Boxing Day Mobile Phone Sale 2026

Start with the operating system, then the features you use most: iPhone suits households that already use Apple gear, and Android covers a wider spread of prices.

Both can turn up in the Boxing Day sale, with different models appearing as the event runs.

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Which operating system should you pick for a phone in the Boxing Day sale?

iPhones run iOS, which works closely with other Apple devices, while Android runs on phones from Samsung, Motorola and others, with a wider spread of models across budget and premium prices.

• Matching devices: if you already own a smart watch, tablet or TV, a phone on the same platform keeps things simple.

• Charging: newer Android phones use USB-C, the same standard as most modern electronics.

• Smart features: look past the camera and battery to built in AI tools, and compare a handset's specs against the full mobile phone range.

What screen size and storage does a phone need in the Boxing Day sale?

Match the screen, camera and battery to what you use the phone for most, then choose storage for your photos and apps.

• Photos and video: a fast main camera with strong low light shots, plus a good front lens for selfies and video calls.

• Streaming shows: a large, high resolution QHD display, 5G connectivity and a 4000 to 6000mAh battery.

• Gaming: the latest processor, 8GB of RAM or more, and a 6.7 to 6.9 inch screen.

• One handed use: a compact 6.1 to 6.3 inch screen that slides easily into a pocket.

• Damage worries: water resistance and a shatter resistant screen, plus a sturdy case.

• Headphones: a 3.5mm headphone jack for wired pairs, or Bluetooth for wireless.

• Storage: 256GB or more leaves room for a big photo library and plenty of apps, and handsets run from 128GB to 512GB.

Do you need a 5G or an unlocked phone in the Boxing Day sale?

5G is worth having for streaming or downloading on the move, and it needs a 5G plan as well as a 5G phone.

An unlocked phone is bought outright and takes any network SIM, so you are free to switch carriers.

Are folding and flip phones worth a look in the Boxing Day sale?

Foldable and flip phones open out to a full-size display for video and apps, then close to a compact shape that slips into a pocket. Choose Foldable Phone or Flip Phone in the Type filter to see the two styles.

Samsung's Galaxy Z series comes in both Flip and Fold versions. For a simpler option, 4G flip phones and big button phones are made for seniors, kids and people with vision or hearing impairments.

Which smart watch works with your phone in the Boxing Day sale?

A smart watch puts your phone's notifications, reminders and media controls on your wrist, and a watch built for your phone's platform keeps every feature working.

Smart watches can play, pause and skip music on a paired phone, send voice dictated texts, and work with voice assistants such as Apple Siri and Samsung Bixby. Most also track heart rate and daily steps, and built in GPS adds location based notifications.

Which phone brands can feature in the Boxing Day sale?

Handset ranges shift through the sale, with these brands among those that can appear.

• Apple phones and wearables: can include iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models, and the wider line runs from standard models to Pro and Pro Max, with a 48MP main camera on current models.

• Samsung phones: can include Galaxy S flagships, Galaxy A value models, Galaxy S FE and Galaxy Z foldables. New flagships get four years of major Android updates and five years of security patches.

• Motorola phones: can include the g15 and the g86 Power, and the moto g range comes in both 4G and 5G versions.

• Nothing phones: can include the Phone (3), Phone (4a) and Phone (4a) Pro, with a Glyph Matrix design and Nothing's own operating system.

More Boxing Day deals for a new handset

A watch, headphones or a bigger screen are common extras with a new phone, and each has a Boxing Day page.

• smart watch deals

• headphone deals

• tablet deals

• laptop deals

• Apple deals

• Samsung deals

Frequently asked questions