified options.
Yes. Mobile Phones Direct is FCA-authorised, has been trading since 1996 and is one of the largest independent UK mobile retailers. Customer reviews on Trustpilot are strong, the 14-day cancellation period applies as for any UK online retailer, and the contracts you take out are direct with the network (EE, O2, Vodafone or Three), not with the retailer.
A network refurb is a handset originally sold by EE, O2, Vodafone or Three that has been returned within the cancellation period, professionally inspected, restored to working order and resold at a discount. It comes with a 12-month warranty, a new battery if needed, and is usually 15 to 30% cheaper than buying brand new. Quality grades range from "as new" down to "good".
Some do. Currys and EE will match an identical contract from another approved retailer within 7 days of purchase, provided the rival offer is still live. Mobile Phones Direct does not officially price-match but frequently runs flash sales that already undercut the major networks. Always screenshot the rival price before requesting a match.
UK Consumer Contracts Regulations give you 14 calendar days from delivery to cancel any online phone order without giving a reason. Some retailers extend that voluntarily (Apple offers 14 days, EE offers 14 days, Currys 21 days on selected items). Send the phone back in its original packaging with all accessories included. Refunds typically arrive within 14 days of receipt.
Aggregators usually win on price for new flagship handsets, especially through cashback by redemption schemes. Buying from the network direct (EE Shop, O2 Direct, Vodafone Direct, Three Direct) gives you the strongest after-sale support, easier upgrades and access to network-exclusive perks like O2 Priority or Sky Mobile data rollover. If price is the only factor, go aggregator. If you want bundled perks or face-to-face support, go direct.
Save on your next handset
Find the right UK retailer for your next phone
Compare aggregators, network shops and supermarkets in one place. The right retailer can save you up to £400 on the same handset and tariff over 24 months.