Need a new phone to snap pictures of your Halloween festivities, or keep tabs on your trick-or-treating kids? Good news: we’ve got big unlocked phone discounts. We’re talking price cuts of up to 40% on mobiles that we gave glowing reviews to. If you’re on the market for a new smartphone, take the time to read through our reviews before you buy. We factor in every element of the device — cellular radio and data speed, call quality, battery life and charging time, performance, screen quality, cameras, security, and everything else to make sure you’re getting the best phone for the price.
Best Deals on Smartphones Right Now
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If you don’t want to lock yourself into a carrier contract, you can still snag a cutting-edge phone without breaking the bank. With a one-time payment, you can pick up an unlocked phone, which allows you to find the service that best fits your individual needs. And as luck would have it, some of the best phones on the market can be found heavily discounted at major retailers. We’ve found price drops on the latest models as well as older devices from Apple, Google, Samsung, and more. Scroll down for startling deals on unlocked phones for October.
The Best Unlocked Apple iPhone Deals
Apple iPhone 14
6.1-inch screen, 5G, 128GB storage, 12MP, 12MP, 12MP cameras
$549.99
at Best Buy
$629.99
Save $80.00
If you simply must have an Apple phone to live your life, the best deal we’ve found this month is an $80 price cut on the dependable workhorse iPhone 14. When we reviewed this phone in 2022, we gave it an “Excellent” rating thanks to its stable performance, welcome emergency features and good battery life. That said, it does have some drawbacks, including the outdated Lightning charging port and cameras that are a bit behind the times. If you don’t care about those issues, it’s a reliable device that will last a long time.
The Best Unlocked Samsung Phone Deals
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
6.9-inch screen, 5G, 512GB storage, 200MP, 50MP, 50MP, 10MP, 12MP cameras
$1,055.50
at Amazon
$1,419.99
Save $364.49
Let’s open up with a sweet deal on the Editors’ Choice-winning Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. We gave a glowing review to this gorgeous and powerful mobile phone, noting that it dominated every other Android handset on the market with class-leading performance, the best mobile AI features we’ve seen to date, and a bigger and more immersive display. The new rounded corner design and titanium frame feel great in your hand, and support for the S Pen stylus unlocks a world of creativity. It’s not for the penny-pinchers, but taking 26% off drops the price down to a more reasonable level.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge
6.7-inch screen, 5G, 512GB storage, 200MP, 12MP, 12MP cameras
$729.99
at Amazon
$1,219.99
Save $490.00
This is an absolutely ridiculous deal—40% off a powerhouse phone in a super-slim casing that we raved about in our review. The Galaxy S25 Edge is the thinnest Samsung model available, but it still delivers impressive battery life, nice performance and more. Weighing in at just 5.75 ounces, it’s built around a titanium frame with Corning Gorilla Ceramic 2 on the front and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the back, along with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED screen is stunning, with a peak brightness of 2600 nits and a speedy refresh rate.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 FE
6.7-inch screen, 5G, 128GB storage, 50MP, 12MP, 10MP cameras
$705.99
at Amazon
$899.99
Save $194.00
We’re big fans of Samsung’s foldable phones, loving how they combine a convenient form factor with great performance and dual displays. The Galaxy Z Flip7 FE is the budget offer from their most recent rollout, and we have a head-to-head comparison to read through if you want to see how it stacks up. With Samsung’s proprietary Enhanced Armor Aluminium frame and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, it’s a sturdy but lightweight mobile. The all-day battery life is also a nice perk. A nearly $200 discount makes this one of the most affordable foldables on the market.
The Best Unlocked Google Phone Deals
Google Pixel 9
6.3-inch screen, 5G, 128GB storage, 50MP, 48MP, 10.5MP cameras
$599.00
at Amazon
$799.00
Save $200.00
Here’s a nice 25% price drop on the Editors’ Choice-winning Google Pixel 9, one of the best Android phones on the market. In our comprehensive review, expert analyst Iyaz Akhtar said the mobile “combines thoughtful design, solid performance, and outstanding cameras,” with praise for its seven-year software support window and Gemini AI features. With a solid-feeling aluminum frame, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 covering and IP68 dust and water resistance, it’ll take a licking and keep on ticking.
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Google Pixel 9 Pro
6.3-inch screen, 5G, 128GB storage, 50MP, 48MP, 48MP, 42MP cameras
$925.00
at Amazon
$999.00
Save $74.00
For a step up in performance, you can snag a Pixel 9 Pro for 7% off at Amazon right now. We gave this phone an “Excellent” rating in our review, praising its exceptional cameras, and great build quality with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protecting the front and rear. When we first put it under the microscope last year, the onboard Gemini AI features were still in their infancy, but several updates later they’ve become potent productivity tools, and the battery life for this model is the longest of any Pixel phone we’ve tested.
Google Pixel 7 Pro
6.7-inch screen, 5G, 128GB storage, 50MP, 12MP, 48MP, 10.8MP cameras
$379.99
at Best Buy
$899.00
Save $519.01
For a slightly older model at a massive discount, the Pixel 7 Pro is a very good option for the price. In our 2022 review, we praised the Pro’s speedy, 512ppi OLED display with 24-bit color and HDR, captivating AI features, and powerful Tensor processor. It performed ably in our benchmarking tests, and with Google’s long software support window it’ll be future-proof for many more years. The biggest caveat we had was battery life, but it still gives you almost 11 hours between charges.
Recommended by Our Editors
Other Best Unlocked Phone Deals
Motorola Razr Ultra 2025
7-inch screen, 5G, 512GB storage, 50MP, 50MP, 50MP cameras.
$1,099.99
at Best Buy
$1,299.99
Save $200.00
Motorola’s entry into the modern-age flip phone segment is a spectacular, if pricey, Razr that won raves in our review. Mobile analyst Sarah Lord said the phone delivered “excellent inner and outer screens, class-leading battery life, impressive performance, and solid connectivity options,” noting that its dual displays pumped out peak brightness up to 4,500 nits, excellent color quality, and a nearly-invisible center crease when unfolded. It benchmarked exceptionally in our tests, with great dual-screen multitasking and gaming performance. Best Buy has a $200 price drop right now.
OnePlus 13
6.82-inch screen, 5G, 256GB storage, 50MP, 50MP, 50MP, 32MP cameras.
$849.99
at Amazon
$999.99
Save $150.00
The OnePlus 13 might have flown under your radar, but it’s an incredibly capable Android with some really exciting features. In our review, we gave it an “Excellent” rating, praising its ridiculously bright, colorful, and crisp display paired with fast performance and both wired and wireless charging that tops the battery off rapidly. That’s even more impressive when you notice that we tested it at 24 hours on a single charge. The three-lens Hasselblad camera unit is also impressive. Amazon has it on sale for 15% off list right now.
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G
6.7-inch screen, 5G, 256GB storage, 50MP, 13MP, 32MP cameras.
$199.99
at Amazon
$399.99
Save $200.00
Here’s an ultra-budget deal on a cute Motorola that’s compact and fun to use. In our review of the Moto G Stylus 5G, writer Sarah Lord praised the unit’s “bright screen, exceptional battery life, and a handy built-in stylus,” noting that it also delivered good call quality and support for fast charging. Obviously, for a $200 phone there are going to be some downsides, most notably cameras and a CPU that are a step or two behind the latest models, but for most people they’ll never notice. Snap up this 50% discount while you can.
More Deals on Smartphones
T-Mobile
—
iPhone 17 Pro on Us With Any Condition Trade-in and Qualifying PlanSamsung Galaxy S25 Edge 512GB Unlocked AI Phone
—
$729.99
($1,219.99)
Save $490.00Google Pixel 9 128GB Unlocked Phone (Obsidian)
—
$544.98
($799.00)
Save $254.02OnePlus 13R 256GB Unlocked Phone (Nebula Noir)
—
$528.62
($599.99)
Save $71.37Motorola Edge 256GB Unlocked Phone (2024 Model, Mi…
—
$249.99
($299.99)
Save $50.00
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
Don’t forget to check out our top tested picks for the Best Unlocked Phones of 2025.
FAQ
Is There a Downside to Buying an Unlocked Phone?
There are many good reasons to purchase an unlocked smartphone. They rarely include bloatware; they give you more flexibility, and even hold their trade-in value longer. However, there is one factor in common with most unlocked phones: they require a full payment up-front. Unlike carrier plans, which let you stretch out your payment over the length of your contract, you often have to pay for the hardware all at once, which can be a big chunk of change. However, buying directly from Apple, Google, and Samsung sometimes allows you to break up the cost over time via interest-free monthly payments.
Can I Put My SIM Card In an Unlocked Phone?
Most of the time. As long as your SIM card is the correct size for the phone, you can retrieve the SIM tray and put the card in to connect it to a cellular network—assuming the SIM has an account attached to it. In our guide to unlocking your phone, we run down the handful of restrictions to that. Some carriers, including Verizon, will only accept devices that have been certified for use on its networks. Before you switch over, check the device’s IMEI number with the carrier to make sure it’ll run without issue.
Do Unlocked Phones Work as Well as Carrier Phones?
Your unlocked phone is often the exact same model that you’d get from a carrier. In fact, it might be even better. Many carrier phones come pre-equipped with apps and games that clog up the internal storage and slow it down. We’ve got a whole guide to carrier bloatware here to give you more info. Unlocked phones also let you transfer between carriers more easily.
Is It Cheaper to Buy a Phone Online or In-Store?
We have a robust set of tips for getting the best price on a phone, including the best times of year to pick one up, the advantages of a refurbished phone over a new model, and more. After crunching the numbers, we calculate that, overall, buying phones online gets you better prices (and better selection) than buying them in a brick-and-mortar store. That said, if a local business has a good deal, don’t be afraid to jump on it. Plus, it can be handy to have a real person to help you with setup.
What Is the Best Unlocked Smartphone to Buy?
Purchasing an unlocked smartphone typically requires an up-front payment and doesn’t always allow you to trade in an existing device. We’ve put together a detailed rundown of the best unlocked phones for most people, with Apple’s iPhone 16 ranking at the top of the list. It’s affordable, powerful, and often on sale for a moderate discount. For Android users, the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G is a solid choice for both price and performance.
Are Unlocked Phones Ever Available at a Discount?
Scoring a deal on an unlocked phone is more difficult but not impossible. To nab a deal on an unlocked phone, you’ll likely have to target a device that’s a year or two old. For example, Apple already discounts year-old iPhones by $100 to $200.
Which Smartphones Get the Biggest Discounts During Cyber Week or Prime Day?
The most expensive phones often see the biggest discounts in terms of actual dollars saved, but you can score a good deal on most devices. The Apple iPhone 16, Samsung Galaxy S25, and Google Pixel 9 are those most likely to see sales from manufacturers and retail/carrier partners. Don’t overlook mid-priced phones, like the iPhone 16e, Google Pixel 9a, or Samsung Galaxy A56, which may be free with promotions.
Which Carriers Offer the Biggest Phone Discounts?
The big three carriers in the US offer the deepest discounts because they have the deepest pockets to reach into. That means AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. These three national carriers are far larger than most others and have more room in their budgets to absorb discounted devices because they charge more for service.
Do Trade-In Programs Give the Best Phone Deals?
Not all trade-in programs are created equally. Some offer free or discounted devices, and those can be the best option, but it depends on the value provided for your existing device and whether or not you owe money on the device you’re trading in. For Apple’s trade-in program, options include applying the trade-in value to a new device or receiving an Apple gift card.
About Our Expert
K. Thor Jensen
Contributing Writer
Experience
K. Thor Jensen is a writer and cartoonist living in the Pacific Northwest. He has contributed to dozens of prestigious outlets, including PCMag, Tested, Clickhole, and Newsweek. His second graphic novel, Cloud Stories, was released in 2017.
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