Why You Can Trust CNET Best Phone Deals: Unlock Savings of Up to $1,000 Through Trade-In Offers and Direct Discounts
If you're considering upgrading your phone but feel unsure where to begin, take a look at our top phone deals listed below.
The phone market has really boomed in the last couple of years, which makes it even more challenging to pick a good smartphone. There are a ton of features to consider, including things like size, style, storage and whether you want to go with a flagship phone like the iPhone 15 or the Z Fold 5 or a more budget-friendly option like the Apple SE 2 or the Samsung A54. To that end, we've done our leg work to find some of the best bargains we can out there, so you can focus on buying the phone that best fits your needs while still getting the best deal possible.
If you aren't sure which plan or carrier you should go with, you may want to go for an unlocked model -- available on sale at retailers like Amazon or Best Buy -- and then sign up later for service. Or, if you already know which network works best for you, you can take advantage of serious savings with a trade-in or new line through major carriers like Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile. Below are some of the best offers in both categories right now.
Best unlocked phone deals right now
Shopping for a new phone from a carrier comes with all kinds of red tape and fine print that can be a headache to figure out. If you're looking for an easier alternative, you can pick up an unlocked model instead. Opting for an unlocked phone means you won't be immediately locked into a multiyear contract or service plan, and you can always activate it with your preferred carrier after the fact. Plus, there are plenty of no-strings-attached deals to bring down the starting price. These deals won't save you as much as the carrier deals below, but also don't require a trade-in or a new line of service. Below, we've rounded up some of the best discounts on unlocked phones that you can shop right now.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has the most versatile camera setup on a smartphone available right now. The 10x zoom telephoto lens is unmatched when it comes to taking detailed distance shots. It is combined with powerful performance, top-notch battery life, excellent display and a design that's comfortable to hold.
The Pixel 7 Pro may be a generation old, but due to some issues with the new Pixel 8 Pro, it's still our favorite Android on the market right now. It features Google's Tensor G2 processor, a 6.7-inch OLED display, a 50MP camera and 12GB of RAM, and the base model has 128GB of storage.
The unique Samsung Z Flip 5 is our favorite foldable phone overall on the market right now. It features a convenient 3.4-inch cover screen and a 6.7-inch main display, a 12MP camera and comes equipped with a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor for smooth performance. The phone is available in four different color options.
If you're looking for a 5G phone that won't break the bank, the Samsung A54 5G is one of our favorite budget-friendly options out there at the moment. It has a 6.4-inch AMOLED display, a 5,000-mAh battery and 128GB of built-in storage (which you can expand with a microSD card). The phone is available in two colors.
Best phone deals from carriers
You can also save by trading in your old device or activating a new line of service at major carriers, meaning you have plenty of places to look for phone deals. That's why CNET is working with Navi to help cut through the confusion. Navi is an independent marketplace that aggregates information on service plans and phone deals to help consumers find the best choices and prices on the market. Below you'll find some of the best deals out there for both new and existing carrier customers who are adding lines, trading in phones and more.
Read more: Best Phone Plan Deals
Carrier contracts as we knew them may not be around anymore, but these newer phone deals from Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and more are similar in many ways. Through monthly bill credits, you can get a phone for next to nothing in many cases. The stipulation is that you must remain a customer for a set length of time while you're receiving the credits. Otherwise you're responsible for the remaining costs and potentially more, depending on the carrier.
In addition, some carriers will only allow you to take advantage of these deals on specific plans, which are usually some of their more expensive 5G plans. So be sure to understand the monthly costs associated with switching before taking advantage of that "free phone" deal you see advertised.
Read more: Cheap Phone Plans, Compared
The new iPhone 15 Pro comes with USB-C and a few other minor upgrades here and there. If you're just entering the Apple ecosystem, the iPhone 15 Pro is likely the way to go, with an improved A17 chip, the better 3.2 USB protocol, and the new optical zoom, which is better than the competition. With this deal you will only pay taxes and shipping and a $60 activation fee, which gets credited to your account. Then it's $60 a month for Boost Infinite, which gives you unlimited talk, text and data. Plus, you can upgrade to the latest iPhone every year.
If you don't mind being tied to a carrier and service plan, Best Buy is offering even more trade-in savings than Apple right now. The tech retailer has partnered with both AT&T and Verizon to offer some massive trade-in discounts when you activate through the carrier. Both carriers are offering enhanced credit, which can save you up to $700 at AT&T or up to $830 at Verizon, each with an eligible trade-in and qualified activation. Plus, AT&T customers will save $100 when activating a new line or account.
Apple's budget-focused iPhone SE is available for the low price of $0 (plus a $35 activation fee) at Verizon with a new line on an unlimited data plan, which starts at $65 a month. The deal applies to the 64GB model, and the discount is applied via monthly bill credits. You can up the storage capacity for just a few bucks per month extra.
Verizon customers with an old phone to trade in can save up to $1,000 on the Pixel 8 Pro with a new line on a qualifying unlimited plan or up to $800 if they're already on an unlimited plan and qualify for an upgrade. Verizon is also offering some other bonuses, including a $220 promo credit on a Google Pixel Watch 2 with the purchase of a Pixel phone. You can also get $640 in promo credit with a new line when buying the Pixel 8 Pro.
New customers can get this phone free with a new line of service.
Trade in your old Galaxy phone to Verizon and get up to $1,000 off your new Galaxy Z Fold 5 when you sign up for a new line on a qualifying unlimited plan. Or, if you're an existing Verizon customer who qualifies for an upgrade, you can still save up to $800 with just an eligible trade-in. The credit is doled out over a 36-month period, and if you cancel service before the 36 months is up you'll have to pay the remaining balance. Also be aware that credits begin within three bills and require that you pay all taxes and associated fees on the retail price up front.
Verizon is also offering some other bonuses with this purchase, including $350 off a Galaxy Watch 6 and $550 off a Galaxy Tab S9 FE 5G, but note that you'll need a new line of service for these devices as well. You can also buy one phone and save $800 on a second if you need more than one.
AT&T is offering up to $340 in trade-in value for the Z Flip 4, though sadly there aren't any other incentives or direct discounts.
Right now T-Mobile is offering new customers quite a few ways to save on the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. Folks with an old phone to trade in can save up to $1,000 with trade-in on a Go5G Next plan for an iPhone 14, 14 Plus or 14 Pro Max.
Released in March 2022, the third-gen iPhone SE offers a familiar design with enhanced internals. For people who are looking to stick with Touch ID and who have an older phone, this is the best bet. T-Mobile is offering up to $1,000 off with a qualifying trade-in while on a Go5G Next plan; up to $830 off if you're on a Go5G Plus plan, $300 off if you're on a Go5G, Magenta or One Rate plan; or $200 off if you have another qualifying service plan. You can also save 50% if you're adding a new line of service.
Do you get the best phone deals when you switch carriers?
To attract new customers, carriers often reserve their steepest discounts for switchers. That means you may find a more appealing phone deal if you consider moving carriers. It's a straightforward process for individuals, but can be a little complicated for those with multiple lines. Ultimately, it's worth shopping around when it comes time to upgrade your phone in case another offers some kind of switcher bonus or switcher-exclusive phone deal.
Unlocked vs. carrier: Which phone deals are the best for most people?
Whether you want to get your new phone on a carrier deal or unlocked will depend on your preferences and circumstances. For a lot of folks, being able to spread the cost of the phone over two or three years makes it much easier to upgrade to one of the best phones on the market. For others, being locked into a long-term plan is less ideal. While carriers often compete with each other for and offer some steep discounts or added freebies, manufacturers now tend to offer their own trade-in and financing programs to make it more affordable to upgrade without involving a carrier in the process.