Best mobile phone and Sim-only deals for October 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: Google Pixel 9

*Average price in the past six months: £673. Cheapest price in the past six months: £513

• 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

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 from launch, this is a phone you should be able to keep for the long haul.

Read our Google Pixel 9 review to see if it's for you. Buy the Sim-free deals we've found below or compare Pixel 9 contract deals.

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

Samsung Galaxy S25+

*Average price in the past six months: £921. Cheapest price in the past six months: £749

• Snapdragon 8 Elite processor chipset with 12GB of Ram
• 6.7-inch display
• Three rear camera lenses

We like: Impressive processor

We don’t like: Face recognition can be fooled

This is Samsung’s supersized version of the Galaxy S25 and the successor to the Galaxy S24+. The display has stayed the same; a 6.7-inch display with 3,120 x 1,440-pixel resolution and up to 120Hz refresh rate that can achieve an incredible high brightness level. 

It runs on a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor with 12GB of Ram, rather than the Exynos 2400 in the previous series and this new processor is equipped to run new AI features as part of the expanding Galaxy AI.

Check discounted Sim-free prices below, compare the best contract deals and read our expert Samsung Galaxy S25+ review for more details.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

*Average price in the past six months: £1182. Cheapest price in the past six months: £949

• Snapdragon 8 Elite processor with 12GB of Ram
• 6.9-inch display
• Four rear camera lenses

We like: Equipped with AI features

We don’t like: Expensive – find a deal

This is Samsung's top phone in its Galaxy S25 flagship series with a titanium design, the most advanced cameras and a built-in S Pen (stylus). The screen is 6.9 inches with 3,120 x 1,440-pixel resolution and 120Hz refresh rate.

Features range from the genuinely useful – such as Circle to Search, where you can highlight an image or text and search for it without leaving the app you're in – to those that are a bit of fun, such as an image generator that can turn your images into drawings and cartoons.

What did our experts think? Read our full Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review to find out.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

*Average price in the past six months: £949. Cheapest price in the past six months: £899

• Snapdragon 8 Elite processor with 12GB of Ram
• 6.7-inch display
• Two rear camera lenses

We like: Stunning display

We don’t like: Shorter battery life than other models

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is slimmer than others in the S25 line-up, but its specifications look just as impressive as any other phone. It’s around 2 to 3cm thinner and 20 to 30g lighter than most smartphones we’ve tested, making it a great choice for those wanting something less bulky to carry in their pocket.

It runs off the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, which packs a hefty 12GB of Ram. The huge 200Mp main lens, 12Mp wide lens and 12Mp front camera all come with an autofocus feature.

The S25 Edge deal has caught our eye, as it has seen a significant price drop shortly after launch, from its £1,099 RRP to under £900.

It might be lightweight but does this smartphone score heavily? Find out in our Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge review.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7

*Average price in the past six months: £829. Cheapest price in the past six months: £749

• Exynos 2500 processor with 12GB of Ram
• 6.9-inch display
• Two rear camera lenses

We like: Foldable design is easy to use

We don’t like: Screen slightly uneven along the fold

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 is the seventh version of Samsung's popular clamshell foldable, promising improvements in design and performance over the Flip6. It’s available in black, blue, red or mint green. 

Powering the phone is Samsung’s new Exynos 2500 processor and a generous 12GB of Ram. When folded, it's 14mm thick. It has a large 6.9-inch main screen and a 4.1-inch cover screen, both with a super-smooth adaptive 120Hz refresh rate.

This offer is worth consideration as the Z Flip7 has seen a large reduction since its recent launch, down to below £800 from £1,049.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 review to see what we think of Samsung's latest folding phone.

Samsung Galaxy S24 FE

* Average price in the past six months: £567. Cheapest price in the past six months: £429

• 6.7-inch screen
• Three rear cameras with 8K video recording
• Seven years of support from launch

We like: Big screen with high resolution

We don't like: No wireless charging

This is the cheapest phone in Samsung's flagship range for 2024. It's less than a year old but is already seeing superb deals at some retailers. It has enticing specs, including a 10-core Exynos 2400e processor with 8GB of Ram, and three rear cameras – including a telephoto lens to improve the clarity of close-up pictures. It's also the cheapest phone that comes with Galaxy AI – a suite of tools that use AI to improve processes. Also, you can edit people out of photographs and AI will fill in the gap and remaster your shots.

Compare prices below. Compare contract deals on the S24 FE or read our Samsung Galaxy S24 FE expert review.

Samsung Galaxy S24

*Average price in the past six months: £630. Cheapest price in the past six months: £428

• 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 now seeing discounts since 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 your 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 9a

*Average price in the past six months: £465. Cheapest price in the past six months: £360

• 6.3-inch pOLED screen with 2,424 x 1,080 resolution
• Google Tensor G4 processor with 8GM Ram
• Two rear cameras 

We like: Long-term software support

We don’t like: Limited selfie camera

The Google Pixel 9a has 5G and Wi-Fi 6E support and powered by the Google Tensor G4 processor. It has a 6.3-inch pOLED (plastic OLED) display and is available in purple, pink, white and black.

Google promises seven years of security updates for this phone from launch. This is one of the longest guarantees we've seen, meaning you'll be able to keep using it for longer.

Find out more about the Google Pixel 9a in our full review.

Motorola Edge 50 Fusion

*Average price in the past six months: £304. Cheapest price in the past six months: £223

• Large screen
• Quick data transfers
• Two rear cameras

We like: Good 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 and a high 1,220 x 2,712-pixel resolution, plus a fast 144Hz refresh rate. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor runs with 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 there's a 32Mp selfie camera on the front.

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.

How to spot a good deal on a mobile phone

Adam Speight, 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. 

Will there be any good Black Friday mobile phone deals this year?

There are certain brands where you can often find good deals all year round, with Samsung and Google regularly seeing their phones discounted outside of Black Friday. But, they sometimes do get an extra price cut in November. Genuinely good iPhone offers are rare because Apple hardly ever discounts its own products. This can make big sales events like Black Friday the best time to find a bargain.

However, not all deals are as good as they seem, so we can help you spot the real savings. 

Wondering when the big sales event actually is? Follow along and get all the key information in our guide to Black Friday 2025.

Best Apple iPhone deals

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

Apple iPhone 14

*Average price in the past six months: £525. Cheapest price in the past six months: £446

• 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.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

*Average price in the past six months: £1126. Cheapest price in the past six months: £713

• 6.7-inch (2,794 x 1,290 pixels) Super Retina XDR display
• Triple rear camera
• Estimated minimum of six years of security updates from launch

We like: Exclusive camera upgrades

We don’t like: Very expensive when not discounted

 In addition to the huge screen, the iPhone 15 Pro Max has a camera feature you won’t find on the iPhone 15 Pro – a 5x telephoto camera. But that's not all that stands out, with its new titanium design and vast Super Retina XDR display.

On the 2023 Pro models, Apple binned the ‘silent switch’ on the side of the iPhone and replaced it with an ‘Action button’. This can still turn your iPhone to silent which can still turn your iPhone to silent, but can also be used for other demands like opening the camera, switching Focus modes, or turning on the torch. Or you can create your own custom shortcuts. It runs on Apple’s A17 Pro chip with 8GB of Ram, new for 2023.

Should you go for 2023's bigger handset? Our iPhone 15 Pro Max review reveals all.

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 that are 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 £310 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 £310 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 £160 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 £160.
• Apple iPhone 13 Pro (original price £1,149, now £375 second-hand): The iPhone 13 Pro has the most premium cameras of 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 £375 at CeX.
• Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (original price £699, now £195 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 £175 to £350. Samsung will support it with regular security updates until at least January 2027. The cheapest deal we found in stock for one in a Grade B condition was from CeX (in white) for around £195.

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 your circumstances change. 

Our pick: Lebara (Vodafone network)

Lebara is a solid low-cost provider that allows you to use included data (up to 30GB) for mobile roaming within the EU and India at no extra cost. Use code LEBARA3M at checkout for 3 months half price. Read our Lebara 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: Talkmobile (Vodafone network)

Talkmobile includes 5GB of free 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 Talkmobile 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: iD Mobile (Three network)

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 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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When is Black Friday? Find out when the biggest sales event falls this year.