UK Telecommunications Mobile Phone & Smart Phones - PPC Market Share Analysis February 2026

Leveraging Adthena’s Whole Market View, this analysis explores recent trends in Google Ads for the UK Mobile Phone & Smart Phones category from the last month. Our Data Analyst, Ask Arlo provides commentary on key findings.

Mobile Phone & Smart Phones – UK

Google AI Overview visibility for Telecommunications Mobile Phone & Smart Phones UK

See how often AIOs appear and how search intent is distributed across buying signals.

AIO Frequency

How often a Google AI overview appears on search terms relevant to this category.

Frequency Percentage
Frequency 18.0833272462
81.9166727538
18%

Complex Query Frequency

A complex query is a longer, more detailed search that often contains multiple keywords, specific conditions, or multi-part questions.

Frequency Percentage
Frequency 56
44
56%

Search Intent Distribution

Breakdown of search queries by their underlying goal.

Intent Distribution
Investigational 18%
Transactional 30%
Navigational 6%
Seasonal 1%
Local 3%
Problem Solving 7%

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

Market Exposure

Share of Clicks for top 10 UK Telecommunications Mobile Phone & Smart Phones brands

Here are the Top 10 competitors in the industry by Share of Clicks for the last month.

Share of Clicks - Last month
Share of Clicks - Last month
Domain Share of clicks
backmarket.co.uk 11.93
o2.co.uk 9.09
carphonewarehouse.com 7.23
vodafone.co.uk 6.77
ee.co.uk 5.85
three.co.uk 5.57
sky.com 5.56
lebara.co.uk 4.83
samsung.com 4.21
mobiles.co.uk 3.17
others 35.79
  • backmarket.co.uk - 11.93%
  • o2.co.uk - 9.09%
  • carphonewarehouse.com - 7.23%
  • vodafone.co.uk - 6.77%
  • ee.co.uk - 5.85%
  • three.co.uk - 5.57%
  • sky.com - 5.56%
  • lebara.co.uk - 4.83%
  • samsung.com - 4.21%
  • mobiles.co.uk - 3.17%
  • others - 35.79%

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In the competitive landscape, Backmarket.co.uk leads with 11.93% click share, followed by O2.co.uk at 9.09%. Others collectively dominate with 35.79%, highlighting diverse competition.

Market Exposure

Share of Spend for the top 10 UK Telecommunications Mobile Phone & Smart Phones brands

Curious about your market position? Here you can see the Top 10 competitors in the industry by Share of Spend for the last month. 

Share of Spend - Last Month
Share of Spend - Last Month
Date backmarket.co.uk carphonewarehouse.com o2.co.uk vodafone.co.uk ee.co.uk sky.com samsung.com mobiles.co.uk three.co.uk lebara.co.uk
2026/02/01 10.96% 9.37% 12.22% 6.44% 4.32% 3.36% 2.96% 3.61% 7.96% 4.14%
2026/02/02 11.23% 8.44% 9.67% 6.99% 4.37% 4.2% 2.69% 3.95% 7.85% 4.06%
2026/02/03 12.56% 7.39% 10.22% 4.78% 4.16% 4.66% 3.43% 4.13% 6.14% 4.33%
2026/02/04 11.68% 7.03% 11.35% 5.83% 4.16% 4.51% 2.57% 4.04% 6.43% 5.23%
2026/02/05 10.93% 7.11% 11.32% 5.34% 4.36% 5.46% 3.05% 4.02% 6.65% 3.53%
2026/02/06 10.54% 8.92% 8.91% 5.48% 3.83% 5.65% 2.83% 4.22% 5.84% 3.37%
2026/02/07 12.41% 8.57% 9.82% 4.97% 4.67% 4.86% 2.49% 4.55% 4.66% 3.1%
2026/02/08 10.83% 8.94% 11.54% 4.95% 7.05% 3.7% 2.28% 4.49% 4.69% 3.3%
2026/02/09 10.01% 8.83% 10.83% 3.34% 5.72% 4.94% 2.84% 5.46% 5.77% 3.33%
2026/02/10 9.32% 10.3% 10.48% 4.06% 6.48% 3.98% 2.6% 4.83% 5.61% 3.44%
2026/02/11 10.1% 9.92% 10.13% 4.51% 6.69% 4.3% 2.79% 4.52% 6.08% 2.89%
2026/02/12 9.95% 8.95% 10.78% 5.08% 5.79% 5.73% 2.69% 4.25% 6.36% 3.04%
2026/02/13 10.53% 8.9% 8.89% 5.47% 3.83% 5.64% 2.82% 4.21% 5.83% 3.36%
2026/02/14 12.39% 8.56% 9.8% 4.97% 4.66% 4.85% 2.48% 4.54% 4.65% 3.09%
2026/02/15 10.81% 8.92% 11.52% 4.94% 7.04% 3.7% 2.28% 4.48% 4.68% 3.29%
2026/02/16 9.99% 8.82% 10.82% 3.33% 5.71% 4.94% 2.84% 5.45% 5.76% 3.34%
2026/02/17 7.77% 8.36% 10.77% 7.01% 5.64% 6.2% 1.84% 4.03% 7.84% 3.81%
2026/02/18 8.79% 11.7% 10.59% 6.8% 5.15% 5.34% 2.76% 4.2% 7.96% 2.41%
2026/02/19 10.07% 7.89% 12.12% 6.3% 5.02% 5.68% 2.26% 4.65% 9.11% 3.35%
2026/02/20 11.4% 6% 11.47% 6.6% 4.84% 6.22% 2.43% 3.67% 8.61% 3.04%
2026/02/21 13.56% 5.8% 10.05% 7.27% 4.44% 6.1% 2.14% 3.32% 8.12% 3.24%
2026/02/22 8.05% 7.52% 12.38% 6.98% 4.61% 6.71% 1.77% 3.67% 8.48% 3.29%
2026/02/23 7.23% 6.53% 13.49% 7.78% 5.26% 6.75% 2.25% 3.22% 8.85% 3.28%
2026/02/24 8.33% 6.7% 12.79% 6.49% 5.12% 7.1% 1.93% 3.17% 7.46% 3.24%
2026/02/25 9.78% 7.55% 12.62% 5.96% 5.44% 5.92% 2.33% 2.91% 7.19% 3.43%
2026/02/26 9.97% 7.37% 11.23% 5.65% 5.73% 5.94% 3.5% 3.2% 7.65% 3.49%
2026/02/27 14.81% 8.94% 7.56% 4.47% 6.2% 5.01% 5.39% 3.78% 6.55% 3.07%
2026/02/28 12.55% 9.57% 8.05% 6.7% 5.78% 5.28% 4.89% 4.47% 4.17% 2.92%
  • backmarket.co.uk
  • carphonewarehouse.com
  • o2.co.uk
  • vodafone.co.uk
  • ee.co.uk
  • sky.com
  • samsung.com
  • mobiles.co.uk
  • three.co.uk
  • lebara.co.uk

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In February 2026, Backmarket.co.uk led with fluctuating spend, peaking at 14.81% on the 27th. O2.co.uk maintained strong presence, while Vodafone.co.uk and EE.co.uk showed consistent mid-range activity. Samsung.com surged late, ending at 4.89%.

Market Exposure

Competitor Count for UK Telecommunications Mobile Phone & Smart Phones

Ever wondered how many competitors you’re up against in your industry? Well look no further, here we can see the number of advertisers bidding over the last month. 

Competitor Count - Last month
Competitor Count - Last month
Date Competitor Count
2026/02/01 369
2026/02/02 382
2026/02/03 355
2026/02/04 362
2026/02/05 348
2026/02/06 355
2026/02/07 344
2026/02/08 346
2026/02/09 355
2026/02/10 352
2026/02/11 354
2026/02/12 339
2026/02/13 355
2026/02/14 344
2026/02/15 346
2026/02/16 355
2026/02/17 323
2026/02/18 338
2026/02/19 337
2026/02/20 323
2026/02/21 316
2026/02/22 317
2026/02/23 331
2026/02/24 336
2026/02/25 341
2026/02/26 323
2026/02/27 322
2026/02/28 318

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

February began with 369 advertisers, peaking at 382 on the 2nd. A decline followed, reaching 318 by month’s end, indicating a fluctuating yet downward trend.

Campaign Efficiency

Market Loss & Market Gains for UK Telecommunications Mobile Phone & Smart Phones

Here we’re looking at the Top 10 biggest industry movers by market share gains and losses for the last 30 days.

Market Loss & Market Gains - Last month
Market Loss & Market Gains - Last month
Name Market Trend
sky.com 1.42%
ee.co.uk 0.87%
three.co.uk 0.76%
o2.co.uk 0.75%
vodafone.co.uk 0.6%
talkmobile.co.uk -0.4%
carphonewarehouse.com -0.54%
phonesdirect.com -0.85%
apple.com -0.94%
backmarket.co.uk -1.61%

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

Sky.com soared with a 1.42% click share increase, while backmarket.co.uk plummeted by 1.61%. Other notable gains include ee.co.uk at 0.87% and three.co.uk at 0.76%.

Campaign Efficiency

UK Telecommunications Mobile Phone & Smart Phones Share of Impressions

Take a look at the Top 10 competitors in the industry by Share of Impressions over the last month.

Date backmarket.co.uk vodafone.co.uk carphonewarehouse.com ee.co.uk ebay.co.uk sky.com o2.co.uk a1techdeals.com mobiles.co.uk three.co.uk
2026/02/01 22.64% 7.51% 8.06% 2.95% 2.86% 2.53% 6.06% 0% 2.92% 5.8%
2026/02/02 20.69% 7.12% 8.07% 2.84% 2.42% 2.89% 4.28% 0.05% 4.03% 6.56%
2026/02/03 24.41% 5.31% 5.86% 2.75% 3.01% 3.1% 5.09% 1.33% 3.29% 4.13%
2026/02/04 22.97% 6.33% 5.32% 3.01% 3.14% 3.21% 5.85% 2.28% 3.02% 4.1%
2026/02/05 21.17% 6.26% 5.52% 3.21% 3.29% 4.33% 5.76% 2.41% 3.02% 4.1%
2026/02/06 19.85% 6.16% 6.45% 2.95% 2.83% 4.58% 4.08% 3.83% 3.01% 4.35%
2026/02/07 23.86% 6.13% 5.59% 4.41% 3.55% 3.78% 4.33% 4.27% 3.25% 3.02%
2026/02/08 20.85% 5.55% 6.07% 6.68% 4.53% 2.92% 4.94% 4.69% 3.25% 3.05%
2026/02/09 19.6% 3.18% 6.31% 5.47% 4.25% 4.09% 4.85% 4.2% 4.09% 4.06%
2026/02/10 17.73% 4.82% 7.59% 5.97% 3.97% 2.86% 4.76% 4.18% 3.73% 4.51%
2026/02/11 18.91% 5.21% 7.09% 6.64% 4.06% 3.21% 4.27% 5.03% 3.27% 4.33%
2026/02/12 19.47% 5.69% 6.44% 5.24% 4.23% 4.37% 5.01% 3.52% 3.32% 4.57%
2026/02/13 19.85% 6.16% 6.45% 2.95% 2.83% 4.58% 4.08% 3.83% 3.01% 4.35%
2026/02/14 23.86% 6.13% 5.59% 4.41% 3.55% 3.78% 4.33% 4.27% 3.25% 3.02%
2026/02/15 20.85% 5.55% 6.07% 6.68% 4.53% 2.92% 4.94% 4.69% 3.25% 3.05%
2026/02/16 19.6% 3.18% 6.31% 5.47% 4.25% 4.09% 4.85% 4.2% 4.09% 4.06%
2026/02/17 14.79% 7.88% 7.06% 5.08% 3.7% 5.86% 4.93% 2.98% 3.32% 5.56%
2026/02/18 17.28% 7.97% 8.25% 3.69% 4.04% 4.34% 4.68% 3.47% 3.37% 5.53%
2026/02/19 19.59% 6.79% 5.85% 3.25% 3.62% 4.09% 5.51% 3.56% 3.74% 6.65%
2026/02/20 20.94% 7.12% 5.08% 2.94% 4.41% 5.05% 4.55% 4.03% 3.24% 5.95%
2026/02/21 23.52% 7.95% 5.03% 2.72% 3.96% 4.59% 3.99% 3.5% 2.87% 5.54%
2026/02/22 15.82% 8.32% 5.86% 2.91% 3.07% 5.42% 5.93% 1.85% 3.1% 6.69%
2026/02/23 14.59% 8.61% 5.52% 3.86% 2.25% 5.74% 7.26% 1.91% 3.15% 6.85%
2026/02/24 16.63% 7.49% 5.47% 3.68% 2.07% 5.91% 6.77% 2% 2.85% 5.67%
2026/02/25 18.96% 7.77% 5.78% 4.34% 3.12% 4.75% 6% 2.51% 2.43% 5.43%
2026/02/26 20.19% 6.87% 6.03% 4.56% 3.42% 4.29% 5.14% 3.63% 2.41% 6%
2026/02/27 28.19% 5.09% 5.65% 4.89% 3.87% 3.17% 3.26% 3.16% 2.59% 4.51%
2026/02/28 22.52% 8.54% 5.85% 5.23% 4.13% 3.83% 3.57% 3.4% 3.03% 2.88%
  • backmarket.co.uk
  • vodafone.co.uk
  • carphonewarehouse.com
  • ee.co.uk
  • ebay.co.uk
  • sky.com
  • o2.co.uk
  • a1techdeals.com
  • mobiles.co.uk
  • three.co.uk

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

Backmarket.co.uk led February with fluctuating impressions, peaking at 28.19% on the 27th. Vodafone.co.uk saw a late surge, ending at 8.54%. Carphonewarehouse.com remained steady, while ee.co.uk and ebay.co.uk showed gradual increases. Sky.com and o2.co.uk had mid-month peaks, and a1techdeals.com rose early, then dipped. Mobiles.co.uk and three.co.uk experienced varied trends, with three.co.uk declining at month’s end.

Campaign Efficiency

Google Text Ad Copy Insights & Creative Trends for UK Telecommunications Mobile Phone & Smart Phones

Ever wondered how your rivals’ ads are doing? Here we can see the top-performing ads in the industry over the last month.

Google Text Ad Copy Insights & Creative Trends for UK Telecommunications Mobile Phone & Smart Phones - Last month
  1. 1
    Carphone Warehouse - Shop Now For The Best Deals https://carphonewarehouse.com › carphone › warehouse

    Amazing Mobile Phones & Tariffs At The Best Prices Only At Carphone Warehouse

  2. 2
    O2 SIM Only Deals https://www.o2.co.uk

    Limited Time Only — O2 - The Only Major Network That Lets Everyone Roam Freely In The EU, Up To 25GB

  3. 3
    Phones On Sky Mobile | Sky Mobile Deals & Offers https://www.sky.com › phone › deals

    Stream Sky Apps Without Using Your Data. Roll Spare Data Into Your Piggybank Each Month. Swap To A New Phone Whenever You Want On Sky...

  4. 4
    12 month SIM Only Deals | Compare 1 year SIM Plans | Three https://www.three.co.uk

    With deals on 12 month SIMs from 4GB to Unlimited data, there’s something for everyone with our 1 year plans.

  5. 5
    The smarter place to buy a new phone | Vodafone EVO https://www.vodafone.co.uk

    Enjoy Ultimate Flexibility Of Our Pay Monthly Plans With Vodafone EVO.

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In the competitive landscape of mobile phone deals, Carphone Warehouse entices with unbeatable prices, while O2 highlights EU roaming freedom. Sky Mobile offers data flexibility, Three provides diverse SIM plans, and Vodafone EVO emphasizes flexible payment options. Each ad uniquely appeals to consumer needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Success Stories

Get the full picture

See this data specific to your brand performance

The data on this page is just a sample of the billions of data points we hold at Adthena. The insights generated by Ask Arlo, leverage real-time GenAI to answer questions about your search data.

Our search consultants can introduce you to Whole Market View data that is specific to your organization, based on the size of the relevant search term and competitor universe, and the locations that you need monitoring.

Related reports