Best mobile phone and Sim-only deals for May 2025

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.

Our experts can help. We regularly trawl the deals and discounts to highlight the best offers, including Sim-only deals from as little as £5.

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.

Best Android phone deals 2025

There are a number of 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.

*References to ‘Average price' and 'Cheapest price' are based on Which? market knowledge and information supplied by our partners. Prices are checked for the six calendar months prior to publication. Not all retailers are included in our checks.

Our Pick: Samsung Galaxy S24

*Average price in the past six months: £637 Cheapest price in the past six months: £424

• Upmarket display
• Comes with Galaxy AI
• High-resolution cameras

We like Impressive screen technology

We don’t like We question how useful AI is 

Samsung's main flagship phone from 2024 is seeing discounts now the Galaxy S25 was released earlier this year. Its specs are enticing and include an upgraded Exynos 2400 processor, a screen that can reach an astronomical 2,600 nits in brightness and a 50Mp main camera.

Galaxy AI software gives you a number of extra features. For example, you can edit people out of photographs and AI will fill in the gap and remaster shots.

Find out how it performed in our extensive lab tests in our Samsung Galaxy S24 review or check out our evaluation of Galaxy AI. Buy it on the best Sim-free deals we've found below or check contract deals.

Google Pixel 9

*Average price in the past six months: £703 Cheapest price in the past six months: £599

• 6.3-inch display with 2,424 x 1,080 resolution
• Google Tensor G4 processor with 12GB of Ram
• Two rear camera lenses, including a 48Mp ultra-wide camera

We like Powerful processor

We don’t like No major upgrades from the Pixel 8

If you want one of the latest Google handsets, the 2024 Google Pixel 9 is already discounted at select retailers. It has the latest Android software and AI Gemini features, including clever camera tricks and assistance with taking notes, setting reminders and organising your photos.

You also get an OLED screen, Google's latest processing technology and high-resolution camera lenses.

With seven years of security support guaranteed, this is a phone you should be able to keep for the long haul.

If you want the latest Pixel 9 Pro from Google, check out these deals - SQUIRREL_TEXT_50017420

Google Pixel 8a

*Average price in the past six months: £432 Cheapest price in the past six months: £329

• 6.1-inch OLED screen with 2,400 x 1,808 resolution
• Google Tensor G3 chipset with 8GB of Ram
• Two rear cameras with 4K video recording

We like Long security-update period

We don’t like Shorter battery life

The Google Pixel 8a is the scaled-back version of Google's flagship Pixel 8, but you still get premium screen and processor specs. It supports 5G and Wi-Fi 6E, and the camera lenses have a high resolution and clever editing tools.

Click through to retailers below. Check out contract deals and read our full Google Pixel 8a review for the results from our lab testing.

Samsung Galaxy A15 4G

*Average price in the past six months: £149 Cheapest price in the past six months: £112

• Large, high-quality display
• Improved processor
• Improved charging time

We like Amazing value for money

We don’t like Cameras could be better

You'll be hard pushed to beat the Samsung A15 based on pure value – it's part of the Galaxy range, but far undercuts the premium S-series.

This 4G model may not suit those prioritising the fastest data connection, but if you're happy to make do with 4G, it's a bargain. There are other compromises to be made, but if you're not too bothered about wireless charging or the latest camera technology (although it still has three rear lenses, including ultra-wide), hardware improvements over its popular predecessor could make it an excellent lower-cost option. Also consider the 5G version of the A15 (SQUIRREL_TEXT_50013789).

Read our Samsung Galaxy A15 4G review for the full report from our labs. 

Motorola Edge 50 Fusion

*Average price in the past six months: £315 Cheapest price in the past six months: £245

• Large screen
• Quick data transfers
• Two rear cameras

We like Nice display

We don’t like Not the most durable

This is a mid-range phone from Motorola. It's less than a year old, but is already on a deal.

You'll be getting a big phone with a 6.7-inch OLED display with a high 1,220 x 2,712-pixel resolution, plus a fast 144Hz refresh rate. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor runs with a generous 8GB of Ram. The storage is also generous at 256GB. On the back is a twin camera module with 50Mp wide and 13Mp ultra-wide lenses, and on the front is a 32Mp selfie camera.

Find out if it's the best phone at this price in our Motorola Edge 50 Fusion review. Click through to buy the best Sim-free deals below.

Motorola Moto g55

*Average price in the past six months: £171 Cheapest price in the past six months: £159

• 8-core MediaTek Dimensity 7025 processor
• 6.5-inch Full HD+ screen
• Two rear camera lenses

We like Good battery life

We don’t like Variable camera quality

This lower-priced phone from Motorola was only released a few months ago and is already being discounted. It has solid specifications for its 6.5-inch screen, battery, and processor. The dual-lens system gives the cameras some versatility, and it comes with a generous 256GB of storage for saving lots of pictures and videos.

See retailer prices below, or compare contract deals and read our full Motorola Moto g55 review.

Nothing Phone (2a)

*Average price in the past six months: £274 Cheapest price in the past six months: £225

• Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor
• 6.7-inch OLED screen
• Two rear camera lenses

We like Unique design and Glyph Interface

We don't like Weaker front camera

This is a mid-range Android phone from the young British brand Nothing. On the back, you can see some of the phone's internal workings and the Glyph Interface – a cluster of LEDs that you can personalise to light up in patterns to alert you to calls, notifications and the phone’s charging status.

It has a large screen with good resolution, and it's fuelled by a large battery. On the rear of the phone are two camera lenses, including an ultra-wide lens to help increase the scope of view in pictures and videos.

Buy it below, compare the best contract deals and read our full Nothing Phone 2a review.

Honor 200 Lite

*Average price in the past six months: £200 Cheapest price in the past six months: £145

• MediaTek Dimensity 6080 chipset with 8GB of Ram
• 6.7-inch screen
• Three rear cameras lenses

We like Durable

We don’t like Lacklustre cameras

If an expensive phone isn't for you, the Honor 200 Lite might be just the ticket. It has a large 6.7-inch screen and lots of storage (256GB) – a rarity for a cheaper phone. It comes with a 35W fast charger, so there's no need to buy one separately.

Check discounted Sim-free prices below, compare the best contract deals and read our full Honor 200 Lite review.

Motorola Moto g34

*Average price in the past six months: £126 Cheapest price in the past six months: £104

• Snapdragon 695 5G-Mobile Platform chipset with 4GB of Ram
• 6.5-inch LCD display
• Two rear camera lenses

We like Easy to use, good value

We don’t like Low screen resolution

If you want a basic phone at a low price, the Motorola Moto g34 could be just the ticket. Its screen has a lower resolution than we'd like (720 x 1,600 pixels), but it's big, at 6.5 inches. It comes with 128GB of storage.

Compare the prices at different retailers below or read our expert Motorola Moto g34 review for more details.

How to spot a good deal on a mobile phone

Amy Axworthy, Which? mobile phones expert, says:

• Avoid buying a phone that will soon 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. 

Best Apple iPhone deals

Discounts on iPhones are rare, but you can get a bargain on older models. Interested in the latest range? See our pick of Apple iPhone 16 deals.

Apple iPhone 14

*Average price in the past six months: £584 Cheapest price in the past six months: £494

• 6.1-inch (2,532 x 1,170 pixels) Super Retina XDR display
• Dual-camera system with a larger sensor
• Estimated minimum of six years of security updates from launch

We like Camera upgrades

We don’t like No Dynamic Island notch on the display

The Apple iPhone 14 from 2022 has dropped in price at a number of retailers. It's the standard model in the 14 range and the cheapest, but it has a number of premium perks. The processor – called the A15 Bionic chip – is the same as in the iPhone 13, but it received an upgraded five-core GPU and 6GB of memory. The front-facing camera has powerful autofocus, making it smarter at focusing in pictures.

It comes in five different colours and with 128GB, 256GB or 512GB of memory. Cinematic mode records in 4K, but the cameras aren't as advanced as on the iPhone 14 Pro.

Read our dedicated guide to the best Apple iPhone deals for more expert picks, and see iPhone 16 deals in our best iPhone deals. 

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 now only available second-hand and read our guide on how to buy a second-hand or refurbished phone.

Apple iPhone 14 (original price £799, now around £335 second-hand)

Since the release of the iPhone 16 in September 2024, the iPhone 14 series from 2022 is available with some major discounts in the second-hand market. It doesn't have the advanced cameras of an iPhone Pro, but it doesn't scrimp on specs: you'll get Apple's A15 Bionic Chip, a striking display and clever camera modes. We expect Apple to support it with regular security updates until at least September 2028.

We've seen it on sale for around £335 in 'good' second-hand condition at MusicMagpie. Find out the full story in our Apple iPhone 14 review.

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

• Apple iPhone 12 (original price £799, now £185 second-hand) More and more iPhone 12s are appearing in the second-hand market. You should find them for £180 to £400, depending on the phone's condition. The cheapest one we found in 'good' or Grade B condition was at iOutlet for around £185.
• Apple iPhone 13 Pro (original price £1,149, now £400 second-hand) The iPhone 13 Pro has the most premium cameras on the 13 series. It currently goes for a lot less than half its original price in 'Grade B' second-hand condition. We've seen it on sale for around £400 at CeX.
• Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (original price £699, now £215 second-hand) This is Samsung's toned-down version of the Galaxy S21 and has excellent specs. It was released in January 2022 but is already prominent on the second-hand market for around £200 to £375. Samsung will support it with regular security updates until January 2027. The cheapest deal we found in stock for one in a Grade B condition was from CeX – in white – for around £215, with a two-year warranty. 

Find out more: how to make big savings on a second-hand phone.

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.

Best Sim-only deals

Compare mobile phone and Sim-only deals today

Get a great deal on a mobile phone contract, or browse Sim-only deals starting from around just £5 a month

See how much you could save

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 circumstances change. 

Our pick: Smarty (Three network)

Smarty includes EU roaming in the great low-data deal. Even better, its 30-day Sim-only contracts mean customers aren't hit by costly inflation-based, mid-contract price increases. Plus, it's easy to switch if you find a better deal elsewhere. Read our Smarty review to see how it fared 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: iD Mobile (Three network)

iD Mobile includes 30GB of EU roaming each month as part of this deal, plus its Sim-only contracts aren't hit by costly inflation-based, mid-contract price increases. You can also easily check the renewal price before the end of each month, with the flexibility to switch easily if you find a better deal. Read our iD Mobile review to see how it did in our survey. 

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: Talkmobile (Vodafone network)

5GB of EU roaming is included with this great-value high-data deal. Talkmobile has announced that it won't be raising prices on monthly plans in 2025 for either new or existing customers. Out-of-plan charges, such as roaming and international rates, are excluded. Read our Talkmobile review to see how it fared in our survey.

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, made up 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 up 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 launches 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. It's worth keeping an eye out on Amazon Prime Day in July.

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. 

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