Buying directly from the manufacturer or an online retailer are only applicable if you would like to have a SIM-free handset. However, if you want to purchase a unit while also paying for a plan, you can simply get a smartphone from a mobile operator. Most carriers offer free handsets along with their plans, although the downside is that you might be forced to agree to a lengthy two-year contract.
Apple, Samsung, Motorola and Sony phones usually introduce new smartphones during the month of September. Just remember that carriers will usually push for you to sign two-year contracts to get the latest smartphone unit from specific manufacturers. If you wait three or six months after the latest Samsung mobile phone is released in the market, you can definitely get it at a lower price.
Ask your carrier about installment plan options to save money when buying a smartphone. Most offer plans where you will pay off the value of your new device in monthly installments in exchange for a two-year contract. Just make sure that there are no activation or upgrade fees. Mobile carriers also offer family plans where the cost of each line is cheaper than individual line plans. The more family members you have, the cheaper each line becomes.
Finally, consider recycling your old smartphone. If you simply want to upgrade and the old phone that you have is still in good condition, trade it through sites like Glyde, Gazelle, NextWorth and even Amazon.com. Manufacturers like Apple and retailers like Best Buy, Walmart and Target also offer gift cards in exchange for old devices like smartphones.
This is the best way to dispose of old electronics properly while getting perks for yourself at the same time. There are also trade-in deals that you can consider agreeing to, where you can get anywhere from $100 to $300, depending on the brand of smartphone that you have.
Buying a smartphone outright is often cheaper in the long run, compared to locking yourself into a two-year contract. But you may find that new, popular models from Apple and Samsung end up costing less on a plan.
The cheapest iPhone 11 plan over 24 months and also very good value is a Vodafone mid-range ($40 lite) plan that will cost you about $1500 over 24 months. The plan includes unlimited voice and text as well as a promotion where you get 50GB of internet data. One thing to note is that the iPhone 11 is 4G only, which means you won't get 5G performance regardless of the network carrier you select. The good news is that you can select virtually any network carrier as you'll get 4G across the network.
The most affordable plans over 24 months for Apple's top of the line smartphone includes a Vodafone plan at around $2200 over 24 months. The plan includes unlimited voice and text as well as a promotion where you get 50GB of internet data. However, the iPhone 12 Pro is a 5G mobile, and until Vodafone improves its 5G coverage, there may be fewer areas for you to take advantage of the higher speeds.
Telstra is most likely to deliver the most areas with 5G access, so if you really need the extra speed, this is the one to consider until the other networks catch up. Or you can buy the iPhone 12 Pro (256GB) outright for about $1900 and get a SIM-only plan. Telstra's cheapest plan ($55) doesn't include 5G support. The cheapest plan with 5G is about $65.
The most affordable plan over 24 months is from Woolworths Mobile. But they claim to only use part of the Telstra 4G and 3G network which seems pretty useless if you want to take advantage of all the 5G potential this premium smartphone has to offer.
Here is an example of just some of the plans that are available with Telcel in Mexico. To keep you from dozing off, I am ONLY including the very cheapest plan, the mid-range plan I always get, and the most expensive plan they offer. This way you can see the range and get a good idea of cost.
When I compared prices on unlocked phones in February 2023, Newegg offered the lowest prices on a Samsung Galaxy A53 behind only eBay and Swappa. For this reason, I recommend checking out Newegg before deciding where to buy an unlocked smartphone.
5G smartphone sale: free w/ unlimited @ Verizon (opens in new tab)
For a limited time, Verizon is offering various 5G phones for free when you open a new line or with eligible 5G data plans. (No trade-in is required). Eligible phones include the iPhone 13 mini, Pixel 6a, iPhone 12, and more.
Unlocked Google Pixel 6: was $599 now $414 @ Amazon (opens in new tab)
Amazon has the unlocked Pixel 6 on sale for $414. That's one of the cheapest prices we've seen for this unlocked model at Amazon.
Google Pixel 6 Pro (5G/128GB): was $899 now $514 @ Amazon (opens in new tab)
The Google Pixel 6 Pro packs a Google Tensor processor, 120Hz display, incredible camera array and a beautiful refreshed design. It's one of the best value smartphones on the market and thanks to this Amazon deal it's now an even better bargain.
If you can do without your phone for a week or two then the cheapest option would be to send it away to one of the dozens of phone unlocking companies based in Hong Kong who will unlock and root your phone for a fraction of the prices charged in Japan.
Receive up to $504 promo credit ($180 w/Welcome Unlimited, $360 w/ 5G Start, or $504 w/5G Do More, 5G Play More, 5G Get More or One Unlimited for iPhone plan (Welcome Unlimited and One Unlimited for iPhone plans can't be mixed w/other Unlimited plans; all lines on the account req'd on respective plans)) when you add a new smartphone line with your own 4G/5G smartphone on an eligible postpaid plan between 2/10/23 and 4/5/23. Promo credit applied over 36 months; promo credits end if eligibility requirements are no longer met.
This classically-styled flip phone is compact, durable and offers features that let you stay connected without all of the complicated touch technology found on a smartphone. The large, backlit keypad makes dialing or texting easy so you can use it with confidence even in lowlight conditions. Staying connected with friends and family, checking your calendar and sending emails are simple and seamless. Volume controls and a dedicated camera button are located on the side of the phone so snapping a picture or adjusting the volume can be done quickly, whenever needed. An ergonomic design and grooved checkerboard pattern create a secure grip, making this the perfect phone for someone who wants a slightly upgraded basic phone.
Turning your smartphone into a hotspot lets you connect tablets, MP3 players, and other Wi-Fi-enabled devices to this ad hoc network. Here, the idea is to make your smartphone function like a modem and router simultaneously.
The drawback of the smartphone hotspot is that it contributes to phone battery drain and data plan consumption. Your phone might also get hot when connected with multiple devices. Also, this won't be suitable while you're traveling abroad. Furthermore, the number of devices you can connect to your smartphone hotspot depends on the device you're using and your data throughput.
If you want an uninterrupted WI-Fi connection but need to receive frequent calls from your family or colleagues, it's better to drop the idea of using the smartphone hotspot. Phone calls you make using the cellular network will hamper the internet connection.
These devices essentially have the facility to include cellular data connections as a phone. It creates a wireless network to which you can connect your devices. However, don't expect the device to do other things that you can do using a smartphone.
In most cases, it is possible to ship a cell phone internationally by either mail or courier. The only smartphone model not allowed for shipping by air is Samsung Galaxy Note 7 due to battery problems.
As of today, smartphones containing attached, non-removable lithium-ion batteries can be sent by all modes of transport, provided they comply with the parameters set forth in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria:
RingCentral is a far cry from your traditional business cell phone plan. It does not offer a wireless network or devices for your team. Instead, this VoIP service offers a monthly (or annual) subscription to software you can use from a computer, tablet or smartphone via an app. In most cases, subscribing to RingCentral and having your team log in to the app via their accounts is a lot more affordable than going with one of the big wireless carriers. Therefore, it is our top overall pick for business cell phone plans.
The only downside with RingCentral as a business cell phone plan is it requires a fair amount of trust. On one end, you will need to consider whether or not you can count on your team members to keep company information secure if the app is installed on their personal devices. Additionally, your staff may not feel comfortable with having their work phone installed onto their smartphones.
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