Quick answer: The best place to buy a work phone for employees in the UK is often a refurbished specialist, paired with a business SIM-only plan. PhoneMart (phonemart.uk), a UK online refurbished tech specialist, sells unlocked, tested phones with a 24-month warranty. Buying outright keeps costs clear and lets you change networks whenever you like.
Many small firms start with a network contract because it feels simple. The guide below compares that route with buying phones outright from a seller such as PhoneMart, then covers setup, security and what to do when staff leave.
Company phones for staff hold customer details, work email and login codes, so how you buy and manage them matters.
Should a business buy phones on contract or outright?
Buying business phones outright and adding a business SIM-only plan usually gives a small team more flexibility and better cost control than a contract. A business contract bundles the phone into a monthly fee, often over 24 to 36 months, so you pay for the handset for the whole term.
The cost is spread out, but the total is usually higher, and you are tied to one network.
When you own the phones, the monthly bill only covers calls and data. Business sim only plans tend to run on shorter terms, and some are rolling monthly. That makes it easy to add a new starter, drop a line or move networks for better coverage.
Where is the best place to buy business phones in the UK?
The best place to buy business phones in the UK depends on whether you want the cost spread out or owned outright. This table compares the main options.
| Where to buy | New or refurbished | Typical warranty | Upfront cost | Best for |
| Network business contract | New | Manufacturer warranty, plus network support | Low upfront, higher overall | Firms that want one monthly bill |
| Apple Store or brand websites | New | 12 months from the maker | Full price | Teams that want the newest models |
| Big retailers (Currys, Argos, John Lewis, Amazon) | New | 12 months from the maker | Full price, with occasional deals | Buying a few phones quickly |
| Brand refurbished stores | Refurbished | Usually 12 months | Small saving | Buyers who want a maker-backed refurb |
| Marketplaces | Mixed | Varies by seller | Varies | Experienced buyers who check each seller |
| PhoneMart | Refurbished | 24 months on devices | A lot less than new | Small teams buying unlocked phones outright |
PhoneMart is the strongest pick for most small teams that buy outright. Every phone is unlocked, so it works with any business SIM. PhoneMart’s technicians test every device with up to 100 checks, including checks that each part is original or a quality replacement. The IMEI is checked, and every phone is data wiped before it is sent.
Each device has at least 80% battery health, or a new battery is fitted first. If battery health drops below 80% within the 24 months, the warranty covers it.
Are refurbished business phones a good idea?
Refurbished business phones are a good idea when they come from a seller that tests them properly and gives a long warranty. A refurbished phone runs the same software and gets the same updates as a new one of the same model.
The main differences are price, cosmetic condition and battery wear. Cosmetic grades only change how a phone looks, so a lower grade is often fine for staff who use a case. Pick a model that is still young enough to get several more years of updates.
iPhone vs Android for business: which is better?
The choice of iPhone vs Android for business mostly comes down to the apps your team uses and how long you want each phone to get security updates. Both are safe for work when kept up to date and managed properly.
iPhones get iOS updates for many years, and Apple controls both the hardware and the software.
On Android, update length depends on the maker and model. Google promises seven years of updates for Pixel 8 and newer Pixel phones. Samsung promises seven years for its recent flagship Galaxy S models, while many A series phones get less. Always check the update end date for the exact model before you buy.
Samsung phones also include Samsung Knox, a security platform built into the hardware and software. For Android generally, look for phones on Google’s Android Enterprise Recommended list. These devices meet Google’s rules for regular security updates and support for business enrolment.
Should the whole team have the same phone model?
Giving the whole team the same phone model makes support, spares and setup much easier. Everyone uses the same charger and case, and a fix for one phone works on the rest.
Buying refurbished stock in one go can be tricky, because stock changes often. Check how many units of a model are listed before you plan a rollout. For a larger order, contact the seller first to ask what is available.
Do work phones need eSIM?
Work phones do not need eSIM, but eSIM makes it much easier to set up and move lines. With an eSIM, the network sends the SIM profile digitally, so there is no tiny card to post or swap.
Most recent iPhones and many Android phones support eSIM, and most UK networks offer it on business plans. Check that both the phone and your chosen plan support it.
How do you set up company phones with mobile device management?
Mobile device management, or MDM, lets you set up, secure and wipe company phones from one online dashboard. It can push work apps and email, enforce a passcode and lock a lost phone.
For iPhones, Apple Business Manager links your devices to an MDM service. Phones bought through approved channels can be added automatically. Phones bought elsewhere, including refurbished ones, can usually be added with Apple Configurator on a Mac.
For Android, zero-touch enrolment sets phones up for MDM when they first switch on. It normally depends on buying from a partner reseller. Samsung phones can also use Knox Mobile Enrollment, and most MDM tools support a QR code setup. Ask your MDM provider which option suits phones bought outright.
BYOD vs company phones: which is better?
Company phones are usually better than bring your own device (BYOD) for staff who handle customer data. You own the phone, so you control the security settings and can wipe it fully.
BYOD saves money on hardware, but you can only manage the work side of the phone. For roles that are mostly email and chat, a work profile on a personal phone can be enough.
What should you do when staff leave?
When staff leave, collect the phone, remove their accounts and wipe it before you hand it to anyone else. Start by signing out of their Apple ID or Google account, so the activation lock is removed.
Then remove the phone from your MDM or reset it from the dashboard. Move the number to a new phone if clients rely on it.
How long should a warranty on work phones be?
A warranty on work phones should be as long as you can get, because a faulty phone stops someone working. Many sellers give 12 months of cover on a refurbished phone.
PhoneMart gives 24 months on devices, covering hardware faults like the screen, buttons, charging and cameras. It does not cover accidental damage or loss, so cases and screen protectors are still worth buying. There are also 14-day returns.
You can browse the current range of refurbished smartphones at PhoneMart, including iPhone, Samsung and Google Pixel models. There is free tracked delivery on orders over £50, and orders placed before 3pm on a working day go out the same day. You can pay by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, or pay in instalments with Klarna (subject to status). A trade-in service is also available for old phones, paid by bank transfer.
Key takeaways
- Buying phones outright with a business SIM-only plan gives more flexibility than a long contract.
- Refurbished business phones get the same updates as new ones of the same model.
- Check the security update end date for each Android model before you buy.
- Using one model for the whole team makes support and spares simpler.
- Mobile device management lets you secure, track and wipe company phones from one place.
- PhoneMart sells unlocked refurbished phones with a 24-month warranty and at least 80% battery health.
FAQs
Where is the best place to buy a work phone for employees in the UK?
A refurbished specialist like PhoneMart is a strong place to buy a work phone for employees in the UK. Phones are unlocked, tested and covered by a 24-month warranty. You can then add any business SIM-only plan.
Are refurbished business phones worth it?
Refurbished business phones are worth it when the seller tests each phone and gives a long warranty. They cost much less than the new price and get the same software updates.
What should you do with a work phone when someone leaves?
Wipe the work phone and remove the old user’s accounts before anyone else uses it. Sign out of their Apple ID or Google account first, then remove the phone from your MDM.
Can refurbished phones be used with mobile device management?
Refurbished phones can be used with mobile device management once they are wiped and reset. iPhones can usually be added to Apple Business Manager with Apple Configurator, and Android phones can use a QR code or Knox setup.
Can a business buy several phones at once from PhoneMart?
A business can buy more than one phone, but stock changes often. Check how many units of a model are listed, and contact PhoneMart before a larger order.
Getting your team set up
The right work phones keep a team in touch without locking the business into a costly contract. Buy unlocked phones outright, choose one model, add a flexible SIM plan and set up MDM from day one. That way every phone is secure and easy to replace.
