If your current phone is starting to lag, or it’s no longer getting the latest updates, now is an excellent time to upgrade to one of the best phones of 2025. Top brands like Apple and Google have dropped new phones this year, and many retailers and carriers are offering discounts. You can also expect to see steep savings on previously released models. Major carriers like AT&T have a variety of phones for hundreds off, making it a great option to grab an iPhone 17 or Pixel 10 without paying the full price.
AT&T also offers other ways to save, including exclusive discounted plans for military members, teachers and first responders. To help you make the most of these offers (which can get a little confusing), CNET’s shopping team has rounded up and broken down the best AT&T deals available right now below. We keep a close eye out for any new offers, so check back often.
It’s worth noting that carriers constantly update their deals. AT&T has some compelling offers available, though the best deals often require a subscription to an AT&T unlimited plan. In general, the very best offers usually drop around the holidays or right after new phone launches (February or March for Samsung Galaxy S phones; September for Apple iPhones; fall for Google Pixel phones), but AT&T also tends to offer some solid bargains year-round.
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Though some manufacturers, particularly Apple and Samsung, offer deals on their own websites and stores, most people look to carriers to buy and finance new phones.
Best AT&T phone deals
Many of AT&T’s phone deals are available to new and existing customers, though trade-ins are often required to get the advertised prices. It’s worth noting that these deals are split across 36 months of bill credits, meaning you’ll need to remain an AT&T customer for at least three years to pay off the phone. If you cancel before that period is over, you’ll be responsible for any remaining charges.
You can save big on the iPhone 17 series with an eligible trade-in. Devices valued at just $130 or more will knock up to $700 off the basic iPhone 17 and the iPhone 17 Air, while devices valued at $230 or more will save you up to $1,100 on the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max. Plus, even old and damaged devices valued at only $35 or more can still save you up to $350 on any model.
With these deals you’re getting the basic iPhone 17 for $4 per month, the iPhone Air for $8 per month, the iPhone 17 Pro for free and the iPhone 17 Pro Max for around $3 per month. Discounts are applied as bill credits over 36 months.
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Save up to $1,100 with trade-in
Samsung Galaxy S25 series
There are now five models in Samsung’s latest Galaxy S25 lineup, and they’re all discounted right now. If you don’t have an old phone to trade in, you can get the budget-friendly Galaxy S25 FE for just $6 per month, the basic Galaxy S25 for $11 per month or the Galaxy S25 Plus for $13 per month when you purchase the phone on an installment plan. That saves you up to $532 with no trade-in required.
If you do have an old phone to trade in, it can knock up to $1,100 off the Galaxy S25 Edge and S25 Ultra, which scores you the Edge for free and the Ultra for around $8 per month. You’ll get the full discount for trade-ins valued at $95 or more, and even devices valued at just $35 or more will still net you $800 in credit. AT&T is also offering an online-only discount of $200 off with the activation of a new line with an eligible plan. Discounts will be applied as bill credits over 36 months.
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Save up to $1,100 with trade-in
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7/Fold 7
Samsung’s latest foldables are some of the absolute best on the market, with both models earning a spot on our list of the best phones for 2025. And they’re even better then you can grab one for less. AT&T is currently offering up to $1,100 off with an eligible trade-in, which scores you the Galaxy Z Flip 7 for free and the large-screen Galaxy Z Fold 7 for $25 per month.
You’ll get the full discount for any phones valued at $95 or more, and even older and damaged devices valued at just $35 or more will still net you $800 in credit. The discount will be applied as bill credits over 36 months. And, as with other AT&T offers on this list, there is $200 online only discount with the activation of a new line with an eligible plan.
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Save up to $1,100 with trade-in
Somewhat surprisingly, AT&T isn’t currently carrying the new Pixel 10 Pro Fold, but is offering some serious savings on the other three models. If you’re after the basic Pixel 10, you’ll save $562 when you purchase the phone on an installment plan, which drops the cost to just $8 per month.
If you do have an old phone valued at just $35 or more — including a Pixel phone from any year and in any condition — you can get the Pixel 10 Pro or the Pixel 10 Pro XL for free.
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Save up to $1,050 with trade-in
Discounts on iPhone 16E and more without trade-in
AT&T has many deals for those who don’t have a phone to trade in. You can get discounts on plenty of excellent phones like the iPhone 16E when you purchase them on a 36-month installment plan. These deals don’t require a trade-in or the activation of a new line, but you must keep your AT&T service for the entire three-year period. These offers can save you hundreds so you can get your hands on top-rated models like the iPhone 16E or Motorola Razr+ 2025 for just $6 per month.
AT&T is also offering that $200 discount for ordering online. You must activate a new line with an eligible plan.
Best AT&T plan deals
If you’re looking to switch to AT&T, there are a few deals on various plans that might make you lean toward one or the other. Promotions on plans are less common these days, though oftentimes, you can get some free extras (like streaming service subscriptions and music subscriptions) with enrollment in some of the higher-end 5G plans from each carrier. AT&T, however, no longer offers free streaming services to new subscribers who don’t already have it on their plans.
AT&T includes 5G access with all of its plans; the biggest difference for most users on its latest plans is the amount of hotspot data. There are also differences in the amount of “high-speed” data, though even on its cheapest Starter plan, AT&T says it will slow your speeds “temporarily” only if you’re in an area where the network is “busy.”
As for savings, your employer might also offer a corporate discount on plans, but you will need to check with them to see if that applies to personal accounts. AT&T also offers a host of discounts depending on your profession.
Are you a teacher, or is someone on your family plan a teacher? You could save on your wireless bill. AT&T offers a teacher discount on its plans that could save serious money, depending on the plan. The cheapest price for four lines is $27 per line per month for its Starter plan. The Unlimited Extra Plan costs $31 per month per line, and the Premium plan is the most expensive at $38 per line. If you want one line, the price for the Starter plan is $49.
Teachers can verify their eligibility by heading to AT&T’s website here. The carrier says the deal is open to “certified/licensed K-12 teachers at public or private schools, or college or university faculty members or instructors.”
You will also need to be on AT&T’s Unlimited Starter, Extra or Premium plans.
Nurses and physicians discount
AT&T has a deal for nurses and physicians that’s identical to the teachers’ deal mentioned above, with up to the same 25% discount on wireless plans.
As with the teachers’ deal, you need to verify your employment with AT&T, with the offer open to those who are “certified or licensed doctors, nurses or physician assistants.” You can’t combine this discount with the teachers’ offer. You will also need to be on AT&T’s Unlimited Starter, Extra or Premium plans.
Military, first responders, veterans
AT&T offers the same 25% discount on plans to active-duty military, veterans and first responders. As with the nurses’ and teachers’ deals, you need only one person on your plan to meet these qualifications for the discount, which will vary depending on how many lines you have.
First responders can check their eligibility at this website, while active-duty military members can sign up here with their .mil email addresses. Veterans can sign up here.
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Like the rest of the wireless industry, AT&T now has offers available for new and existing customers. While there are additional perks and discounts for those who switch, most deals are under the same terms.
It’s easy to see up to $1,000 off the price of something and get excited, but make sure you know what you’re signing up for. AT&T applies these discounts as bill credits that are usually spread out across 36 months. Sometimes, part of the discount amount is given in the form of a prepaid gift card (for a trade-in), and the rest is done as bill credits, but that’s specified when it’s happening.
If you don’t stick with AT&T through the full 36 months of bill credits, you’ll be responsible for all the remaining charges. Before canceling or transferring your service to another carrier, communicate with the carrier to understand the actual cost of what you’ll owe to make sure you can cover that before making the move.
