If you want to take advantage of faster internet speeds available with 4G, you’ll need a 4G-enabled handset.
However, these can be incredibly expensive to buy SIM-free or on pay-as-you-go; the latest iPhone 6 Plus for example costs £619.
But there is a growing range of decent, budget 4G devices available on Android, Windows Phone and even Apple iOS.
Here’s a roundup of the best we’ve seen.
Vodafone Smart prime 6 - £79
Vodafone has launched what it claims is the best value 4G smartphone on the market, the Smart prime 6, which is available on Vodafone pay-as-you-go for just £79.
The handset comes with Lollipop 5.0 (the latest version of the Android operation system), a satisfying 5-inch 720p HD display, 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm processor, 1GB RAM, 8GB of storage (expandable up to 64GB), 8MP rear camera with flash, 2MP front camera and 18 hours of talk time.
Vodafone says the device is its highest-specification smartphone yet, and can rival market-leading smartphones at a fraction of the price.
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EE Harrier Mini - £100
EE’s new range of affordable 4G smartphones follows on from the success of the Kestrel (now £49.99 on pay-as-you-go) last year.
[SPOTLIGHT]Keeping with the bird theme there’s the Harrier (199.99 on pay-as-you-go) or the more affordable Harrier Mini (£99.99 on pay-as-you-go) to choose from.
The cheaper Harrier Mini comes with Lollipop 5.0, a 4.7-inch HD display, 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 1GB RAM, 8GB memory (expandable via micro SD slot), 8MP rear camera, 2MP front camera and Wi-Fi calling (available from this summer).
Nokia Lumia 635 - £103
The Nokia Lumia 635 is a Windows Phone built for buyers on a budget, costing £102.99 SIM-free.
The device has a colourful plastic build and features a 4.5-inch HD screen. Under the bonnet it uses the Windows Phone 8.1 operating system, comes with a 1.2GHz quad core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor, 512MB RAM, 8GB memory (expandable up to 128GB), 13 hours of talk time, a replaceable battery and 5MP rear camera.
Motorola Moto E 4G - £109
The Moto E 4G is the second generation of the hugely popular Moto E, and will set you back £109 SIM-free.
The device runs on Lollipop 5.0, comes with a 4.5-inch HD display, 1.2GHz quad core Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor, 1GB RAM, 8GB storage (expandable up to 32GB), 5MP rear camera, VGA front-facing camera and 24 hours battery life with mixed usage.
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Motorola Moto G 4G (2015) - £149
If the Moto E is a bit too basic for your needs, the latest Moto G which comes with 4G support is the next best option at £149 SIM-free.
It comes with the Lollipop 5.0 operating system, a bigger 5-inch HD screen, 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor, 8GB on-board storage (expandable up to 32GB), 8MP rear camera with LED flash, 2MP front camera and 24 hours of battery life with mixed usage.
Apple iPhone 5c - £319
The cheapest 4G handset Apple offers is the iPhone 5c.
You can get it for £319 SIM-free, which is certainly steep compared to the other handsets in this article. Nonetheless, it’s £140 cheaper than the 5s and nearly half the price of the latest iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.
The 5c feels more budget, with a plastic construction, rather than the metal found on more premium models. But it still packs in some decent features.
The phone comes in five colours, runs on the latest iOS 8 operating system, has a 4-inch Retina display, A6 chip, 1GB RAM, 8GB storage, 8MP rear camera with LED flash, 1.2MP front-facing snapper and 10 hours of talk time.
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