Ireland’s best mobile phone deals
Compare cheap SIM-only plans or buy the latest iPhone or Samsung Galaxy from Ireland’s best mobile networks. Discover the best SIM-only deals offering generous monthly allowances for calls, texts, and data without a long contract for excellent value and benefits.
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Guide
Your complete guide to mobiles in Ireland
Whether you’re choosing a new mobile network, curious about 5G or want a refurbished phone, our complete guide to mobiles covers everything you need to know, including how to compare SIM-only deals and bill pay phones.
- Part 1 Ireland’s mobile market
- Part 2 Types of mobile plans
- Part 3 Choosing a mobile network
- Part 4 Choosing a new mobile phone
- Part 5 Switching your mobile network
Our expert says
The good news is there are lots of flexible and affordable mobile deals out there.
When looking for the best mobile plan, a SIM-only deal can be a cost-effective and flexible option.
These plans offer benefits such as lower monthly costs and the ability to switch providers without changing your phone. Additionally, SIM-only options include various data plans with different speed limits for activities like browsing, streaming, and video calls. Some plans also include international calls, which can be a great benefit if you frequently call abroad.
SIM-only deals or pay-as-you-go plans are ideal for those on a budget or who want to be contract-free and a refurbished phone could save you hundreds of euros compared to a new device.
If you want the latest smartphone, like the iPhone 16 or Samsung Galaxy S25 and need to spread the cost, opt for a bill pay plan. These plans often come with a minimum term of 24 months and a fair usage policy for calls and texts. Check your existing data and call usage to help you choose the right deal so you only pay for the airtime you need.
Before switching to a new provider, check coverage in your area first. A strong, reliable data connection is crucial as it impacts things like music streaming, making video calls, and streaming HD-quality content. 5G has now rolled out to most towns in Ireland - but don’t fork out for a super-fast plan or device if you don’t need it.
Other ways to save include multi-deal discounts like Vodafone’s RED Family plan, or you can bundle your mobile plan with broadband and enjoy reduced monthly bills.
Eoin Clarke
Choosing the best mobile deal
Whether your bill pay contract has ended and you’re looking for a cheaper deal, or you’re thinking of a buying the latest bill pay phone, here’s some tips for choosing the right plan.
SIM-only deals
A SIM-only deal is cheaper and more flexible than bill pay, as you’re not covering the cost of a phone, and it is only a 30-day, rolling contract.
It might be a good choice for those who don’t want to buy a new phone. You can also read our SIM-only guide.
Bill pay phone plans
A bill pay phone plan means paying for your phone and airtime monthly instead of buying a new phone upfront.
It’s best for those who want a new device, and prefer to spread the cost. Read our bill pay and SIM-only guide to weigh up which is right for you.
Prepay or pay as you go
A prepay or pay as you go mobile plan is paid for upfront, as opposed to a monthly bill and contract.
It can be useful if you’re under 18 and don’t have a bank account, if you have a poor credit history or if you don’t want to be tied into a contract.
Mobile add ons and bundles
An add-on is a bundle of minutes, texts, data, or combination, that can be bought and activated straight away, keeping you topped up for 30 days, or on an ongoing basis.
Check out whether you can tie in your mobile plan with other services like broadband, phone and TV for extra perks or discounts.
Latest Update
Mobiles roundup
Vodafone wins best mobile Internet performance in 2024
12/03/2025: Vodafone Ireland has won the award for best mobile performance from nPerf for the third year running.
nPerf ranks mobile service providers on download speed, upload speed, latency, web browsing and YouTube streaming.
Vodafone ranked first for upload speed, web browsing and YouTube streaming in 2024, and had the second fastest download speeds.
Three boasted the fastest download speeds and came in a close second, while Eir finished in third.
Apple launches latest cut-price device, the iPhone 16e
26/02/2025: Apple have launched the lowest-cost new iPhone, the 16e.
The device replaces the iPhone SE, Apple’s last product with the touch ID button.
The iPhone 16e has a starting price of €709 - over €150 more expensive than the entry price of the iPhone SE - marking a considerable price increase for the cheapest new iPhone when it ships on 28 February.
It offers a modern iPhone experience similar to the latest iPhone 16 but with a few bells and whistles removed to reach a slightly lower price.
48 wins Mobile Network of the Year at the Switcher.ie Mobile Awards 2025
13/02/2025: 48 has been announced as Mobile Network of the Year at the Switcher Awards 2025.
The network also won two other awards, including Best Customer Service and Best SIM-Only Pay As You Go Plan. Other winners were GoMo and newcomer, Sky Mobile.
Samsung unveils new AI-powered Galaxy S25 series
23/01/2025: The new Galaxy series has arrived, with a super-powerful, customised processing chip promising to be the best yet; and AI technology in a new era of innovation.
Samsung’s new AI features promise intuitive personal assistant, more intelligent than ever before, anticipating user needs in real-time, recognising context and suggesting actions before you even think to do them.
The S25 Ultra boasts a 200MP camera and the largest, slimmest screen yet, while the new Corning Gorilla Armour 2 offers 29% more resistance to fractures and 60% less screen damage repair compared to the S24.
The new S25 and S25 plus have similar cameras, batteries and displays, though they’re slightly slimmer and lighter this year.
Ireland ranks 38th fastest country for 5G mobile speeds
20/11/2024: Ireland was ranked 38th out of 56 countries for 5G mobile speeds; with an average download speed of 155.8 Mbps.
The recent report, conducted by research firm Opensignal, also ranked Ireland 49th when it came to 5G availability, or how much Irish mobile users were connected to 5g - which was just 9.2% of the time.
The Commission for Communications Regulation’s (ComReg) last quarterly report reported 5G subscribers in Ireland increased by 33% in one year, bringing the total to 1.7 million.
Billing issues top ComReg's latest consumer care report
18/11/2024: Issues with billing topped the Commission for Communications Regulation’s (ComReg) latest consumer care report.
ComReg recorded approximately 3,300 consumer issues for broadband, home phone, and mobile phone customers in July-Sept 2024, a 4% drop from the same period in 2023.
The most common complaint across providers was being billed more than the agreed amount, billing after cancellation and billing for unrequested services.
Mobile coverage was another of the bigger issues recorded in Q3 2024, with complaints regarding data, voice, or both.
Complaints were recorded across main mobile networks and virtual network operators (MVNOs).
What you need to know
Buying a refurbished phone
A refurbished phone - a preowned device restored to like-new conditions - could save you up to €400 compared to a brand new smartphone.
5G vs 4G
5G is the latest leap in mobile internet - up to 100 times faster than 4G - for quicker and more reliable streaming, gameplay and downloading. Most new smartphones are now 5G ready.
Mobile coverage
ComReg (The Commission for Communications Regulation) has an outdoor mobile coverage map that makes it easy to check coverage and signal levels of all the networks at your Eircode.
Switcher.ie has recognised and rewarded telecom industry excellence in Ireland for over a decade. Our annual awards highlight standout plans, value for money and customer service in broadband and mobiles to help you make the right choices.
We survey over a thousand customers to find our Public Choice winners because we believe that you know best. Our Telecom experts at Switcher.ie choose the rest.
Look out for the Awards badge or check out our Switcher.ie Awards page to discover this year’s champions.