When you’re looking for a new cellphone or carrier, it really pays to shop around. You can save lots of money by doing a bit of savvy online browsing before you put down your credit card.
In order to attract new customers, many carriers and cell phone manufacturers are prepared to undercut competitors, offer substantial discounts on older models, and incentivize the purchase of their newest device with stellar deals
SeaRick1 / ShutterstockSamsung Galaxy S10e
A really great way to get a deal on a smartphone is to buy it unlocked. Since the separation of carriers and devices, it’s often a lot easier to buy your device outside of a carrier store. That way, you’ll know that you’re not being gouged by their markup.
One great deal on an unlocked smartphone is being offered on Amazon right now. They’re selling the Samsung Galaxy S10e for only $549.99.
The Galaxy S10e is a great alternative to its flagship S10. Although it doesn’t offer as long a battery life, the 5.8-inch size is great for people who prefer a smaller phone. Plus, Samsung hasn’t skimped on any features. It still has the amazing camera and smooth performance that you’d expect from any of their devices.
T-Mobile iPhone 11 Trade-In
Are you interested in getting access to the newest Apple smartphone at an affordable price? Well, T-Mobile has got you covered.
T-Mobile is offering new family-plan customers the chance to pay off the newest iPhone 11 via 24 monthly bill credits. You can save even more money by trading in any qualifying iPhone. This means that they’ll take your current device off your hands and give you a brand-new iPhone 11 when you sign up for a 24-month plan that contains a minimum of four lines. If you’re switching your whole family and already planned on buying the iPhone 11, this will save you a whopping $700.
The devices they’re currently accepting for trade-ins range between the iPhone 7 and iPhone XS and XR. If you have an older device like the iPhone 6s or 6s Plus, they’ll take $500 off your bill. T-Mobile has a full list of eligible iPhones, so you can make for yourself.
Sprint Flex Lease
If you can’t afford the huge one-time cost of purchasing a smartphone and want to lease one with smaller monthly payments, check out the deal that Sprint is offering right now.
Sprint’s Flex Lease plan offers the benefits of low monthly fees, plus the option to upgrade annually. Although their Flex Lease monthly fees are typically quite low, they have a huge sale on now where qualified customers can get a premium smartphone like the iPhone 11 Pro Max, Samsung Galaxy Note10+, or LG G8X ThinQ for $0 when they sign up for an 18-month lease and trade in a qualifying device. This can save you between $600 and $1100, depending on which device you choose and what you’re able to trade-in.
If you’re switching from another carrier, Sprint will cover up to $650 of your switching fees. This makes this deal very attractive to new customers who have been waiting for the right time to switch carriers.
LG V35 ThinQ
Another device that’s available for a bargain rate on Amazon is the LG V35 ThinQ. When you buy this phone outright, you don’t need to worry about monthly fees or being locked in with one carrier for 18 to 24 months at a time. Plus, you’ll pay only $299.98 when you buy from Amazon. This is a huge savings of more than $600 off the original purchase price of $899.99.
Critics loved the V35 ThinQ. However, they felt that it wasn’t worth the money at its original purchase price. It’s been praised for its beautiful display, strong performance, and stellar battery life.
This deal is a great opportunity to try this LG smartphone at a much more reasonable price point.
Verizon Buy One, Save $750 on the Second
Not all carriers offer great deals when you’re opening a family plan with less than four lines. If you’re not a household of four people, you’ll probably be stuck bundling two expensive plans together.
Verizon has stepped in with a deal to help two-person households. They are offering $750 off a second smartphone with the purchase of a second Unlimited plan. This credit is applied to your bills over 24 months. Plus, it can be used to purchase a device of equal or lesser value to your first device.
All of the top-of-the-line Android smartphones are eligible for this promotion, including the Samsung Galaxy S10, Samsung Galaxy Note10+, and Google Pixel 4 XL. For iOS phones, the promotion will take $700 off the second device.
How to Get a Deal on Your Cell Phone Bill
The details of these deals are current, but providers change offers all the time. To get the best price on a plan and save on the newest phones, you need to search for deals online. Trade-in discounts, new customer deals, lower prices on additional lines, and other perks are just a few ways you can slash your bill.
Compare similar plans to ensure you get an accurate picture of how much you can save with one provider over another. Remember to read the fine print: many deals require you to sign up for a contract and can have high termination fees. Getting all the details will help you find the most affordable plan to support your favorite mobile activities.
Like anything, it’s always a good idea to be aware of the latest research. We recommend comparing at least three or four options before making a final decision. Doing a search online is typically the quickest, most thorough way to discover all the pros and cons you need to keep in mind.