UK Telecommunications Mobile Phone & Smart Phones - PPC Market Share Analysis December 2025

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 15.7141124328
84.2858875672
15%

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 58
42
57%

Search Intent Distribution

Breakdown of search queries by their underlying goal.

Intent Distribution
Investigational 20%
Transactional 31%
Navigational 6%
Seasonal 1%
Local 2%
Problem Solving 7%

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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
vodafone.co.uk 16.04
o2.co.uk 13.51
backmarket.co.uk 9.33
ee.co.uk 8.83
carphonewarehouse.com 5.23
three.co.uk 4.88
lebara.co.uk 4
sky.com 3.56
lycamobile.co.uk 3.51
uswitch.com 3.13
others 27.98
  • vodafone.co.uk - 16.04%
  • o2.co.uk - 13.51%
  • backmarket.co.uk - 9.33%
  • ee.co.uk - 8.83%
  • carphonewarehouse.com - 5.23%
  • three.co.uk - 4.88%
  • lebara.co.uk - 4%
  • sky.com - 3.56%
  • lycamobile.co.uk - 3.51%
  • uswitch.com - 3.13%
  • others - 27.98%

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Vodafone leads with 16.04% click share, followed by O2 at 13.51%. Others dominate with 27.98%, 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 o2.co.uk backmarket.co.uk vodafone.co.uk three.co.uk ee.co.uk carphonewarehouse.com lycamobile.co.uk uswitch.com mobiles.co.uk sky.com
2025/12/01 20.29% 7.9% 7.72% 6.55% 9.81% 2.72% 3.99% 5.16% 5.24% 3.78%
2025/12/02 19.85% 7.38% 6.08% 6.41% 9.77% 5.45% 4.33% 4.29% 4.27% 3.64%
2025/12/03 17.97% 7.16% 6.62% 6.91% 12.03% 6.23% 4.6% 4.03% 3.74% 3.13%
2025/12/04 19.68% 6.84% 6.5% 6.44% 11.29% 4.79% 5.36% 4.92% 2.32% 3.36%
2025/12/05 20.22% 9.66% 6.79% 4.96% 6.28% 2.02% 5.38% 3.95% 1.64% 3.56%
2025/12/06 19.1% 7.22% 7.08% 6.15% 15.3% 3.85% 4.63% 2.93% 2.34% 2.64%
2025/12/07 21.68% 8.47% 8.13% 5.88% 12.5% 3.53% 5.72% 3.32% 1.77% 2.69%
2025/12/08 22.1% 7.97% 8.44% 5.09% 9.68% 3.59% 5.09% 4.18% 2.75% 2.79%
2025/12/09 19.1% 8.55% 8.05% 5.63% 9.49% 4.38% 5.13% 3.83% 3.24% 2.51%
2025/12/10 19.93% 10.06% 8.15% 6.12% 8.21% 3.69% 4.64% 3.85% 3.47% 2.47%
2025/12/11 18.95% 10.69% 7.99% 6.52% 8.5% 3.32% 4.76% 3.92% 2.87% 3.19%
2025/12/12 19.77% 7.28% 8% 6.32% 9.81% 2.9% 3.93% 3.71% 2.78% 4.07%
2025/12/13 18.1% 7.67% 8.82% 6.46% 10.12% 3.8% 4.31% 4.08% 2.71% 4.35%
2025/12/14 18.86% 7.6% 9.09% 6.59% 9.46% 3.77% 4.95% 3.68% 2.22% 4.15%
2025/12/15 19.22% 6.81% 9.22% 7.48% 10.53% 3.61% 4.43% 3.44% 2.9% 4.14%
2025/12/16 16.97% 7.88% 8.38% 7.36% 10.91% 4.37% 4.1% 3.3% 3.19% 3.37%
2025/12/17 17.09% 7.08% 8.04% 7.43% 10.37% 4.52% 3.36% 3.6% 3.23% 3.13%
2025/12/18 13.54% 9.52% 7.14% 6.52% 7.96% 6.51% 3.19% 3.3% 4.05% 3.14%
2025/12/19 13.82% 9.66% 7.55% 6.61% 7.54% 6.59% 3.16% 3.09% 4.35% 3.15%
2025/12/20 13.86% 10.42% 7.74% 5.62% 6.79% 7.75% 3.25% 2.99% 5.54% 2.73%
2025/12/21 14.69% 10.46% 8.03% 5.77% 7.54% 6.23% 3.56% 3.08% 4.86% 3.08%
2025/12/22 12.13% 10.39% 8.58% 5.82% 8.53% 8.04% 2.82% 2.47% 5.64% 2.73%
2025/12/23 14.4% 8.8% 8.11% 6.63% 6.31% 8.04% 3.05% 3.17% 4.72% 3.23%
2025/12/24 15.16% 10.22% 7.81% 7.06% 6.49% 6.72% 3.18% 3.37% 4.21% 3.82%
2025/12/25 15.91% 9.73% 8.43% 7.44% 5.94% 5.33% 3.85% 3.46% 4.32% 4%
2025/12/26 17.51% 9.33% 8.9% 8.22% 5.36% 6.14% 4.29% 3.78% 3.77% 2.6%
2025/12/27 18.09% 9.22% 8.56% 7.99% 5.77% 6.1% 4.03% 3.61% 3.51% 2.9%
2025/12/28 17.77% 11.03% 8.48% 7.69% 5.78% 6.47% 3.7% 3.44% 3.52% 2.24%
2025/12/29 19.34% 10.32% 8.75% 7.7% 5.89% 6.04% 3.25% 4.03% 2.75% 2.48%
2025/12/30 16.97% 11% 8.79% 8.12% 6.28% 5.38% 3.15% 4.27% 3.02% 2.3%
2025/12/31 17.57% 11.55% 8.65% 8.65% 5.84% 5% 3.79% 3.6% 2.98% 2.37%
  • o2.co.uk
  • backmarket.co.uk
  • vodafone.co.uk
  • three.co.uk
  • ee.co.uk
  • carphonewarehouse.com
  • lycamobile.co.uk
  • uswitch.com
  • mobiles.co.uk
  • sky.com

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In December 2025, O2’s PPC spend share fluctuated, peaking at 22.10% on the 8th, then declining to 17.57% by month’s end. Backmarket’s share rose steadily, ending at 11.55%. Vodafone and Three showed moderate increases, while EE’s share decreased significantly. Carphone Warehouse and Lycamobile experienced minor fluctuations. Uswitch and Mobiles.co.uk saw slight declines, whereas Sky’s share remained relatively stable.

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
2025/12/01 363
2025/12/02 369
2025/12/03 377
2025/12/04 384
2025/12/05 392
2025/12/06 388
2025/12/07 369
2025/12/08 372
2025/12/09 373
2025/12/10 380
2025/12/11 369
2025/12/12 373
2025/12/13 360
2025/12/14 344
2025/12/15 359
2025/12/16 373
2025/12/17 370
2025/12/18 368
2025/12/19 359
2025/12/20 366
2025/12/21 358
2025/12/22 369
2025/12/23 364
2025/12/24 373
2025/12/25 356
2025/12/26 354
2025/12/27 352
2025/12/28 349
2025/12/29 360
2025/12/30 355
2025/12/31 346

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December began with 363 advertisers, peaking at 392 on the 5th. A decline followed, ending the month at 346.

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
backmarket.co.uk 2.7%
carphonewarehouse.com 1.86%
mobiles.co.uk 0.99%
samsung.com 0.93%
three.co.uk 0.52%
uswitch.com -0.36%
lycamobile.co.uk -0.83%
apple.com -0.94%
o2.co.uk -2.92%
ee.co.uk -3.4%

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In the past month, backmarket.co.uk surged by 2.7%, while ee.co.uk dropped by 3.4%. Carphonewarehouse.com rose 1.86%, contrasting o2.co.uk’s 2.92% decline.

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 o2.co.uk three.co.uk ee.co.uk carphonewarehouse.com lycamobile.co.uk uswitch.com mobiles.co.uk lebara.co.uk
2025/12/01 15.73% 9.2% 11.99% 5.36% 10.3% 2.79% 3.71% 4.31% 5.01% 3.06%
2025/12/02 14.76% 7.25% 12.05% 5.42% 9.7% 5.17% 3.81% 3.27% 3.96% 2.89%
2025/12/03 14.64% 7.92% 10.78% 5.79% 12.13% 6.07% 4.11% 3.21% 3.49% 2.64%
2025/12/04 13.64% 7.79% 13.01% 5.26% 11.2% 4.76% 5.19% 3.9% 2.17% 2.9%
2025/12/05 18.21% 7.43% 12.3% 3.89% 5.24% 2.35% 5.02% 3.14% 1.49% 3.46%
2025/12/06 14.42% 8.58% 12.05% 4.95% 15.43% 3.7% 4.41% 2.16% 2.22% 2.5%
2025/12/07 17.07% 10.09% 12.37% 4.68% 12.74% 3.51% 5.45% 2.62% 1.62% 2.49%
2025/12/08 16.17% 10.26% 12.45% 4.23% 9.68% 3.51% 5.13% 3.58% 2.6% 2.6%
2025/12/09 17.28% 9.75% 11.26% 4.73% 9.32% 3.74% 4.9% 3.1% 2.93% 2.58%
2025/12/10 20.47% 9.66% 11.01% 5.02% 7.73% 3.15% 4.51% 3.36% 3% 2.42%
2025/12/11 22.21% 9.18% 10.16% 5.16% 8.33% 2.86% 4.53% 3.31% 2.43% 2.47%
2025/12/12 15.28% 9.67% 10.45% 5.42% 10.13% 2.84% 3.95% 3.19% 2.55% 3.16%
2025/12/13 15.76% 10.65% 9.01% 5.4% 10.22% 3.47% 4.22% 3.68% 2.53% 3.06%
2025/12/14 15.58% 11.18% 9.03% 5.87% 9.26% 3.77% 5.21% 3.24% 2% 3.71%
2025/12/15 13.94% 11.32% 9.56% 6.73% 11.03% 3.76% 4.55% 3.07% 2.63% 2.67%
2025/12/16 15.74% 10.16% 8.41% 6.45% 11.11% 3.99% 4.12% 2.79% 2.88% 2.54%
2025/12/17 14.38% 9.69% 8.67% 6.46% 10.55% 4.39% 3.37% 3.05% 3% 3.39%
2025/12/18 19.12% 8.24% 6% 5.51% 7.3% 5.41% 2.86% 2.64% 3.44% 2.59%
2025/12/19 19.39% 9.03% 6.34% 5.27% 7.24% 5.82% 2.87% 2.53% 3.51% 2.39%
2025/12/20 20.33% 9.51% 6.55% 4.38% 6.19% 6.36% 3.03% 2.42% 4.4% 2.24%
2025/12/21 20.33% 9.35% 6.86% 4.54% 6.87% 5.62% 3.3% 2.48% 4.18% 2.62%
2025/12/22 20.17% 9.72% 5.46% 4.58% 7.08% 7.47% 2.5% 1.86% 5.06% 2.05%
2025/12/23 18% 9.52% 6.75% 5.24% 5.15% 7.79% 2.71% 2.4% 4.51% 2.57%
2025/12/24 20.87% 9.32% 6.74% 5.52% 5.79% 6.29% 2.97% 2.7% 3.41% 2.74%
2025/12/25 19.56% 10.58% 7.05% 6.24% 4.99% 4.7% 3.64% 2.93% 3.55% 2.75%
2025/12/26 18.26% 11.34% 7.62% 6.91% 4.46% 5.81% 4.05% 3.19% 3.12% 2.84%
2025/12/27 18.27% 11.14% 7.8% 6.81% 5.23% 5.87% 3.8% 2.94% 3.05% 2.72%
2025/12/28 21.73% 10.62% 7.81% 6.08% 4.52% 5.74% 3.34% 2.69% 2.87% 2.41%
2025/12/29 20.81% 10.65% 8.03% 6.57% 5.12% 5.54% 3.11% 3.47% 2.4% 2.46%
2025/12/30 21.86% 10.85% 6.96% 6.97% 5.19% 4.75% 2.98% 3.48% 2.41% 1.7%
2025/12/31 22.33% 10.9% 7.94% 7.31% 4.66% 4.38% 3.33% 3.03% 2.36% 1.4%
  • backmarket.co.uk
  • vodafone.co.uk
  • o2.co.uk
  • three.co.uk
  • ee.co.uk
  • carphonewarehouse.com
  • lycamobile.co.uk
  • uswitch.com
  • mobiles.co.uk
  • lebara.co.uk

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

Backmarket.co.uk led December with a steady rise, peaking at 22.33% on the 31st. Vodafone.co.uk and O2.co.uk showed fluctuations, while Three.co.uk and EE.co.uk had moderate gains. Carphonewarehouse.com and Lycamobile.co.uk saw varied trends, ending lower. Uswitch.com, Mobiles.co.uk, and Lebara.co.uk experienced declines, closing the month with reduced shares.

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
    Vodafone Pay Monthly Contract Phone Deals | Carphone Warehouse https://www.carphonewarehouse.com

    Explore Vodafone SIM-only and pay-monthly deals on iPhone, Samsung, and more. Upgrade today with Carphone Warehouse and enjoy great-value contracts and offers!

  2. 2
    Lebara https://www.lebara.co.uk › lebara_sim_card

    Official Lebara Website — SIM Only plans data limits ranging from 5GB to the Unlimited option to suit your needs. Lebara is a...

  3. 3
    Black Friday SIM Only - Black Friday SIM Sale https://www.o2.co.uk › sim-only › o2

    Get Great Savings This Black Friday With An O2 Pay Monthly SIM. Compare SIM Only Deals Now

  4. 4
    Mobile Phone Deals – Pay Monthly Phone Contracts | Three https://www.three.co.uk

    Buy the latest mobile phones on a pay monthly contract. Use your phone abroad at no extra cost with Three.

  5. 5
    Vodafone Official Site https://www.vodafone.co.uk

    Mobile Phones & Home Broadband — Get The Unlimited 5G Data Plan & Create The Future Of 5G With Us. Together We Can. Discover...

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In the competitive world of mobile phone deals, Carphone Warehouse shines with enticing Vodafone contracts, while Lebara offers flexible SIM-only plans. O2 capitalizes on Black Friday savings, and Three promotes international usage at no extra cost. Vodafone leads with unlimited 5G data plans.

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