Best Black Friday mobile phone and Sim-only deals 2026

A smartphone can be a significant investment, so you'll want to make sure you're getting the best value for money when you decide to upgrade. To help, we've uncovered some great early Black Friday deals available now. You'll find a plethora of the best mobile phone and Sim-only deals right here, from iPhones to the top Android picks.

Our experts regularly trawl the deals and discounts to highlight the best offer throughout the year, including Sim-only deals from as little as £5 per month.

For more tips to help you shop smart in the sales, take a look at our Black Friday 2026 advice. Keen to see what else we’ve found? Head to our best Black Friday deals.

Best Android phone deals for November

There are several attractive discounts on Android handsets, so you don't need to spend a fortune on a big-name brand. The phones we've shortlisted all performed at least reasonably well in our tests, but you'll have to read our reviews to find out whether they're Best Buys.

See all the smartphones we've tested by going to our mobile phone reviews. And if you're wondering why you can trust our independent reviews, check out how we test mobile phones.

Our Pick: Google Pixel 10a

Average price in the past six months: £529
Cheapest price in the past six months: £359*

• 6.3-inch display with 2,424 x 1,080 resolution
• Google Tensor G4 processor with 8GB of Ram
• Two rear camera lenses, no telephoto

We like: Simple software

We don’t like: Battery isn't huge

The Pixel 10a is pitched as a cut-down version of Google’s flagship phone, but don't let that fool you - the 'a' series in the Pixel range is often seen as an excellent value alternative. 

It combines a 48Mp main camera with a 13Mp ultra-wide, though lacks the 10.8Mp telephoto found on the standard Pixel 10, and there’s also a 13-megapixel selfie camera on the front. In terms of general operation though, it's difficult to see where the corners have been cut. The 10a is likely to supercede the 9a as an extremely sought-after mid-range phone, particularly as it can often be found at a significant discount.

Read our in-depth Google Pixel 10a review to see if Google cut corners with this pared-down version.

Samsung Galaxy A17

Average price in the past six months: £200
Cheapest price in the past six months: £122*

• 6.7-inch display with 2,340 x 1,080 resolution
• Exynos processor with 4GB of Ram
• Three rear camera lenses, including a 50Mp wide main lens

We like: Responsive touch controls

We don’t like: Photos look a bit flat

The 2025 iteration of Samsung’s mid-range A-series represents a step up in terms of screen quality and features compared with its direct predecessors and has a price point that may suit anybody who doesn't use their phone constantly or perhaps as a first mobile for a younger person.

Despite the low cost, it still features a 6.7-inch OLED display and 128GB of internal storage (of which around 100GB is available for installing apps, storing files and so on).

On the back, there are three cameras: a 50-megapixel wide ‘main’ camera, a 5Mp ultra-wide, and a 2Mp macro lens for close-up shots. The front-facing camera is a 13Mp wide lens designed for selfies and video calls.

Is this a bargain worth buying? Our Samsung Galaxy A17 review reveals all.

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Samsung Galaxy A57

Average price in the past six months: £355.78
Cheapest price in the past six months: £291*

Use code OCTA to get an additional £100 off this phone when trading in via Samsung. Or compare prices at other retailers below:

• 6.7-inch display with 2,340 x 1,080 resolution
• Exynos 1680 processor with 8GB of Ram
• Three rear camera lenses, including 50Mp main and ultra-wide lenses

We like: Fast and responsive to use

We don’t like: Camera quality is a little uneven

Another mid-range Android smartphone from Samsung, but a step up from the A17 above in terms of processing power, memory and camera setup; this model has two 50Mp rear-facing cameras instead of one.

It has a 6.7inch OLED screen and a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. That suggests a phone that should have bright colours, sharp detail and smooth motion processing – all of which we put to the test when we reviewed this Samsung.

Our full Samsung Galaxy A57 review tells you all you need to know about this smartphone.

Honor Magic 8 Pro

Average price in the past six months: £989.20
Cheapest price in the past six months: £779*

• 6.71-inch display with 2,808 x 1,256 resolution
• Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor with 12GB of Ram
• Three rear camera lenses, including a 200Mp 3.7x telephoto camera

We like: Bright display

We don’t like: Rear-camera video quality

The Honor Magic 8 Pro is one of the few flagship phones of 2026 that can be found for a lot less than it went for at launch, which is why we've included it in our deals guide.

It carries a medium-sized 6.71-inch display which benefits from having one of the brightest panels around, topping out at 6,000 nits.

The high-end Snapdragon 8 Elite Ge 5 processor offers high-end performance, and it's paired with 12GB Ram to better handle multitasking and gaming. 

Find out more about this phone by reading our full Honor Magic 8 Pro review. 

Nothing Phone (3)

Average price in the past six months: £619.13
Cheapest price in the past six months: £401.46*

• 6.7-inch display at 2,800 x 1,620 resolution
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8S Gen processor, 12GB Ram
• Three rear cameras, telephoto lens

We like: Unique design

We don’t like: Face unlock can be fooled

The Nothing Phone (3) stands out with its transparent back that shows off its internal parts. The biggest change from the previous model is the new Glyph Matrix, a small interactive screen on the back that can show pixelated graphics and the battery status, or run basic games - an intrieguing feature that makes it feel different from any other phone.

The camera system has been upgraded to a triple-lens setup, with 50Mp wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto sensors.

Find out why we hope that the facial recognition security system will be improved in our full Nothing Phone (3) review.

Xiaomi POCO F8 Pro

Average price in the past six months: £565.24
Cheapest price in the past six months: £389*

6.6-inch display at 2,510 x 1,156 resolution

• Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform processor with 12GB Ram
• Three rear cameras including 50Mp telephoto lens

We like: Good call clarity

We don’t like: Face unlock can be easily fooled

The Xiaomi Poco F8 Pro is a mid-range smartphone with a 6.6-inch OLED display, a powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and a versatile triple-lens rear camera system – that's a lot to pack in to a smartphone that still maintains an accessible price point relative to what else is out there.

On the subject of cameras, this one has a rear camera setup that comprises a 50Mp main wide-angle lens, an 8Mp ultra-wide lens and a 50Mp telephoto lens, while its 20Mp front-facing camera for selfies and video calls is a better spec than you'll find on many similarly price phones.

Wireless connectivity is bang up to date with support for the latest Wi-Fi 7 standards.

Find out what our experts think of this smartphone in our full Xiaomi POCO F8 Pro review.

• The next phone up in the Xiaomi POCO range – the F8 Ultra – is also on sale at Xiaomi for £599

Best Apple iPhone deals

Discounts on iPhones are rare, but you can get a bargain on older models. See our pick of Apple iPhone deals for a full round-up, and see some highlights below.

Apple iPhone 16e

Average price in the past six months: £577.40
Cheapest price in the past six months: £369.99*

• 6.1-inch (2,532 x 1,170 pixels) Super Retina XDR OLED display 
• iOS operating system
• Action button

We like: Beautiful design

We don’t like: Screen brightness drains battery life

Launched in February 2025, the Apple iPhone 16e was originally on sale for £599, but you can now buy it for around £100 less – some 18 months later.  

Although you'll find only one rear camera lens, there’s a lot of clever software inside that Apple claims gives you a ‘2-in 1’ experience. This includes built-in telephoto capabilities to help with the quality of zoomed-in shots. The physical camera is a 48Mp wide lens and on the front is a 12Mp wide lens. You can record videos in 4K quality using either. 

There are no funky colours to choose from - it’s only available in black and white. It weighs 167g, which is similar to the iPhone 16. On the side of the phone is an ‘Action button’ that can turn your iPhone to silent or be used for other functions such as turning on the torch, opening apps or custom shortcuts.

To find out more about this iPhone, see our iPhone 16e review 

Apple iPhone Air

Average price in the past six months: £969.64
Cheapest price in the past six months: £702.05*

• 6.5-inch (2,736 x 1,260 pixels) Super Retina XDR OLED display 
• iOS operating system
• Camera Control button

We like: Slim build

We don’t like: ESim-only

The iPhone Air marks a whole new vertical within Apple's current range of iPhones, one that sits just below the iPhone Pro, sacrificing a few key features such as the number of cameras included on the back, but utilising the slimmest build of any iPhone to date.

At 5.9mm thick and weighing just 165g, the iPhone Air feels light in the hand, but it still utilises the A19 Pro chipset found within the iPhone 17 Pro.

Because of the slimmer build, there's no Sim tray included on the iPhone Air, so it's only compatible with ESim supported networks.

Find out how the phone held up against our tests in our iPhone Air review.

If you're happy to go back a generation, the iPhone 15 is now just a fraction of what it originally sold for. Right now you can get it for £649 at Laptops Direct

Read our dedicated guide to the best Apple iPhone deals for more expert picks.

How to spot a good deal on a mobile phone

Jamie Darlow, Which? mobile phones expert, says:

• Avoid buying a phone that will imminently lose its security support. Sometimes deals can look great, but if it's a much older model, it might be at risk of losing important security updates fairly soon after you buy it. Security updates and patches are important to keep your data safe. We only recommend deals on phones (see above) that we estimate have at least two years of security patches remaining.
• Decide what's most important to you in your new phone. Cameras are generally the biggest expense, but you might find the pricey camera features aren't important to you. Often, a long battery life and crystal-clear screen can be found on much cheaper phones. Check out our mobile phone reviews to explore all there is to offer.
• In general, Android phones are cheaper than Apple iPhones and the deals are likely to be better, too. Find out the cheapest we recommend in our mobile phone reviews by using the Great Value filter. 

Our best mobile phones page shows the handsets that impressed our experts, and you can see how your current provider ranks among the best and worst mobile providers.

Adam Speight, Which? senior researcher/writer

Best second-hand phone deals

You can get good savings on a smartphone by looking at the second-hand and refurbished market. Below, we've picked out some great deals that will save you some serious money.

Or check our mobile phone reviews for popular handsets that are now only available second-hand, and read our guide on how to buy a second-hand or refurbished phone.

Apple iPhone 15 (original price £799, now around £400 second-hand)

Despite the release of the iPhone 18 series, the iPhone 15 remains a brilliant choice in 2026. The phone features a refined design with contoured edges and a soft matte glass back, making it more comfortable to hold than the previous generation. It finally swapped the old Lightning port for the universal USB-C and introduced the 'Dynamic Island' — a shape-shifting notification hub at the top of the screen. 

Under the hood, it’s powered by the fast and responsive A16 Bionic chip, and the upgraded 48Mp camera delivers professional-grade photos with ease. We expect Apple to support it with regular security updates until at least September 2029. 

We've seen it on sale for around £430 in 'very good' second-hand condition at Music Magpie. Find out the full story in our Apple iPhone 15 review.

Also consider these popular phones that can now be found cheaper at multiple second-hand retailers:

• Apple iPhone SE 2022 (original price £419, now around £130 second-hand): Previously the most affordable phone in Apple's line-up, the iPhone SE 2022 gives you access to iOS on a budget, and it's very portable with a 4.7-inch display. Right now it can be bought for just a fraction of its original price, going for around £180 in 'Excellent' condition over at iOutlet.
• Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max (original price £1,199, now around £600 second-hand): This was the first iPhone to feature a titanium design and the exclusive 5x telephoto zoom lens. With a massive 6.7-inch display and the powerful A17 Pro chip, it remains a performance beast for gamers and photographers alike. You can currently find it for around £560 in 'very good' condition at Music Magpie.
• Apple iPhone 14 (original price £799, now around £320 second-hand): Now available at a deep discount, the iPhone 14 is a solid mid-range contender. It features the A15 Bionic chip and clever camera modes in a familiar, reliable design. You can pick one up for approximately £330 in 'very good' condition from Music Magpie.

Looking for more offers on tech products? See our pick of the best iPad tablet deals.

Mobile phone contract calculator

A key question will be whether you buy outright or on contract. How much each will cost overall can be difficult to work out, so use our calculator below to discover the best deal for you.

AI news and advice: Which? experts cut through the hype to help you navigate the world of AI

Best Sim-only deals

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Getting a Sim-only deal for your handset can be a great way to get a real bargain on your monthly data and calls allowance. Here's our pick of some of the best low, medium and high-data deals in the sales. 

Best low-data Sim-only deals 

You shouldn't pay for data you don't need, so if you don't use much, opt for a cheap monthly contract that gives you the ability to switch around as your circumstances change. 

Our pick: Lebara

Lebara is a low-cost provider that's great for home or away – you can use included data (up to 30GB) for mobile roaming within the EU at no extra cost. For the fourth year in a row, Lebara has been named as a Which? Recommended Provider. Read our Lebara review to see how it did in our survey.

Other low-data deals to consider

Alternatively, check the low-data deals below for more packages we think also represent good value for money.

Best medium-data Sim-only deals

These deals could be suitable if you use mobile data fairly frequently but don't require large amounts for activities such as HD downloading or streaming.

Our pick: Smarty mobile

With a customer score of 79%, Smarty mobile is a Which? Recommended Provider for the fifth year in a row and has been given a Great Value endorsement for a third year. More reasons to choose Smarty mobile can be found in our Smarty review.

Other medium-data deals to consider

Alternatively, check the medium-data deals below for more packages we think represent good value for money.

Best high-data Sim-only deals

A high-data deal is ideal if you're after continuous connectivity, downloading, streaming and hotspot use. These types of deals may require a 12-month contract, so consider how committed you are and how much data you're likely to use. 

Our pick: iD mobile 

iD Mobile allows up to 30GB of free EU roaming in 50 destinations, with unlimited minutes and texts. It's a popular low-cost network with a wide range of excellent Sim-only deals – you can see how it fares in our survey by reading our iD Mobile review.

Other high-data deals to consider

Alternatively, check the high-data deals below for more packages that we think represent good value for money.

Not found one that's quite right for you? Browse all the best Sim-only deals on Which? Mobile Switch.

Pros and cons of buying a mobile phone on a monthly contract

With a traditional monthly contract, you pay a fixed minimum fee by direct debit each month. This consists of paying for the phone (usually through a credit agreement, meaning you get credit-checked) and the Sim itself, with an allowance of calls, texts and data. You'll have to commit to a period of time, typically two years. Depending on your plan, there may also be an upfront fee, which is worth considering if you're set on a contract. 

What are the advantages of monthly contracts? 

• Free/cheap phones – With a monthly contract, you'll get a wide choice of free or subsidised handsets, which is ideal if you fancy an upgrade. 
• Good value – Paying in advance for a fixed amount of minutes, texts and data can be much cheaper than topping up a PAYG phone. 
• Hassle-free – You’ll never get cut off for forgetting to top up your credit. 
• Can build your credit score – Paying off a mobile phone contract monthly can be a good way to build your credit score. Bear in mind that missed payments or defaulting can make your credit score drop, though. 

Are there any drawbacks with monthly contracts?

There are a few. As mentioned, you may end up paying more overall, so you'll need to weigh this against the appeal of a lower upfront cost. 

Pay attention to the length of the contract – most last two years, but some can last three, in order to keep the monthly cost attractive. You should also make a note of when your contract ends because some providers continue to charge you the full monthly cost, even after your contract has been paid off. 

If you exceed the minutes, messages or data in your bundle, additional charges can be significant. It's especially important to be aware of this while roaming. Most providers now set a default cap to prevent this, but if you remove it in order to continue using your phone, costs can quickly spiral. For more information, read our guide on how to keep track of your minutes and data and how to save money on roaming charges.

Consider network reception with a great mobile phone deal

Signal is another consideration – if you know a particular network is good in your area, you may want to stick with it but move to a different provider. If it isn't, it could be time to switch. 

Here are the core networks the virtual providers use:

• EE: BT Mobile, Plusnet Mobile, Utility Warehouse
• O2: Giffgaff, Sky Mobile, Tesco Mobile, LycaMobile, Virgin Mobile
• Three: iD Mobile, Smarty
• Vodafone: Asda Mobile, Lebara, Talkmobile, Voxi

When it's time to switch mobile phone provider

If all else fails, it might be time to switch. Outside the Big Four – EE, O2, Three and Vodafone – a wide range of operators are now competing for your business and some offer great-value Sim-only deals. Switching is easy and you should be able to keep your old number.

Arming yourself with a price you could get elsewhere is an important haggling tactic. Compare mobile phone contracts and Sim-only deals to find out how much you could be paying.

Smaller mobile networks consistently do better than the big four in our mobile networks survey. Read our guide to the best and worst UK mobile networks to find out more.

How to get the best mobile phone deal on popular brands

Generally, you'll find the best deals on mobile phones at retailers such as Amazon, Currys and John Lewis, rather than on the manufacturer's website. However, knowing when sales are on for specific brands can be useful if you're trying to find the best deal on a specific model you want. 

iPhone deals

It's notoriously tricky to bag an iPhone on a budget – and when discounts are available, they're usually smaller than on Android devices. However, iPhones hold their value better than older Androids, so you often see them on the second-hand market.

If you look in the right place at the right time, you can get some money off. Retailers such as Amazon and Argos occasionally bring their prices down, but make sure you're buying a new – rather than a refurbished – handset.

New iPhones usually launch in September, so the end of the year is a good time to look for previous models, particularly during Black Friday and Christmas sales.

Apple also offers a trade-in scheme, so you can knock the price of a new handset down slightly if you're upgrading from an older iPhone.

Browse all our iPhone reviews to see how all Apple handsets scored in our lab tests.

Google mobile phone deals

Google launched its flagship phones in October, so it's worth putting a Pixel on your shortlist late in the year.

You'll see the best bargains on older handsets, but more recent phones can sometimes get early discounts at major retailers such as Carphone Warehouse and Laptops Direct.

See if it's worth investing in a Pixel by reading our Google Pixel reviews. 

Samsung mobile phone deals

If you're after a discounted Samsung Galaxy, you may be tempted by some of the reasonably priced handsets in its A range. Mid-range models have come on in leaps and bounds over the past few years, and spending £300 to £400 can get you a slim, stylish and powerful model that may not look too different from a high-end version.

If you have your eyes on the premium prize, though, it could be worth holding out for a top-of-the-range Galaxy S series. The Samsung S series usually launches in the first quarter of the year, with the first discounts on the latest handsets beginning in the summer.

We've reviewed more than 40 Galaxy phones. Pick your perfect model in all our Samsung phone reviews.

Mobile phones and security updates

Deals on phones are easier to find when they've been on the market for a while, but depending on the brand and handset, this could mean they won't be receiving security updates for much longer. Check our security update calculator for models you're interested in buying. See our guide to mobile phone security. 

Looking for more offers on Tech products? See our pick of the best iPhone deals and best broadband deals.

Watch: Things I’d never do when buying a new phone

Watch our expert advice on things you shouldn't do when buying a new phone.

Looking for more offers on tech products? See our pick of the best Black Friday iPad and tablets deals and best Black Friday laptops deals.