August is here, and it's a busy one in the world of mobile. The schools are out, the airports are heaving, and the deals have landed. Whether you're jetting off to the sun, eyeing up Samsung's shiny new foldables, or finally ready to treat yourself to an iPhone 17, we at phones.co.uk have rounded up everything you need to know this month.
1. Heading Abroad? Sort Your SIM Before Your Suitcase
There's nothing that sours a holiday quite like coming home to a surprise roaming bill. The good news? Some of the best SIM-only deals we've seen all year include EU roaming as standard — so you can post, stream and navigate abroad without the bill shock.
Here's what's caught our eye this month:
Unlimited Data with EU Roaming
Vodafone's summer sale has slashed its Unlimited Plus plan (with EU roaming included) from £44 to just £26 a month — a saving of £432 over the contract. Roaming further afield? Its Unlimited Premier plan with global roaming is down from £48 to £30 a month. But be quick — the headline offer ends on 19th August.
Compare Vodafone SIM only deals →
Big Data on a Budget
iD Mobile is offering a whopping 120GB of 5G data with EU roaming and data rollover for an average of just £4.50 a month after cashback. That's holiday-scrolling heaven for less than the price of an airport meal deal.
Compare iD Mobile SIM only deals →
The Light User's Dream
Barely touch your data? Sky Mobile has just launched a 1GB SIM with unlimited calls and texts for £1 a month on a 12-month contract, running until 26th August. Perfect as a backup SIM or for a first phone.
Compare Sky Mobile SIM only deals →
Not fussed which network? Compare all of our SIM only deals and find the plan that fits your summer.
2. Samsung Goes Foldable Mad: Meet the Galaxy Z Flip8, Z Fold8 and Z Fold8 Ultra
Samsung has just launched not one but three new foldables — the pocket-friendly Galaxy Z Flip8, the do-it-all Galaxy Z Fold8, and the range-topping Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra. Slimmer hinges, brighter displays and serious multitasking muscle: this is Samsung's most confident foldable line-up yet.
Even better, there's a launch offer worth knowing about: trade in any eligible phone before 1st September and you'll get an extra £100 off on top of your trade-in value when you upgrade to any of the new Fold8 family (T&Cs apply). If you've been foldable-curious for a while, this is the moment to take the plunge.
See Galaxy Z Fold8 deals → | See Galaxy Z Flip8 deals → | Value your trade-in →
3. iPhone 17: The Deal of the Summer?
Not a foldable fan? Apple's brilliant iPhone 17 is having a moment too. One of the standout contract deals this month gets you the iPhone 17 with a generous 100GB of 5G data — including EU roaming and data rollover — from just £35.99 a month with only £19 upfront. With the iPhone 18 rumour mill already spinning, the iPhone 17 has hit that sweet spot of top-tier tech at a sensible price.
Which Deal Is Right for You?
- Choose a SIM-only deal if... you love your current phone and just want more data (and no roaming nasties) for less. Start comparing →
- Choose the Galaxy Z Flip8 or Fold8 if... you want tomorrow's tech today — and you've got an old phone to trade in for that extra £100 boost.
- Choose the iPhone 17 if... you want Apple's latest without waiting for September's rumours to become reality. See the deals →
Whatever you're after, phones.co.uk compares the market's best prices on new phones, refurbished handsets, SIM only plans and trade-ins — so you never pay more than you need to.
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