UK phone contract price index: October 2026
Key findings
Buying the same phone on the same network, data allowance and contract length can cost up to £504.00 more depending on which retailer you buy it from. In 147 of 318 like-for-like comparisons (46%), the gap between the cheapest and dearest retailer was £100.00 or more over 24 months; the average gap was £105.40. Buying direct from the network was dearer than buying the same deal from another retailer in 90 of 205 cases where the network sells it both ways, by £158.79 on average. Since 15 October, retailers cut the price of 833 phone contracts and raised 1,139, out of 82,811 we track. The cheapest Apple iPhone 17 on a 24-month contract costs £889.80 in total today. Figures checked 30 October 2026.
Same deal, different retailer: the biggest price gaps
Each row is one phone with the same storage, network, data allowance and 24-month term, sold by more than one retailer. Total cost includes the upfront cost and every monthly payment.
| Phone and plan | Cheapest retailer | Dearest retailer | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorola Razr Fold 512GB · iD Mobile · 400GB data | Mobiles.co.uk £1,541.96 | iD Mobile £2,045.96 | £504.00 |
| OPPO Find X9 Ultra 512GB · iD Mobile · 500GB data | Mobiles.co.uk £1,241.96 | iD Mobile £1,727.96 | £486.00 |
| OPPO Find X9 Pro 512GB · iD Mobile · 500GB data | Mobiles.co.uk £951.96 | iD Mobile £1,415.96 | £464.00 |
| Samsung Galaxy S26+ 512GB · Vodafone · Unlimited data | Fonehouse £1,059.00 | Mobiles.co.uk £1,483.00 | £424.00 |
| Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra 256GB · Vodafone · Unlimited data | Fonehouse £1,433.00 | Mobiles.co.uk £1,843.00 | £410.00 |
| Motorola Razr 70 Ultra 512GB · iD Mobile · 400GB data | Mobiles.co.uk £1,141.96 | iD Mobile £1,531.96 | £390.00 |
| Apple iPhone Duo 256GB · iD Mobile · Unlimited data | Mobiles.co.uk £2,121.96 | iD Mobile £2,481.96 | £360.00 |
| Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 512GB · Vodafone · Unlimited data | Fonehouse £1,503.00 | Mobiles.co.uk £1,819.00 | £316.00 |
| Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold 256GB · iD Mobile · Unlimited data | Mobiles.co.uk £1,291.96 | iD Mobile £1,605.96 | £314.00 |
| Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 512GB · Vodafone · 200GB data | Fonehouse £979.00 | Mobiles.co.uk £1,289.00 | £310.00 |
Cheapest 24-month contract for popular phones
The cheapest total cost of each phone in its smallest storage size, today and on 23 October.
| Phone | Cheapest today | 23 October | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone 17 256GB · 8 networks | £889.80 | £889.80 | No change |
| Apple iPhone 17 Pro 256GB · 7 networks | £1,015.00 | £1,015.00 | No change |
| Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB · 8 networks | £1,118.76 | £1,118.76 | No change |
| Apple iPhone 18 Pro 256GB · 8 networks | £1,245.80 | £1,245.80 | No change |
| Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max 256GB · 5 networks | £1,341.80 | £1,341.80 | No change |
| Apple iPhone 16 128GB · 8 networks | £745.80 | £745.80 | No change |
| Samsung Galaxy S26 256GB · 8 networks | £703.76 | £703.76 | No change |
| Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 256GB · 8 networks | £915.80 | £915.80 | No change |
| Google Pixel 11 256GB · 8 networks | £625.80 | £625.80 | No change |
A change can come from a retailer cutting its price or from a cheaper retailer’s deals appearing in our comparison.
Using these figures
You’re welcome to quote this data. Please credit and link to us:
Source: Compare Phone Market UK phone contract price index, October 2026 (https://www.comparephonemarket.co.uk/price-index/)
Want figures for a particular phone, network or retailer? Get in touch. For today’s cheapest deals, see the cheapest deals, ranked daily.
Prices include VAT. We may earn commission if you buy through our links, but it never affects these figures. See how we make money.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the same deal cost more at one retailer?
Networks sell through their own shops and through retailers such as Mobiles.co.uk, Fonehouse and Mozillion. Each sets its own upfront cost, monthly price and cashback, so the same phone on the same network and data plan can cost hundreds of pounds more depending on where you buy it.
How is the price index worked out?
We compare every new phone contract in the live deals we track from UK networks and retailers. A like-for-like comparison is the same phone, storage, network, data allowance and 24-month term sold by at least two retailers. Total cost is the upfront cost plus every monthly payment, including price rises we know about. Price cuts and rises compare a deal’s advertised cost today with the same deal’s cost on the first day in the period. See how we track prices.
Can I use these figures?
Yes. Please credit Compare Phone Market and link to this page. Journalists can contact us for a breakdown by phone, network or retailer via the contact page.