LOOKING to upgrade your mattress without breaking the bank this Bank Holiday?
Simba’s latest deals are delivering some seriously impressive savings, with up to £646 off across their innovative sleep range.
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We’ve rounded up all the best Simba mattress deals.Credit: Simba
Simba Sleep: bundle deals on all the brands’ mattresses
Known for combining cutting-edge technology with genuine comfort, the brand’s Bank Holiday offers include some bundle deals that sleep-deprived shoppers won’t want to miss.
It’s not just mattresses either – completely transform your bedroom setup with complimentary pillows, duvets and bedding included with many purchases.
From the original Hybrid that put Simba on the map to the premium Luxe and Ultra models, there’s something for every sleep preference and budget in this month’s promotion.
Whether you’re a dedicated side-sleeper, strictly back-only, or someone who rotates through multiple positions throughout the night, these mattresses are engineered to provide targeted support where you need it most.
Best Simba mattress deals this May Bank Holiday at a glance:
Simba Hybrid Essential Mattress + FREE Pure Pillow (worth £60) or 2x Pure Pillows (worth £120) – shop here
Simba Hybrid Luxe Mattress, £1,359.20 (was £1,699) – shop here
Simba Cool Foam Single Mattress, was £209 (save 20% with code FURN20) – shop here
Simba Hybrid Pro Mattress + 2x FREE Hybrid Pillows & Mattress Cover (worth £387) – shop here
Simba Hybrid Luxe Mattress + FREE pillow, duvet and mattress protector bundle (worth £646) – shop here
Simba Hybrid Kids Mattress, was £399 (now £339) – shop here
Simba Hybrid Ultra Mattress + FREE pillow, duvet and mattress protector bundle (worth £646) – shop here
Simba Earth Source 2900 Wool Mattress, was £1,199 (now £239.80) – shop here
We have based prices on double-sized mattresses.
The generous 200-night trial gives you plenty of time to ensure it’s the perfect fit before fully committing.
Don’t hang about though – these Bank Holiday offers are only around for a limited time, so if you’ve been thinking about upgrading your sleep setup, now’s your chance.
What’s the deal? Bag Simba’s wallet-friendly Hybrid Essential mattress for 20% less.
Why it’s a great buy: This British-made sleep upgrade combines cushiony comfort with proper support where your body needs it most.
For the eco-conscious, Simba offers recycling options when you’re eventually done with it – though with their 200-night trial and 10-year guarantee, that won’t be anytime soon.
Perfect for anyone wanting quality sleep tech without the premium price tag, especially with those complimentary pillows sweetening the deal.
Simba Hybrid Luxe Mattress: save £99
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Simba Hybrid Luxe Mattress £1,599.95 (was £1,699)
What’s the deal? Simba is cutting almost £100 off its premium Hybrid Luxe mattress this May – bringing this luxury sleep upgrade to a slightly more accessible price point.
Why it’s a great buy: The Simba Hybrid Luxe is seriously impressive tech for anyone wanting to transform their sleep quality.
At an impressive 31cm deep with ten sophisticated layers, this mattress delivers a hotel-quality sleep experience every night.
It features an innovative triple-spring system – including two layers of Simba’s titanium Aerocoil springs for exceptional pressure relief, plus an additional layer of micro springs for targeted support.
The bamboo-wool top layer is particularly clever for temperature regulation, naturally wicking moisture and maintaining optimal sleeping conditions throughout the night.
What really distinguishes this mattress is the edge-to-edge SupportCore spring base that eliminates that annoying roll-off feeling and maximizes your usable sleeping surface.
With Simba’s generous 200-night trial period and comprehensive 10-year guarantee backing your purchase, this discount makes the Luxe a compelling option for anyone ready to invest in better sleep.
Simba Hybrid Mattress, £647.19 (was £799)
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Worth every penny.Credit: Simba
Simba Hybrid Mattress £647.19 (was £799)
What’s the deal? Snap up Simba’s original bestselling Hybrid mattress for £152 less this Bank Holiday.
This game-changing mattress packs innovative Aerocoil springs, an extra-deep layer of cooling Simbatex foam, and nine-zone support that’s specially designed to cushion shoulders and hips.
Why it’s a good buy: The original Hybrid has thousands of happy sleepers for good reason: it strikes that perfect balance between cloud-like comfort and tailored support.
Those nine body-aligned support zones are a godsend if you suffer from aches and pains, while the breathable design keeps hot sleepers cool all night.
Add the handy zip-off washable cover and the fact it’s British-made with a recycling option, and you’ve got yourself a great sleep enhancement that’s actually worth every penny.
Simba Hybrid Pro Mattress, £959.20 (was £1,199)
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Simba Hybrid Pro Mattress £959.20 (was £1,199)
What’s the deal? Get Simba’s premium Hybrid Pro mattress and save as much as £240 on a double.
Why it’s a good buy: This luxury sleep setup features a natural wool top layer for temperature regulation, double spring layer with 4,800 titanium Aerocoil springs, and cooling Simbatex foam – all wrapped in a breathable ‘cool-touch’ Stratos cover that zips off for easy washing.
The Pro is Simba’s next-level mattress – that natural wool layer is a game-changer for hot sleepers, while the double spring system provides properly targeted support for achy joints.
The 100% edge-to-edge support means no more rolling off or sagging sides.
A wool and bamboo combo is perfect for sweaty sleepers.Credit: Simba
Simba Hybrid Luxe Mattress £1,342.21 (was £1,699)
What’s the deal? Splash out on Simba’s top-tier Hybrid Luxe mattress and save as much as £400 (Super King).
This luxury sleep setup features a wool/bamboo top layer for temperature control, THREE spring layers including micro springs, plus cooling Simbatex foam and edge-to-edge support that stops you rolling off in the night.
Why it’s a good buy: The Luxe is Simba’s ultimate sleep enhancement – that wool and bamboo combo is ideal for temperature-sensitive sleepers, while the triple-spring system provides seriously plush support that still keeps your spine aligned.
UK craftsmanship, fully recyclable, and engineered to last for years – this is the investment buy for anyone who’s done with budget mattresses and ready for the real deal.
Simba Hybrid Kids Mattress: save £60
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Simba Hybrid Kids Mattress was £399 (now £339)
What’s the deal? This isn’t just a mini version of their adult mattresses – it’s specially designed with growing bodies in mind, making it worth considering if your little one is ready for a proper “big kid” bed.
Why it’s a good buy:
Kids do most of their growing while they sleep, so their mattress needs to support proper development.
This Hybrid mattress from Simba is designed with growing children in mind. Its Aerocoil Microsprings provide medium-firm orthopaedic support, keeping their spine aligned as they move during the night.
Beneath the springs, high-definition foam and a rigid foam base contour to their body, relieving joint pressure, while edge support ensures stability even if they sleep near the edge.
For children who overheat, the open-cell cooling foam, infused with graphite, helps regulate temperature, and the breathable surface improves airflow for a cleaner, allergy-friendly environment.
At £339, it’s an investment, but with its quality and longevity, it offers excellent value for supporting your child’s growth.
What’s the deal? Splash out on Simba’s top-of-the-range Hybrid Ultra mattress and get 20% off.
This next-level sleep setup boasts Simba’s highest-ever spring count, double layer of Simbatex foam, innovative FusionCool top layer (blend of kapok, wool & bamboo), plus unique PureLift support from latex and coconut – all wrapped in a ‘cool-touch’ Stratos cover.
Why it’s a good buy: The Ultra is proper luxury territory – eleven separate layers combine for what Simba calls their most advanced mattress yet.
Hot sleepers will love the FusionCool technology, while the enhanced spring system delivers personalized contouring that’s perfect for chronic pain sufferers.
British-made quality that’s built to last for years – this is the ultimate investment for anyone serious about sorting their sleep once and for all.
Simba mattress FAQs
Where can I buy a Simba mattress?
The obvious place to buy a Simba mattress is directly from the official Simba website, which often features exclusive deals and promotions.
If you prefer to shop in-store or elsewhere online, major UK retailers like Argos, and Very also stock Simba mattresses – and will have their own deals and seasonal offers that are worth checking out.
Additionally, online marketplaces such as Amazon and eBay carry Simba products, offering added convenience and quick delivery options.
Wherever you decide to shop for the best mattress deals, Simba mattresses is widely available – making it easy to find the perfect one for a great night’s sleep.
If you want to keep up to date with the latest deals and reviews, check out our Simba sleep page.
How much do Simba mattresses cost?
With prices starting from £599 (at its usual retail price) for the Simba Hybrid Mattress and going up to £3,299 for the super king Simba Hybrid Ultra Mattress, Simba mattresses are not cheap – however, they compare to similar offerings from other bed-in-a-box companies.
What’s more, the brand regularly runs deals (we’ve rounded up some current deals, above), which can save money.
Simba also has an incredible reputation, with a whopping 250,000 five-star reviews.
If you’re after a cheaper way of upgrading your mattress, check out our Simba Hybrid Essential Topper review, which our tester says took her old mattress ‘to the next level.’
What is the bestselling Simba Mattress?
Simba’s bestselling mattress is the Hybrid Pro – a popular choice for its perfect blend of comfort, support and advanced sleep technology.
It combines five layers including Simba’s signature Aerocoil springs and cooling foam, which offer tailored support and temperature regulation.
She also rated it for its tailored support, adding: ‘Previously, my partner and I found it very difficult to roll over or get out of bed without waking one another up.
‘The Pro and its weight-distributing springs have practically eradicated this issue and finally made lie-ins a possibility – hurrah!’
Elsewhere, the Original Hybrid is also hugely popular, with half a million sold and 15 awards won.
Simba mattresses aren’t the cheapest options out there, so it’s worth knowing how long your investment will actually last.
While the company backs its products with a 10-year guarantee, the real-world lifespan depends on a few key factors that are worth understanding before you buy.
The good news is that Simba mattresses are genuinely built to last. Their hybrid models combine multiple layers of foam with innovative spring technology, creating a structure that holds its shape much better than traditional mattresses.
Most owners report their Simba mattresses maintaining good support and comfort for 7-10 years with proper care – significantly longer than cheaper foam-only alternatives that can start sagging after just 3-4 years.
To get the maximum lifespan from your Simba, make sure you rotate it regularly (every 3-4 months) and use a mattress protector to prevent stains and moisture damage.
Unlike some cheaper options, Simbas won’t need flipping as they’re designed to be one-sided, making maintenance simpler.
For the price point, Simba’s durability makes them a worthwhile long-term investment for quality sleep.
Are Simba mattresses good for bad backs?
Simba states that you should always seek professional medical advice when it comes to what’s best for your back, and we completely agree – especially if you’re having trouble sleeping.
However, Simba has received a flood of positive comments from sleepers who say their Simba mattress has helped them finally get a good night’s sleep after years of suffering from aches and pains.
The extremely light comfort spring layer is one of the technologies Simba added to help make your sleep as soothing as it can be.
And you shouldn’t feel poked in the back, as Simba claims that its springs are lighter and finer than standard hefty ones.
Simba offers a range of refurbished mattresses and accessories that come with a reduced price tag – a great choice for anyone in need of a mattress on a smaller budget.
Don’t let the refurbished title fool you into thinking they’re of worse quality, though.
They’ll still provide you with award-winning, restorative sleep – just for a lower cost.
The refurbished items go through rigorous hand testing and inspection to ensure the product is still up to scratch and any part that fails the test is replaced completely.
Lastly, everything is deep cleaned by Simba to hospital standards, so it’s essentially as good as new.
What’s the difference between Simba and Emma?
Simba and Emma are both leading mattress brands in the UK, but they differ in construction and feel.
Reviews suggest that the Simba Hybrid is firmer than Emma mattresses.
However, although Simba mattresses are medium-firm, the squishy top layer makes them feel soft and comfortable to lie on before you feel the firmness underneath.
Obviously, it’s down to personal preference to a certain degree.
However, both Simba and Emma hybrid mattresses contain multiple layers, with foam and springs, and both are available in a range of sizes.
Plus, both offer a 200-night trial and 10-year guarantee on their mattresses.
Therefore, it’s really a case of doing your research to see which is likely to suit you best: from how firm the mattress is, to its cooling layers, materials and price.
Does Simba offer NHS discount?
Yes, Simba offers a 20% discount to all healthcare workers, including care and social workers.
Students, teachers and military personnel are also entitled to the discount.
To take advantage, all you need to do is visit the discounts page on the Simba website and enter some details to verify your eligibility (Simba says this usually takes about thirty seconds).
Once you’ve been verified, you’ll receive a code to use at checkout.
It’s a great way for NHS staff and other healthcare professionals to enjoy high-quality sleep products at a reduced price, as a thank you for their service.
Are Simba mattresses worth the money?
A mattress is an investment, so it’s worth doing your research before making a purchase.
The short answer is yes: a Simba mattress is worth the money and our Sun Shopping reviews speak for themselves.
We’ve also tested and reviewed several of the brand’s bestselling mattresses, and you check out our honest opinions before making a purchase:
Here’s a quick summary of those reviews:
Pros
Excellent delivery service
Easy-to-follow instructions and setup
Supportive
Comfortable
200-night trial
0% finance option
10-year guarantee
Cons
Very heavy, especially when in the box
May require deep-fitted sheets
All Simba mattresses also come with a 10-year guarantee and you can try the mattress for up to 200 days and then return it if you decide it’s not right for you.
During the programme’s original run on Channel 4 from 2005 to 2016, the executive producer and the banker turned out to be the same person
Deal or No Deal’s mystery banker revealed as iconic Coronation Street actor(Image: ITV)
The identity of Deal or No Deal’s mystery banker was a secret for many years before it was revealed that they were actually a huge Coronation Street star. During the programme’s original run on Channel 4 from 2005 to 2016, the executive producer and the banker turned out to be the same person.
Deal or No Deal’s banker turned out to be Glenn Hugill, who is best known for his role as Alan McKenna on Coronation Street from 1996 to 1997. The star appeared in 86 episodes of the show as he took on the role of detective Alan, who dated Fiona Middleton and was meant to marry her.
Glenn was best known for his role as Alan McKenna on Coronation Street from 1996 to 1997(Image: Granada Television)
However, their wedding ceremony was called off when Jim McDonald revealed his affair with Fiona, and Alan soon departed the cobbles. The actor also appeared in shows like Dalziel and Pascoe, The Upper Hand and Chandler & Co. In 2001, he took on a presenter role for the 2001 series The Mole.
In early 2023, Glenn sold his production company, Possessed, to ITV and became C.C.O. of Wheelhouse, the media empire founded by American talk show host Jimmy Kimmel. He was previously the managing director of the company, which quickly became one of the most successful production companies in the UK.
When he was 10 years old, Glenn scored a 207 in a national IQ test designed for under 16s, which was the highest recorded result in the country.
It is not known who the current banker is (Image: ITV)
Local newspaperThe Northern Echoonce reported he took another test made for adults and recorded a result of 177, the highest score the test was capable of registering.
Glenn is said to have held the role of banker on Deal or No Deal for a decade, but it isn’t known who replaced him for the new ITV version hosted by Stephen Mulhern.
Stephen previously said: “I don’t know who the Banker is. So I wouldn’t be able to recognise who it was. So, he could walk past me at any point.”
The voice on the phone is “male” but Stephen added: “Supposedly, he goes into the hotel and listens to the contestants and what they’re up to. So when he comes on the phone to me, I’ve got to repeat what he says.
“So, he’ll say, ‘Just tell them blah, blah, blah, blah, blah’. But he gives him nicknames. So like, ‘Two Wine Wendy,’ because she’s always having an extra wine. It’s quite creepy.
“That first time the phone rang, it was like, ‘What’s he going to sound like? What’s he going to be like?’ But he takes no prisoners. There’s one contestant in particular who has a really bad ride and a really bad time, and at the end of it, the contestant is nearly in tears, and the phone rings.
“I’m thinking ‘Okay, he’s going to at least console a tiny bit’. And he went, ‘Just tell him it’s not a pity party. Let’s crack on with tomorrow,’ and put the phone down.”
Senators accuse US President Donald Trump of engaging in ‘corruption of US foreign policy’ with defence deals.
A group of United States senators is trying to halt $3.5bn in weapons sales to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar over concerns that the deals will personally benefit the family of US President Donald Trump.
Two “resolutions of disapproval” were submitted on Thursday in the US by Democratic Senators Chris Murphy, Chris Van Hollen, Brian Schatz and Tim Kaine, along with Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent who often votes with Democrats.
The legislators also issued statements accusing President Trump, who is concluding a trip to the Middle East, of actively engaging in the “corruption of US foreign policy” over the timing of the sales and recent investment deals.
The Department of State this week approved the $1.6bn sale to the UAE of Chinook helicopters and equipment, F-16 aircraft components, and spare and repair parts to support Apache, Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters. Initial reporting cited the figure as close to $1.3bn, but the $1.6bn figure was used in a statement from the legislators. The lawmakers are also seeking to block $1.9bn in sales to Qatar of MQ-9B Predator drones and associated equipment, which was approved by the State Department in March.
The legislators accuse Trump of accepting favours in exchange for the deals, citing news from April that the Emirati investment firm MGX would use a stablecoin – a cryptocurrency whose value is pegged to another asset – issued by the Trump family-backed World Liberty Financial to finance a $2bn investment in the cryptocurrency exchange Binance.
The Trump family is reported to have made millions off niche cryptocurrencies like the $TRUMP “meme coin” since the president returned to the White House in January.
I know Trump’s crypto scams can seem hard to understand. So I went the Senate floor to break down the most outrageous one.
A foreign government is investing $2 billion in Trump’s coin to get favorable treatment from the Administration. A wild corruption.
In addition to business dealings, the senators also expressed fears that US weapons sent to the UAE could end up in the hands of Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which is allegedly backed by the UAE and has played a critical role in Sudan’s civil war.
“The US should not be delivering weapons to the UAE as it aids and abets this humanitarian disaster and gross human rights violations,” Van Hollen said, citing Sudan’s civil war.
The senators also cited Qatar’s offer of a Boeing 747 jumbo for the president’s temporary use as Air Force One. The offer has drawn criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans because it would be the most expensive foreign gift ever exchanged between a foreign government and an elected US official.
“There’s nothing Donald Trump loves more than being treated like a king, and that’s exactly why foreign governments are trying to buy his favour with a luxury jumbo jet and investments in Trump’s crypto scams,” Murphy said in a statement.
When asked about the offer of the aircraft, Trump blamed Boeing’s lack of progress in building a new Air Force One and said he would be “stupid” to refuse a free plane.
“It’s not a gift to me, it’s a gift to the Department of Defense,” he said.
It is unclear when a vote will happen on the joint “resolutions of disapproval”, but the US political news outlet The Hill said that due to the nature of the bills, Democrats will likely force them to the floor of the Senate.
LOOKING to upgrade your iPhone without breaking the bank? Our guide to the best iPhone deals this month has you covered.
Finding a good deal can be a daunting task that inevitably gets pushed to the bottom of your ‘to-do’ list, but fear not – we’ve found several spring savings that you won’t want to miss.
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Find the best iPhone deals in our guideCredit: Reuters
We’ve scoured the market to bring you the top deals from leading mobile networks and retailers, ensuring you’ll get the best value for your money.
So, whether you’re after the cutting-edge features of the iPhone 16 Pro Max or you’re looking to spend less and bag the iPhone 16e, we’ve rounded up the best promotions available.
Best iPhone deals May 2025
* Prices are accurate at the time of writing and are subject to change. To ensure you’re getting the best deal on a new iPhone, make sure you shop around.
iPhone 16e deals
iPhone 16e pay-monthly deals include:
Apple iPhone 16e 128GB, £33p/m, £19 upfront, unlimited data from Vodafone, from Fonehouse – buy here
Apple iPhone 16e 128GB, £35.99 p/m, £19 upfront, unlimited data from ID Mobile – buy here
Apple iPhone 16e 128GB, £39p/m, £25 upfront, 150GB of data from Three – buy here
Apple iPhone 16e 128GB, £32 p/m, £0 upfront, 50GB of data from O2, from Sky Mobile – buy here
SIM-free iPhone 16e deals include:
Apple iPhone 16e 128GB, £599 from Apple – buy here
Apple iPhone 16e 128GB, £599 from Argos – buy here
Apple iPhone 16e 128GB, £599 from Currys – buy here
Apple iPhone 16e 128GB, £599 from John Lewis – buy here
To save money and get more storage, check out deals on the 256GB and 512GB options from the retailers listed above.
More iPhone 16 deals
The best iPhone 16 pay-monthly deals include:
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB, £44.99 p/m, £79 upfront, 100GB of data from ID Mobile, from Mobiles.co.uk – buy here
Apple iPhone 16 Pro 128GB, £48 p/m, £29 upfront, unlimited data from Three, from Affordable Mobiles – buy here
Apple iPhone 16 Plus 128GB, £42.99 p/m, £9 upfront, unlimited data from ID Mobile – buy here
Apple iPhone 16 128GB, £36 p/m, £19 upfront, unlimited data from Three, from Affordable Mobiles – buy here
We’ve also listed several SIM-free iPhone 16 deals below.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max, 256GB, £1,049 (was £1,199) from Very –buy here
Apple iPhone 16 Pro 128GB, £849 (was £999) from Very – buy here
Apple iPhone 16 Plus 128GB, £749 (was £899) from Very – buy here
Apple iPhone 16 128GB, £649 (was £799) from Amazon – buy here
iPhone 15 deals
The best iPhone 15 pay-monthly deals include:
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max (Refurbished-Pristine) 256GB, £55 p/m, £30 upfront, unlimited data from Vodafone – buy here
Apple iPhone 15 Pro (As New) 256GB, £53 p/m, £29 upfront, unlimited data on Vodafone, from Mobile Phones Direct – buy here
Apple iPhone 15 Plus 128GB, £43 p/m, £25 upfront, unlimited data from Three, from Fonehouse – buy here
Apple iPhone 15 128GB, £34 p/m, £19 upfront, unlimited data from Three, from Fonehouse – buy here
For SIM-free iPhone 15 discounts, you’ll want to check out these deals:
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB, £939.06 from Amazon – buy here
Refurbished Apple iPhone 15 Pro 256GB, £869 (was £1,019) from Apple – buy here
Apple iPhone 15 Plus 128GB, £649 (was £799) from Amazon – buy here
Apple iPhone 15 128GB, £549 (was £699) from Very – buy here
iPhone 14 deals
Our list of the best iPhone 14 pay-monthly deals includes:
Refurbished iPhone 14 Pro Max 128GB, £40 p/m, £9 upfront, unlimited data from Vodafone, from Fonehouse – buy here
Apple iPhone 14 Pro 265GB, £49 p/m, £19 upfront, unlimited data from Three, from Mobile Phones Direct – buy here
Apple iPhone 14 Plus 512GB, £54 p/m, £24 upfront, unlimited data from O2, from Sky Mobile – buy here
Apple iPhone 14 128GB, £31.99 p/m, £0 upfront, unlimited data from ID Mobile – buy here
For iPhone 14 SIM-free savings, take a look at the retailers listed below.
Refurbished Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max 128GB, £945.90 from Amazon – buy here
Refurbished Apple iPhone 14 Pro 256GB, £759 (was £999) from Apple – buy here
Apple iPhone 14 Plus 128GB, £549 (was £699) from John Lewis – buy here
Apple iPhone 14 128GB, £469 (was £599) from Very – buy here
iPhone 13 deals
Pay-monthly offers include:
Refurbished Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max 128GB, £59.99 p/m, £30 upfront, unlimited data from O2 – buy here
Refurbished Apple iPhone 13 Pro 128GB, £57.39 p/m, £30 upfront, unlimited data from O2 – buy here
Refurbished Apple iPhone 13 mini 128GB, £25 p/m, £9 upfront, 300GB of data from Three, from Affordable Mobiles – buy here
Apple iPhone 13 128GB, £26 p/m, £0 upfront, 300GB of data from Three, from Fonehouse – buy here
SIM-free offers include:
Refurbished Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max 128GB, £763.90 from Amazon – buy here
Refurbished Apple iPhone 13 Pro 256GB, £751.90 from Amazon – buy here
Refurbished Apple iPhone 13 mini 128GB, £379 (was £649) from Apple – buy here
Check out the stores listed below to shop for the best offers:
What is the latest iPhone?
The iPhone 16e went on general sale on Friday, February 28, 2025.
The Sun’s Tech Editor Sean Keach has tried and tested Apple’s newest smartphone and in his iPhone 16e review, he describes it as ”a phoenix rising from the ashes”.
He also praised its battery life, beautiful OLED display, and the useful Action Button that replaces the Mute Switch.
READ MORE:
How much is the latest iPhone?
If you want to buy a standalone handset without entering a contract, the iPhone 16e starts from £599.
We’ve listed several iPhone 16e deals above, including pay-monthly options, so make sure to check them out.
What’s the cheapest iPhone to buy outright in the UK?
The cheapest iPhone to buy is the newest kid on the block, the iPhone 16e.
While it is the cheapest to buy outright, you can also get some incredible offers on refurbished models, too, with plenty of deals to be found on Amazon.
When is the next iPhone coming out?
The iPhone 17 Air model is expected to be released alongside Apple’s 17th line-up in September – if the rumours hold true.
The new alleged design measures just 5.5mm at its thinnest point.
When is the best time to buy an iPhone?
Every time Apple releases a new phone, each previous generation of the iPhone generally goes down in price.
So if you’re looking for a newer device without having to break open the piggy bank, it might be worth looking at a slightly older generation, like the iPhone 15, to save a few quid.
Since the release of the iPhone 16, many retailers have reduced the price of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 14.
As long as you don’t have to have the latest iPhone, go back a generation or two around the Apple launches, and you can save yourself a bundle.
It’s also worth shopping around to see if you can bag any spring savings or Easter offers.
In addition to slashing the cost of select Apple models, shoppers can enjoy free next-day delivery when they buy a new smartphone.
Very has also slashed the cost of several smartphones ahead of Easter, and that’s not all.
Shoppers can claim up to £560 when they trade in their old device.
What is the best iPhone?
iPhone 16e
iPhone 16e, from £599
Features:Aluminium design, 6.1‑inch (diagonal) all‑screen OLED display, A18 chip, 48MP Fusion camera, Action Button, 4K Dolby Vision video recording, up to 26 hours of video playback.
Pros
Massive battery life
Future-proofed (A18 chip for Apple Intelligence, USB-C)
Useful Action Button replaces the Mute Switch
Bigger 6.1-inch screen and Face ID
Beautiful OLED display
Great value for money
Cons
No MagSafe charging
Only two colours
The iPhone 16e is a sort of spiritual successor to the old iPhone SE series and features a large 6.1-inch OLED display.
It boasts an Action Button, Face ID, an AI-friendly chip, and an impressive battery life.
Our Tech Editor adds: ”If you can overlook a couple of minor niggles (lack of MagSafe and a price increase) then you’ll be able to bag one of the best-value smartphones available today.”
iPhone 16 Pro / iPhone 16 Pro Max
iPhone 16 Pro, £999 and iPhone 16 Pro Max, £1,199
Features: Titanium design, Pro Max has a 6.9‑inch Super Retina XDR display and up to 27 hours of video playback, Pro has a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display and up to 33 hours of video playback,48MP Pro Camera System, action button, Camera Control button.
Pros
The Pro Max has a 6.9-inch panel is the biggest on any iPhone ever
Built from a lightweight titanium
Upgraded A18 Pro chip
48-megapixel Fusion camera
Cons
Expensive
Large size might not suit you if you prefer a smaller device
As with the iPhone 16, which is listed below, you will enjoy an array of features, including Dynamic Island, Action Button, and a new Camera Control.
The Action Button replaced the Mute Switch on the iPhone 15 Pro in 2023.
Both models feature impressive displays, with the Pro boasting a 6.3-inch display, and the Pro Max has a 6.9-inch panel – that’s the biggest on any iPhone ever.
There’s also a new 48-megapixel Fusion camera that’s capable of shooting 4K video in Dolby Vision at 120 frames per second, and you can capture footage at 4K120fps in Slow-Mo.
iPhone 16 / iPhone 16 Plus
iPhone 16, £799 and iPhone 16 Plus, £899
Features: Aluminium design, Dynamic Island, Action Button, a new Camera Control button, A18 chip, 48MP Fusion camera, 6.1‑inch Super Retina XDR with up to 22 hours of video playback (iPhone 16), 6.7‑inch Super Retina XDR with up to 27 hours of video playback (iPhone 16 Plus)
Pros
New Camera Control button
Action Button
Powerful new A18 processors
Dynamic Island
Five new colours
Cons
60Hz refresh rate remains
No change in brightness
The dynamic island is either a love-it-or-hate-it feature
Also part of Apple’s 16 series is the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Plus.
There’s an Action Button and a Camera Control button – click it once to launch the camera, and then again to take the snap.
You’ll also enjoy a new Ceramic Shield on the outside that’s supposed to be 50% tougher than the original version.
Like the Pro models, there’s a new A18 chip inside and an impressive camera system.
Apple’s iPhone 16 has a new Ultra Wide lens for macro photography.
iPhone 15 Pro / iPhone 15 Pro Max
iPhone 15 Pro Max, £939.06
Features: Titanium design, 48MP Main camera (enables super‑high‑resolution photos), A17 Pro chip, customisable Action button, USB-C connector with support for USB 3 speeds, Pro Max has a 6.7-inch display, 5x Telephoto camera and up to 29 hours of video playback, Pro has a 6.1-inch display, 3x Telephoto camera and up to 23 hours of video playback.
Pros
Super-high-resolution photos with the 48MP Main camera
Pro Max has the longest optical zoom in iPhone ever
A17 Pro chip is great for gaming
First iPhone to feature an aerospace‑grade titanium design
Lightest Pro models ever
First iPhone to support USB 3, ‘for a huge leap in data transfer speeds’
Cons
Large size might not suit if you prefer a more compact device
While improved, battery life may still fall short compared to some competitors
Powered by the advanced A17 Pro chip for exceptional performance – ideal if you’re a gamer, thanks to Apple’s best graphics yet.
Both feature Super Retina XDR displays with ProMotion technology, enhancing visual fluidity.
The Pro Max stands out with its larger 6.7-inch screen compared to the Pro’s 6.1-inch display, offering a more expansive viewing experience.
Camera capabilities are also superior in the Pro Max, including a 5x optical zoom (the longest optical zoom of any iPhone ever) versus the Pro’s 3x which let’s face it; is still really impressive.
Both models feature a titanium frame for enhanced durability and reduced weight, which Apple boasts uses ‘the same alloy that spacecraft use for missions to Mars’.
There’s also an Action button which you can set as a fast track to your favourite feature, and up to 20x faster file transfers courtesy of the new USB 3 capabilities.
Three iPhone models were discontinued after Apple announced theiPhone 16line-up.
However, both models are available to buy from retailers such as Amazon.
iPhone 15 / iPhone 15 Plus
iPhone 15, £699 and iPhone 15 Plus, £799
Features: Dynamic Island, 48MP Main camera (enables super‑high‑resolution photos and 2x Telephoto), colour‑infused back glass, aluminumdesign, USB‑C connectivity, A16 Bionic chip, 6.1-inch display and up to 20 hours of video playback (iPhone 15), 6.7-inch display and up to 26 hours of video playback (iPhone 15 Plus)
Pros
Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control
Incredibly durable
Splash, water and dust resistant
All-day battery life
USB-C connector means you can use the same cable as the one for your Mac or iPad
Cons
No always-on display on the iPhone 15
No improvement to charging speed
A16 Bionic chip is the same as before
The dynamic island is either a love-it-or-hate-it feature
Both bring significant upgrades, offering enhanced performance and efficiency.
Each model features a Super Retina XDR display, providing vibrant colours and high brightness levels.
The improved dual-camera system includes a 48MP main sensor for superior photo and video quality, along with advanced photography features.
Design-wise, they retain the sleek aesthetic of previous models, with ceramic shield front covers for durability.
The key difference is in their sizes: the iPhone 15 has a 6.1-inch display, while the iPhone 15 Plus boasts a larger 6.7-inch screen, offering a more immersive viewing experience.
Battery life also varies, with the iPhone 15 Plus providing longer usage due to its larger size.
Both models support USB-C for faster charging and connectivity.
Overall, you can expect a winning blend of performance, design, and camera enhancements from whichever one you opt for.
iPhone 14 Pro Max
Refurbished iPhone 14 Pro Max, £759
Features: 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, IP68 dust/water resistant, 6GB RAM. Quad main cameras: 48 MP Main, 12 MP wide, 12 MP 2x Telephoto, 12 MP 3x Telephoto, TOF 3D LiDAR scanner. Dual front cameras: 48 MP Main and 12 MP wide. A16 Bionic chip, Qi fast wireless charging 15W, and 5G Capabilities.
Pros
Best durability on an iPhone
Class-leading camera
Outstanding speakers
Cons
The dynamic island is either a love-it-or-hate-it feature
Heavy and larger than most smartphones
Slow to charge
The iPhone 14 Pro Max is the predecessor to the iPhone 15 series and features an A16 Bionic chip, a 6-core CPU with two performance and 4 efficiency cores, as well as dynamic island.
The camera system is incredibly standout: there’s a 48 MP Main, 12 MP Ultra Wide, and 12 MP telephoto.
The front camera is 12 MP and now features autofocus.
When it comes to capturing video, it can record videos in cinematic mode in 4k HDR.
There’s also an Action Mode setting that helps capture videos of high-speed action.
Apple no longer produces the iPhone 14 Pro Max, so you’ll have to shop around to get your hands on a refurbished device.
iPhone 14 Pro
iPhone 14 Pro, £754.47
Features: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, IP68 dust/water resistant, 6GB RAM. Quad main cameras: 48 MP Main, 12 MP wide, 12 MP 2x Telephoto, 12 MP 3x Telephoto, TOF 3D LiDAR scanner. Dual front cameras: 48 MP Main and 12 MP wide. A16 Bionic chip, Qi fast wireless charging 15W, and 5G Capabilities.
Pros
Impressive 48-megapixel camera
Gains the always-on feature
Compact design
Cons
The camera isn’t a huge step up from the 13 series
3x optical zoom is low for a pro model
The camera is large for a smaller device
The iPhone 14 Pro is almost identical to the iPhone 14 Pro Max other than its smaller screen of 6.1 inches.
Both models have a Super Retina XDR display with Pro Motion that allows the Always-On display feature to be possible for the first time.
The iPhone 14 Pro also features the first-ever 48 MP camera on iPhone.
The introduction of the Photonic Engine, which improves low-light photos, is another stellar feature and is included on all the iPhone 14 models.
Security has been a priority for the new phones, and they now all come with emergency SOS via satellite.
Apple also no longer produces iPhone 14 Pros, so we recommend shopping around if you have this model in mind.
iPhone 14 Plus
iPhone 14 Plus, £549
Features: 6.7-inch all-screen OLED display, IP68 dust/water resistant, 6GB RAM. Dual-camera system: 12 MP Main, 12 MP Ultra Wide, 2x optical zoom out, 5x digital zoom, Dual front cameras: 12 MP Main and 12 MP wide. A15 Bionic chip, Qi fast wireless charging 15W, and 5G Capabilities.
Pros
Bigger display for less than the Pro Max
Great battery life
The camera is on par with Android’s cameras
Cons
Only comes with a 60Hz display
No telephoto lens
Could benefit from faster charging
Similar to the iPhone Pro Max, the iPhone 14 Plus features a large 6.7-inch screen.
Many of the iPhone 14 Plus features are similar to previous models, but there are a few notable improvements, such as the 5-core GPU and Bluetooth 5.3.
The camera updates also mean that photo quality will be improved slightly, especially in situations with poor lighting.
There’s also a new darker blue colour option that doesn’t exist for the iPhone 13.
iPhone 14
iPhone 14, £469
Features: 6.1-inch all-screen OLED display, IP68 dust/water resistant, 6GB RAM. Dual-camera system: 12 MP Main, 12 MP Ultra Wide, 2x optical zoom out, 5x digital zoom, Dual front cameras: 12 MP Main and 12 MP wide. A15 Bionic chip, Qi fast wireless charging 15W, and 5G Capabilities.
Pros
Great OLED display and Dolby Vision
Impressive speakers and output
The selfie camera now comes with autofocus
Cons
Not a huge step up from the iPhone 13 series
Low refresh rate at just 60Hz
Fast charging could be better
At a step up from the iPhone 13, you’ll find the iPhone 14.
The main difference between the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 14 Plus is the screen size: the iPhone 14 measures 6.1 inches, the same as previous models.
If you’re not too fussed over a larger screen but are keen on an upgrade, then the iPhone 14 is the way to go.
The phone has 5G capabilities and offers fast charging.
The battery has also been slightly optimised to last longer.
There is a range of five colours – Blue, Purple, Midnight, Starlight and Red.
iPhone 13
iPhone 13, £399
Features: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, IP68 dust/water resistant, 4GB RAM. Dual main cameras: 12 MP wide, 12 MP ultrawide. Dual front cameras: 12 MP wide and SL 3D depth/biometrics sensor. A15 Bionic chip, Qi fast wireless charging 15W, and 5G Capabilities.
Pros
Impressive battery life
Excellent camera for a base model
Great all-round performance
Cons
Capped at 60Hz refresh rate
No upgrade to the selfie camera
No major design changes
The screen size of the iPhone 13 is the same as the Pro, together with its A15 Bionic chip processor and 5G connectivity capabilities.
The iPhone 13 has two main cameras instead of four, and its RAM is 4GB against the 6GB of the Pro and Pro Max.
Apple discontinued the iPhone 13 in September 2024.
iPhone SE 2022
iPhone SE (2022), £429
Features: 4.7-inch Retina HD display, Water and dust resistant, 12MP Wide camera, next-generation Smart HDR, and 4K video, 7MP front camera, Touch ID, A15 Bionic chip, Wireless charging, 5G
Pros
Comes with the A15 Bionic chipset
Is long-wearing with years of software updates
5G compatible
Cons
Capped at 64GB base storage
Tired looking design
No night-mode photography
The 2022 version of the iPhone SE features solid specs, a good camera and a wide choice of apps on the Apple Store.
Want a cool iPhone without spending a fortune? This is the one for you thanks to its fast processor and 5G capabilities.
More handsets
It is pretty standard procedure for the predecessor of a flagship to be discontinued, as Apple wants you to go for the most recent model instead.
However, these devices can still be widely purchased from other stockists as well as refurbished sites.
We’ve found some of the best ones below.
iPhone 13 Pro Max
iPhone 13 Pro Max (refurbished), £679
Features: 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, IP68 dust/water resistant, 6GB RAM. Quad main cameras: 12 MP wide, 12 MP telephoto, 12 MP ultrawide, TOF 3D LiDAR scanner. Dual front cameras: 12 MP wide and SL 3D depth/biometrics sensor. A15 Bionic chip, Qi fast wireless charging 15W, and 5G Capabilities.
Pros
Comes with a 3x optical zoom telephoto lens
Excellent performance
Impressive 120Hz ProMotion screen
Cons
No on-off setting for macro photography
The large design may be offputting to some
Only capable of 1080p cinematic mode
The iPhone 13 Pro Max is a real powerhouse, with the blazing-fast A15 Bionic chip and a smaller notch.
The cameras here are particularly remarkable, with a 6x optical zoom range and Dolby Vision HDR video recording up to 60fps in 4K.
The LiDAR scanner enables night-mode portraits, faster autofocus in low light and enhanced Augmented Reality (AR) experiences.
The iPhone 13 Pro Max is also compatible with MagSafe accessories and wireless chargers.
iPhone 13 Pro
iPhone 13 Pro (refurbished), £589
Features: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, IP68 dust/water resistant, 6GB RAM. Quad main cameras: 12 MP wide, 12 MP telephoto, 12 MP ultrawide, TOF 3D LiDAR scanner. Dual front cameras: 12 MP wide and SL 3D depth/biometrics sensor. A15 Bionic chip, Qi fast wireless charging 15W, and 5G Capabilities.
Pros
Compact design for a high-end device
The camera and video are impressive all-round
Bright OLED display and 120Hz refresh rate
Cons
Heavy for a compact device
No major design changes from the 12 series
Battery life could be better for a Pro handset
A little step down from the top of the iPhone ladder, the iPhone 13 Pro shares a lot of hardware with its bigger brother, including the whole camera compartment.
The main difference here is the 6.1-inch screen, as opposed to the 6.7-inch of the Pro Max.
A smaller phone means a smaller battery, and so the iPhone 13 Pro offers up to 22 hours of video playback on a single charge (the Pro Max should last up to 28 hours).
All in all, the iPhone 13 Pro is still a serious flagship device, and if you don’t mind a smaller screen, it’s worth scoring a saving.
iPhone 13 mini
iPhone 13 mini (refurbished), £379
Features: 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, IP68 dust/water resistant, 4GB RAM. Dual main cameras: 12 MP wide, 12 MP ultrawide. Dual front cameras: 12 MP wide and SL 3D depth/biometrics sensor. A15 Bionic chip, Qi fast wireless charging 15W, and 5G Capabilities.
Pros
Same performance as the iPhone 13 in a compact design
Large 128GB base storage
Bright display
Cons
Lacks a telephoto zoom lens
Capped at 60Hz refresh rate
The notch looks clunky on the smaller handset
With a substantially smaller screen, this 5.4-inch iPhone still comes with all the perks of the iPhone 13 family.
Featuring the same cameras as the iPhone 13, the mini offers wireless fast charging, 5G capabilities, and a wonderful Super Retina XDR OLED display.
The battery is a bit smaller than the iPhone 13, but with the A15 Bionic chip, you won’t suffer any lag or find apps slowing down.
Just like its older sibling, the mini comes in Black, White, Pink, Red, and Blue colours.
iPhone 12
iPhone 12 (refurbished) £208.95
Features: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, IP68 dust/water resistant, 4GB RAM. Dual main cameras: 12 MP wide, 12 MP ultrawide. Dual front cameras: 12 MP wide and SL 3D depth/biometrics sensor. A14 Bionic chip, Qi fast wireless charging 15W, and 5G Capabilities.
Pros
Comes with MagSafe charging
Solid battery life
Excellent camera
Cons
Capped at 64GB base storage
Only has a 60Hz refresh rate
No major performance upgrades
Before the Pro and Pro Max versions of iPhones debuted, Apple used to consider its now-base models as flagships.
The iPhone 12 is essentially that, minus a few perks reserved for the Pro and Pro Max. The screen size of the iPhone 12 is the same as the Pro, together with its A14 Bionic chip processor and 5G connectivity.
The iPhone 12 has two front cameras instead of four, however, and its RAM is 4GB against the 6GB of the Pro and Pro Max.
The optical range of the iPhone 12 is 2X, and the device does not have LiDAR scanner capabilities included in newer models.
Other than that, the iPhone 12 is not very different from the Pro, sharing the same battery life as well as a ceramic shield front.
iPhone 12 mini
iPhone 12 mini (refurbished), £158
Features: 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, IP68 dust/water resistant, 4GB RAM. Dual main cameras: 12 MP wide, 12 MP ultrawide. Dual front cameras: 12 MP wide and SL 3D depth/biometrics sensor. A14 Bionic chip, Qi fast wireless charging 15W, and 5G Capabilities.
Pros
Compact design
5G connectivity
Comes with the A14 Bionic chipset
Cons
Below-average battery life
No telephoto lens
Clunky looking design
With a substantially smaller screen, this 5.4-inch iPhone still offers most of the perks of the iPhone 12 family.
Featuring the same cameras as the iPhone 12, the mini features wireless fast charging, 5G capabilities, and a gorgeous Super Retina XDR OLED display.
The battery is a bit smaller than the iPhone 12, but with the A14 Bionic chip, you won’t experience any apps slowing down using this iPhone.
iPhone 12 Pro Max
iPhone 12 Pro Max, (refurbished) £308.50
Features: 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, IP68 dust/water resistant, 6GB RAM. Quad main cameras: 12 MP wide, 12 MP telephoto, 12 MP ultrawide, TOF 3D LiDAR scanner. Dual front cameras: 12 MP wide and SL 3D depth/biometrics sensor. A14 Bionic chip, Qi fast wireless charging 15W, and 5G Capabilities.
With the very fast A14 Bionic chip and an overhauled design, the Pro Max is a modern flagship in its own right.
The camera compartment is more than solid, with a 5x optical zoom range and Dolby Vision HDR video recording up to 60fps.
Just like in the iPhone 13, the LiDAR scanner enables Night Mode portraits, faster autofocus in low light and enhanced Augmented Reality (AR) experiences.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max is also compatible with MagSafe accessories and the majority of wireless chargers on the market.
iPhone 12 Pro
iPhone 12 Pro (refurbished), £255
Features: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, IP68 dust/water resistant, 6GB RAM. Quad main cameras: 12 MP wide, 12 MP telephoto, 12 MP ultrawide, TOF 3D LiDAR scanner. Dual front cameras: 12 MP wide and SL 3D depth/biometrics sensor. A14 Bionic chip, Qi fast wireless charging 15W, and 5G Capabilities.
The iPhone 12 Pro shares a lot of hardware with the Pro Max.
The main difference here is the 6.1-inch screen, as opposed to the 6.7-inch of the Pro Max.
The camera compartment is also quite similar, with the only difference being a 4x optical zoom range in the Pro against the 5x in the Pro Max.
The iPhone 12 Pro’s battery is also slightly smaller than the Pro Max, offering up to 17 hours of video playback on a single charge.
iPhone 11
iPhone 11, (refurbished) £155
Features: 6.1” Liquid Retina HD display1, Glass and aluminumdesign, Dual 12MP Ultra Wide and Wide cameras with Night mode, 12MP TrueDepth camera with 4K video recording at up to 60 fps, Face ID, A13 Bionic chip with third-generation Neural Engine, Lasts up to 1 hour longer than iPhone XR, Water resistant to a depth of 2 metres for up to 30 minutes
Pros
Impressive battery life
Unique colour options
Dual camera with an ultra-wide-angle lens
Cons
No telephoto lens on the base model
Capped at 64GB base storage
Not the best display
While it still has many of the same features as its Pro and Pro Max variants, the iPhone 11’s £429 price is over £100 cheaper than the iPhone 12.
A reduction in price does mean a slight reduction in quality: while its 6.1″ screen is slightly larger than the iPhone 11 Pro, it’s a little smaller than the Pro Max, and it doesn’t match the premium models for battery life either,
As well as having a standard LED (as opposed to an OLED) screen, the 11 is only waterproof to two metres rather than four and lacks the telephoto camera that features on the Pro and Pro Max.
However, you still get most of Apple’s most recent innovations for a reduced price, including top-quality cameras, processors and a long-lasting battery.
While there are phones out there with more impressive features, such as the cameras on a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, you’ll struggle to beat the mix of features and value they offer.
If you’re interested in buying this phone, you might want to read our iPhone 11 review.
iPhone 11 Pro Max
iPhone 11 Pro Max (refurbished), £289.99
Features: 6.5” Super Retina XDR display, Textured matt glass and stainless steel design, Triple 12MP Ultra Wide, Wide and Telephoto cameras with Night mode, 12MP TrueDepth camera with 4K video recording at up to 60 fps, Face ID, A13 Bionic chip with third-generation Neural Engine, Longest battery life in an iPhone. Lasts up to 5 hours longer than iPhone XS Max, 4m Water resistant to a depth of 4 metres for up to 30 minutes
The iPhone 11 Pro Max is a noticeable step up from 2018’s iPhones.
It’s got a 6.5″ screen, along with a 12mp triple rear-facing camera with telephoto, wide and ultra-wide sensors.
Alongside all of that, the Pro Max is water-resistant up to a depth of four metres and has an HDR OLED display, which will display your Netflix favourites in all their glory.
If you’re interested in buying this phone, you might want to read our iPhone 11 Pro review.
iPhone 11 Pro
iPhone 11 Pro (refurbished), £198.95
Features: 5.8” Super Retina XDR display, Textured matt glass and stainless steel design, Triple 12MP Ultra Wide, Wide and Telephoto cameras with Night mode, 12MP TrueDepth camera with 4K video recording at up to 60 fps, Face ID, A13 Bionic chip with third-generation Neural Engine, Lasts up to 4 hours longer than iPhone XS, Water resistant to a depth of 4 metres for up to 30 minutes.
The iPhone 11 Pro is a small step down from the Max.
It has most of the same features but with a smaller screen at 5.8″ and a smaller battery.
It’s still water-resistant to four metres, though, and still boasts a top-quality OLED screen for your movies on the go.
At the time of release, the standard Pro’s RRP was £100 less than the Pro Max.
iPhone XR
iPhone XR (refurbished),£142.75
Features: 6.1” Liquid Retina HD display, Glass and aluminumdesign, Single 12MP Wide camera, 7MP TrueDepth camera with 1080p HD video recording up to 60 fps, Face ID, A12 Bionic chip with second-generation Neural Engine, Lasts up to 1.5 hours longer than iPhone 8 Plus, 1m Water resistant to a depth of 1 metre for up to 30 minutes
The iPhone XR was released in 2018 as the ‘affordable’ option from Apple, and shoppers flocked to buy the gadget in their droves.
With refurbished models selling for under £200, the XR still has great features, including Face ID, a great battery and a very decent camera – plus Apple should continue to support this model with iOS updates up to 2025.
If you’re interested in buying this phone, you might want to read our iPhone XR review.
iPhone XS/Max
iPhone XS/Max, £238.97
Features: 6.5” Super Retina HD display, Glass and stainless steel design, Dual 12MP Wide and Telephoto cameras, 7MP TrueDepth camera with 1080p HD video recording up to 60 fps, Face ID, A12 Bionic chip with second-generation Neural Engine, Lasts up to 1.5 hours longer than iPhone X, 2m Water resistant to a depth of 2 metres for up to 30 minutes
While not quite up to the standard of the iPhone 11 Pro Max, 2018’s flagship phone is an impressive piece of kit.
It’s got a 6.5″ screen, a 7MP HD camera that will shoot 4K video and a range of camera effects, such as Bokeh for those all-important selfies.
Battery life is very decent, and the XS Max comes with Face ID.
It’s expected that Apple will continue to support this model with iOS updates up to 2025, so it’s one to buy if you want a cheap phone now and don’t mind using it for a shorter period.
If you’re interested in buying this phone, you might want to read our iPhone XS review.
Are refurbished iPhones a good buy?
Getting a refurbished iPhone can be a big cost saver.
Even the more affordable iPhones will be a hefty hit to your bank balance if you pay for them outright.
But there are plenty of places around the web, including Amazon and Apple’s website, that offer refurbished iPhones for a fraction of their regular price.
Whether or not they’re a good buy, though, comes down to the individual provider.
Apple, for instance, includes all cables with its refurbished phones, along with a one-year manufacturer warranty, which is useful if your phone develops a fault.
Amazon offers even better prices with similar quality, along with its own ‘Amazon Renewed Guarantee’, which we reckon should be pretty reliable, considering the size of the company.
Which networks offer iPhone deals?
Which iPhone has the best battery?
The iPhone 16 Pro Max boasts the ‘best’ battery among all iPhone models.
It has a large battery and an energy-efficient A18 Pro chip – so you can enjoy extended periods of video playback, gaming, and internet use without frequent recharging.
Which iPhone should I buy?
Choosing the ‘right’ iPhone depends on your needs and budget.
If you’re after top-tier performance, advanced camera capabilities, and the best battery life, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is ideal.
For a similar premium experience in a more manageable size, consider the iPhone 16 Pro.
Both models offer a balanced blend of features and value, with the Plus providing a larger screen and better battery life.
Meanwhile, if you’re on a tighter budget, previous models like the iPhone 16e still deliver solid performance at a lower cost.
Overall, consider your priorities in terms of performance, size, and budget and you’ll be able to make the best choice.
How much are iPhones?
iPhone prices vary based on the model and storage capacity.
Flagship phones from Apple always come with a hefty price tag to match, so if you’re looking for the recent releases – the iPhone 16 Pro Max – you’ll be looking at spending £1,199, while the Pro version costs £999.
The iPhone 16e is priced at £599, the iPhone 16 starts at £799, and the larger iPhone 16 Plus starts at £899.
The iPhone 15 is also available, and prices start from £699, and the iPhone 15 Plus prices start from £799.
What’s the cheapest way to buy an iPhone?
Picking the right time of the year can surely help you save some money.
Apple does not offer substantial discounts at any specific point during the year, but network retailers’ prices usually go down at the beginning of the summer and at Christmas time.
This way, even if you don’t save on the iPhone per se, you can get some heavy discounts on your data and calls to plan, thus saving you quite a bit of cash in the long run.
In addition, if you don’t have to own the latest Apple handset, you can get an iPhone from two to three years back at a substantially lower price than a flagship.
How to find the best iPhone deal
There are a few official network stores worth checking regularly, including EE, Vodafone, O2, and Three.
However, we find that the best deals are usually to be found in other online stores.
Here are our favourites:
Is it better to buy an iPhone outright or pay monthly?
It really depends on whether you need flexibility on your plan or not and if you have the cash to pay for the full cost of the handset (phone) upfront.
While you can save on a good data plan, you are also signing a contract binding you to that network for one or more years.
This means that, even if you find a better plan deal later, you cannot switch to it unless you pay hefty fees.
On the other hand, many providers today offer handy upgrade plans allowing you to get a new iPhone as soon as it comes out.
The choice, then, is ultimately up to you.
If you have the cash and think of changing your network plan quite often, then buying an iPhone outright may be the best option for you.
If, on the other hand, you’re happy with a certain network provider and always want to have the latest iPhone, a monthly offer may work better for you.
Is it better to buy an iPhone from Apple or a network?
Both Apple and network carriers today offer monthly, no-money-down instalment plans, most of them spread over two years.
While the overall price of iPhones is essentially the same when purchased like this, Apple charges a little more to include AppleCare+ or AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss options, while network providers offer various insurance plans.
That being said, an iPhone bought from Apple can be used with any network, while carriers usually lock their iPhones for the length of their contract so it may be the slightly better option if you’re still shopping around for the perfect SIM-only plan.
Which is better: an iPhone or a Samsung phone?
Galaxy devices have gone a long way since the days of the first Android phones, but can they compete with iPhones?
The short answer is yes, but it depends on what you value the most.
In terms of screen, cameras, and prices, the latest iPhones and Galaxy phones are toe-to-toe.
The biggest difference here is undoubtedly the operating system (OS).
If you have other Apple devices in the house (like Macs and iPads), then iOS can provide great integration capabilities.
Similarly, if you have an Android TV or Chromebook, you may want to opt for a Galaxy phone.
Another differentiator is that Apple devices don’t come with a micro-SD card to expand the internal storage, while Galaxy phones do.
With cloud storage plans becoming cheaper and more widespread, however, the 512GB of the iPhone 13 is enough for most people.
For context, with ‘just’ 128GB, you can store up to 6000 songs or 64 high-quality films – that’s a lot of space.
Washington, DC – United States President Donald Trump says that forging formal relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel would be a “dream”, but he wants the kingdom to do it on its “own time”.
The White House on Tuesday made public a flurry of economic and defence pacts with Saudi Arabia involving hundreds of billions of dollars, but any mention of Israel was conspicuously absent from the announcements.
The so-called “normalisation” drive between Saudi Arabia and Israel dominated his predecessor, Joe Biden’s, approach to the region, but the current US president is shifting focus elsewhere, analysts say.
“The Trump administration has made it clear they are willing to move forward on key agreements with Saudi Arabia without the previous condition of Saudi-Israel normalisation,” said Anna Jacobs, a non-resident fellow at the Arab Gulf States Institute, a think tank.
“This probably reflects growing frustration in the Trump administration with Israeli military action across the region, especially in Gaza.”
‘Time is not right’
Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, fellow for the Middle East at the Baker Institute, also said that Trump has realised that with the ongoing war in Gaza and Israel’s refusal to negotiate the establishment of a Palestinian state, the “time is not right” for a Saudi Arabia-Israeli pact despite Biden’s emphasis on brokering a deal.
“I think the White House has finally acknowledged that a normalisation agreement at this time is not possible,” Coates Ulrichsen told Al Jazeera.
During his first term, Trump managed to broker the Abraham Accords between Israel and several Arab countries, including the United Arab Emirates, which established formal relations with the US ally independently of the Palestinian issue.
However, the agreements were unsuccessful in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as evidenced by the outbreak of the war in Gaza in October 2023.
But even before the war started, Israel had been intensifying its military raids against Palestinians and expanding illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, further dimming the prospects of a two-state solution to the conflict.
Despite the agreements’ apparent shortcomings, Biden made adding Saudi Arabia to the Abraham Accords a focal point of his Middle East agenda, and US officials said they worked on securing a deal up until the final days of the administration, even as the war on Gaza was raging.
Biden has repeatedly claimed, without evidence, that Hamas launched its October 7 attack against Israel in 2023 to thwart an agreement between the Saudis and Israelis.
Still, a day before he left office, Biden boasted that his Middle East policies created an opportunity for “the future of normalisation and integration of Israel with all its Arab neighbours, including Saudi Arabia”.
‘Off the table’
US officials and media reports said that Biden’s deal, which never materialised, would have brought a security pact between Riyadh and Washington and provided US help for Saudi Arabia to establish a civil nuclear programme in exchange for normalisation with Israel.
A major sticking point in that push has been the widely stated Saudi Arabian support for the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, which conditions recognition of Israel on the establishment of a viable Palestinian state.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has categorically rejected the “land for peace” framework, pushing instead for deals with Arab countries that bypass Palestinians.
“This Israeli government won’t even provide lip service to the idea of a two-state solution, making it pretty impossible for Saudi Arabia to seriously consider moving forward with normalisation,” said Jacobs from the Arab Gulf States Institute.
“The Trump administration seems to have understood that it’s off the table, at least for now.”
In Riyadh, Trump announced an agreement to deepen security cooperation with Saudi Arabia.
The $142bn deal will provide Saudi Arabia with “state-of-the-art warfighting equipment and services” from US firms, the White House said.
It also includes “extensive training and support to build the capacity of the Saudi armed forces, including enhancement of Saudi service academies and military medical services”, it added.
While the weapons and training deals fall short of a NATO-like mutual defence pact, which may have been included as part of an accord with Israel, they take a bite from the US-backed carrots offered to the kingdom for normalisation, experts say.
“The announcements today do further deepen the links between Saudi and US security and defence interests,” Coates Ulrichsen said.
US-Israel rift?
Trump’s visit to the region comes as Israel has promised to not just continue, but expand, its devastating war on Gaza, which has killed more than 52,900 Palestinians, according to health authorities.
Khaled Elgindy, a visiting scholar at Georgetown University, noted that Riyadh has described Israeli atrocities in Gaza as a “genocide”.
“The Saudis are not mincing their words; they are not holding back,” Elgindy told Al Jazeera. “They can’t now move toward normalisation with Israel after accusing Israel of genocide. That would just be ridiculous.”
After his trip to Saudi Arabia, Trump will head to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates as part of the first planned foreign trips of his presidency, since attending Pope Francis’s funeral last month. Israel is not on the itinerary.
For Coates Ulrichsen and others, Trump’s apparent snub of Israel reflects unease in the US-Israeli alliance.
“It may be a signal that the White House sees much more value in deepening commercial and strategic relationships with the Gulf states at the moment, given that Israel remains mired in conflict,” Coates Ulrichsen told Al Jazeera.
Israel excluded
Tensions between the Trump administration and Netanyahu’s government have become more apparent in recent weeks despite the US’s military and diplomatic backing of Israel.
Trump confirmed talks with Iran over its nuclear programme during Netanyahu’s visit to the White House, despite the Israeli leader’s opposition to negotiations with Tehran.
Last week, the US president also declared a ceasefire with the Houthis. The deal did not demand an end to the Yemeni group’s attacks against Israel.
As Trump spoke in Riyadh on Tuesday, the Houthis fired another missile at Israel – part of a campaign they say aims to pressure an end to the war on Gaza.
The Trump administration also worked with mediators in Qatar and Egypt to secure the release of US citizen Edan Alexander, who served in the Israeli military and was captured by Hamas during the October 7 attack on Israel. According to Israeli media reports, Israel was excluded from those talks.
Different visions
Elgindy from Georgetown University said the apparent tensions are more than a “bump in the road”, but their impact on the US-Israeli relationship remains to be seen.
“Trump is making clear in word and deed that US and Israeli interests are not one and the same,” he said. “And that’s very significant because Biden didn’t do that.”
For now, Trump remains committed to US military aid to Israel even as it intensifies its bombardment and starvation campaign in Gaza.
And the US president has pushed on with his crackdown on critics of Israel at home, especially on college campuses.
Still, experts say that by skipping Israel during his Middle East trip and de-prioritising normalisation, Trump is pushing forward in pursuit of his own vision for the region.
On Tuesday, Trump lauded Gulf leaders whom he said are building a Middle East “where people of different nations, religions and creeds are building cities together – not bombing each other out of existence”.
That future seems at odds with what Israel appears to be seeking: asserting hegemony over the region with long-term bombing campaigns, including in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen.
“A very strong signal is being sent that a stable, prosperous Middle East – represented, in the administration’s views, by the Gulf states – is a much more desirable outcome than maybe the Israeli view of the Middle East at the moment, which is one of seemingly escalating a forever conflict,” said Coates Ulrichsen.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — The first time President Trump visited Riyadh in 2017, he posed with a ceremonial orb, took part in a traditional sword dance and secured an agreement by Saudi Arabia to purchase $350 billion in weaponry, the largest arms deal in U.S. history.
The sequel, coming eight years later — almost to the day — promises much the same in the way of pageantry and purchases, only more so.
Even before the trip, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman vowed he would invest about $600 billion over the four years of Trump’s presidency (Trump asked him to round it up to $1 trillion).
And although the orb will probably not make an appearance this time around, Trump is bringing with him a phalanx of business leaders for a Saudi-U.S. business summit Tuesday — the day he arrives — that will include BlackRock Chief Executive Larry Fink, OpenAI’s Sam Altman, Palantir Technologies’ Alex Karp, Tesla’s Elon Musk and Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg.
The heads of other major firms, including IBM, Boeing, Qualcomm and Alphabet, also will attend. White House artificial intelligence and crypto czar David Sacks, meanwhile, is already in Riyadh.
Trump will then attend a summit with gulf leaders on Wednesday, travel to Qatar that same day and end the trip Thursday in the United Arab Emirates. There will be more gifts: The UAE has pledged $1.4 trillion in U.S. investment packages over the next decade.
“Trump is there to solidify a very close relationship,” said Ali Shihabi, a political and economic expert who is close to the Saudi government, adding that although he did not expect a breakthrough on security matters, the deals signed would nevertheless bring “economic ties and coordination to a very high level.”
Not to be outdone by its two regional competitors, Qatar is in discussions about the “possible transfer” of a luxury Boeing 747-8 to replace Air Force One.
Before departing on the current Air Force One, Trump found himself defending plans to accept the gift, which is thought to cost hundreds of millions of dollars. He dismissed those with concerns over the ethics and constitutionality of the gift as “stupid people,” suggesting he planned to proceed with it, a topic sure to fuel questions over his visit to Doha, the Qatari capital.
Trump also visited Saudi Arabia on the first international trip of his first term, breaking a presidential tradition of visiting U.S. allies and major trade partners such as the United Kingdom and European countries. That Trump chose the gulf region as his first destination, commentators say, reflects the Mideast’s growing centrality to the U.S. in terms of political and security partners. (Technically, this is not his first overseas trip since returning to the White House because he attended the recent funeral of Pope Francis.)
“The gulf nations succeeded in positioning themselves in a way that lets them play constructive roles in several issues,” said Hasan Alhasan, senior fellow for Middle East policy at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Bahrain. He pointed out that Saudi Arabia has sponsored talks between Russia and Ukraine and was involved in peacemaking efforts in Sudan.
Qatar is a driving force in negotiations between Israel and Hamas and has helped to stabilize Syria. Oman, which is not on the itinerary but whose leader will take part in the summit, is hosting high-level talks between the U.S. and Iran.
“Trump is not tied to the protocols of other presidents. He sees an overlap in aims, whether political or commercial,” Alhasan said.
Israel is watching the visit with consternation on a host of fronts, expecting Trump to hear an earful from Arab governments on its continuing conflict with Hamas militants in Gaza and the role Israel is playing in the future of Syria. And Israeli officials are increasingly concerned that their voices will be drowned out as the Trump administration progresses in its negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program.
Any hint from Trump that he would tolerate the Iranians continuing with a civilian nuclear program will send reverberations throughout Washington, particularly on Capitol Hill, where Republicans have long opposed allowing Iran to continue any enrichment of uranium on its soil.
Trump also appears unconcerned with limits placed by his predecessors on what countries can receive from the U.S. He has reportedly revoked the AI diffusion rule, the U.S. policy intended to control the export of advanced semiconductor chips and AI, paving the way for gulf nations to ramp up their already considerable advanced chip holdings.
That’s especially true for the UAE, whose $1.4-trillion investment will be heavily weighted toward AI. Meanwhile, MGX, an investment fund based in the Emirati capital, Abu Dhabi, has pledged $100 billion in energy infrastructures and data centers in the U.S. to support AI.
At the same time, G42, another UAE-based AI firm, has divested from Chinese companies and partnered with Microsoft in an attempt to appease U.S. lawmakers.
There have also been reports that Trump will revive potential arms deals that were on the table from his first term but were never completed, including sales of F-35 fighter jets and Reaper drones to the UAE, and the co-production of advanced missiles with Saudi Arabia, said Prem Thakker, a partner with the global advisory firm DGA and a former official with the National Security Council under President Obama.
Another issue on the table could be nuclear power for Saudi Arabia. President Biden made supporting a civilian nuclear program for the kingdom contingent on Riyadh agreeing to a peace deal with Israel similar to the Abraham Accords, the normalization agreements forged with the UAE, Bahrain and others during Trump’s first term.
Under Trump, that condition appears to have been dropped, with negotiations that could potentially allow Saudi Arabia to capitalize on its uranium reserves and a domestic enrichment program.
“And this means that traditional nonproliferation concerns over Saudi Arabia have really subsided over the last few years,” Thakker said. “Twenty years ago no one in the U.S. would have contemplated such an agreement.”
The trip dovetails with a raft of investments involving the Trump Organization. Its real-estate development arm, which is led by Trump’s son Eric, has announced since last year construction projects across the gulf region, including a $2-billion golf course in Qatar, an 80-story hotel and residential tower in Dubai and two Trump towers in Saudi Arabia — one in Riyadh and one in Jeddah.
Though the deals appear gargantuan, experts say financial realities will cut them down to size. Many point out that Saudi Arabia’s investments during Trump’s first term did not reach the $450 billion he mentioned (the figure includes nonmilitary spending). Even the most generous of calculations would put the Saudi investments at less than $300 billion, experts say.
Though its investments in the U.S. are likely to increase during Trump’s second term, Riyadh has focused much of its spending on gigaprojects such as NEOM. And current oil prices sitting below the government’s break-even price of around $100 a barrel means that it will be running a deficit, said David Butter, a Middle East energy expert at Chatham House, a think tank in London.
He added that the Saudi government and its colossal sovereign fund, the Public Investment Fund, both of which own a part of Saudi oil giant Aramco, have not received performance-linked dividends for this year. The result, Butter said, is a looming financial crisis.
“The investment numbers are fantasy,” he said.
Bulos reported from Riyadh and Wilner from Washington.
THE second golf Major of the season is here with the PGA Championship from the stunning Quail Hollow.
Having completed the Career Gland Slam at Augusta in the previous big one, Rory McIlroy will arrive at his most fruitful venue on the PGA Tour, surely in the best condition he’s ever been and with an ability to swing free.
He’s still not the pick of the bookmakers though, with Scottie Scheffler heading an ultra-competitive field in the betting markets and a host of top golfers on their tails.
SunSport’s betting experts have taken a closer look at the tournament to provide you with the best bets, exclusive offers, bonus deals and amazing price boosts.
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