Question 1

What's the best smartphone for under £300 in the UK right now?

Accepted Answer

The Samsung Galaxy A55 and the refurbished Apple iPhone 13 are the two strongest options under £300. The A55 offers a 120Hz OLED display, 5G, and Samsung's seven-year update promise — exceptional value at its price point. The iPhone 13, available refurbished from around 251 £, gives you Apple's A15 chip and iOS longevity. Which is better depends on whether you prefer Android or iOS, but neither is a compromise buy.

Question 2

Is it worth buying a refurbished smartphone?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in most cases — provided you buy from a reputable seller with a clear grading system and at least a 12-month warranty. Refurbished iPhones in particular offer excellent value, since Apple's long software support means a two-year-old model is still fully current. Look for Grade A or Grade B devices from certified refurbishers like Renewd, or check retailer-certified programmes from Currys and Amazon. Avoid ungraded or "seller refurbished" listings with no warranty.

Question 3

Do I actually need a 5G smartphone in 2026?

Accepted Answer

For most buyers, yes — not because you'll constantly use 5G speeds today, but because 5G is now standard above 251 £ and future-proofs your handset for the length of a typical contract. 4G networks in the UK remain solid, but 5G coverage from EE, Vodafone, and O2 has expanded significantly across cities and major towns. If you're on a two-year contract, buying a 4G-only phone now is a false economy.

Question 4

What are the pitfalls to avoid when buying a cheap smartphone?

Accepted Answer

The biggest trap is an unbranded or obscure-chipset phone that looks impressive on paper but performs poorly in practice. Watch out for phones listing "octa-core" without naming the actual SoC — this almost always means a low-end MediaTek chip with poor optimisation. Also avoid phones with less than 4 GB of RAM (stuttering is near-constant) or no named software update policy. A £80 phone that needs replacing in 18 months is not a bargain.

Question 5

How much storage do I actually need on a smartphone?

Accepted Answer

128 GB is the sensible minimum for most users in 2026. If you shoot a lot of video, download music offline, or play large mobile games, go for 256 GB. 512 GB and 1 TB options exist but are overkill for the vast majority of people — and most modern iPhones and flagship Androids no longer support microSD cards, so you can't expand storage later. When in doubt, size up: the cost difference between 128 GB and 256 GB is usually modest relative to the total phone price.

Question 6

Is the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra worth the price over the S23 Ultra?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your priorities. The Galaxy S25 Ultra brings a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, a refined titanium frame, and improved AI features — but the S23 Ultra, now available at a significantly lower price, still delivers a class-leading camera system and the same seven-year update promise. If you're upgrading from an S21 or older, the S25 Ultra is a meaningful leap. If you're coming from an S23 Ultra, the upgrade is hard to justify at full price — wait for a Black Friday deal.

Question 7

Which smartphone brand offers the longest software support in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Apple and Samsung are joint leaders, both now promising seven years of major OS updates on their current flagship and mid-range lines. Apple's track record is slightly stronger in practice — iPhones from 2018 still received iOS 16. Samsung's seven-year pledge, introduced with the Galaxy S24 series and extended to the A5x range, is a genuine commitment and a major reason to consider Samsung over Xiaomi or Motorola if longevity matters to you.

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Samsung Galaxy A36 6 GB 128 GB Black

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

TCL 605 16.9 cm (6.67") Dual SIM Android 15 4G USB Type-C 4 GB 128 GB 5200 mAh Black

Samsung Galaxy A26 6 GB 128 GB Black

Samsung Galaxy A56 8 GB 128 GB Graphite

Samsung Galaxy A56 8 GB 128 GB Light grey

Apple iPhone 15 256GB - Black

Samsung Galaxy 4 GB 128 GB Green

Samsung Galaxy 4 GB 128 GB Grey

Samsung Galaxy 4 GB 128 GB Black

Samsung Galaxy S25 12 GB 128 GB Silver

Google Pixel 9a 8 GB 128 GB Black

Samsung Galaxy A26 8 GB 256 GB Black

Samsung Galaxy A36 6 GB 128 GB Black

Samsung Galaxy A26 8 GB 256 GB White

Samsung Galaxy A56 8 GB 128 GB Graphite

Samsung Galaxy A56 8 GB 256 GB Light grey

Samsung Galaxy A36 5G

Samsung Galaxy A36 5G

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 12 GB 256 GB Blue, Silver

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 12 GB 512 GB Black, Silver, White

Smartphones Price Comparison