Smartphones Price Comparison

The smartphone market in the UK is one of the most competitive in consumer electronics — and the gap between the cheapest and most expensive handsets is staggering. Our catalogue spans from 86 £ for basic entry-level devices right up to 1,299 £ for the most premium flagships, with a median price sitting around 415 £. That spread tells you something important: there's a genuinely good phone at almost every budget, but the wrong choice at the wrong price point is an easy mistake to make.

Samsung dominates sheer volume here, with nearly a thousand models ranging from affordable A-series workhorses to the titanium-clad Galaxy S25 Ultra. Apple, by contrast, carries fewer models but commands a significantly higher average price — and for many users, that premium is justified by the longevity of iOS support and the seamless ecosystem. What's worth noting is that refurbished iPhones (look for brands like Renewd in our catalogue) can bring Apple hardware well within mid-range budgets, making the iPhone 13 one of the most-compared handsets on the site right now.

Google's Pixel range occupies a fascinating middle ground — fewer models, but a high average price that reflects the Tensor chip's AI-driven camera processing and the promise of seven years of Android updates. Xiaomi and Motorola, meanwhile, offer some of the most compelling value propositions under 415 £, consistently punching above their weight on specs. If you're shopping on Currys, John Lewis, or Amazon.co.uk, you'll often find these brands discounted further during Black Friday or the January sales — worth tracking with a price alert.

One trend worth flagging: 5G is now effectively standard across the mid-range, so there's little reason to settle for a 4G-only handset unless your budget is very tight. Similarly, OLED displays have trickled down to phones well below 685 £, meaning the old assumption that you need to spend flagship money for a quality screen no longer holds. For a broader look at the mobile landscape, explore our Mobile Phones category for feature phones and alternative form factors.

Whether you're after a compact daily driver, a camera-first flagship, or a foldable like the Galaxy Z Flip6, comparing prices across multiple retailers before buying is the single most effective way to save. Prices shift frequently — sometimes by £50 or more on the same model within a fortnight.

How to Choose the Right Smartphone

With 4,108 models in our catalogue and prices ranging from 86 £ to 1,299 £, picking a smartphone can feel overwhelming. The good news: most buyers only need to nail three or four criteria to find their ideal match. Here's what actually matters — and what's often overhyped.

Processor (SoC) — the single most important spec

The chip inside your phone determines everything: gaming performance, camera processing speed, how long the device stays usable as apps grow heavier, and even battery efficiency. Apple's A-series (A15, A16, A17 Pro) remain the benchmark for raw performance and longevity — an iPhone 13 with an A15 still outpaces many 2024 Android flagships. On Android, look for a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or Dimensity 9300 for top-tier performance, or a Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 for a capable mid-range experience. Avoid phones with unnamed or unspecified chipsets — a red flag often found on very cheap imports. If a retailer won't tell you the SoC, walk away.

Battery life in real-world use (not just mAh)

A 5,000 mAh battery sounds impressive, but a poorly optimised phone can drain it faster than a 4,000 mAh rival. Focus on real-world endurance figures from trusted reviewers (Which?, GSMArena) rather than raw capacity. As a rough guide: under 4,000 mAh typically means one day of moderate use; 4,000–5,000 mAh comfortably covers a full day of heavy use; 5,000 mAh+ can stretch to two days. Also check charging speed — a 65W charger refills a 4,500 mAh battery in under 45 minutes, while a 25W charger takes nearly twice as long. Wireless charging is a genuine convenience if you use a bedside pad.

Camera system — how many lenses do you actually need?

Marketing loves to boast about quad-camera setups, but the quality of the main sensor matters far more than the number of lenses. A 50 MP main sensor with optical image stabilisation (OIS) will outperform a 108 MP sensor without it in low light. The telephoto lens is worth paying for if you regularly photograph subjects at a distance — look for at least 3x optical zoom. Ultra-wide lenses are useful for landscapes and architecture. Macro lenses, on the other hand, are largely gimmicks on budget phones. For video, check whether the phone supports 4K at 30fps or 60fps, and whether OIS covers the front camera too.

Display: size, refresh rate, and panel type

Screen size is personal, but 6.1–6.5 inches is the sweet spot for most users — large enough for media, manageable in a pocket. More important than size is refresh rate: a 120Hz OLED display feels dramatically smoother than a 60Hz LCD, and this difference is immediately noticeable in everyday scrolling. OLED panels (AMOLED, Dynamic AMOLED) deliver deeper blacks and better outdoor visibility than IPS LCD. The good news is that 120Hz OLED screens are now common well below 685 £, so you shouldn't need to compromise here unless you're on a very tight budget.

Software support — how long will it stay secure?

This is the most underrated criterion, especially given UK phone contracts typically run 24 months. Apple guarantees 5–7 years of iOS updates, which is why an iPhone 13 bought today still makes sense. Samsung now promises 7 years of Android updates on its Galaxy S and A5x series — a genuine shift that makes Samsung mid-rangers a stronger long-term bet. Xiaomi and Motorola typically offer 2–3 years of major updates. If you're buying a phone you plan to keep for four or five years, this matters enormously for security and app compatibility.

5G and connectivity — worth the premium?

5G is now standard across most phones above 235 £, so it's rarely worth paying a specific premium for it. What does matter is Wi-Fi 6 or 6E support if you have a modern router — the difference in home streaming and gaming latency is real. Check that the phone supports the UK 5G bands used by EE, Vodafone, and O2 (n1, n3, n28, n78) if you're on a SIM-only plan. Bluetooth 5.3+ is worth looking for if you use wireless earbuds or speakers regularly.

• Budget picks (From 86 £ to 235 £) : Expect basic Android handsets from Samsung's A1x series, Motorola's Moto G range, and entry-level Xiaomi Redmi models. Performance is adequate for calls, messaging, and light social media use, but don't expect smooth gaming or impressive cameras. Refurbished older flagships (via Renewd) can be a smarter buy in this bracket — you get better hardware for the same money, though with a shorter remaining lifespan.
• The sweet spot (From 235 £ to 415 £) : This is where the market gets genuinely exciting. Samsung's Galaxy A55, Motorola's Edge series, and Xiaomi's Redmi Note line all compete fiercely here. You'll find 120Hz OLED screens, 5G, and capable triple-camera setups. Refurbished iPhone 13 models also land in this range — arguably the best value Apple hardware available. Most buyers will be very well served without spending more.
• Mid-to-high range (From 415 £ to 685 £) : Samsung's Galaxy S23 series, Google Pixel 8, and Honor's flagship-adjacent models occupy this bracket. Performance is genuinely excellent, cameras are strong, and software support is long. This is the territory where you stop making meaningful compromises. The Galaxy S23 Ultra sits at the top of this range and remains a compelling buy even against newer competition.
• Premium and flagship (Over 685 £) : Apple's iPhone 15 Pro and 16 series, Samsung's Galaxy S25 Ultra and S25+, and Google's Pixel 9 Pro XL live here. You're paying for the best available processors, the most sophisticated camera systems (periscope telephoto, computational photography), premium materials, and the longest software support. The Galaxy Z Flip6 and Z Fold series also fall in this bracket. Genuinely worth it for power users — but the jump from the sweet spot is steep.

Top products

• Apple iPhone 13 128GB - Midnight (Apple) : The most-compared handset in our catalogue for good reason — the A15 chip still holds up brilliantly, and at this price it's the best-value Apple phone available. The camera lacks the newer ProMotion display, but for everyday use it's hard to fault.
• Samsung Galaxy A55 5G (Samsung) : The standout mid-range Android of the moment — 120Hz OLED, 5G, and Samsung's seven-year update promise in one tidy package. Not the fastest phone in its class, but the long-term value proposition is exceptional.
• Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra 8 GB 256 GB Black (Samsung) : Still one of the best camera phones you can buy, and now at a price that makes the S25 Ultra a tough sell. The built-in S Pen and 200 MP main sensor remain genuinely impressive. Recommended if you don't need the very latest chip.
• Google Pixel 9 Pro XL , 16 GB, 256 GB, 50 MP, Android 14, Obsidian (Google) : The best Android camera experience available, full stop — Google's computational photography is in a class of its own. Seven years of updates and 16 GB RAM make this a serious long-term investment. Expensive, but justified for photography enthusiasts.
• Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 12 GB 256 GB Black, Titanium (Samsung) : The most powerful Android phone in our catalogue right now — Snapdragon 8 Elite, titanium build, and Samsung's most refined S Pen experience. Genuinely premium, but only worth the outlay if you're upgrading from a phone that's at least three years old.

Related categories

• Mobile Phones