Signal
Best to worst signal from hours of my own testing:
- Vodafone
- O2
- EE
- Three
Vodafone and Three are going to merge. All UK signal is crap right now because of banning Huawei, anti-5G locals, and lack of infrastructure funding after Brexit.
Check signal coverage here: https://checker.ofcom.org.uk/en-gb/mobile-coverage
Another plus for Vodafone, their "Ultra 5G" which currently only works on some phones. Google Pixel 8/9 Pro also has ULCA for faster uploads which is unique to Vodafone
https://www.stuff.tv/news/heres-why-some-uk-pixel-owners-will-notice-faster-5g-speeds/
Customer Service
If you care about customer service, best to worst:
Tesco, Nomad, Giffgaff, Lebara, O2, Vodafone, BT, Anywhere, 3
Ofcom reports on customer service: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/service-quality/numbers-up-best-and-worst-telecoms-customer-service-revealed/
I recently tried Honest Mobile as well, which roams EE, O2 and Three. I only tried the Smart SIM, which I personally, would only use as a backup in case of patchy signal, but they have a main SIM I may try.
Anywhere SIM offers similar thing, but more expensive, it's really if you want to get the best signal everywhere but money isn't a problem.
Cashback
Highly recommend mobiles.co.uk for your SIM and TopCashback/Quidco. I get the Red Entertainment plan for Spotify, so after all that, my effective monthly cost goes from £42/mo to about £5/mo.
From using TopCashback/Quidco/Rewards Gateway, I've earned over £2,200 back from all sorts. Referral codes for minimum £10 back
https://www.topcashback.co.uk/ref/robertcathles
Mobiles.co.uk
If you want cheap as possible, look out on HotUkDeals for SIM cards, the best ever deal was 1 pence a month for 12GB data with Lebara, for 6 months. So overall cost me 6 pence 😁
Also don't buy a handset with a SIM combo, if you can afford it - it's always cheaper to buy a handset, get insurance, and get SIM only.
Also here's a thread with tips on cancelling phone contracts
https://x.com/rjc_uk/status/1306409373175078912?s=19
And general tips on upgrading Android phones:
