Your cookie preferences

We use cookies and similar technologies. You can use the settings below to accept all cookies (which we recommend to give you the best experience) or to enable specific categories of cookies as explained below. Find out more by reading our Cookie Policy.

Select cookie preferences

Skip to main content

Mobiles Guides

If you're looking for some help with your mobile phone, switching networks or getting the best from your next mobile deal, we're here to help.

Switching mobiles

Unsure of the best way to switch mobiles and networks? Here's what you need to know.

text to switch
Text-to-switch: Everything you need to knowSoon changing mobile network will be as easy as sending a text message.
End of contract notifications - woman looking at her laptop
What to do when your mobile contract endsNot sure when your contract ends? No need to worry - your provider will send you a notific ..
Sim only vs pay monthly - sim card and handset icons
What is a SIM only deal compared to a pay monthly?What’s the difference between SIM only and pay monthly plans? Should you go for a new hand ..
Transferring your number guide young man on his mobile phone
PAC Codes | How to keep and transfer your old numberFind out how to transfer your old mobile number to your new handset. Save yourself the nee ..
Text to switch with Sky MobileWith its excellent perks, budget–friendly contracts and options to get a new phone mid–con ..

Choosing a mobile phone

With so many handsets on the market, it can be difficult to know which smartphone is the right one for you. Our guides can help you decide.

Woman charging smartphone
Best battery life phones 2024: the top 10 phones for battery life rankedLooking for phones with the best battery life? Uswitch ranks the best battery life phones ..
Woman sitting in park happily looking at her phone
Best Android phones 2024: top 15 Androids rankedChoosing the best Android smartphone in 2024 is a difficult task. Uswitch have ranked the ..
Mobiles - Guides - Best phones for kids: top 5 kid phones ranked | Uswitch
Best phones for kids: Our top 5 kids phones rankedAre you ready to buy your child their first mobile phone? Uswitch has ranked the best kid ..
Mobile network coverage guide - woman on mobile phone
Best mobile network coverage in the UKWhich network offers the best mobile coverage 2024? We take a look at the major mobile pho ..
How to get a mobile phone
How to get a UK mobile phone and SIM cardIf you're moving to the UK, or even just visiting, getting a UK mobile phone or SIM card w ..
Refurbished mobile phones - the ultimate buying guideShould you buy a refurbished phone? This guide will answer the most commonly asked questio ..

iPhones

iPhones are some of the most popular smartphones available. Here's what you need to know about Apple's range of handsets.

Updating your iphone guide - border
Should I update my iPhone to the latest version of iOS?What are the pros and cons of updating your iPhone to the latest iOS software?
Best iPhones 2024: Which iPhone should I buy?Unsure which iPhone you should buy? Uswitch has ranked the best iPhones available, includi ..

Samsung handsets

Samsung has produced incredible smartphones for years, alongside its range of TVs and other top-end technology. Here's what you need to know about these fantastic smartphones.

“Samsung’s premium line of handsets offers superb specs and features.”
Best Samsung Phones in 2024: Which Samsung phone should I buy?Are you a Samsung fan? The Android smartphone has a wide range of truly amazing smartphone ..
Samsung s9 vs s10
Samsung Galaxy S10 vs S9: what’s the difference?How does the Samsung Galaxy S10 compare with the S9? Here are all of the main differences ..

Money-saving tips

Keep an eye on your pennies with these money-saving tips and tricks.

Surprised man checking mobile phone news standing in a park
What to do when your mobile contract’s price risesNetwork raised the price of your phone or SIM only contract? Here's a guide to your consum ..
woman smiling using her smartphone on her sofa
How to find a cheap mobile phoneLooking for a cheap mobile phone handset? Many cheap deals still come with excellent smart ..
selling your phone
How can I get the best price when I sell my phone?Chances are you have an old phone or two knocking around in a drawer. Here we tell you how ..
Overcharged by your network guide
Overcharged by your mobile phone network? Here's how to get your money backOvercharged by your mobile network? In this step-by-step guide, you will learn how to go a ..
premium rate calls guide
A guide to charges for premium rate and customer support numbersWhat are premium changes? How will they affect you? Which numbers are classified as ‘premi ..
man disappointed while on the phone
How to avoid being overcharged for your mobile phone contractMake sure you don’t get charged for your phone after you’ve paid it off.

Roaming and international SIMs

How much does it cost to use your mobile overseas? And are there things you can do to get better coverage while travelling without paying too much? We've got all the information you need before you jet off.

women sat in a park using her mobile phone
What is an eSIM and how does it work?Here's everything you need to know about eSIMs - how they differ to SIM cards, why you sho ..
international sim guide hero
International SIM card guideLearn how to make cheap overseas calls on your mobile phone and discover which networks sp ..
Tesco mobile roaming charges guide
Tesco Mobile international roaming FAQLearn about Tesco Mobile's prices and monthly allowances of data, calls and texts while ab ..
giffgaff
giffgaff international roaming FAQIf you're with giffgaff and you're travelling abroad, find out about any roaming charges o ..
O2 roaming charges guide - young people waiting for a train
O2 international roaming FAQFrom 15th June 2024, all existing O2 pay monthly, pay as you go and business customers wil ..
Three mobile store front
Three international roaming FAQsThree’s Go Roam service allows you to unlock your UK allowance in 71 destinations, with ne ..

Staying safe online

The more time we spend online, the more we need to safeguard ourselves and our personal information. Here are a few guides on how to stay safe online.

best network for teens and kids guide - young boy using a smartphone on the train
Best mobile networks for kids and teensBuying a mobile phone for your child can be a tough decision. In this guide, we take a goo ..
Smartphones and your health
How smartphones affect your healthHow smartphones affect your health
woman using phone credit card security
How to keep your mobile phone secureTips and tricks to keep your smartphone secure.
Mobiles - Guides - How to keep your child safe on their smartphone – the definitive guide
How to keep your child safe on their smartphoneKeeping kids safe from the harmful side of the internet is a big task. Doubly so in a worl ..

Smartphone accessibility

Smartphone technology is constantly improving, with more and more features being added to help those with accessibility needs.

smartphone accessibility guide
Smartphone accessibility: a comprehensive guideAdvice on how to use accessibility features on your smartphone to make life a little easier.
Title: A guide to screen readers. With an image of a young blind person woman using smart phone with voice accessibility for persons with disabilities in creative workplace
Screen reader accessibility - everything you need to knowSmartphone accessibility continues to improve, and a core component is screen readers. Her ..
woman wearing a hearing aid using her smartphone
Hearing accessibility guide - everything you need to knowIf you have hearing loss, there are a number of smartphone features you can use to make yo ..
person using their smartphone outside
Smartphone assistants guide - everything you need to knowHow to use your phone without the need for physical buttons or complicated hand gestures.

Smartphone accessibility

From free subscriptions for streaming services to early access to ticket sales, you can get all sorts of valuable perks and benefits from your mobile network.

pleased woman using her mobile phone
Which mobile network offers the best perks?Which mobile networks offer the best extras? And which ones will suit you best? Read on ou ..
Hero image template of person holding phone next to emoji of hand holding phone
UK MVNOs: a guide to virtual networksWant to know what an MVNO, also known as a virtual network is? We explain what an MVNO is ..
“Cheap cinema tickets, days out and  discounts at cafes & restaurants.”
Vodafone VeryMe Rewards: everything you need to knowVodafone mobile customers can get cheap cinema tickets, days out and discounts at cafes & ..
Swap 01a RGB 1
Sky Mobile Swap contracts: everything you need to knowDiscover the benefits of Sky Mobile Swap and how it compares to similar offers from rival ..
Why you should choose Lebara as your new mobile networkLooking for a SIM-only plan on a budget? Look no further than Lebara.

How to guides

Advice and tips on how to make the most of your smartphone.

How to spot a mobile phone scam guide
How to spot a mobile phone scamDon't get caught out by mobile scams, read this guide to learn more about the things you n ..
Woman comparing mobiles - How to switch phone providers
How to switch mobile phone providersSwitching phone providers? You don't have to compare every deal yourself. We do the work f ..
woman using her phone
How to cancel your mobile contract earlyIf you cancel your mobile phone contract early, you'll likely have to pay an early exit fe ..
How to avoid nuisance phone calls - woman on phone
How to stop nuisance calls and block unwanted numbersRead on and discover the number of things you can do to block nuisance calls and texts on ..
How to unlock my phone
How to unlock my phone | A guide to unlocking any phoneWant to unlock your mobile phone? We take you through the benefits, the risks and most imp ..
How to fix a water damaged phone guide - wet smartphone
How to fix a water damaged phoneDropped your phone in water? We show you how to fix a water damaged smartphone.

Tech explained

Learn more about the latest tech, gadgets and smart devices with our tech-explained guides.

Magnification and Zoom accessibility guide - older woman using an ipad
Magnification and Zoom accessibility guide - everything you need to knowRead on to find out what Magnification and Zoom are, who they can help, and how you can ge ..
Angry nervous confused middle-aged woman looking at mobile phone screen
Understanding mobile phone jargonIf you're muddled about megapixels or baffled by Bluetooth, we'll get you up to speed with ..
VPN guide
What is a VPN and why do I need it?What is a VPN? How do they work? Why use one? We cover all the basics and how to set up a ..
mobile tethering guide
What is mobile tethering? Which networks let you tether?How does tethering work? Compare the major networks' policy and pricing structure for mobi ..
Make calls on your home Wi–Fi or ones in coffee shops, airports and train stations
What is Wi–Fi calling?Here's everything you need to know about Wi-Fi calling, including how it works, whether it ..
mobiles - guides - Mobile phone radiation
Guide to mobile phone radiationWant to know why mobile phones emit radiation and whether you need to worry? Our guide wil ..

Mobiles studies

Read our latest mobiles studies. From screen time reports and coverage data to the cost of making TikTok’s most loved Starbucks iced coffees at home.

Feature image with the title 'UK mobile phone statistics, 2023' and a man sitting in a beanbag whilst using his phone.
UK Mobile Phone Statistics 2024 - Stats ReportWe’ve collated the latest UK mobile phone statistics and trends for 2023, covering mobile ..
Where to go to go completely off gridWe’ve rounded up the best places to go completely off grid, looking at areas with poor int ..
Children's social media & mobile safety report banner image.
Children's social media and mobile safety reportFor this report, Uswitch looked at the safety issues parents face when their children gain ..
Travel SIMS banner image
Travel SIMsWe’ve analysed eSIM savings for top travel destinations, revealing how to slice data roami ..
Mobile Fraud - Header Image
Mobile FraudWe’ve analysed Action Fraud and ONS data to discover the prominence of mobile fraud in Eng ..
How does mobile phone use impact our health?
How does mobile phone use impact our health?We've surveyed mobile phone users across the UK to highlight the most common usage injurie ..