Plain-English reviews of the phones UK buyers are choosing between, with the drawbacks up front and the price we last recorded.
Buying guide
The right iPhone depends on whether you need familiar basics, a more flexible camera or a lighter phone.
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Buying guide
For everyday apps, useful photos and a phone you can keep, the camera, charging and support period matter more than a headline specification.
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The Pixel 9a is the proven camera-first choice. The Pixel 10a makes sense if you want the newest support period and its group-photo tools at a price you are happy with.
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Choose the iPhone 17 when the prices are similar. Choose the iPhone 16 only if the saving is big enough to accept less smooth scrolling and half the storage.
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Choose the iPhone 17e for double the storage and magnetic accessories. Choose the 16e only if it is cheaper and battery life matters more to you than those.
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30 reviews
Manufacturer product image · Belkin UKSmall enough to carry every day, this Belkin gave our iPhone 17 a useful emergency top-up, stayed secure while walking and was comfortable to use while charging. We used it for a month to see where it fits into everyday life.
SamsungThe Galaxy A56 5G is a mid-range Samsung with a large 6.7-inch 120Hz screen, a 50MP stabilised main camera and 45W charging support. This review covers its size, camera limits, charging costs and the software support left when you buy.
Manufacturer product image · AppleThe iPhone 17e starts with 256GB of storage at £599, with Apple's A19 chip and a 6.1-inch OLED screen. The trade-offs are a single rear camera and a less fluid screen than many rivals.
Manufacturer product image · Honor UKA 6.57-inch camera phone with a 200MP main camera, a 3.5x telephoto and a large 6,400mAh battery. At £899.99 it sits against the best phones on sale, so its price is the sticking point.
Amazon product listing imageThe Nothing Phone 4a Pro has more personality than most £499 phones: a metal body, useful lights on the back and a proper zoom camera. It is large and has no wireless charging.
Amazon product listing imageA 6.9mm-thin Samsung with a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED+ 120Hz screen, IP68 protection and six years of security updates. Performance and cameras are where the saving shows.
Amazon product listing imageThe smaller of Apple's two Pro iPhones: a 6.3-inch phone with main, ultrawide and 4x telephoto cameras, for people who want more camera flexibility without the largest handset.
Amazon product listing imageApple's largest Pro iPhone, with a 6.9-inch screen for reading, watching and checking photos. It has the same rear camera system as the smaller Pro.
Amazon product listing imageA 5.64mm-thin, 165g iPhone with a 6.5-inch screen, an A19 Pro chip and a single 48MP camera. It is about carrying comfort, and battery and speakers are the trade-offs.
Amazon product listing imageA 6.3-inch Google phone with a 48MP 5x telephoto camera for distant subjects, without the larger body of the Pro XL. Google promises seven years of updates.
Amazon product listing imageA 6.3-inch Google phone for good everyday photos and for keeping a long time: Google promises seven years of updates.
Amazon product listing imageA 6.6-inch AMOLED phone with 256GB of storage and a 6520mAh battery. Worth a look for reading, watching and storing more, with the camera and battery claims kept in perspective.
