If you’ve just moved to the UK, or are visiting from abroad, you’ll no doubt want to get a mobile phone ASAP. This will help you stay in touch with friends and family and allow you to connect with all the new people you meet in the UK.
It’s pretty easy to get up and running with a UK mobile phone. In this guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know, whether you just need a new SIM or if you need a whole new phone as well.
We’ll also talk you through your options for UK networks, the different deals that are available and what kind of phone would be best for you.
Getting started
Maybe you’re moving over to the UK for work, or maybe you’re just visiting for a short holiday. Either way, you’ll want a phone to stay connected. This section will cover your main options for a number of different circumstances.
Do you need a new phone?
UK mobiles use the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) standard. If you’ve arrived in the UK from a country that also uses GSM mobiles – that’s most of Europe – chances are it will work in the UK, and all you’ll need is a new SIM card.
However, some international phones won’t work in the UK. In which case, you’ll need to have it unlocked or buy a UK phone once you’ve arrived.
How to get a UK SIM card
Buying a SIM card is simple. They’re sold in high street shops and online stores, as well as direct from mobile networks themselves.
If you’re only buying a SIM card, you need to decide whether you want pay as you go (PAYG), a contract or a SIM-only deal.
PAYG vs contract vs SIM-only: Which type of SIM is for you?
With PAYG, you only pay when you use your phone, whether it’s for making calls, sending texts or using mobile data for things like web browsing or emailing. You top up your SIM with credit vouchers which are usually sold in £5 increments. You can buy these online or in shops.
A mobile phone contract locks you in for at least 12 months, and sometimes as long as 36 months. They can come with generous minutes, texts and data allowances, though they are more expensive month by month as they spread the cost of the phone over the length of the contract. But they can be more realistic if you need a new phone and can’t afford to buy one outright.
SIM-only deals are the best of both worlds. While technically a contract, you’re only locked in for a short time (usually around 30 days), so you can change it without much hassle. And prices start at as little as £5 a month. You’ll need to get a phone separately, which can be a big outlay if you need to buy one upfront, but really handy if you already have one you're happy to use.
Think about how you will use your phone, and work out the cheapest option for you. For example, if you’re calling another country a lot, an option with Wi-Fi calling could be best, while if you’re streaming films and TV shows on the go, you’ll need a hefty data allowance.
Some SIM only deals don’t require a credit check, which is useful if you’ve only just arrived and don’t have a UK credit history.
See SIM-only plans that don’t require a credit check
How to use international SIMs in the UK
If you’re only visiting the UK for a short time, an international SIM card might make more sense than a dedicated UK SIM. These support both your phone number in your native country and that in the country to which you are travelling. They let you use your phone in other countries just as you would in your home nation, though calls can be expensive.
SIM cards from other EU countries aren’t subject to international roaming charges since they were abolished in 2017. Hence calls should cost the same as at home. However, once the UK leaves the EU, this could change. Also, SIMs from outside the EU will be subject to roaming charges, so shop around and see if you can find one in your home country that offers calls at reduced rates.
Should you buy a dual-SIM phone?
Dual-SIM phones let you use two SIM cards in a single device. While they’re popular with people using separate phone numbers for business and personal calls, they’re also useful if you travel between countries a lot and want to have a local SIM on you. They also mean you don’t have to swap phones when you travel.
Dual-SIM phones are popular in other countries, but are quite rare in the UK. We’ll talk about them more in a bit.
How to unlock a phone in the UK
If your phone isn’t compatible with the UK’s GSM network, you’ll need to either get it unlocked or buy a new one. Having your phone unlocked is a lot cheaper than buying a new phone, so it’s definitely worth considering.
It’s a relatively straightforward process. Some mobile networks will only unlock your phone once you’ve owned it for a certain period (e.g. 12 months). Some charge a fee.
Modern phones can be unlocked relatively quickly, but older handsets may take a little longer. Contact your phone provider to find out what the process would be, how long it would take and whether they would charge.
Which phone/SIM is best for you?
Now you know the basics, it’s time to see what deals are available, and which phone best suits you.
Which phone should you buy?
Phones vary wildly in price from just a few pounds to well over £1,000. Obviously there’s a big difference as to what they can do, so think about what you will actually use it for. If all you’re doing is making calls and sending the odd text message, a high-powered smartphone might be more than you need. Instead, you could be much better off with a cheaper, more basic phone.
If you’re playing games and using apps a lot as well as calling, texting and using social media, a more advanced handset like the Samsung Galaxy S22 or Apple iPhone 14 might be for you. These are among the fastest around, so you won’t have to wait for apps to load, and they can easily handle graphically advanced games and 4K video streams.
Which dual-SIM phones are available?
The dual-SIM phones that are available in the UK are mostly made by less well-known companies like OnePlus, Xiaomi and OPPO.
The OnePlus 7 Pro is one of the best dual-SIM handsets available in the UK. But you would also do well to check out the Xiaomi Mi 9, Huawei P30 Pro and, at the cheaper end of the market, the Honor View 20.
Which mobile network is for you?
Once you’ve decided whether you need a new phone, and whether a contract, pay as you go or SIM-only deal is for you, it’s time to pick a mobile network. There are four main ones, and a host of MVNOs (mobile virtual network operator) which use the networks as the main operators.
In this section, we’ll deal with the main operators. To find out more about MVNOs, check out our guide.
O2
O2’s 4G coverage reaches 97% of the UK population. It offers customers various perks like free coffee, cheap meals out and discounts at top attractions. You can also book exclusive and priority access tickets to gigs at O2 venues up to 48 hours early.
If you want a pay monthly phone, you’ll have to pay at least £14 a month. PAYG handsets can be had for as little as £1.50. Want SIM-only? Thirty-day contracts start at £6 a month for 4GB data and unlimited minutes and texts.
Three
Some Three plans include a feature called Go Binge, which lets you stream as much video and audio as you like from Netflix, Deezer, SoundCloud and TV Player without using any of your monthly data allowance. Three gives customers all kinds of rewards through its Wuntu app, and if you’re on an Advanced plan you can tether using your data allowance so your mobile works as a personal wi-fi hotspot.
Prices? Pay monthly phones start at £14, while PAYG handsets start at £34.99 (plus £10 credit). Thirty-day SIM only plans start at £5 a month for 1GB of data and unlimited calls and texts.
Vodafone
Vodafone customers on eligible plans can get a free Now TV Entertainment Pass, or subscription to either Spotify Premium, Amazon Prime Video or the Sky Sports Mobile TV app for the duration of their contract.
Pay monthly phones start at £13 a month, while PAYG handsets start at just £1 (plus at least £10 credit). Thirty-day SIM only plans start at £6 a month for 4GB data, with unlimited texts and minutes.
Compare Vodafone SIM-only deals
MVNOs
You can compare prices for MVNOs using the links below.
