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21 articles
Networks have spotted a lucrative new market in anxious parents and are rolling out 'kids' phone plans at prices that would make your eyes water. But strip away the colourful branding and the parental control features, and you might find you're paying a significant premium for things that are either free or available far more cheaply elsewhere. We've done the maths so you don't have to.
Every August, UK retailers and mobile networks roll out a wave of back-to-school smartphone promotions aimed squarely at parents. The deals look compelling on the surface — but run the numbers over 24 months and a very different picture emerges. We crunch the real costs so you can make a genuinely informed choice.
Getting your child their first smartphone has become a rite of passage in Britain — and the mobile industry knows it. From upselling anxious parents on premium handsets to locking families into two-year contracts for a 10-year-old's first device, the tactics used to squeeze money out of the back-to-school crowd are worth knowing about. Here's what a sensible first phone actually costs, and why you almost certainly don't need what the shop is pushing.
For years, British travellers faced a grim choice: pay extortionate roaming charges, scramble for a local SIM at the airport, or spend the holiday hunting for free Wi-Fi. Now a new breed of eSIM travel providers is quietly dismantling all three options — and the savings can be extraordinary.
That shiny new phone you just signed a two-year contract for might have been gathering dust in a warehouse since 2023. Our investigation reveals how retailers routinely sell aged stock as current models, leaving buyers shortchanged on security updates and support lifecycles.
A new generation of UK smartphone rental services promises flexibility and sustainability, but investigation reveals these schemes often cost more than traditional ownership. We examine whether phone subscription models represent genuine innovation or clever marketing for worse value.
Cracked screens and water damage don't automatically void your consumer rights. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 offers protections that manufacturers routinely ignore – here's how to fight back.
John Lewis, Currys, and Amazon have quietly launched certified refurbished smartphone programmes, marking a seismic shift in how Britain's biggest retailers view the second-hand market. But are their warranties worth the premium prices?
Apple Pay and Google Wallet promised seamless payments, but a growing number of UK retailers are finding creative ways to penalise digital wallet users. We investigate the legal loopholes letting merchants charge extra for phone payments.
Apple Pay and Google Pay dominate British high streets, but are they actually safer than your plastic? We investigate the real security differences and what happens when things go wrong.
Convinced your phone is getting slower with age? New benchmark data reveals the uncomfortable truth about planned obsolescence and why that 2021 flagship might outperform today's mid-range options.
With government pressure mounting on encryption, choosing the right messaging app has never been more critical. We compare WhatsApp, iMessage, and Signal to see which truly protects British users' conversations.
With unlimited 5G data plans now starting under £20 monthly, millions of Brits are questioning whether they need fixed-line broadband at all. We put mobile-only internet to the ultimate test across a typical British household.
Apple's own refurbished store offers like-new iPhones at substantial discounts, but how does it stack up against third-party alternatives? We investigate whether certified pre-owned devices represent genuine value or clever marketing in disguise.
Millions of UK smartphone users are unknowingly shortening their device lifespans by up to 18 months through overnight charging habits. We investigate the real science behind battery degradation and what it's actually costing British consumers.
Millions of Brits wake up to find their phones mysteriously different after overnight updates they never knowingly approved. From vanishing features to sluggish performance, these automatic changes are reshaping our devices without proper consent.
British smartphone users are unknowingly haemorrhaging over £600 annually through forgotten app subscriptions and sneaky auto-renewals. We dive deep into the subscription economy that's quietly draining your bank account, one 99p monthly charge at a time.
From Back Market to network trade-ins, the UK's refurbished phone market is booming as savvy consumers discover quality devices at fraction prices. We examine what's driving this shift and whether second-hand is the smart choice for your next upgrade.
What started as a £30 monthly phone bill has morphed into something far more sinister. British consumers are unknowingly signing up to dozens of small recurring charges that collectively cost hundreds of pounds annually.
Britain's independent repair shops are challenging tech giants' stranglehold on device servicing, offering consumers genuine alternatives that won't break the bank. New legislation is finally giving Brits the power to fix rather than replace, potentially saving households hundreds of pounds annually.
Who says great smartphones need to cost a fortune? We've rounded up the absolute best budget handsets you can buy in Britain right now, all under £250 and packed with features that'll make you question why anyone spends flagship money.