UK Telecommunications Mobile Phone & Smart Phones - PPC Market Share Analysis September 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 31.4102596518
68.5897403482
31%

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 49
51
49%

Search Intent Distribution

Breakdown of search queries by their underlying goal.

Intent Distribution
Investigational 13%
Transactional 31%
Navigational 12%
Seasonal 0%
Local 3%
Problem Solving 4%

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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
ee.co.uk 12.1
three.co.uk 10.09
sky.com 9.38
backmarket.co.uk 8.58
vodafone.co.uk 7.83
samsung.com 7.11
carphonewarehouse.com 6.98
o2.co.uk 4.61
lycamobile.co.uk 3.86
mobiles.co.uk 3.41
others 26.05
  • ee.co.uk - 12.1%
  • three.co.uk - 10.09%
  • sky.com - 9.38%
  • backmarket.co.uk - 8.58%
  • vodafone.co.uk - 7.83%
  • samsung.com - 7.11%
  • carphonewarehouse.com - 6.98%
  • o2.co.uk - 4.61%
  • lycamobile.co.uk - 3.86%
  • mobiles.co.uk - 3.41%
  • others - 26.05%

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In the competitive landscape, EE leads with 12.1% click share, followed by Three at 10.09%. Others collectively hold a significant 26.05%, 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 sky.com ee.co.uk carphonewarehouse.com vodafone.co.uk backmarket.co.uk three.co.uk o2.co.uk mobiles.co.uk samsung.com lycamobile.co.uk
2026/09/01 6.48% 9.8% 8.58% 7.6% 7.66% 8.98% 6.64% 4.75% 4.33% 3.74%
2026/09/02 7.62% 10.54% 10.41% 7.36% 7.5% 8.35% 4.31% 3.88% 3.96% 5.28%
2026/09/03 7.42% 10.51% 11.5% 6.38% 6.56% 8.5% 4.55% 3.93% 4.09% 4.73%
2026/09/04 7.54% 9.34% 11.26% 6.95% 6.15% 9.99% 4.28% 3.75% 4.23% 4.29%
2026/09/05 7.74% 10.15% 10.51% 7.26% 5.46% 10.43% 4.06% 4.05% 3.95% 4.32%
2026/09/06 6.59% 10.39% 10.35% 7.04% 6.44% 10.66% 4.67% 3.77% 4.63% 3.88%
2026/09/07 6.94% 10.05% 11.19% 7.15% 5.85% 10.13% 4.59% 3.83% 4.69% 3.59%
2026/09/08 7.48% 9.48% 11.02% 6.81% 6.33% 10.8% 4.81% 3.85% 4.14% 3.57%
2026/09/09 7.7% 10.26% 10.65% 6.75% 7.17% 9.87% 5.19% 3.7% 5.37% 3.22%
2026/09/10 8.78% 9.69% 10.75% 6.61% 7.37% 10.47% 4.59% 3.59% 4.99% 3.54%
2026/09/11 7.77% 9.6% 11.25% 7.39% 8.29% 10.11% 4.26% 3.71% 6% 3.24%
2026/09/12 8.31% 9.9% 10.73% 7.5% 8.59% 10.27% 4.17% 3.85% 5.8% 3.65%
2026/09/13 7.63% 11.01% 10.25% 7.21% 10.33% 10.44% 4.07% 3.91% 5.45% 3.52%
2026/09/14 6.74% 11.32% 10.28% 7.88% 10.5% 9.57% 4.07% 3.76% 5.25% 3.71%
2026/09/15 7.04% 10.52% 10.07% 7.51% 8.39% 9.69% 4.69% 3.98% 5.09% 3.64%
2026/09/16 7.74% 13.04% 8.76% 7.17% 7.82% 8.24% 4.89% 4.28% 4.81% 3.35%
2026/09/17 8.16% 13.92% 9.26% 6.32% 8.75% 7.44% 4.66% 4.41% 5.46% 3.39%
2026/09/18 8.65% 13.38% 8.79% 6.49% 8.3% 7.67% 4.79% 4.16% 5.39% 3.52%
2026/09/19 9.1% 13.86% 8.29% 6.77% 8.17% 7.38% 4.79% 3.95% 5.49% 3.73%
2026/09/20 10.04% 13.84% 7.58% 6.56% 8.43% 7.67% 5.15% 3.7% 5.41% 3.91%
2026/09/21 8.28% 12.64% 7.1% 7.26% 9.5% 7.24% 5.68% 3.82% 5.73% 4.17%
2026/09/22 7.65% 12.79% 5.88% 8.36% 7.93% 8.45% 6.55% 4.56% 6.04% 4.13%
2026/09/23 9.21% 13.12% 6.05% 7.01% 8.45% 7.77% 6.57% 4.2% 5.74% 4.76%
2026/09/24 10.13% 11.7% 6.43% 7.26% 7.18% 6.38% 6.92% 4.14% 4.91% 5.82%
2026/09/25 9.33% 11.09% 6.82% 8.39% 6.98% 6.37% 7.7% 4.63% 4.93% 5.99%
2026/09/26 9.6% 12.67% 6.52% 8.36% 7.09% 6.35% 8.01% 4.64% 4.84% 4.79%
2026/09/27 9.76% 12.69% 5.91% 8.74% 6.75% 6.81% 8.08% 4.44% 4.58% 4.59%
2026/09/28 9.31% 11.15% 6.16% 8.57% 6.82% 6.85% 8.23% 4.91% 4.66% 4.35%
2026/09/29 10.37% 11.18% 7.69% 8.69% 8.3% 6.68% 6.4% 4.87% 4.64% 4.17%
2026/09/30 11.04% 9.53% 9.16% 8.74% 8.16% 7.21% 5.56% 4.65% 4.41% 4.23%
  • sky.com
  • ee.co.uk
  • carphonewarehouse.com
  • vodafone.co.uk
  • backmarket.co.uk
  • three.co.uk
  • o2.co.uk
  • mobiles.co.uk
  • samsung.com
  • lycamobile.co.uk

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In September 2026, Sky.com started with a modest spend share, gradually increasing to finish strong at 11.04%. EE.co.uk maintained a high share, peaking mid-month at 13.92%. Carphonewarehouse.com saw a decline, ending at 9.16%. Vodafone.co.uk and Backmarket.co.uk showed steady growth, while Three.co.uk and O2.co.uk fluctuated. Mobiles.co.uk and Samsung.com remained stable, and Lycamobile.co.uk experienced a late surge.

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
2026/09/01 305
2026/09/02 331
2026/09/03 335
2026/09/04 337
2026/09/05 343
2026/09/06 365
2026/09/07 368
2026/09/08 365
2026/09/09 366
2026/09/10 347
2026/09/11 343
2026/09/12 328
2026/09/13 335
2026/09/14 324
2026/09/15 337
2026/09/16 341
2026/09/17 337
2026/09/18 347
2026/09/19 346
2026/09/20 348
2026/09/21 338
2026/09/22 341
2026/09/23 350
2026/09/24 386
2026/09/25 402
2026/09/26 377
2026/09/27 385
2026/09/28 370
2026/09/29 382
2026/09/30 371

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

September saw a dynamic rise in distinct advertisers, starting at 305 and peaking at 402. Mid-month fluctuations stabilized, ending at 371, showcasing a competitive landscape.

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
vodafone.co.uk 2.32%
sky.com 1.44%
o2.co.uk 1.22%
apple.com 0.98%
lycamobile.co.uk 0.87%
idmobile.co.uk -0.48%
ebay.co.uk -0.49%
motorola.com -0.74%
carphonewarehouse.com -2.42%
three.co.uk -3.07%

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Vodafone.co.uk surged with a 2.32% click share increase, while three.co.uk dropped by 3.07%. Sky.com and o2.co.uk also saw positive gains.

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 ee.co.uk sky.com carphonewarehouse.com three.co.uk mobiles.co.uk ebay.co.uk samsung.com lycamobile.co.uk
2026/09/01 17.57% 8.64% 8.22% 4.39% 7.02% 7.94% 4.52% 4.52% 3.9% 2.52%
2026/09/02 16.56% 8.27% 8.8% 5.15% 8.07% 8.1% 3.62% 4.38% 3.4% 3.57%
2026/09/03 14.73% 7.07% 9.17% 5.25% 9.03% 8.14% 3.69% 4.72% 3.62% 3.22%
2026/09/04 14.12% 7.86% 8.07% 5.06% 8.73% 9.52% 3.5% 4.52% 3.51% 2.89%
2026/09/05 12.41% 8.62% 8.46% 5.19% 8.74% 10.2% 3.81% 4.29% 3.47% 2.84%
2026/09/06 13.92% 8.54% 8.61% 4.32% 8.53% 10.05% 3.53% 4.19% 4% 2.47%
2026/09/07 13.15% 8.28% 8.54% 4.76% 9.4% 9.56% 3.6% 4.52% 4.09% 2.43%
2026/09/08 13.94% 7.76% 8.08% 5.17% 9.15% 10.06% 3.6% 4.18% 3.78% 2.49%
2026/09/09 16.5% 7.39% 8.32% 5.49% 8.84% 9.14% 3.51% 4.09% 4.48% 2.2%
2026/09/10 17.14% 7.04% 8.14% 5.97% 9% 9.81% 3.39% 4.16% 4.31% 2.33%
2026/09/11 18.85% 8.46% 8.09% 5.19% 8.69% 9.23% 3.43% 3.86% 4.97% 2.15%
2026/09/12 19.61% 8.72% 8.27% 5.23% 8.55% 9.07% 3.62% 4.42% 4.88% 2.39%
2026/09/13 22.41% 8.24% 9.83% 4.74% 7.59% 9.07% 3.57% 4.03% 4.51% 2.28%
2026/09/14 22.4% 8.55% 10.01% 4.58% 7.7% 8.24% 3.51% 4.05% 4.45% 2.23%
2026/09/15 18.03% 8.61% 9.84% 4.83% 7.46% 8.53% 3.72% 4.78% 4.26% 2.31%
2026/09/16 16.59% 8.65% 13.34% 5.23% 6.75% 7.26% 4.04% 4.12% 4.03% 2.11%
2026/09/17 18.68% 7.48% 14.24% 5.83% 6.75% 6.44% 4.33% 3.32% 4.6% 2.13%
2026/09/18 17.68% 7.89% 13.88% 6.27% 6.32% 6.35% 3.9% 4.05% 4.65% 2.07%
2026/09/19 17.66% 7.9% 14.55% 6.6% 5.85% 6.19% 3.74% 4.02% 4.47% 2.26%
2026/09/20 18.45% 7.66% 14.59% 6.93% 5.72% 6.16% 3.58% 3.59% 4.58% 2.23%
2026/09/21 20.15% 8.43% 12.71% 5.54% 5.26% 6.31% 3.75% 3.92% 4.73% 2.35%
2026/09/22 16.63% 9.53% 12.98% 5.1% 4.9% 7.74% 4.85% 3.23% 5.05% 2.49%
2026/09/23 17.31% 8.28% 13.43% 6.35% 5.03% 6.94% 4.34% 3.16% 4.81% 2.77%
2026/09/24 15% 8.38% 12.21% 7.39% 5.38% 5.68% 4.27% 3.12% 4.16% 3.75%
2026/09/25 14.84% 9.71% 11.24% 6.62% 6.21% 5.58% 5% 2.86% 4.11% 3.97%
2026/09/26 14.94% 9.39% 12.73% 6.79% 6.13% 5.46% 4.87% 2.92% 4.18% 3.37%
2026/09/27 14.25% 9.99% 12.73% 6.85% 5.66% 5.33% 4.84% 2.73% 4.04% 3.09%
2026/09/28 14.56% 9.82% 10.94% 6.6% 5.8% 5.54% 5.39% 2.76% 4.15% 2.98%
2026/09/29 18.01% 9.95% 10.36% 7.33% 6.32% 5.07% 4.82% 3.79% 3.73% 2.86%
2026/09/30 18.37% 9.69% 9.25% 8.09% 7.12% 5.82% 4.31% 3.67% 3.62% 2.76%
  • backmarket.co.uk
  • vodafone.co.uk
  • ee.co.uk
  • sky.com
  • carphonewarehouse.com
  • three.co.uk
  • mobiles.co.uk
  • ebay.co.uk
  • samsung.com
  • lycamobile.co.uk

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In September 2026, Backmarket.co.uk led with fluctuating impressions, peaking mid-month. Vodafone.co.uk and EE.co.uk showed steady growth, while Sky.com and Carphonewarehouse.com experienced gradual increases. By month’s end, Backmarket.co.uk maintained dominance.

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... 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
    Free Pay As You Go SIM Card | PAYG SIM Cards | EE Shop https://www.ee.co.uk

    Order a free Payg Sim card today and take advantage of a pay as you go plan, bursting with double data for 3 months. Shop online at EE to find out more.

  3. 3
    Mobile Phone Offers - Samsung Galaxy Deals https://www.samsung.com › galaxy › zfold8

    Price Promise - See It Cheaper At Selected Online Retailers & We'll Return The Difference.

  4. 4
    Cheap SIM Deals UK | Low-Cost SIM Only | Talkmobile https://www.talkmobile.co.uk

    Find cheap SIM deals in the UK with Talkmobile. Explore low-cost SIM Only options with flexible contracts.

  5. 5
    Our Best SIM Only Deals - With Unlimited Data https://www.vodafone.co.uk

    Switch to a Vodafone SIM only plan and get £100 bill credit. Hurry, offer ends 14.10.

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In the competitive landscape of mobile phone deals, Carphone Warehouse entices with value-packed Vodafone contracts, while EE lures with free SIMs and double data. Samsung promises price matching, Talkmobile offers budget-friendly SIMs, and Vodafone tempts with unlimited data and bill credits.

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