Pixel Perfect: Google pips iPhone to 'Handset of the Year' in Uswitch Telecoms Awards 2022
Google Pixel 6 Pro takes Handset of the Year at the 2022 Uswitch Mobile Awards, with Samsung named Manufacturer of the Year
giffgaff wins big with three titles including Network of the Year for the second year running[1], while O2 is voted Most Popular Mobile Network
O2 also bags Best Network for Roaming in a year that saw the majority of networks go back on promises to bring back charges
EE take the crown for Fastest Mobile Network*, while smaller providers pick up awards for customer service and value for money
The full list of Uswitch Telecoms Awards 2022 have been announced here.
Samsung and Google have fought off competition from Apple to win Manufacturer of the Year and Handset of the Year respectively at this year’s annual Uswitch Mobile Awards, based on a survey of almost 20,000 consumers, as well as a panel of expert judges in consumer technology.
Tech giant Samsung has been crowned Manufacturer of the Year for the launches of the Samsung Galaxy S21 series and the Z Flip 3 and Z Fold 3, while Google scooped Handset of the Year for its Pixel 6 Pro with one judge saying the model was “undoubtedly the best new smartphone in 2021, with impressive features for budding photographers.”
When it comes to network providers, giffgaff took home three big wins at the annual awards, including the top spot for Mobile Network of the Year[1] for a second year running. The network also bagged Best Pay As You Go Network and SIM-Only Network in the Judges’ Choice categories. Most Popular Mobile Network goes to O2, with Three coming in close behind as runner up.
In a year that saw the majority of network providers reintroduce roaming charges, O2 won the award for ‘Best Network for Roaming’ thanks in part to its decision not to do so, with Judges noting that "O2 made a stand against reintroducing roaming charges."
EE trumps the other major networks in the race for Fastest Mobile Network*, but smaller providers dominated the battle to deliver value for money.
Tesco Mobile was voted the Best Value Pay Monthly Network for its deals, and also rewarded for Best Customer Service. While the SIM-only mobile network Smarty was recognised for its value for money in the SIM-only category with deals for as little as £5 a month including 4GB of data.
Ernest Doku, telecoms expert at Uswitch.com, comments: “Samsung’s success in making foldable phones more popular, and the impressive features of the Google Pixel 6 Pro meant that Apple was pipped to the post this year in both manufacturer and handset categories.
“giffgaff continues to keep its customers happy and thoroughly deserves another win for Mobile Network of the Year. The operator’s flexibility when it comes to bundles and prices will be even more welcome as consumers feel the pinch in the coming months.
“Despite pledges to not reintroduce roaming charges after the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, most providers went back on their word last year, so the judges’ choice award for Best Network for Roaming is well deserved by O2.
“High quality customer service and great value for money are some of the tools used by smaller providers as they battle the faster speeds offered by the bigger companies. It will be interesting to see how this David versus Goliath brawl turns out as we leave the pandemic behind.”
The full list of mobile winners in the Uswitch Telecoms Awards 2022 can be found here.
Notes to Editors
The Uswitch Broadband Awards were based on the opinions of a UK consumer panel of 19,624 broadband customers aged 18+, as well as a panel of expert judges. Responses were collected between 24th November and 7th December 2021.
Full methodology for the Uswitch Telecoms Awards 2022 can be found at the bottom of the awards page here.
1. Network of the Year is voted for by the public and takes into account overall levels of customer service, network coverage, data speed and allowance, value for money, roaming and free giveaways.
*Opensignal data
We ran internal analysis on data from Opensignal to determine the winner for the ‘Fastest Mobile Network’ award based on both upload and download speeds.
*Analysis derived from Opensignal Awards – UK: Mobile Network Experience reports, April and September 2021, based on independent analysis during the period Dec 1 - Feb 28, 2021 and Jun 1 to Aug 29, 2021. © 2022 Opensignal Limited.
About Uswitch
Uswitch is one of the UK’s top comparison websites for home services switching, including energy, broadband and mobiles.
More people go to Uswitch to switch their energy, broadband and mobile than any other site, and we have saved consumers over £2.7 billion off their bills since we launched in September 2000.
Free mobile app Utrack also helps households manage their home energy usage and make potential savings.
Uswitch is part of RVU, a group of online brands with a mission to empower consumers to make more confident home services, insurance and financial decisions.