Trending
11.15.24
Phone deals are a dime a dozen. Truly. All carriers want new customers, and one of the easy ways they can get some is by offering a new phone for less, or in some cases, even for free! But looking up phone deals can feel like walking into a mall on Black Friday – total and utter chaos. Flashy signs and exclamation marks everywhere. Which is why we put together a handy list of the best cell phone deals you can find right now, scouring all over the internet to do the work for you. We'll update this list regularly, so you can be sure to always be in-the-know for the latest and hottest deals around.
TextNow Tip: With the holidays coming up, make sure you have a solid holiday budget in place before you start the frenzy that is November/Black Friday shopping!
Summary of the Best Phone Deals
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STOP! Paying for phone service
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Best phone deal
OnePlus 9
Price: $599.99 $188.89
Amazon currently has the OnePlus 9 on sale for under $200, if you pick the "Winter Mist" color, which is the best deal we've found.
Why We Picked It: This phone comes unlocked, and is currently almost 70% off. It's a powerful phone that comes with Alexa built-in, so you can seamlessly sync your smart home devices (if you have 'em) to your phone.
Pros: Outstanding level of camera quality, which includes a 50MP Ultra-Wide camera, as well as a powerful processor for faster and smoother loads.
Cons: Is not eSIM compatible, so if you were looking to more conveniently use it for travel, it lacks in that functionality.
TextNow Tip: Keep the savings going by activating this phone with a cheaper phone plan that won't lock you in for the next 2 years.
Best free phone deal
Google Pixel 9
Price: $799 $0
Google Fi Wireless (Google's own wireless service) is currently offering their newest flagship phone model for $0 with $300 off now, plus $499 back in credits over 24 months with one of their phone plans.
Why We Picked It: The new Pixel models comes with Google's newest built-in AI assistant, Gemini. It's engineered by Google, so we know it's going to be able to make a lot of things in your life easier (like making recipes based on pictures of what's in your fridge!) It would be too good of a deal to pass up on.
Pros: You can get access to all of Google's most innovative software, with a smaller screen than the Pro, and a seriously impressive camera.
Cons: To get this deal, you do need to sign up for a Google Fi monthly plan for 2 years.
Best unlocked phone deals
Motorola Razr (2023)
Price: $699.99 $349.99
BestBuy has some great phone sales right now, including this Motorola Razr that saves you $350.
Why We Picked It: The Motorola Razr was the original "it" phone, and this smartphone upgrade is no different. It has great user reviews, especially for its camera and display quality, which will definitely elevate your streaming and scrolling experience for less than $400!
Pros: The iconic fold makes this phone convenient for storing in a pocket, a smaller bag, or literally anywhere, plus it comes with 5G and eSIM support so you can modernize your phone service alongside your phone.
Cons: Battery life could be improved.
TextNow Tip: This would be a great phone to gift to an older family member or friend, as you start planning out your holiday shopping!
Apple iPhone 15 Plus
Price: $929 $829
As mentioned earlier, with Apple's newest lineup coming out, right now is a great time to snag an iPhone 15 Plus, with various lower price options.
Why We Picked It: Finding an iPhone sale is like trying to find a needle in a haystack most of the time, especially if you're looking for one of their newer models. This sale can be even cheaper if you choose to connect this phone with Boost, Verizon, or TMobile ($799 price point), though you'd be sacrificing getting a cheaper monthly plan elsewhere for only another $100 savings.
Pros: Apple is offering 0% APR, so you can also finance it to give your budget some more breathing room.
Cons: You will end up spending more on accompanying accessories (power adapter for your charging cable, and adapters for wired headphones.)
Best carrier phone deal
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
Price: $199.99 $79.99
Did you know that Google Fi offers phones other than Pixels? This Samsung is a great deal at $120 off, plus, you only need to be active on Google Fi for 120 days to retain the rebate (as opposed to 1-2 years).
Why We Picked It: By specs alone, this is a phone that should cost more than $100, and finding it for less is a steal.
Pros: A trusted brand with decent specs. Would be a great phone for a first-time user such as a teen or senior. Plus, Google Fi phones are sold unlocked, so you can always take it elsewhere after your Google Fi service is up.
Cons: You do have to commit to a Google Fi plan for 120 days, which may be limited in certain locations.
If Google Fi doesn't work for you, you can also find this phone on Walmart – locked to Boost Mobile – for just under $100.
TextNow Tip: Keep an eye out on the FCC proposal that all carriers unlock phones after 60 days, as that may come sooner than later, which will help alleviate any costs associated with committing to a high monthly cell phone plan!
Best trade-in phone deal
Samsung S24 Ultra (256GB)
Price: $1,299.99
Samsung has one of the best trade-in programs, giving you the ability to get up to $750 off.
Why We Picked It: The device-trade in program for Samsung is fairly open and accessible to all kinds of devices, as long as they're in good condition and standing.
Pros: More personable color choices, and this model also supports their S pen, so if you're someone who likes to write out their notes, or edit photos and other content easily, this is the phone for you.
Cons: Without a trade-in, the price point is quite high, and may be worth waiting for a bigger sale.
Best phone deal under $100
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
Price: $99.99
This Target deal just makes it to our under $100 list at $99.99. The phone would be locked for exclusive use with Total by Verizon (their prepaid service), which start at $40/month for just one line.
Why We Picked It: There aren't many phone deals under $100 at this time, and this is one of the only phones you can find at that price point that would be worth it with its 50MP triple-camera system, and great battery life (fast charging capable!)
Pros: Another great option for light users, like seniors or teens that won't break the bank.
Cons: It's locked, so you won't be able to bring this phone to a more preferred carrier.
Best phone deals under $500
Motorola Moto G Stylus (256GB)
Price: $399.99 $249.99
If you get confused by all the similar Motorola names (trust me, we do too), don't worry because there's absolutely nothing confusing about this great unlocked Motorola deal from BestBuy.
Why We Picked It: This is a really well-loved phone with great user reviews, and great specs on paper. The stylus/pen takes it up a notch from a boring old phone to a powerful assistant in whatever you're doing.
Pros: While it comes with 256GB of internal storage, it can expand up to 2,000GB. Plus, it's dual-SIM capable, so a great phone to support your travel.
Cons: Only comes with 2 rear camera, in comparison to other 2024 models that support 3.
Samsung Galaxy S22
Price: $598 $496
This Walmart sale on the Samsung S22 is a great way to pick up a flagship model that's not too old, and will still feel very much like an upgrade.
Why We Picked It: Buying a new phone under $500 is not always an easy task, and this is a deal we wouldn't pass up.
Pros: Comes with a powerful processor, and three cameras that include a wide-angle lens, an ultra-wide lens, and even a telephoto lens for the avid photographer. Oh, and did we mention it's unlocked??
Cons: We have none. Go buy it!
Best iPhone deal
iPhone 14
Price: $829 $429
This sales price from Red Pocket Mobile is only available after 3 months on AutoPay with one of their phone plans, at which point you would get $200 back (from the original $629).
Why We Picked It: The $200 rebate is a great offer, mainly because unlike other carriers, you can qualify for it on their lowest monthly plan, which is $20/month.
Pros: This is a great way to get an iPhone, and as it's not the Plus, the screen size is smaller (6.1"), which we find to be much more manageable for everyday life.
Cons: If you already have a phone plan you're happy with, this offer most likely isn't worth it to you.
Best Samsung Deal
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6
Price: $1,069.99 $919.99
Flip smartphones are all the rage right now, and for good reason – they're just plain fun. So this Samsung Z Galaxy Flip (unlocked!) sale on Walmart is a must-have if you're looking for something more interesting.
Why We Picked It: This sale uses reverse logic – the 512GB version is cheaper than the 256GB version, which we consider to be a no-brainer.
Pros: dual SIM slots, and 12GB of ram that will have the phone feeling as powerful and smooth as your laptop. Plus, it's pocket sized!
Cons: The camera quality doesn't stand out as much as its other counterparts.
Methodology: How we select the best phone deals
We know that the best phone service deserves the best phone. While price is a key factor in phone purchases, there are other modern features that are integral to your everyday phone experience.
We also account for camera quality, storage, and 5G capabilities. While the camera quality needs will vary person to person, it's important that a certain minimum standard (16MP) be met. We know how important those photos are!
Storage is equally as important, as low storage can affect phone performance overall (slower apps and errors on certain apps), so if 128GB isn't standard, we look for phones that can support expendable storage to avoid poor performance.
And lastly, as 5G is becoming the standard, we want to ensure that you're getting your money's worth with the higher end models by being able to support the fastest network for an easier time downloading and uploading your content.
Guide to finding the best phone deals
When looking for a phone deal, whether you're ready for an upgrade, looking to get your kid their first phone, or just looking for a sale, there are different considerations to make. Here is a rundown of everything you need to know.
Difference between locked and unlocked phones
We use "unlocked" and "locked to..." a lot, so here is a a simple explanation of what those mean!
An unlocked phone should actually be expanded to say carrier-unlocked. Because that's what it means – a phone that isn't locked to any one carrier. Usually bought from a retailer (not a carrier) like BestBuy, Amazon, or even directly from the manufacturer, like Apple or Samsung.
A locked phone, on the other hand, is locked to a specific carrier. So, say you buy a Verizon-locked phone, that phone has software on it (from Verizon) that prevents it from being activated on or connecting to any other network. So you won't be able to easily take it to another carrier if you decide to switch plans.
TextNow Tip: Always look for an unlocked phone if you can – the money you save from not having to stick with a potentially higher monthly phone plan will almost always be more than the temporary money you save on a locked phone deal.
Don't forget! Locked phones can be unlocked, but that process differs across carriers. You can check out TextNow's guide on how to unlock your phone from your carrier for more information.
Types of phone deals
You're going to find very different phone deals, and it's important to know which one works for you.
Carrier Discounts and Promotions
Carriers like to bring in new customers with phone sales/promotions. Those can include a "new customer" sales price when you sign up for a (usually premium) monthly plan, a contract-based discount where you can get a phone discounted when signing up for a 24 or even 36-month plan contract, or just a plain switch promotion – switch from your old carrier and get a free (or discounted) phone!
Our take: Be sure that you're willing to commit to a certain monthly plan before going through with one of these deals.Trade-in Offers
This kind of deal can be found through carriers, but also through manufacturers and other retailers directly. It involves trading in an old phone to get a discount on a new one.
Our take: These are great if you already have a phone and are looking for an upgrade, as they give you a lot more options, and won't lock you in to any commitment.Instalment Plans
You will find a lot of online websites promoting a low weekly or monthly price tag next to a phone, as part of their financing option. The phone is then usually advertised with the more appealing monthly price (say, $30/month) to seem like a good deal.
Our take: A true deal will be when you can find a finance plan that has 0% APR (interest). That way, you're only ever paying for the actual price tag of the phone, and not a penny more.Seasonal Sales
And lastly, the most common one is the tried and true seasonal sale. Most common for phones around Black Friday, Cyber Monday, the holidays, and Back to School.Our take: It's definitely worthwhile to wait until one to find a deal, as that is when you'll find the most options with the deepest discounts!
Pros & Cons of getting a phone deal
Pros:
Savings: The obvious pro is that you get a new phone for less, giving you some money back in your budget.
New tech: Upgrading to a new phone means that you get to upgrade your phone capabilities as well! From sharper pictures with a better camera to faster loading of pages and feeds with a better processor/RAM, your online experience can be greatly improved by a good phone deal.
Cons:
Environmental concerns: Upgrading your phone frequently isn't exactly the most environmentally friendly move. The manufacturing of new phones is an extremely taxing process (mainly due to lithium mining), and most discarded phones actually end up in a landfill.
TextNow Tip: Hand down your old phone to a family member or friend. You can even hook up your teen with their first phone this way by activating a TextNow SIM card so they can get access to unlimited calls & texts, plus essential apps while on the go!Contracts: As mentioned before, a lot of deals are dependent on signing up for a contract to secure the discount. These usually entail signing up for a monthly service plan that starts at $50-$65/month. Over the course of the contract, you'll probably end up spending more than you would have without the discount but a cheaper phone plan.
How to select the best phone deal
What's better, buying a phone online or in-store?
That will all purely depend on what's important to you. The prices won't vary between online or store for the most price, but other factors you'd need to consider would be:
Shipping Time
If you're purchasing a phone online, you'd have to account for shipping times (usually within 1-3 business days, but delays are always possible). On top of that, you may also need to account for availability to receive the package to ensure it's not stolen.Hands-on Experience
If you're buying a new phone that you've never used before, you may want to test it out in your hand first to determine if it's a phone you actually like. You can feel out the size, the screen, the controls, even the camera in-store to make sure it's a 100% loved purchase.Customer Service
While you can certainly find a chatbox or a FAQ page to answer any questions you may have about the phone, or more importantly, to help you with the activation of the phone, that kind of help is more easily found in-store.Phone Selection and Price Comparisons
It's decidedly much easier to find a wide range of phones and compare their prices online than it is in-store. Online shopping is generally recommended for finding the best deal.
Tips for getting a good phone deal
Verify it's a sale.
Before falling for the shiny price tag, make sure the "sales" price you're seeing online is actually a sale. You'd be surprised by how many retailers (ahem, Amazon) actually hike up the prices a few weeks leading up to a sale, only to drop them down to a normal price and call it a sale.
Websites like CamelCamelCamel (specifically for Amazon), or PriceSpider (for most other online retailers) will look up the historical price of the item you found so you can make a more informed buying decision.Look for coupons.
Even if you did find a verified sale, there's no harm in looking around for even deeper discounts. There are plenty of online coupon websites like RetailMeNot or SlickDeals to find decent promo codes.
TextNow Tip: Install the free browser extension Honey on your computer, which will automatically search the web for coupons specific to the retail website you're on at the time and apply the best one for you! (I myself just saved 15% the other day buying my son some new fall clothes on Gap's website by using Honey).Compare, compare, compare!
If you're after a specific phone, and find a deal, make sure you look up that phone model on Google, click on the "Shopping" tab and compare all the prices from all the retailers to find the best one. Never assume the first price you see is the best one!
