If you are ending your phone’s contract, you’re probably looking for a new SIM-only offer, handset, or combined SIM and handset deal.
Trying to figure out the best offer for your needs can be tough, often to the point where it’s easier to just stay with the same provider - even if you suspect you’re not getting the best deal.
But with Black Friday officially starting on November 29, the moment to snap up the deal of the year is beckoning.
What phone deals are there this Black Friday?
Autumn and early winter see new handsets launching ahead of the Christmas shopping season. As those shiny new phones take the spotlight, it means previous and ever so slightly older models should see sensational drops in RRP.
In terms of brands, Android manufacturers like Samsung, Honor, Google Pixel and Motorola are likely to do the most price slashing but if you’re an Apple devotee, don’t fear. There will likely be plenty of offers there too, as long as you’re willing to consider last year’s or older models.
This means you could get your hands on a new device for a snip of the price, or dramatically reduce the price of your monthly contract if you’re happy with your phone and just want a SIM deal.
Top Black Friday phone, SIM and contract deals
Trust ES Best’s Black Friday coverage
While tech deals are usually reserved for Cyber Monday, every year brands start the sales firing gun earlier and earlier. With so many great-sounding deals flying around, it can be challenging to know what to go for.
That’s where we come in. We’re Black Friday veterans and will shout about the best phone deals as soon as they roll in. No more endless scrolling, comparing and keeping tabs - ES Best will sift through the tide of offers and sort the wheat from the chaff.
We’re passionate about helping our readers save money. When it comes to phones, we’ll not only serve the freshest discounts but also highlight extra perks that add to its value: think free EU roaming, complimentary streaming subscriptions, gift vouchers or a free pair of headphones. In short, everything you need to make the soundest purchase.
Early offers are here; find the best of them below
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max (256 GB)
During the ‘Wonderlust’ showcase, we were shown a new design for the phone, namely a colour-infused back glass with a matte, textured finish and a more contoured edge. All devices come with a 48MP main camera while the more advanced Pro and Pro Max models have the added bonus of a 2x Telephoto option for 3x optical zoom.
There has also been a switch-up in the charging port to the widely used USB-C and greater precision for Find My Friends and Roadside Assistance connected via satellite to suit those off the grid. The phones are available in five new colours; pink, yellow, green, blue, and black.
It also has a slightly bigger battery: Apple says the Pro Max can handle a staggering 29 hours of video playback, while the Pro can manage a respectable 23 hours.
Buy now £1049.00, Amazon
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
This impressive new launch from Samsung only gets better the more time you spend with it.
From a sharp and bright display and a whip-fast processor to incredible zoom on the cameras and auto adjust that picks out the finest detail, this may be the most capable handset on the market today. The slightly larger main display and sharper corners make the most of every millimetre so you’re getting as much viewing and browsing space as possible (especially helpful when you’re using multiple apps at once).
The 120hz refresh rate is perfect for streaming shows, scrolling your newsfeed or catching up on the latest headlines, not to mention remote working, especially with the Multi View feature which allows you to see up to three apps at once.
Its range of developed AI features is what makes the Galaxy Z Fold6 soar above the competition, from Live Translate, Chat Assist, Browsing Assist and its much-celebrated Circle to Search innovation (in partnership with Google). This tech is reflected in the elevated RRP, but if you can afford it, it’s the best phone for your pocket. Oh and the folding mechanism? Well, that never gets old.
The phone is powered by a 4400mAh battery but there’s also super fast charging to get your handset back up to full power quicker.
Samsung has once again raised the bar for mobile technology with this device, leaving the competition quaking in its wake.
Was: £1899
Buy now £1599.00, Amazon
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Best for: keeping in your pocket
The 200MP main wide-angle camera on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra takes some excellent still images, and it’s really good for video too. It’s capable of shooting 8K at up to 30fps, but perhaps more interesting is the ability to capture 4K video at up to 120fps for high-res slow-motion effects. You’ll need a lot of storage to hold so much video data, and up to 1TB of internal capacity is available.
The S24 Ultra’s cameras are optically stabilised and use phase-detection autofocus. The phone also has a dual-recording feature that captures footage from the front and rear cameras simultaneously, perfect for vloggers documenting an event as they can walk and talk without a complicated camera setup.
Was: £847
Buy now £727.00, Amazon
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G Mobile Phone SIM Free Android Folding Smartphone 256GB Phantom Black (UK Version)
This folding device is full of surprises. Folded, the screen spans 6.2inches, but open it up and you’ll have 7.6inches of viewing space to enjoy on the Infinity Flex Display.
The 120hz refresh rate is perfect for streaming shows, scrolling your newsfeed or catching up on the latest headlines, not to mention remote working, especially with the Multi View feature which allows you to use up to three apps at once. Find a refurbished model for even less here.
Was £1,599
Buy now £762.28, Amazon
Moto Razr50 Koala Grey
A clamshell phone for modern users, Motorola's device boasts beautiful full-colour displays on both the external and internal displays, a next-gen 50 MP camera systemthe multidimensional sound of Dolby Atmos. Plus, with all-day battery, it will go as long as you do.
Was: £799.99
Buy now £599.00, Amazon
Honor X6b 4gb 128gb - Forest Green
Was: £129.99
Buy now £79.99, Very
Google Pixel 8 Pro – Unlocked Android Smartphone with telephoto lens – Bay, 256GB + Fitbit Charge 6 Activity Tracker
A new Pixel phone plus a smartwatch to boot? Now that’s the kind of bundle we go in for. Google’s Pixel phones are known first and foremost for their epic camera set up which allow you to snap and record like a pro.
Was: £1,198.99
Buy now £688.00, Amazon
Motorola Moto g14 Smartphone
Was: £139.99
Buy now £89.99, John Lewis
Google Pixel 8
Tired of your old handset? Google’s Pixel 8 has some incredible features including cutting-edge photo and video, a bright 6.2-inch display and battery power that lasts up to 72 hours.
Was: £699
Buy now £449.00, Amazon
Best Black Friday SIM Deals
Whittle down monthly bills by keeping your handset and switching to a super low-cost SIM. The big networks have it all, whether you need Unlimited data or you’re happy to save with a data cap.
Vodafone SIM-only deals
Offering SIM-only contracts for 1, 12 and 24 months, Vodafone offers the flexibility to adjust terms in a world where 24 months appear to be the new standard. Generally speaking, the longer you commit, the more favourable the prices.
Get Unlimited 5G data for £18 a month for six months on a 24-month plan (rising to £36pm from month 7).
Buy now, Vodafone
EE SIM-only deals
The data rewards are huge at EE. If you've got your heart set on Unlimited Data, there are three top offers to choose from with the best called Unlimited Essentials Plus. Running on a 24-month contract, it gives you half off the first six months so you'll only pay £27pm at first with a £1.50pm hike coming in at the end of March 2025.
Don't need Unlimited? Fixed data plans include a 50GB SIM for £18pm for 24 months and you can gift whatever you don’t get through to friends and family.
Buy now, EE
O2 Unlimited SIM
O2 is the only major network that won't reintroduce EU roaming charges (up to 25GB), so if you're planning visits to the Continent next year, switching could pay off.
It's headline BF offer is an Unlimited SIM with free EU roaming, unlimited UK minutes and text and the chance to upgrade to a new phone and plan after three months. Move before the offer ends, and you can bag three months of Disney+ Standard, Amazon Prime, Audible or another selected service.
Cost of the SIM? £20.
Buy now £20.00, O2
Three SIM-only deals
Three offers an array of SIM-only deals, and many of them are Unlimited. But before you cough up £26 a month for all-you-can-eat unlimited, think first: do you really need that much data?
If your current monthly data usage is 120GB or less, you can get a 24-month SIM deal for £16 a month instead. While Three offers excellent coverage with the 5G part of the parcel, it is one of the pricier options out there.
Unless you’re seduced by offers of Go Roam passes and streaming subscriptions, you’re likely to find a much better budget deal somewhere else.
Buy now, Three
giffgaff SIM-only deals
Famed for its cheap prices, the budget network has some seriously low-priced SIM-only deals starting from a mere £6 a month. All plans come with unlimited calls and texts, so just set your data ceiling and you’re good to go.
The current headline deal is a stonking 60GB for £10 a month on an 18-month contract.
Buy now, Giffgaff
Lebara SIM-only deals
Budget players like Lebara are rising in popularity and upping its SIM-only offering to meet demand.
On the low end of the scale, pocket a 5GB SIM with 1000 minutes and texts and 100 international minutes for a fiver. It’s low-data so best for those who are nonplussed about asking for local Wi-Fi passwords when they’re out and about.
Meanwhile, the Unlimited data SIM costs £25 on a rolling 30-day plan with all-you-can-eat UK minutes and texts as well as 100 international minutes to 42 countries, so you can catch up with overseas pals without worrying about racking up your bill.
Buy now, Lebara
Smarty SIM-only deals
Promising jargon-free deals, Smarty is the go-to choice for those watching the pennies. The Unlimited plan is £20pm, but if that’s excessive and unnecessary, you can land a rolling monthly deal that gives you 40GB for £10.
Buy now, Smarty
Black Friday phone contracts deals
Mobiles.co.uk
The online store is offering a raft of deals for those desperate to bag the Google Pixel 9 - plus, all offers below come with a free £50 Currys Gift Card as a sweetener.
When is Black Friday 2024?
This year the bonanza is later than previous years, officially starting on Friday, November 29. But with most of the UK primed for the epic sale, don’t be surprised to see offers trickling in the weeks earlier.
When does Black Friday end?
It will end on Cyber Monday which is immediately after Black Friday - this year that’s December 2.
It means Black Friday is not only the best time to pick up discounts you’ve waited all year for but also a great way to bring down the cost of the more expensive tech on your festive shopping list - like a shiny new iPhone or a cost-effective SIM-only deal.
Why is it called Black Friday?
Black Friday started as a US shopping bonanza in Philadelphia and is always held the day after the country marks Thanksgiving. The origin of the name is unknown, but some believe it’s down to the traffic jams that occurred as families went shopping to take advantage of the heavy discounts.
