Network operators including Vodafone, Orange, T-Mobile and Virgin Mobile sell phones that carry their own brand – but in fact, these mobiles are manufactured by a white-label company. ZTE and Huawei are two prolific manufacturers who only recently began selling phones under their own brand, with a special focus on offering value-oriented 3G phones.

Both ZTE and Huawei have launched 3G smartphones running on the Google Android OS, with a range that goes from budget 3G models to high-end smartphones that nevertheless come in at a lower price than similarly-specced phones. French company Alcatel, which has its own-branded line, also makes mobiles for Vodafone.  See our phone news, insider news, video news and phone reviews for the full low-down.