Fast enough for everything.
A fraction of the price.
The best 4G SIM only deals in the UK. More than fast enough for streaming, browsing, and calls, at prices the major networks cannot match.
For the best value 4G SIM on a 12-month contract, Lebara's 100GB plan at £18 per month on Vodafone is hard to beat. For a no-contract 4G option, giffgaff's 40GB plan at £10 per month on O2 gives a generous allowance with full flexibility. Both offer strong 4G coverage across the UK.
Best 4G SIM only deals right now
giffgaff 40GB (30 day)
Lebara 30GB (12 month)
Chattr Unlimited (30 day)
Asda Mobile 100GB (24 month)
Is 4G still worth it in 2026?
Absolutely. 4G LTE is more than capable of handling everything most people do on a smartphone, including HD streaming, video calls, social media, and navigation. Typical 4G speeds in the UK range from 20 to 80 Mbps, which is faster than many home broadband connections a decade ago.
5G offers faster peak speeds but coverage is still concentrated in cities and major towns. If you live or work outside those areas, a 5G SIM simply falls back to 4G anyway. Unless you are in a strong 5G area with a 5G-capable device and a use case that needs those speeds, a 4G SIM often delivers the same real-world experience at a lower price.
4G vs 5G: which should you choose?
Check your phone first. If your handset is 4G only, there is no benefit to a 5G SIM. If you have a 5G phone and you live in a good 5G coverage area, a 5G plan could give you faster speeds. If coverage is patchy where you are, a 4G plan at a lower price makes more sense. See our 5G SIM only deals page if you want to compare both options.
Questions people ask
Yes. 4G is more than fast enough for streaming, browsing, and video calls. Unless you are in a strong 5G area with a 5G-capable device, a 4G SIM delivers the same practical experience at a lower price. Most of the UK is well covered by 4G across multiple networks.
4G LTE offers speeds of roughly 20 to 100 Mbps. 5G offers significantly faster peak speeds where coverage exists. However 5G coverage is still limited and you need a 5G-capable device to benefit. If your phone is 4G only, a 5G SIM simply connects to 4G anyway.
EE has the widest 4G coverage in the UK, followed by O2 and Vodafone. For budget SIMs, giffgaff runs on O2 and Lebara runs on Vodafone, giving strong 4G coverage at a fraction of the cost of going direct with a major network.
Yes. A 4G SIM works in any phone including 5G handsets. The phone will connect to 4G rather than 5G. If 5G coverage in your area is limited or you do not need the extra speed, a 4G SIM is a sensible and often cheaper choice.
Related deals
Not sure if 4G or 5G is right for you?
Get in touch and we will help you find the right plan for your phone and your area.
Get help choosing