Compare every handset deal in the UK that comes bundled with a truly unlimited data plan, updated daily across EE, O2, Three, Vodafone and the major MVNOs. This page is for buyers who want a new phone AND an unlimited tariff in one monthly bill. If you only need an unlimited SIM for a handset you already own, our SIM-only unlimited page is the better starting point.
Unlimited handset contracts in 2026 typically run £35 to £75 a month for a flagship like the iPhone 17 Pro, Galaxy S26 Ultra or Pixel 10 Pro, with mid-range phones such as the Galaxy A56 and Pixel 10a starting closer to £22 a month. EE Smart Unlimited, Vodafone Unlimited Max, O2 Volt Unlimited and Three Unlimited make up the bulk of deals, with Sky Mobile, iD Mobile and Tesco Mobile offering keenly priced alternatives.
Filter by network, contract length, upfront cost and 5G speed tier, then click through to complete checkout with a UK-regulated network or its authorised reseller.
How to choose an unlimited data phone contract in 2026
Not every plan labelled "unlimited" is genuinely unrestricted. UK networks split unlimited tariffs into speed tiers, fair-use ceilings and tethering allowances that can change the real-world experience dramatically. The best plan for you depends on how you stream, how often you tether and how much time you spend in the EU.
Network speed tiers. EE Smart Unlimited runs at uncapped 5G speeds, with cheaper Full Works and Essential tiers throttled to 100Mbps or below. Vodafone Unlimited Max removes all speed caps and is the only big-four plan that bundles 5G Ultra (its standalone 5G network) at no extra cost. O2 Volt Unlimited is uncapped on 5G and adds Disney+ or similar entertainment perks. Three Unlimited gives you the full 5G network with no software throttle.
Fair use policies. "Unlimited" almost always carries a fair use clause. Smarty Unlimited and Voxi Unlimited apply traffic-management at extreme usage (typically beyond 600GB a month), while Lebara Unlimited Plus and iD Mobile Unlimited state they may slow speeds during congestion. The big four are stricter on personal-hotspot abuse than on pure on-device usage, so if you only stream on the phone itself you're rarely affected.
Tethering allowances vary hugely. EE Smart Unlimited and Vodafone Unlimited Max include unlimited tethering, so you can use the phone as a home broadband replacement. O2 Volt Unlimited caps mobile-hotspot use at the same allowance as on-device. Three has historically allowed unlimited tethering but reserves the right to throttle abuse. Most MVNOs (Smarty, Voxi, Lebara, iD) cap tethering between 12GB and 30GB even on otherwise-unlimited plans.
EU roaming caps inside unlimited plans. Post-Brexit, most networks reintroduced EU roaming caps. EE caps EU roaming at 50GB a month before throttling. Vodafone Unlimited Max includes 25GB on its top tier. O2 includes 25GB on most plans. Three Go Roam Europe caps at 12GB. Smarty includes 12GB. If you spend significant time in Europe, double-check the roaming cap before you commit.
5G unlimited vs 4G unlimited. Every flagship now ships with 5G as standard, but the plan determines whether you actually get 5G speeds. Cheaper unlimited plans (Tesco Mobile Lite, some iD Mobile tiers, older EE Essential) cap speeds at 4G levels even on a 5G phone. For sub-10ms latency and 300Mbps+ downloads, pay the extra £3 to £8 a month for a full-fat 5G unlimited tier.
MVNO unlimited alternatives. Smarty Unlimited (on Three's network) lands around £20 a month SIM-only, and £30 to £45 when bundled with a mid-range handset via partner retailers. Voxi Unlimited (on Vodafone) bundles social-media zero-rating. Lebara Unlimited Plus competes hard on price for international callers. These MVNOs use the same masts as the big four but sit lower in the priority queue at peak times.