Even though flagship models today sometimes cost $1,000 or more, finding a decent deal on your next cell phone is still achievable. For the greatest deal possible, use our top nine advice. Investments in phones have grown significantly. There are certainly some excellent, budget-friendly alternatives available, but once taxes and accessories are taken into account, you’re frequently looking at spending anywhere from a few hundred to more than a thousand. A monthly service plan isn’t even included in that! The good news is that you can still find a great deal on a new phone. To obtain the best deal on your new mobile device, use our advice.
Time Management
The MSRP, or manufacturer’s suggested retail price, is just that—a suggestion. The time of year, the life cycle of the product, and upcoming promotions all have a significant impact on phone prices. You might be able to find a flagship smartphone at a midrange price if you give yourself enough time to look around and keep an eye on costs.
If you locate the ideal phone at the ideal price, you should move quickly, especially if the deal is being offered by a carrier. Flash deals and promotions can stop suddenly, so if you miss one, you’ll probably have to wait at least a few weeks to discover another one. Remember that the majority of carrier promos often begin early in the week.
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Make some holiday purchases for you
The holiday season is a great time to buy a phone since you can get great deals. But you are not have to wait until Black Friday. For almost all US holidays (such as Labor Day and the Fourth of July) as well as non-holidays (such as Amazon Prime Day and Apple’s Back to School Promotion), most manufacturers and carriers run some form of promotion.
(Cautiously) Take Carrier Promotions into Account
Purchasing from a carrier can be advantageous. For instance, several carriers run promotions where new customers receive a prepaid gift card following a predetermined number of months of service. Others provide refunds that are applied to your account over the course of 18 to 36 months. Any promotion’s terms and conditions should be carefully examined to make sure you can commit to them.
Buy online
Even if the majority of carrier and big-box stores offer prices that are identical to those online, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re receiving the greatest value. There are frequently discounts for lower activation fees and promotional gift cards available on carrier websites, as well as Best Buy and manufacturer websites. These often result in net savings of between $50 and $100.
Get the flagship from last year
Yes, you can spend a few hundred dollars on a brand-new midrange phone, but you could also be able to get one of the previous year’s flagship models for the same intermediate price that likely delivers superior features and performance. Older models of phones are typically discounted when new ones are released, and carriers frequently run the same or comparable discounts on these phones as they do on the newer models.
Refurbished Phones Can Help You Save a Lot of Money
Used and refurbished (or reconditioned) phones differ significantly. Usually, used phones are sold “as is.” On the other hand, refurbished phones typically have a fresh battery, a brand-new appearance, and some kind of warranty. If you choose to buy a refurbished phone, make sure it is a US model with the correct band support for your carrier by looking up the model number.
This is crucial because if the phone isn’t permitted by your carrier, it can have issues connecting to the network or placing calls—even if it’s a foreign variant of a well-known US phone. Additionally, make careful to purchase from reputable retailers (such as Apple, Best Buy, Gazelle, etc.) so you can be confident the phone is in fact refurbished and is not on a blacklist.
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Exchange Your Old Phone
Look for guaranteed trade-in offers from manufacturers or carriers, then compare the prices to those at Best Buy and Gazelle. Although switching your old phone out at the same store where you’re picking up your new one isn’t quite as easy, dedicated trade-in sites frequently pay more money.
To get the most accurate estimate, just be careful to accurately describe the quality of your phone. In particular, Samsung is wonderful about taking back trade-ins, particularly old iPhones and Pixels.
The Finest Low-Cost Phone Plans
If there is no service, even the most expensive phone is essentially just a fancy brick. Beyond AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, there are a tone of options available, and they can help you save a tone of money. Once you’ve selected the ideal phone, visit our article on the top affordable phone plans to identify the most cost-effective service for you.
