6 minute read
Affordable Mobiles review: is it legit and worth buying from?
TL;DR - key takeaways
An honest review of Affordable Mobiles — covering whether it's a trustworthy phone retailer, how prices compare to buying direct from a network, and whether the cashback referral is worth using.
If you just need the link, you can get your Affordable Mobiles referral code here.
"Is Affordable Mobiles legit?" is one of the most common questions people ask before buying a phone from them. It's a fair question — if you're spending £30–50 a month on a contract, you want to know the company selling it to you is real.
I've tracked Affordable Mobiles as a referral option on ReferralPlug for over a year now. Here's what I've found about how they work, whether their prices are actually good, and what to watch out for.
Is Affordable Mobiles a real company?
Yes. Affordable Mobiles has been trading since 2006 — nearly 20 years. They're a UK-registered company that operates as a mobile phone reseller, selling contracts from major networks including EE, Three, Vodafone, and O2.
The key thing to understand: your contract is with the network, not Affordable Mobiles. They handle the initial sale — finding you a deal, processing the order, shipping the handset — but once you're set up, your billing, customer service, and coverage all come from the network directly.
This is the same model used by Carphone Warehouse (before it closed its stores), Mobiles.co.uk, and other comparison retailers. It's a well-established part of the UK mobile market.
How do prices compare to going direct?
This is where Affordable Mobiles earns its name. The prices are frequently lower than going to the network directly, especially on upfront costs.
How? Networks pay resellers a commission for acquiring customers. Resellers like Affordable Mobiles pass some of that commission back to you as a lower upfront price, cashback offer, or bundled gift card.
Example price comparison approach
When comparing deals, always calculate the total cost of ownership:
(Upfront cost) + (Monthly cost × contract length) = Total cost
A deal with a £0 upfront cost but £5/month higher than a direct deal could cost you £120 more over a 24-month contract. The cheapest-looking monthly price isn't always the cheapest deal.
Affordable Mobiles often wins on total cost, but not universally. Sometimes the network runs a direct-only promotion that beats the reseller price. The 30-second maths above saves you from assuming either way.
What can you buy?
Affordable Mobiles covers most of the UK mobile market:
- Pay monthly contracts — iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel and other flagship handsets on 24 or 36-month terms
- SIM only deals — keep your existing phone and just get a data/minutes/texts plan
- Upgrades — if you're on an existing contract that's ending
- Refurbished phones — tested and graded second-hand devices at lower prices
- SIM free handsets — buy the phone outright with no contract
The network options include EE, Three, Vodafone, O2, and iD Mobile, so you're not locked into a single provider.
What's the buying experience like?
The website is functional rather than flashy. Filters let you sort by network, handset, monthly cost, and upfront cost. The comparison tools are decent — you can see what different monthly/upfront combinations look like for the same phone.
Delivery is typically next-day on in-stock items, which is on par with buying from a network directly.
The main friction point is that Affordable Mobiles is a middleman. If something goes wrong with the initial order — a delayed delivery, a wrong item — you're dealing with Affordable Mobiles customer service rather than the network. Once the contract is active, any issues go through your network's support as normal.
The referral cashback — is it worth using?
Affordable Mobiles offers up to £60 cashback when you buy through a referral link. This is on top of whatever deal the phone is listed at, so it's essentially free money if you were buying anyway.
The cashback is typically paid after your order is complete and you've met any qualifying conditions. The exact amount depends on the handset and deal you choose.
If you're comparing a direct network deal against an Affordable Mobiles deal and the total costs are similar, the referral cashback tips the balance in Affordable Mobiles' favour.
What to watch out for
Cashback claim processes. Some reseller deals require you to actively claim cashback by submitting bills at specific intervals. If the Affordable Mobiles offer involves a claim process, make sure you diarise the dates — missed claims mean lost money.
Contract length. 36-month contracts are increasingly common. A longer contract means a lower monthly cost but locks you in for three years. If you upgrade phones frequently, a 24-month deal or SIM-only plus SIM-free handset might work out better.
Network coverage at your address. Affordable Mobiles sells contracts across multiple networks, so check coverage before you commit. Use the network's own coverage checker — not a generic one — for the most accurate picture.
Affordable Mobiles vs buying direct — summary
| Factor | Affordable Mobiles | Buying direct from network |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Often cheaper (total cost) | Sometimes has exclusive promos |
| Handset range | Most major brands | Same |
| Network choice | EE, Three, Vodafone, O2, iD | Single network only |
| Delivery | Next-day (typically) | Next-day (typically) |
| Customer support (order) | Affordable Mobiles | Network |
| Customer support (ongoing) | Network (same either way) | Network |
| Referral cashback | Up to £60 | Rarely available |
Is Affordable Mobiles worth using?
Yes — if the deal beats what you can get directly from the network. Calculate total cost, factor in any referral cashback, and compare. Affordable Mobiles has been doing this since 2006 and the model is legitimate and well-established.
If the prices are identical to going direct, you might prefer the simplicity of dealing with the network from the start. But more often than not, the reseller price is lower.
You might also like
- Affordable Mobiles referral code: how to save up to £60
- VOXI vs giffgaff: which mobile referral is better?
- giffgaff referral code: get up to £15 when you join
Useful links (official resources)
- Affordable Mobiles homepage:
https://www.affordablemobiles.co.uk/ - Ofcom mobile coverage checker:
https://checker.ofcom.org.uk/
Get up to £60 cashback with the Affordable Mobiles referral link.
Personal finance writer and UK consumer savings specialist
I specialise in finding people the best deals to cope with the ever-increasing cost of living. I like to review companies from everyday industries like banking and energy and try to provide a fresh mix of facts and unbiased opinions.
Last verified: April 2026 · Last updated
