Apple iPhone 14 Plus: $5/mo with new unlimited line, plus free iPad and Apple Watch at Verizon (opens in new tab)
The excellent iPhone 14 Plus is available for just $5 per month on an unlimited data plan right now - one of the strongest cell phone deals on the entire Verizon site. If getting your hands on a super-cheap flagship device wasn't enough, then note that you can also bundle in that free iPad and Apple Watch SE with this phone this week. This is a very, very strong promotion, particularly because you're not tied to the usual trade-in criteria.
Apple iPhone 14 & 14 Plus: free with eligible trade-in and unlimited plan at AT&T (opens in new tab)
If AT&T is your preferred carrier of choice, you'll also find very similar cell phone deals for the 14 and 14 Plus at this carrier too, with an $800 maximum saving available. Again, you'll need to trade in and be on an unlimited data plan to be eligible for a saving but this is a fantastic way to cut down those monthly fees over your new plan's duration. See this same deal on the iPhone 14 Plus (opens in new tab).
Samsung Galaxy S23: up to $1,000 off with a trade-in, or free tablet and smartwatch at Verizon (opens in new tab)
It's not just iPhones that are available with significant freebies with this week's cell phone deals at Verizon - you can also get a free Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Tab S7 with a new Galaxy S23. As with the iPhones, you can bundle these in on top of the usual trade-in rebate for some serious value. As of writing, the maximum saving is $800 on the standard Galaxy S23, and up to $1,000 off the Galaxy S23 Plus (opens in new tab) or the Galaxy S23 Ultra (opens in new tab).
Samsung Galaxy S23: free with a trade-in at AT&T (opens in new tab)
AT&T is always up there with the most competitive options for big carrier deals and today's promotions are extremely strong for the series Galaxy S23 series. It's trade-in rebates that rule the roost right now but the carrier is offering a particularly generous range of options for eligible devices right now. Put simply, if you have a relatively new Apple, Samsung, or Google device ready to hand over you should be able to get a shiny new Galaxy S23 for free - granted you're willing to go with an unlimited plan too. See this same deal on the Galaxy S23 Plus (opens in new tab) or the Galaxy S23 Ultra (opens in new tab).
Google Pixel 7: $5/mo with unlimited plan, plus $400 off smartwatch at Verizon (opens in new tab)
This particular promotion on the Google Pixel 7 could be in contention for the best deal at the carrier this week. Not only is this brand-new Android flagship available for just $5 per month with a new unlimited plan (no trade-in needed), but the carrier is also offering the chance to get $400 off a smartwatch in addition. This is another very strong freebie this week at Verizon and it's also up for grabs on the more premium Google Pixel 7 Pro (opens in new tab).
Google Pixel 6a: free with unlimited data plan, plus $400 off smartwatch at Verizon (opens in new tab)
This is quite possibly the best Verizon deal this week for Android fans on a budget. Not only can you get the excellent Google Pixel 6A for free right now on an unlimited data plan, but the carrier is also offering that $400 saving on a smartwatch in addition. The promotion here is essentially the same as those on the Pixel 7 above, but this is definitely a strong option if you want to cut out those pesky device payments.
If you don't mind switching carriers, you can find many of the best smartphone deals from the big four. The major carriers will often let you split the cost of the phone into monthly payments anywhere from 18 to 30 months, and sometimes longer. The deals they offer frequently cut the price of the phone in half, sometimes even offering the phone for free.
If you'd like to deep dive into specific carriers, we've got some great content for you in the form of our Verizon deals and AT&T deals pages. There you'll find a full list of what's available, including discounts on plans and even free phones.
Samsung Galaxy S23: up to $800 off with a trade, plus $100 store credit at Samsung (opens in new tab)
Samsung itself is offering some absolutely excellent trade-in rebates with its Galaxy S23 deals this week, offering discounts on not only carrier devices but also unlocked ones too. That makes it a super flexible choice for picking up a new flagship and the retailer will also throw in an additional $100 of store credit on top to sweeten the deal. While this isn't the biggest freebie ever, it's great for picking up accessories on the side. See this same deal on the Galaxy S23 Ultra (opens in new tab).
Deals on unlocked smartphones aren't always the most eye-popping, as they tend to offer only small cuts to the retail price. Occasionally you'll find a major deal on a new smartphone, usually late into the one-year refresh cycle for that brand. We've seen this kind of price drop commonly for Samsung flagships, but they aren't frequent and rarely match the up-front discounts carriers offer.
However, the savings you get from unlocked cell phone deals can be hidden. That's because an unlocked phone will let you freely move between carriers, so you can always choose the mobile plan that suits you. This can make your savings add up over time, as you won't be stuck on an expensive data plan for 24 months as you pay off your phone on an installment plan.
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G: $449.99 $399.99 at Amazon (opens in new tab)
The top pick over at our best cheap phones guide, we heartily recommend the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G if you're on a budget but want a powerful device. Not only is it fully 5G compatible (which you'd expect at this price), but it's got a great display and decent camera. Basically, everything you need from a cheap phone is there on this device and it's a really solid pick, even if it's not the lowest-costed device on the market currently.
Generally speaking, these devices may forgo some of the latest features and gadgets but you'd be surprised at how decent cheap phones are getting now. Exceptional battery life, expandable storage, and increasingly great screens are a commonplace feature now on even devices in the $200 mark. Cheap phone cameras too have come a long way in recent years.
These deals will generally let you save a little bit of money upfront, while the low cost of prepaid plans can help you save even more money over time. If you want the freedom to switch carriers later on, you'll want to double check what big network these smaller carriers are with and their policy around unlocking phones. If you find them a little too restrictive, we'd recommend checking out the unlocked phone deals above.
Samsung Galaxy S22 deals / Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus deals / Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra deals
The Galaxy S22 range has now been officially superseded by the latest Galaxy S23 series but these devices still hold up. While they no longer collectively represent the cutting edge, unlocked prices in particular are now starting to really drop on these still-great flagship phones. Note, however, that stocks won't last long now.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 deals / Galaxy Z Flip 4 deals
Want to try something new? Samsung's latest series of foldable phones have just been released with two excellent devices to choose from. While pricey, both the Flip 4 and Fold 4 are on the very bleeding edge of what's possible with smartphones. They're quite simply special devices with incredibly powerful components, stunning designs, and of course those beautiful foldable screens.
Google Pixel 6 deals / Google Pixel 6 Pro deals
Google's range of 2021 flagships are still a fantastic choice if you're on a budget. A completely redesigned aesthetic, powerful in-house Tensor chip, and above all else - a compelling price point has meant these new devices are very worthy choices indeed. Check out our bespoke pages on these two phones for more information.
For one thing, you should look around for different deals on the same phone. Carriers often offer heavy discounts, but occasionally they can be beat by deals on unlocked phones that will let you avoid getting stuck on an expensive mobile plan. So, if you see what seems like a good deal from a carrier, double check that you can't find a better deal elsewhere. And, be prepared to do some math to consider the price of the phone plus the price of the plan you'll be more or less locked into.
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