iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro Max Top List of Most Stolen Phone in Britain: Here's What Else Made the List

A mobile phone disappears from someone's hands every six minutes on Britain's streets. The iPhone 15 Pro Max has emerged as criminals' favourite target, topping the list of the UK's most stolen devices as phone thefts have exploded by 425% since June 2021.

Fresh analysis from US insurance provider SquareTrade reveals thieves are systematically targeting premium smartphones worth over £1,000, with brazen moped gangs and e-bike riders snatching devices before victims realise what's happening. The UK now accounts for a staggering 39% of all mobile phone thefts across Europe.

Official statistics show that over 70,000 people in England and Wales had their phones or bags stolen from the street in the year ending March 2024. However, experts believe the actual figure is significantly higher, as many victims don't report the crime.

The Thieves' Shopping List: Britain's Most Coveted Phones

1. iPhone 15 Pro Max

The findings suggest the iPhone 15 Pro Max—Apple's most expensive phone released in 2023—is the most frequently stolen device in Britain. The feature-laden smartphone, which carries a steep price tag of £1,199, houses an Action button, a USB-C charging port, and draws its juice from Apple's robust A17 chip.

2. iPhone 16 Pro Max

Replacing the now-discontinued iPhone 15 Pro Max is the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which is the second most-stolen phone. Starting at £1,199, this model is Apple's most expensive handset currently on the market. It features Apple Intelligence, a larger 6.9-inch display and a 'Capture button' for taking photos more quickly.

3. Samsung S24 Ultra

Taking the third spot is the Samsung S24 Ultra, which the Korean company released early last year with a price tag of £1,249. The phone features a 6.8-inch display, a durable titanium frame, a five-camera system, Galaxy AI software, and a built-in S Pen stylus for drawing and taking notes.

Beyond the Price Tag: The Hidden Impact of Phone Theft

What's interesting is that all three of these 'high-end' models cost over £1,000, which indicates they're especially appealing to thieves. After a theft, criminals are typically compensated for their efforts, and the devices are often sent abroad to be resold or taken apart for their components.

The UK is a hotspot for phone theft, as data from SquareTrade reveals that the country accounts for 39% of all mobile phone thefts in Europe. The problem has been escalating significantly, with phone theft claims in the UK increasing by a staggering 425% since June 2021. This data was initially shared with The Times.

A Lucrative Trade: How Stolen Phones Fuel Organised Crime

Overall, 42% of mobile phone thefts in the UK occurred in London, with the city accounting for 16% of all phone thefts in Europe. The data also found that phone thefts in Britain tend to spike in the summer and around Christmas. These periods coincide with events such as festivals, travel, and shopping, which lead to increased foot traffic and, consequently, a higher number of potential victims on the streets.

An estimated 78,000 people in England and Wales had their phones or bags snatched from them on the street in the year ending March 2024, according to the Crime Survey for England and Wales. That figure translates to more than 200 snatch thefts occurring every single day. This marks a 153% increase in such incidents compared to the year ending in March 2023.

London's Unwanted Title: The UK's Phone Theft Epicentre

London has been labelled the 'epicentre' of phone theft, where an estimated £50 million worth of phones were reported stolen just last year. It's thought that the actual number is much higher, as many victims of these thefts still don't bother reporting the incident to the police.

A Cautionary Tale: Staying Safe in a City of Snatchers

The thief used a unique method that people should be aware of, especially when they've had a few drinks and are less vigilant. In a separate incident, executive science editor Xantha Leatham had her iPhone 15 stolen from her handbag at a club in Brighton. The phone was eventually tracked to Shenzhen, China.

The Human Cost Behind the Statistics

Even Daily Mail journalists have fallen victim to these calculated attacks. Trainee reporter Gethin Hicks had his iPhone 13 Pro snatched outside a London pub, ending up hospitalised after chasing the thief.

Thefts spike dramatically during summer festivals and Christmas shopping periods, when crowds provide perfect cover for criminals. Stolen devices are typically shipped abroad within hours, either resold intact or stripped for valuable components in organised operations spanning continents.

Police advise keeping phones concealed when not in use, remaining vigilant in crowded areas, and avoiding using devices near road edges where moped-mounted thieves operate. With a phone stolen every six minutes, Britain's mobile theft crisis shows no signs of slowing.