Apply coupon code "MEMORIALTWENTY" to bag the savings here. Included in this sale are top brand such as Apple, Samsung, Google and more. We've picked out this Refurb Unlocked Google Pixel 7 Duos 128GB Android Phone for $135.99 after code Shop Now at eBay
Apply coupon code "MEMORIALTWENTY" to save. That's $3 under our April mention of this refurb, and $90 under what you'd pay for it new. A 1-year Allstate warranty applies. Buy Now at eBay
- 6.5" Max Vision HD+ display
- 13MP dual camera system
- 4,000mAh battery
- MediaTek Helio G25 processor
- water-repellent design
- Model: PARU0003US
Open a new line on Go5G Plus or Go5G Next and you can get the Galaxy S24 128GB for free. That's an $800 savings, which will be applied in bill credits across 24 months. Shop Now at T-Mobile
- 6.2" 2340x1080 display
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 CPU
- 8GB RAM & 128GB storage
- 50MP wide + 10MP tele + 12MP ultra-wide rear cameras
- 12MP front camera
- Model: Samsung Galaxy S24 128GB for T-Mobile
As one of its Daily Deals, Best Buy offer this cable for $5 less than the best price you'd get on Amazon today. Buy Now at Best Buy
Clip the 20% off on page coupon and apply code "OS4UNAAW" to get half off. It's available in Black at this price. Buy Now at Amazon
- foldable plug
- Model: MO-C002
Add a line on a qualifying T-Mobile plan, and you can get the new Pixel 8a for free. That's a $500 savings – you'll get the savings in bill credits over 24 months. No trade-in is required. Shop Now at T-Mobile
- 6.1" 2400x1080 display
- Google Tensor G3 chip
- 8GB RAM & 128GB storage
- 64MP & 13MP ultrawide rear cameras
- 13MP front camera
- Model: Google Pixel 8a 5G 128GB Smartphone for T-Mobile
Lay the charger down flat or use the included vertical stand to position it upright. It's $7 off. Buy Now at Best Buy
- one USB-C port
- three USB-A ports
- 4-ft. power cord
- Model: NS-MPH3A1CW
Buy one line of Unlimited, get one Unlimited Intro line free for a year. That's like getting two lines for $20/month each for a year. For existing Xfinity Internet customers with a plan that has been active more than 90 days only. Xfinity Mobile requires residential post-pay Xfinity Internet. Line limitations may apply. Shop Now at Xfinity Residential
- The service promotion credits are applied monthly to your bill over 10 months so long as the new line with an account in good standing is maintained.
Clip the 10% off on page coupon and apply code "O2AZXAHQ" to save $14. Buy Now at Amazon
- two USB-C ports and two USB-A ports
Shop charging cables from $6, mounts from $10, and cases from $10. We've pictured the OtterBox Commuter Series Hard Shell for Apple iPhone 14 Pro in Black for (A $1 low.) My Best Buy members get free shipping. (It's free to join.) Shop Now at Best Buy
They're usually listed at $140. Buy Now at Amazon
- up to 35 hour battery life
- Model: WH-CH720N
- UPC: 192223226340
Apply coupon code "MEMORIALTWENTY" to get this price, which is the best price we've ever seen. A new model costs $699 at Amazon. A 1-year Allstate warranty applies. Buy Now at eBay
- 6.2" 1080 x 2400 display
- 8GB RAM, 128GB storage
- Android 13.0
- Model: G9BQD
Get a free iPhone 15 via 24 monthly bill credits when you trade in an eligible device and have or switch to the Go5G Plus plan. Get the new Google Pixel 8a free via 24 monthly bill credits when you add a line on a qualifying rate plan. (No trade-in required.) Find other deals on the Samsung Galaxy S24, iPhone 14, and more. (Many offers require trade-ins or that you start a new line.) Shop Now at T-Mobile
That's $93 off and the best we've ever seen. This is a certified refurbished item backed by a 2-year warranty from Allstate. Buy Now at eBay
- up to 35 hour battery life
- Model: WH-CH720N
- UPC: 192223226340
It's $15 under list and the lowest price we could find. Buy Now at Amazon
- The original electronics tool kit: Designed for computer, smartphone, tablet, and gaming repair, backed by thousands of free instructions.
- Intentional selection: All the tools you need. A 64 precision bit driver set, tweezers, flex extension, opening tools, and anti-static wristband.
- Model: IF145-307-4
Apply coupon code "MEMORIALTWENTY" to get this deal. It's $656 off original list and the lowest price we've ever seen. A 1-year Allstate warranty applies. Buy Now at eBay
- Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 Octa-Core Processor
- 6.2" 2400x1080 120Hz touchscreen
- 8K video recording
- 64MP telephoto camera, 12MP wide & ultra-wide cameras, 10MP front camera
- Android 11
- 7GB RAM, 128GB storage
- Model: SM-G991U1
Apply coupon code "24ZXOAOQ" for a total savings of $10. Buy Now at Amazon
- 15W wireless charging
- one-click release
- Model: 2E778
Through June 3, trading in your old iPhone at Apple (online or in-store) gets extra credit – topping out at $650 back for an iPhone 14 Pro Max. (At the other end of the scale, the comparitively ancient iPhone 7 Plus still gets $60.) Shop Now at Apple
How to Shop and Save on Phones and Cell Phones
Cell phones are a ubiquitous part of our lives. Our cell phone are our camera, internet access, GPS, digital organizer, and our alarm clocks.
When buying a cell phone customers are faced with a lot of choices. Decisions need to be made about which cell phone carrier to use, phone to buy, type of service to get, and accessories you need. And we're here to help you with these decision, and help you find the best cell phone deal.
Service Providers
You may already a cell phone carrier, or maybe you’re considering a switch to a new carrier. Either way, the service provider will play a large role in the selection of phones you have to choose from as not all cell phones are unlocked and could be tied to a carrier or network.
The major providers, which operate their own networks, are AT&T , T-Mobile (merged with Sprint in April 2020), and Verizon . Other carriers are known as Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs), do not own the wireless infrastructure and utilize the cell phone towers of larger carriers. Some of these providers are:
- Straight Talk
- Total Wireless (part of Verizon)
- Tracfone
- Boost Mobile
- Consumer Celluar
- Google Fi
- Cricket Wireless
- Simple Mobile
- Net10 Wireless
Is it better to go with the big carriers? That depends. Consumer Reports surveys indicate higher customer satisfaction with smaller providers compared to the major ones. The smaller carriers mostly offer prepaid plans, which have become very similar to postpaid plans in recent years (see the Service Plans section below). Smaller carriers do offer a wider selection of options for various usage needs outside of premium “unlimited everything” service. However, during times of congestion or peak use, customers of the major carriers will get priority on the networks.
You’ll also want to do a coverage check before deciding on a provider you aren’t familiar with. Check the provider’s website, or do an internet search for the provider name and “coverage map” or “zip code map” to confirm your area is eligible for service.
Service Plans
When considering a cell phone provider, you’ll need to determine if you want a postpaid plan or a prepaid plan. The major carriers offer both types, while MVNOs mostly have prepaid plans.
Postpaid
On a postpaid cell phone plan service billed for after the service is used. You receive a monthly statement and service is continuous as long as it’s paid. When you buy a phone from a carrier and get set up on a postpaid plan, you’ll also get a device payoff plans. In this model, you purchase the phone with monthly payments over a period of 24 to 30 months. This may require a credit check or down payment, and the phone will be locked to the carrier until it’s paid off.
Postpaid plans are generally higher in price compared to prepaid. The types of plans available tend to be more limited and may even include more options than some customers need. However, postpaid plans can also give extra perks (such as free streaming services). There are no worries about running out of minutes or data during a billing cycle, but overage charges are a possibility.
Prepaid
With a prepaid cell phone plan, service is paid for in advance of using it. Buying a prepaid plan means service is available for a limited amount of time, such as 30 days. When that time is up, a refill must be purchased — or auto-fill can be set up to continue service. Phones are often purchased outright instead of through monthly payment plans, although some prepaid providers offer financing with no fees.
Prepaid plan prices tend to be lower and don’t require a credit check. They offer a wide selection of plan types to meet various needs and overage charges won’t apply, but it is possible for service to run out during a billing cycle under some plans. You’ll have more flexibility in switching providers without long postpaid monthly installment plans, although this benefit won’t apply if the phone is financed. Even prepaid phones purchased in full can be locked for up to a year after activation.
Choosing a Phone
Besides choosing the service provider and plan type, what’s left is the phone itself. There are various features to consider, outlined below.
Unlocked vs. Locked
Unlocked cell phones will work with any compatible cell phone carrier. Some phones will only work on GSM or CDMA networks, while others can work on both. Before purchasing, you’ll need to verify the phone will work with the carrier you intend to use. Buying an unlocked phone typically means paying for the phone outright, which is a higher initial expense, but allows for more flexibility in changing providers.
A locked cell phone is restricted to a particular carrier and can’t be activated with other providers. If you see a model listed for a carrier while shopping, you would only buy it if you plan to use that provider. A locked phone may come with options to make monthly payments or get a discount, which can be easier to fit in your budget. However, it will also require using service from that carrier until the phone is paid for.
It’s possible to unlock a phone once you’ve paid off an installment agreement. Or, if you paid in full from a carrier, it can be unlocked after 40 to 60 days for postpaid or up to a year for prepaid. You can contact the carrier to request unlocking; this would allow you to switch to another provider.
There are also options to purchase unlocked phones directly from the manufacturer — such as Apple or Samsung — and make monthly payments without interest and (in most cases) without being locked into a certain carrier’s service.
Operating System
Apple iPhones use iOS, while most other phones use Android and fall under various brands, such as Samsung, LG, and Google. The majority of customers choose one of these, although there are still options out there for Windows phones, Blackberry, or even the classic flip phone.
Using iOS or Android is a matter of personal preference and how immersed you are in either the Apple or Google ecosystem. CNET and Digital Trends cite a uniform, streamlined experience across iPhones and other Apple devices and consistent software updates as strengths of iOS. With Android , it’s the ease of customizing the phone and strong voice assistant capabilities.
Storage
The internal storage a phone has will determine how much space is available for saving files, apps, and media. Common amounts are 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB, with higher levels being more costly. To get the right amount, you can consider usage on your current phone and whether that is sufficient — or if you frequently need to clear things out to free up space.
If you can’t afford to go up right now, some smartphones have the option of utilizing MicroSD cards to add storage. Cloud storage is an option as well, with some brands and service providers offering basic plans for free and options to purchase additional cloud storage if needed.
RAM
Random-access memory (RAM) stores the open programs running on a phone. Higher amounts of RAM mean multiple applications can be open at once with quick switching between them.
Processor
The phone’s processor determines its overall performance — whether the phone runs fast or slow. Most phones are multi-core, so they will have at least two cores. These cores each represent individual processing power, although the highest number of cores may only be necessary for mobile gaming and other complex uses. The clock speed should also be factored in — this will be a number with GHz after it. Higher numbers indicate faster performance, even while utilizing fewer cores in some cases.
Screen
The size of a phone’s screen and the resolution are major considerations. Screen size options range from large phones over 6” to tiny 3.3” phones (measured diagonally), and a lot more in between. Customers may prefer the portability and ease of holding a smaller phone in the hand or pocket, while others appreciate extra screen space for heavy reading or video watching.
The resolution is displayed as width × height in pixels. Numbers that are 1280x720 or above are considered high definition. 1920x1080 or above is 1080p or full HD, while 3840x2160 or more is 4K. Before spending more for higher resolution, consider the downsides, including impact on battery life and performance.
Battery Life
There’s nothing worse than a device being on the brink of dying without a charger handy. Many usage factors can affect battery life, but phones with a larger battery will generally last longer. Phones use lithium ion rechargeable batteries that can go up to 5,000 mAh. You can also consider models with fast-charging or wireless charging capabilities, or just make sure to have extra phone chargers or portable power banks handy if the battery tends to run out quickly.
Camera
When considering the camera, look at the megapixels or MP number as a basic indicator of image resolution. To delve into more specs, check out PCMag and TechRadar for their top picks for the best phone cameras.
Reviews
To further help with your phone purchasing decision, you can check out reviews at sites like CNET or PCMag . Also, consider checking out the customer reviews at retailer sites to consider other people’s experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get a deal on my next cell phone?
Here at DealNews, we list the best phone deals we find, along with special offers for apps and accessories. You can shop specific categories using the links below:
We cover price reductions on unlocked models, as well as top promotions from major service providers, like AT&T and Verizon . Deals from carriers are always available, but keep in mind that they often require a new line of service. This works well for new customers, but existing customers may not be able to take advantage of these offers if they don’t need another line.
Besides the major carriers, various retailers and manufacturers sell handsets that are unlocked or compatible with service providers. These stores can offer their own sales and deals, so check around for pricing once you have a particular model or two in mind. We list deals on phones and accessories from Amazon , Apple , Samsung , Best Buy , and more stores. As mentioned previously, buying direct from the manufacturer can give no-interest financing similar to carrier deals while keeping the device unlocked in most cases.
We also cover refurbished phone deals , which can be an option to save money compared to buying new. Stores like Apple offer like-new models at a discount and a one-year warranty. However, with unfamiliar sellers, be sure to review the warranty policy and item condition details carefully. Then compare the price of buying new to be sure the savings are significant enough to make it worth doing.
When is the best time to buy a new phone?
As we mention in our article When Is the Best Time to Buy a New Phone?, November and December are great months to check for smartphone discounts. Specifically, deals on the latest flagship phones are often seen around Black Friday and Cyber Monday.