Phones are becoming more expensive. Yes, there are some good, affordable options available, but when you account for taxes and accessories, you’re usually looking at spending anything from a few hundred to over a thousand. A monthly service package is not even included in that!
Fortunately, there are still plenty of opportunities to find a great deal on a new phone. To obtain the best deal on your new mobile device, use our advice.
Time Is Everything
The MSRP, which stands for the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, is merely an indication. The time of year, the life cycle of the product, and upcoming promotions all have a significant impact on phone prices. If you give yourself enough time to compare pricing and shop around, you may be able to get a flagship smartphone for a moderate price.
You should move quickly once you’ve found the ideal phone at the ideal cost, particularly if the offer is made through a carrier. You may have to wait a few weeks or more to locate a comparable offer if you miss one of these flash deals or promotions, which can end in as little as a few hours. Remember that the majority of carrier promos start early in the week. Most significantly, when a product first enters the market, manufacturer discounts are frequently at their most generous.
Take Yourself Shopping for the Holidays
Purchasing a phone during the holidays can result in significant financial gains. However, this does not imply that you must wait until Black Friday. For almost all US holidays (such as Labor Day and 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 kind of promotion.
(Wary) Take Carrier Promotions Into Account
Purchasing from a carrier has advantages. For example, certain carriers run promotions wherein, upon reaching a specific number of months of service, new customers receive a prepaid gift card. Some provide refunds that are applied to your account for 18 to 36 months. To make sure you’re okay with the commitment, it’s crucial to understand the terms and conditions of any campaign.
Purchase Unlocked
In the long term, purchasing an unlocked phone may offer better value even though you might not save money on it at the register if you buy it entirely. These days, unlocked phones can be found together with financing alternatives to make the cost more manageable on the websites of phone makers like Google or Samsung.
Additionally, if necessary, unlocked phones allow you to switch providers and look around for the cheapest price. If you decide to upgrade, you can also resell an unlocked phone at any time.
Purchase Online
Even if the majority of big-box stores and carriers provide the same prices as they do online, that doesn’t always mean you’re receiving the best value. There are often deals for cheap activation fees and promotional gift cards that you won’t find in stores on carriers, Best Buy, and manufacturer websites. These typically result in savings of between $50 and $100.
Choose Between Midrange and Last Year’s Flagship
A brand-new midrange phone with excellent performance and cameras may be purchased for $400 to $600, albeit some functions might be absent. One of the flagship models from the previous year, which have better cameras, quicker performance, more durable materials, and higher dust- and water-resistance ratings, may be available for the same price.
Older phones are typically discounted by $100 or more when new models are released, and carriers frequently run discounts on these phones that are identical to or comparable to those on the new devices.
One further benefit of purchasing older flagships? A broader selection of accessories, such as screen protectors or cases, are typically available for purchase.
Refurbished Phones Can Help You Save a Lot of Money
Used and refurbished (or reconditioned) phones differ significantly. Private sellers usually sell used phones exactly as they are. Conversely, refurbished phones typically have a brand-new appearance, are backed by a guarantee, and originate from the original manufacturer. If you choose to buy a refurbished phone, make sure it’s a US model that supports the bands your carrier needs by looking up the model number. This is important because if the phone isn’t permitted by your carrier, it can have problems connecting to the network or making calls, even if it’s a foreign version of a widely used US phone.