These days we rely on phones for much more than just calls and texts, and you pretty much need a smartphone to survive in the modern world. But not everyone wants to spend $1,000 or more to upgrade to the latest high-end model from Apple or Samsung. Luckily, there are tons of deals out there that can score you a shiny new phone for hundreds off—or even put it in your pocket for free. Whether you are looking for iPhone, Galaxy, Pixel or something a little more affordable from a smaller brand, CNET is here to help you find it for less.
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We've rounded up some of the best bargains online right now, so you can focus on buying the phone that best suits your needs and meets your financial requirements. If you're not sure which plan or carrier to go with, you may want to look for an unlocked model from a retailer like Amazon or Best Buy and sign up for service later.
If you know which network works best for you, you can take advantage of discounts, trade-ins, or new lines through major carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.
The best unlocked phone deals right now
Buying 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 a lighter alternative, you can pick up an unlocked model instead. Opting for an unlocked phone means you won't immediately be locked into a multi-year 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 lower the initial price.
These deals won't save you as much as the carrier deals below, but they don't require a trade-in or new line of service. Below, we've rounded up some of the best unlocked phone deals you can shop right now.
For Android users, the Samsung Galaxy S24 is best phone on the market right now. This is the base model of Samsung's latest flagship, featuring a 6.2-inch display, 128GB of storage, and a hefty 4,000mAh battery.
This deal also comes with a free month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and you can save even more by trading in or choosing to activate on the same day.
You won't find outright discounts on Apple's latest flagship phone, but you can pick up the previous-generation iPhone 15 for less at Best Buy. This deal also comes with three free months of Apple TV Plus, Apple Music and Apple Fitness Plus, and four free months of Apple Arcade if you're a new subscriber. Plus, you can save even more with an eligible trade-in or by signing up with AT&T or Verizon.
With a 3.6-inch roof screen and a stunning 6.9-inch POLED internal 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 it even lower. As with almost all Best Buy phone deals, 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.
While its phones may not be as popular as those from Apple or Samsung, OnePlus devices consistently impress our reviewers here at CNET. Its flagship OnePlus 12 is one of the The best phones of 2025and right now you can jam this previous generation model at a great price.
This is as cheap as it gets for a new smartphone from 2024. The Motorola Moto G Play has 64GB of storage, a sleek sapphire blue design, a 6.5-inch screen, and a 50-megapixel rear camera and an 8-megapixel front-facing camera. It's unlocked and ready to go.
If you let Best Buy help you connect with a carrier, you can snag this phone for as little as $30.
The best phone deals from carriers
You can also save by trading in your old device or activating a new line of service with major carriers, meaning you have plenty of places to look for phone deals. That's why CNET works with Navi to help overcome confusion. Navi is an independent marketplace that aggregates information about 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 users who add lines, trade in phones and more.
Read more: Best phone plan deals
Carrier contracts as we knew them may no longer exist, but these newer phone deals from Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and others are similar in many ways. Through monthly credits on accounts, in many cases you can get a phone for almost nothing. The stipulation is that you must remain a customer for a certain period of time to continue receiving the credits. Otherwise, you are responsible for the remaining charges and potentially more, depending on the carrier.
Additionally, some carriers will only let you take advantage of these deals on certain plans, which are usually some of their more expensive 5G plans. So be sure to understand the monthly costs associated with switching before you take advantage of that “free phone” deal you see advertised.
Read more: Cheap phone plans, compared
T-Mobile offers several ways to save on the iPhone 16 line right now. If you have an old phone to trade in, you can save $1,000 if you're on a Go5G Plus or Next plan, $300 if you're on a Go5G plan, or $200 if you're on other qualifying plans. T-Mobile also offers special discounts for military members, first responders and seniors 55 and older.
The iPhone 16 Plus is part of Apple's latest line of smartphones. While prices normally start at $900, you can score the 128GB model for free on Boost Mobile if you get a qualifying line. Its plans start at $65 per line.
The iPhone 16 has an A18 chip that supports intense gaming, a 6.7-inch display and a 48-megapixel Fusion camera, among other improved specs over its predecessors.
Google Pixel 9 at AT&T
Save $454 with an installment plan
Google's latest flagship phone – the Pixel 9 – is best model there for Android purists. And right now you can get your hands on it for just $11 a month when you buy it in installments at AT&T. No new line or trade-in is required, but you will need to have or switch to an eligible unlimited plan.
Trade in your old Galaxy phone to Verizon and get up to $1,000 off your new Galaxy Z Fold 6 when you sign up for a new line of Unlimited Welcome Plus or Ultimate plans. The credit is granted for 36 months, and if you cancel the service before the 36 months are up, you will have to pay the remaining balance. Also note that credits start within three receipts and require you to pay all taxes and related fees on the retail price in advance.
If you have an older phone to trade in, you can score the third-generation iPhone SE for free on T-Mobile, as long as you're on a Go5G Next or Plus plan. If you don't have an eligible exchange, you can still save up to $215 when you add a new line to a qualifying plan. The discount will be applied as credits on accounts for a period of 24 months.
Are you getting the best phone deals when you switch carriers?
To attract new customers, carriers often reserve their steepest discounts for switchers. That means you might find a more attractive phone deal if you're considering switching carriers. It's a straightforward process for individuals, but can be a bit complicated for those with multiple lines. Ultimately, it's worth shopping around for when it comes time to upgrade your phone in case someone else offers some sort of switching bonus or exclusive switching phone deal.
Unlocked vs Carrier: Which Phone Deals Are Best for Most People?
Whether you want to get your new phone with a carrier contract or unlocked will depend on your preferences and circumstances. For many people, 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 up in the long term is less ideal. While carriers often compete with each other and offer some big discounts or extra freebies, manufacturers now tend to offer their own trade-in and financing programs to make upgrading more affordable without involving a carrier in the process.