If you’re considering a new smartphone, there are many fantastic options, especially if you don’t mind a previous-gen model. Tech giants Apple, Samsung and Google have all released new versions of popular phones, and this means retailers and carriers are slashing the cost of older models. Tech companies have also worked hard to make affordable models for budget-conscious shoppers. To help you find the best discounts, we’ve made a list of deals on a variety of phones.
You’ll get direct discounts on unlocked models, which offer greater flexibility and won’t tie you to a multiyear contract with a specific carrier. Or you can sign up with a primary carrier like AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon and score substantial savings with a new line or an eligible trade-in.
Phone offers come and go frequently, so CNET’s team of shopping experts will continue to update this page. Here are the deals on Apple, Samsung, and Motorola.
Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.
Best unlocked phone deals right now
Shopping for a new phone from a carrier comes with red tape and fine print, which can be a headache. An easier alternative is an unlocked model. Choosing an unlocked phone means you won’t be immediately tied to a multiyear contract or service plan and you can always activate it with your preferred carrier later. There are plenty of no-strings-attached deals to reduce 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 Galaxy S25: From $653
Samsung makes some of the best Android phones, and its Galaxy S25 lineup has made a splash. If you’re hoping to get your hands on one of these phones for less, you can grab an unlocked model at Amazon. The online retailer has knocked a decent amount off some configurations. These include up to $147 off the S25, $311 on the S25 Edge and up to $300 off select configurations of the S25 Ultra.
Amazon also has a trade-in program that can garner you discounts of up to $650 if you have an eligible device.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: $1,900
Although pricey, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is one of the best foldable phones on the market. Best Buy’s generous trade-in program can bring the price of this foldable down by up to $460. The retailer also has other offers that can help you save, such as an extra $100 off if you let them help you switch to a new carrier. Select locations also carry open-box versions of the Galaxy Z Fold 6. Keep in mind that open-box prices vary.
Details
Save up to $460 with trade-in
Motorola Razr Plus: From $600
Best Buy is currently offering the 2024 Motorola Razr Plus for $400 off. With a 3.6-inch cover screen and a stunning 6.9-inch OLED interior display, the 2024 Motorola Razr Plus is our favorite flip phone on the market. Even at full price, it’s cheaper than the similar Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6.
Also, Best Buy has a trade-in program that could help you save even more.
Although its phones might not be as popular as Apple’s or Samsung’s, OnePlus devices have consistently impressed our reviewers here at CNET. The OnePlus 13 is the company’s latest flagship model, and you can get up to $150 off right now. For more savings, you can trade in an eligible device to get an extra $50 off. You will also get a free case worth up to $40 with your purchase (while supplies last).
Details
Save up to $150, save up to an extra $50 with trade-in
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, a 50-megapixel rear-facing camera and an 8-megapixel front-facing camera. You can save with a trade-in, and you’ll get $100 off if you sign up with Verizon.
Details
Save with trade-in, carrier deal
Even though it’s not the latest iPhone on the market, the iPhone 14 is still a fantastic upgrade. Best Buy has lowered the price of the blue 128GB iPhone 14 to $550, saving you $80 over its usual asking price of $630. If you let them help you connect the phone to a carrier, you could save an extra $100.
Up to $330 can also be saved if you have an eligible trade-in device. This purchase even includes free three-month subscriptions to Apple Music, Apple Arcade and Apple Fitness, as well as a free two-month subscription to Apple TV Plus.
Details
Save $80, and up to $330 with trade-in
The iPhone 15 is still an excellent smartphone, and it’s a great alternative to the iPhone 16 if you want to save a few extra bucks. Right now, Best Buy is offering $100 off if you connect to a carrier through Best Buy. The retailer also has a trade-in program that could potentially decrease the price even more and amount to substantial savings.
This purchase also includes free three-month subscriptions to Apple Music, Apple Arcade and Apple Fitness, as well as a free two-month subscription to Apple TV Plus.
Details
Save an extra $100 with carrier offer
Now that the iPhone 17 is getting so much attention, it’s the perfect time to grab an iPhone 16. These phones still offer exceptional features, and an unlocked 128GB iPhone 16 is now $730. Best Buy will give you a discount of $100 when you connect your new phone with a carrier.
Best Buy’s generous trade-in program can garner additional savings.
Details
Save $100 when connecting to carrier
The Google Pixel 9A is now down to just $399 at Best Buy, which saves you $100 with its direct discount. However, you can save an extra $100 when you let Best Buy help you connect to a carrier. Best Buy’s trade-in program can help you maximize your savings if you have an eligible device to trade in.
The Google Pixel 9 is $300 off, bringing it down to just $499. Like the 9A, you can also save extra through a trade-in or carrier deal.
Details
Save up to $300, more with trade-in
Best phone deals from carriers
You can also save by trading in your old device or activating a 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 for new and existing carrier customers who are adding lines and trading in phones.
Read more: Best Phone Plan Deals
Carrier contracts as we knew them may not be around anymore but these newer phone deals from AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon 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 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 committing to 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 many trade-in and new-line discounts on the iPhone 16 series. Exchanging your old phone will get you the phone for free if you trade in and have an Experience Beyond or Go5G Next plan, which scores you a free basic iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro or the budget-friendly 16E. Those on an Experience More, Experience Beyond, Go5G Plus or Go5G Next plan can get up to $830 off with a trade-in, which still gets you the basic iPhone 16 or 16E free. Folks on most other service plans can get as much as $300 off.
You can also save up to $830 with a new line and a trade-in, and military members, first responders and people older than 55 can take advantage of special trade-in offers for up to $800 off.
Details
Save up to $830 with trade-in
Samsung Galaxy S25 series at AT&T
You can score some savings on all the Galaxy S25 phones right now at AT&T. If you’re after the basic Galaxy S25, you can save $404 when you purchase it on an installment plan, which drops the price to just $11 with no trade-in required. If you do have an old phone valued at just $95 or more, you can trade it in for up to $1,000 off, which gets you the S25 Plus free or the S25 Ultra for just slightly more than $8 per month. A trade-in valued at just $35 or more will also get you the new Galaxy S25 Edge free.
Details
Save up to $1,000 with trade-in
Google Pixel 9 at Verizon
Google’s Pixel 9 phone is perfect for anyone who wants a cheaper alternative to the Pixel 10 series. Verizon isn’t currently offering any direct discounts, but we’re constantly monitoring these deals, so check back often.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 at Verizon
Verizon is offering a free $200 gift card you can redeem within 60 days of any new smartphone purchase. To qualify, you must also sign up for an Unlimited phone plan
Samsung Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus at Mint Mobile
When you purchase a Samsung Galaxy S25 on Mint Mobile, you can get 50% off the monthly data plan for a year, which is great if you’re looking to switch carriers. We ranked the Samsung Galaxy S25 as our favorite Android phone this year. We love the high-quality camera, impressive battery life and the AI features. This same deal applies to the Galaxy S25 Plus.
Join Our Daily Deals Text Group!
Get hand-picked deals from CNET shopping experts straight to your phone.
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, spreading 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 than ideal. While carriers often compete with each other to offer 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.
Impulse Buys Under $25 on Amazon That Make Unexpectedly Great Gifts
See all photos
