Best Phone Deals: Save Hundreds on Apple, Samsung and Other Phones With Trade-In or Carrier Offers
Looking for a new phone but confounded by all of the options? We understand. There are many brands, styles and carriers to pick from, and both expensive and budget-friendly phones offer fantastic value depending on what you’re looking for. We at CNET have found the best bargains across multiple brands and price points so you can get the right phone for you at the best price possible.
You’ll find a handful of deals on unlocked models, which offer greater flexibility and won’t bind you to a multiyear contract. Or you can sign up with a major carrier like Verizon, AT&T or T-Mobile and score substantial savings with a new line or an eligible trade-in. Phone offers come and go fairly frequently, and we’ll continue to update this page with the latest and greatest offers, so be sure to check back whenever you’re looking to upgrade.
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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 on the plus side, they 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.
Samsung makes some of the absolute best Android phones, and its latest and greatest Galaxy S25 lineup is due to hit shelves soon — on Feb. 7 to be exact. If you’re hoping to get your hands on one as soon as they’re released, you can preorder yours from Amazon, which also scores you a free gift card. You’ll get a $100 card with the basic S25 and S25 Plus, or a $200 card if you upgrade to the S25 Ultra.
Best Buy isn’t currently offering any discounts on the iPhone 15 or the 15 Plus. However, as with almost all Best Buy phone offers, you’ll get an extra $100 off if you sign up with AT&T or Verizon, and you can trade in an old phone for even steeper savings.
With a 3.6-inch cover screen and a stunning 6.9-inch pOLED interior display, the 2024 Motorola Razr Plus is our favorite flip phone on the market. Even at full price, it’s $300 cheaper than the similar Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6, and this deal drops the price even lower. As with almost all Best Buy phone offers, you’ll get an extra $100 off if you sign up with AT&T or Verizon, and you can trade in an old phone for even steeper savings.
Though its phones might not be as popular as Apple’s or Samsung’s, OnePlus’ devices have continually impressed our reviewers here at CNET. The company’s new flagship phone just hit shelves this year and is likely to replace its predecessor on our list of the best phones of 2025. OnePlus isn’t currently offering any discounts on these phones, but you can save $100 with trade-in credit if you have an eligible device.
The OnePlus 13 starts at $900 for the 256GB SSD phone. The 512GB SSD model costs $1,000. OnePlus is also offering a free pair of One Plus Buds 3 valued at $99 with your purchase. That’s still a sweet deal.
Motorola Moto G Play (2024): $150
This is as cheap as it comes for a new smartphone from 2024. The Motorola Moto G Play has 64GB of storage, a sleek sapphire blue color, a 6.5-inch screen as well as a 50-megapixel rear-facing camera and an 8-megapixel front-facing camera. It’s unlocked and ready to go.
If you let Best Buy help you connect to a carrier you can snag this phone for as low as $50. You can also save with a trade-in and score a quality — and budget-friendly — new phone.
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 others 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 in order to keep receiving the credits. Otherwise, you’re responsible for the remaining costs and potentially more, depending on the carrier.
In addition, some carriers will allow you to take advantage of these deals only 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
Apple iPhone 16 and 16 Pro at T-Mobile
T-Mobile is offering a number of trade-in and new-line discounts on the iPhone 16 series. Exchanging your old phone will save you as much as $1,000 if you have a Go5G Next plan, which scores you the basic iPhone 16, 16 Plus or 16 Pro for free. People on a Go5G Plus plan can get up to $830 off with a trade-in, which still gets you the basic iPhone 16 for free. Folks on most other service plans can get as much as $300 off.
You can also save up to $830 with both a new line and a trade-in, and military members, first responders and people over 55 can take advantage of special trade-in offers for up to $800 off.
Samsung Galaxy S25 series at AT&T
Folks on an eligible unlimited plan can score any of Samsung’s new Galaxy S25 phones — including the advanced S25 Ultra — for free with an eligible trade-in at AT&T. Your device needs to have a value of at least $230, which can net you as much as $1,300 in savings applied as bill credits over 36 months. These phones will be officially released Feb. 7.
Google Pixel 9 at Verizon
Google’s latest flagship phone, the Pixel 9, is the best model for Android purists. And you can pick it up for free with the activation of a new line on an Unlimited Plus or Ultimate plan at Verizon. You can also bundle a free Pixel Watch 2 or Galaxy Tab S9 FE 5G with the purchase, but you’ll need to activate a new line for these devices as well.
Apple iPhone 16 Plus at Boost Mobile
The iPhone 16 Plus is part of Apple’s latest lineup of smartphones. Though prices normally start at $900, you can score the 128GB model for free at Boost Mobile if you sign up for its $65-per-month Infinite Access for iPhone plan.
The iPhone 16 has an A18 chip that supports intense gaming, a 6.7-inch screen and a 48-megapixel Fusion camera, among other improved specs over its predecessors.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 at Verizon
Trade in your old Galaxy phone to Verizon and get up to $800 off your new Galaxy Z Fold 6 when you sign up for a new line on an Unlimited Ultimate plan, dropping the cost down to $31 per month. The credit is doled out over 36 months, and if you cancel service before the 36 months are 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 upfront.
Apple iPhone SE (2022) at AT&T
AT&T customers on an eligible unlimited plan can score the 3rd-gen iPhone SE for just $2 per month when they purchase the phone on an installment plan. That saves you $358 total with no trade-in or new line required. Discounts are applied as bill credits over 36 months.
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.
