The 7 best phone deals right now: Get a new phone for school on sale
If your phone finally broke down and you need an upgrade, you're in luck. Right now, there is an abundance of high-performance options on the market, with a generous selection to choose from at every price point. And with back-to-school sales ramping up, the deals show no sign of slowing down.
In fact, we've rounded up the best smartphone promotions from Apple, Samsung, Google, OnePlus, and more -- all of which currently sell for significantly less than the original price. So if you have 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
- Current Price: $0 with eligible trade-in
- Original Price: $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 OnePlus Watch Midnight Black smartwatch (worth $159).
- Current Price: $149 with eligible trade-in
- Original Price: $449
With a $300 eligible trade-in, Google's budget-friendly phone, the Google Pixel 6a, uses Google's signature Tensor processor chip for a speedy performance. You'll get intelligent photography technology including Magic Eraser, Face Unblur, and Real Tone features, and the battery can last up to 24 hours on a single charge. It's also water resistant.
If you preorder now, you'll get the phone as well as a set of Google's latest earbuds, the Google Pixel Buds Pro, for free, which is a $200 value on top of the eligible trade-in.
- Current Price: $1,112
- Original Price: $1,299
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 8K array, and all the bells and whistles we've come to expect with Samsung flagships, you'll also get 256GB of storage. As a bonus, it's factory unlocked, so you can activate it at any cell service provider.
Right now, Amazon wants to save you some cash and slashed the price by $185. The lowest price we've seen in the past is $999 for the phone, but this is still a great deal.
- Current Price: $1,375
- Original Price: $1,799
This large and mighty folding phone can not only act like a mobile device, but it's also a multi-tasking powerhouse with an AMOLED screen that unfolds to 7.6-inches and can display multiple tabs at once. It's great for those who like to video chat with friends, take beautiful imagery thanks to the 12MP cameras on front and back, and play mobile games on the 120Hz screen.
More: The best Samsung phones: Explore a new Galaxy
- Current Price: down to $0 with eligible trade-in and new line
- Original Price: $799
Right now, T-Mobile is offering up to $800 worth of credit when you trade in an eligible device and add a new line toward an any iPhone 13 model. You will also need to be enrolled in the carrier's Magenta Max plan 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 a small difference for an iPhone 13 Pro or Pro Max.
If you aren't signed up for T-Mobile's Magenta Max plan, and if you don't need to add another line, you can still get up to $400 worth of credits for trading in the same phones.
- Current Price: $0 with eligible trade-in
- Original Price: $799
Similar to the T-Mobile deal above, Verizon currently offers $800 off a new iPhone 13 plus an additional $200 Verizon gift card when you trade in your phone. It's a great option if you want to add a pair of Apple AirPods to your bundle package, which just so happen to be on sale at the retailer for $199 -- a savings of $50 there, too.
- Current Price: $699
- Original Price: $1,069
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 Apple and Samsung, OnePlus has carved a niche within the mobile industry through ultra-smooth user experiences and super-fast charging.
- Current Price: $849
- Original Price: $999
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 purchased right now for as low as $849 at Amazon, undercutting most other flagship phones on the market today. The offer is available for the Phantom Black color only, but you get a stunning 6.7-inch, 120Hz flip phone with 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 type solution and you are likely 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)?
When deciding whether to buy from carrier stores or brand stores, the first question you should ask yourself 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 or contractual agreements. This is important if you plan to switch 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 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 completed any contracts or agreements.
Which phone should I buy?
There is a plethora of phone brands on the market, so you'll definitely come to 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 choosing 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 their ergonomics and one-handed usability. Larger phones provide more screen real estate for social and multimedia consumption. You also can 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 at a brick-and-mortar store. There's nothing more helpful than holding and interacting with the phones in person and seeing what satisfies your consumer needs.
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