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Shopping for a new phone? There’s an abundance of high-performance options on the market, with a generous selection to choose from within every price point. In fact, below we’ve rounded up the very best smartphone promotions from Apple, Samsung, Google, OnePlus, and more — all which currently sell for significantly less than the original price. So if you had an ideal smartphone in mind, at least one of these deals should fit right into your budget.
Also: Best smartphones to buy: Weighing in the top choices
OnePlus 10 Pro for free
Save up to $899
The OnePlus 10 Pro just launched and early bird shoppers can reap a series of deals from various retailers. The best deal comes from T-Mobile, with the Un-carrier offering an $899 discount when you trade in an eligible device (dating back to the iPhone X) and enroll in a 24-month, Magenta Max plan. That means if you play your cards right, you’ll only have to pay the sales tax to get the latest OnePlus flagship.
If you’d rather buy the phone without trading in, OnePlus’s website will bundle in a free pair of OnePlus Buds Z2 (worth $99), while Best Buy is offering a free $100 Best Buy gift card. Either case, you’ll be getting more than what you pay for.
Google Pixel 6 Pro for $839
Save $59
It’s a pleasure to see Google hit its stride with last year’s Pixel 6 series. Notably, the Pixel 6 Pro is one of the most premium Google-made handsets to date. It sports a 6.7-inch, 120Hz display that does an excellent job portraying the simple and personable software experience you’d come to expect from Android. On the back is a newly-designed camera hump that houses a 50-megapixel main camera, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 48MP telephoto. Powered by Google’s in-house Tensor chip and a 5,003 mAh battery, we’ve found the Pixel 6 Pro to be dependable, efficient, and a “no-fuss” smartphone.
While deals on Google’s latest handheld is less prevalent than other manufacturers, you can still save $59 right now when buying the Pixel 6 Pro on Amazon.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra for $349
Save up to $850
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is as much of a high-end S-series device as it is a Note. With a built-in S Pen, an upgraded camera array, and all the bells and whistles we’ve come to expect with Samsung flagships, you can buy the latest Galaxy for surprisingly cheap.
Right now, Samsung is running a promotion which gets you the new S22 Ultra for as little as $349 if you play your cards right. With an eligible device trade-in, the Galaxy maker will give you up to $850 off, instantly. Just make sure you ship out the trade-in once your S22 Ultra arrives.
Apple iPhone 13 at T-Mobile for free
Save up to $800
Right now T-Mobile is offering up to $800 worth of credit when you trade in an eligible device towards an any iPhone 13 model. You will also need to be enrolled in the carrier’s Magenta Max plan in order to reap the highest trade-in values and credits given. That said, with an $800 credit, you can basically get the iPhone 13 mini or iPhone 13 for free, or pay the difference for an iPhone 13 Pro or Pro Max.
If you aren’t signed up for T-Mobile’s Magenta Max plan, you can still get up to $400 worth of credits for trading in the same phones.
Apple iPhone 13 at Verizon for free
Save $1,000 and get an additional $1,000 in debit
If you’re on the fence about switching to Verizon, the carrier has a deal that will surely entice you. Currently, new customers can get up to $2,000 in credits ($1,000 via bill credit, $1,000 via prepaid MasterCard) when you switch to Verizon, buy any iPhone 13 model on a select unlimited plan, and add another line to your account.
If you don’t want to add a second line, you can take advantage of the carrier’s trade-in promotion, where you can hand in an old phone — working or not — and get up to $800 in credits towards an iPhone 13 model. This is similar to the T-Mobile deal mentioned above.
Either way, as along as you’re joining from another carrier, Verizon will give you a $1,000 prepaid Mastercard for your troubles.
OnePlus 9 Pro for $799
Save $220
We reviewed the OnePlus 9 Pro and OnePlus Buds Pro last year and gave both devices some of the highest ratings within their respective product categories. While not as recognizable as the iPhones and Galaxies, OnePlus has carved a niche within the mobile industry through ultra-smooth user experiences and super fast-charging.
Right now, the best discount on the 2021 handheld can be found on Amazon, with the commerce giant selling the unlocked, 256GB variant for $799 ($220 off).
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 for $900
Save $100
While it may take months before Samsung launches its next batch of foldables, last year’s models are still worth buying — especially at a discount. Among the Z Fold and Z Flip series, the latter gets my recommendation for most users. It’s pocket-friendly, reasonably priced for the tech, and comes in a form factor that many are familiar with.
Launched with a $999 price tag, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 can be had right now for as low as $899 at Amazon, undercutting most other flagship phones on the market today. Available for the Phantom Black color only, you’re getting a stunning 6.7-inch, 120Hz flip phone, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, and all the Galaxy software perks. The latest iteration of the Z Flip also sports an IPX8 rating, meaning it can take a splash of water and rain.
When should I upgrade my phone?
Believe it or not, you don’t have to upgrade to that new, shiny phone every year. Modern day smartphones are designed to function for years and years, especially if the manufacturer offers extensive software support.
Still, there are a couple of reasons why you may want to consider upgrading from your current phone:
- Poor software performance: If you’ve had the displeasure of experiencing app crashes and delayed loading times, then you may have been told to “factory reset the phone”. While that certainly helps with refreshing the internal state of your device, it is only a Band-Aid of a solution and you’ll be hard pressed to face similar usability problems again in the long run.
- Faulty battery: Nearly every phone in the market runs on lithium-ion batteries, which degrade over time and have the potential to swell if kept in hazardous conditions. If you’re experiencing poor battery life or your phone doesn’t hold its charge well, then that may be your signal to replace the battery or the phone altogether.
- Hardware defect: Like the battery, if your device suffers from any hardware damage (i.e Cracked screen, unresponsive digitizer, crackling speaker, etc.), then an upgrade may be due.
It never hurts to switch to the best, and as this deal list has shown, you don’t have to pay a fortune to do so.
Should I buy from a carrier or directly from the manufacturer (unlocked)?
Between carrier stores and that of brands, the first question you should ask yourself when deciding where to buy from is “Locked or unlocked?”.
- An unlocked phone allows you to use the device with different carrier services and without any of the third-party bloatware and contractually agreements. This is important if you plan on switching carriers or travel internationally.
- A locked phone restricts your mobile data usage to the carrier that you purchased the device from, whether that’s T-Mobile, Verizon, or AT&T. While it sounds less beneficial than buying unlocked, carrier stores are more likely to offer you deals and promotions that make the upgrading cost significantly less. For example, the best iPhone deals available right now are mostly from carriers.
If you do purchase a locked phone from a carrier and end up switching to a different service, don’t fret. Thanks to the “Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act,” US carriers must unlock your phone after you’ve fully paid it off and finished any contracts or agreements.
Which phone should I buy?
There is a plethora of phone brands on the market so you’ll definitely meet a few crossroads during your purchasing journey. To help, ask yourself the following questions:
- iOS or Android? These two operating systems make up more than 95% of the market, so picking between the two is your first big choice. iOS, the Apple iPhone’s operating system, is known to be user-friendly, secure, and home to a robust library of quality apps. Android, on the other hand, utilizes Google’s software and AI smarts to produce a more customizable user experience.
- Small or large? What do you use your phone for? Browsing social media? Streaming TV shows on the go? Some users prefer smaller devices for its ergonomics and one-handed usability. Larger phones provide more screen real estate for social and multimedia consumption. You can also expect greater battery life with the latter.
- Budget? How much are you willing to spend on your next phone? Fortunately, there is a wide selection of capable mobile handsets on the market, so paying less doesn’t always mean you’re getting the worst. Today, you can buy a 5G-ready smartphone for as little as $200.
My best advice for you is to give every phone a try! There’s nothing more helpful than holding and interacting with the phones at your local brick-and-mortar and seeing what satisfies your consumer needs.
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