Whether you're an Apple fan or an Android aficionado, you'll find all of this week's best cell phone deals all rounded up right here on this page. We've searched every carrier and trusted retailer to come up with some handy recommendations, which are great whether you're looking for a cheap unlocked device, an upgrade, or even a new cell phone plan.
This week's cell phone deals include some fantastic choices for picking up the iPhone 13 but it's not all about these latest Apple devices. You'll also find excellent choices for older iPhones (free iPhone 12 mini anyone?), the latest Galaxy Z foldables, and plenty of budget devices too.
Jump to the section that's relevant for you:
1. Carrier phone deals
2. Unlocked phone deals
3. Prepaid phone deals
4. Specific pages for more phone deals
5. Phone deal tips
Generally speaking, you'll find cell phone deals coming in two forms - first as an outright sale on an unlocked device, and secondly as part of a carrier-plan tie-in. The latter can be a bit tricky, involving new cell phone plans and also trade-ins on old devices, but the savings can be absolutely huge if you're eligible. We've also included a third alternative option - cell phone deals from prepaid carriers. These smaller carriers don't tend to offer huge savings on a device, but you'll generally be scoring a much cheaper cell phone plan so it's worth considering the switch for sure.
As you'd expect, with the launch of the iPhone 13 it's a great time to be checking out cell phone deals. Not only do we have four new devices hitting the market right now, but the iPhone 12 and iPhone 11 are now a whole $100 cheaper than they were a month ago across the board. Recent Android flagship launches from Samsung and OnePlus have also given us some very, very high-end choices as well as price cuts on older models.
We've rounded up our top picks just down below, but if you're looking for something a little more specific, we've also got individual sections for carrier deals, unlocked phones, and prepaid phones. Simply scroll down or use the handy navigation links to jump to the section that's relevant to you.
- There's a new iPhone! iPhone 13 deals available to pre-order Friday
Today's best cell phone deals at a glance
- Free Verizon iPhone 13 upgrade: available with an eligible trade-in
- Apple iPhone 13 trade-in: save up to $790 with an eligible trade-in at Apple
- AT&T iPhone 13: save up to $700 with an eligible trade-in and new unlimited plan
- Free iPhone 13 Pro: with eligible trade-in and new unlimited line at AT&T
- Free iPhone 12 mini (no trade): free with an eligible unlimited data plan at Verizon
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3: save up to $1,500 with trade-in and new line at Verizon
- Cheap Samsung Galaxy S21:
$799.99$149.99 with an eligible trade-in at Samsung - OnePlus 9 (unlocked):
$729.99$659.99 at OnePlus - Apple trade-in: save up to $790 on a new iPhone with a trade
- Mint Mobile: iPhone 12 Mini with 6-months of free data
- Want to know which is for you? Check out the best phones in the US
Carrier phone deals
Apple iPhone 13: free with an eligible trade-in, plus up to $500 off with a switch at Verizon
All new iPhone 13 devices are available with significant savings with this week's cell phone deals at Verizon. Of particular note is the trade-in rebate of up to $800 ($1,000 on the Pro model); eligible for customers who pick up a device on a new unlimited line. Switch over from another carrier and Verizon will also score you an additional $500 account credit to spend on either device or plan payments. Also available on the iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max.View Deal
Apple iPhone 13: free with an eligible trade-in and new unlimited plan at AT&T
AT&T's cell phone deals offer trade-in discounts of up to $800 on the iPhone 13 and $700 on the iPhone 13 mini - a sum that's actually enough to cover the entire cost of either device when bought in conjunction with a new unlimited plan. This maximum saving goes up to a whopping $1,000 if you trade-in on the 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max. See this deal on the iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max.View Deal
Apple iPhone 12 mini: free with an eligible unlimited data plan at Verizon
No trade-ins needed: Here's one fantastic cell phone deal from Verizon that's quite possibly capable of stealing the limelight from the current options on the iPhone 13. Don't have a device to trade in? No problem, you can still score yourself a free iPhone 12 mini - a fully 5G capable device - for free with an eligible unlimited plan. This is the first time we've seen a 12-series device (and 5G iPhone) go for free under these terms, so it's a great option all around. View Deal
Apple iPhone 12: $20 $15/mo with an unlimited plan at AT&T
AT&T holds the crown for the best cell phone deals on the now older (but still fantastic) iPhone 12 this week. No trade-ins are needed to bag this device with a significant discount at this carrier - just a line on an eligible unlimited data plan. That makes this one a very viable (and much cheaper) alternative to simply buying an iPhone 13 outright with a new plan if you're not able to trade in an old device. Note, savings are also available on the 12 Mini.View Deal
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max: $28 $20/mo with an unlimited plan at AT&T
And, you can get a similar saving on the iPhone 12 Pro Max at AT&T this week. Again, no trade-ins are needed here to bag a discount on this awesome device, just a line on an unlimited plan. You might have to hurry to bag this one - there's only one color left in stock and this device is discontinued. Once it's gone it's gone!View Deal
Apple iPhone 12: save up to $415 with eligible trade-in at T-Mobile
Get the best coverage with T-Mobile? No problem, there are also great cell phone deals at this carrier on the iPhone 12. At a maximum discount of $415 with a trade-in, this week's savings at T-Mobile aren't quite as good as those offered by rival carriers, however. That said, if this is your carrier of choice, then you can still get yourself a nice little saving.View Deal
Samsung Galaxy S21 series: save up to $1,200 with trade-in at Verizon
While the standard device is currently on backorder, you can still reserve a device with Verizon's excellent array of cell phone deals on the Galaxy S21 series. Trade-in and pickup a device on a new unlimited data plan and you'll save up to $800 - a sum that can be supplemented even further by an additional $500 gift card for those switching over from another carrier. Note, this deal is also available on the Galaxy S21 Plus and the Galaxy S21 Ultra.View Deal
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3: save up to $1,000 with trade-in, plus $500 with number port-in at Verizon
Trade in an old device and pick up a Galaxy Z Flip 3 at Verizon this week and a free device is potentially on the cards with the carrier's maximum rebate of up to $1,000. If that wasn't all, new customers will also score a $500 bonus for porting in their number right now - a ton of credit that can be spent on both monthly device costs and plan costs.View Deal
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3: save up to $1,000 with trade-in, plus free Galaxy Buds 2 at AT&T
Prefer AT&T? You can get essentially the same saving on the Galaxy Z Flip 3 at this carrier with a trade-in. There's no new customer bonus in particular, but the carrier is throwing in a free pair of Galaxy Buds 2 with every device - a rather nice freebie. If you're more interested in the Galaxy Z Fold 3 you can check out the same promotion (trade-in, plus plan) on its page here.View Deal
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE: free with an eligible unlimited data plan at Verizon
If you like the idea of a free 5G device without the need for a trade-in at Verizon but prefer Android, consider the Galaxy S20 FE. This device is a little older now but it's still absolutely fantastic and more than powerful enough to keep up in 2021. Alongside the iPhone 12 mini (above), this is a top pick if you don't have a device to trade. Note, you can pick up this device for $10 a month at AT&T (no trade-ins needed) if you'd prefer.View Deal
- Verizon - has a whole section of their site dedicated to phone deals
- AT&T - also offers a huge range of phone deals
- Sprint - currently offering free phones and other great phone deals
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.
To get these deals, you'll generally need to be adding a new line and signing up for a specific mobile plan. But, as long as you're planning to get an unlimited data plan anyway, they can make it a lot more affordable to pick up a brand new phone.
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.
Unlocked cell phone deals
Apple iPhone 13: save up to $790 with an eligible trade-in at Apple
Going unlocked with your new device? Apple's not exactly been known for great value cell phone deals but its latest maximum trade-in rebate of up to $790 via its official program is the highest we've seen yet from the tech giant. Put simply, this is a great saving and could see you paying just $9 for a new iPhone 13 and a big fat zero dollars for an iPhone 13 Mini. This deal is also available on the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max.View Deal
Apple iPhone 12: $699.99 $0 with an eligible trade-in at Apple
Price drop - It's not all about cell phone deals on the new iPhone 13 this week - Apple has also dropped the upfront price on unlocked iPhone 12 models by a while $100. While it's not the latest device anymore, that's a great price to pay for a phone that looks pretty much identical to the 13 - plus it's still got 5G capabilities too.
View Deal
Samsung Galaxy S21: $799.99 $149.99 with an eligible trade-in at Samsung
Save $650 - Like Apple, you can buy unlocked cell phone deals directly from Samsung itself on its excellent range of Android flagships. The possible savings are even bigger here, however, with a whopping $700 being the maximum saving and Samsung will even take devices with cracked screens. If you do happen to have a trade ready, this is most likely your best bet.
Galaxy S21 Plus: $999 $249 | Galaxy S21 Ultra: $1,199 $399View Deal
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra: $1,199 $1,030 at Amazon
Save $169 - There's a modest saving to be had on the Galaxy S21 Ultra with this week's unlocked cell phone deals at Amazon. It's quite a good saving but we'd probably hold off until Black Friday on this one since we've seen $250 savings before on this device. That said, it's worth keeping an eye on this one and checking in because the standard S21 is currently sold out at Amazon.View Deal
OnePlus 9 (unlocked, 128GB): $729.99 $659.99 at OnePlus
Save $70 - Another great choice for an up-to-date Android flagship is the OnePlus 9 - the latest device from the brand that's barely a few months old right now. With a powerful Snapdragon 888 chip, co-designed Hasselblad camera system, and 120 Hz display, this one's definitely up there with the best Android devices money can buy right now. Currently, One Plus itself has the cheapest unlocked price on this particular handset and some bundle options too.View Deal
OnePlus 8 (unlocked, 128GB): $699 $392.14 at Amazon
Save $307 - The price on the venerable old OnePlus 8 keeps getting lower and lower each week at Amazon. Safe to say this latest price cut is easily the cheapest one we've seen so far and an absolute steal for this device, even if it is a little bit older. If you're not fussed about 5G connectivity then you'll get your hands on a very impressive device indeed featuring a ton of power, a good camera, and a gorgeous edge-to-edge 90hz display.View Deal
Apple refurb program: save up to $370 on a refurbished iPhone
Refurb tech has a bit of a bad rep but hear us out - picking up a refurbished iPhone directly from the Apple store itself has a number of benefits outside of simply being cheap. Being refurbed by Apple itself means you're getting fully official replacement parts, quality assurance testing, and a really generous warranty and return period too. Definitely consider it if you're looking to save some cash.View Deal
- Apple - offers upfront discounts on unlocked phone deals with trade-ins
- Samsung - save up to $500 on select phone deals with trade-ins
- Amazon - has a vast selection of unlocked phone deals on a range of brands
- Best Buy - also an excellent place to find unlocked phone deals
- OnePlus - has a great Black Friday cell phone sale going on right now
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.
You can also sometimes get deals directly from the phone's manufacturer, as they can offer trade-in discounts that retail stores generally won't.
Prepaid phone deals
Apple iPhone 13: $200 gift card, plus free HomePod Mini with switch at Visible
Here's a really compelling alternative pick for the initial batch of iPhone 13 cell phone deals - Visible Wireless. This fantastic prepaid carrier is offering up new customers a $200 gift card on the house plus a free Apple HomePod Mini smart speaker. While paying full price, this carrier has 5G unlimited data plans for as little as $25 a month, so it's definitely worth considering if you're looking to save in the long run.View Deal
Apple iPhone 12: 6-months of free service with switch at Mint Mobile
Mint Mobile's cheap plans already made it a favorite among prepaid plan users, however, it's just released a couple of great cell phone deals on the iPhone 12-series to really entice people over. New customers who buy either an iPhone 12 or 12 Mini upfront can score themselves 6-months of service on the house this week. While pricey upfront, this is a good choice if you're thinking a head and want to save in the long run with a great cheap prepaid carrier.View Deal
Apple iPhone SE: 6-months of free service with switch at Mint Mobile
And that same excellent prepaid cell phone deal at Mint Mobile this week is also available on the iPhone SE. This one's got a lower upfront price versus the 12-series devices so it's probably a better choice if you're strictly on a budget and are the type of light user that would make good use of the 4GB plan. Note, however, the iPhone SE isn't a 5G device like the iPhone 12 or 12 Mini though, so your speeds won't be quite as speedy on Mint.View Deal
iPhone SE: free $50 online gift card with switch at Visible
Here's another strong prepaid cell phone deal from Visible - one of the better choices out there right now for a cheap unlimited data plan. If you're a new customer buying the iPhone SE from the Visible store the carrier will throw in a free $50 online gift card to spend at hundreds of stores.View Deal
Apple iPhone SE: $449.99 free with switch at Cricket Wireless
Price drop - Cricket wireless was already offering one of the cheapest prepaid cell phone deals on the iPhone SE before this week, but they've completely done away with the upfront price for new customers now. To be eligible you will, however, need to be switching over from another carrier, so bear that in mind.
View Deal
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra: $300 off with activation at Google Fi
While we've featured mostly cheap devices in our prepaid cell phone deals section, here's one for all of you who like a more premium device. Over at Google Fi this week you can get a full $300 rebate when you activate a Galaxy S21 Ultra purchased through the store. Note - this promo is also available on the Galaxy S21 Plus and standard Galaxy S21.View Deal
Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus: $999.99 $749.99 at PureTalk USA
PureTalk isn't just offering price cuts on cheap Apple devices this week, you'll also find a hefty $250 saving on the Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus. Again, you'll need to be porting your number over to be eligible, but this one's a great option if you want to cut out the middle man at an unlocked retailer.View Deal
- Mint Mobile - one of our favorite prepaid carriers offers excellent bundles
- Visible - has a great unlimited plan plus great phone deals if you switch
- Boost Mobile - offers upfront savings on a range of phone deals
Pre-paid carriers aren't locking you into a contract, so they don't have the same incentive to offer massive discounts and device installment plans. But even still, there are still some phone deals to be found, even if their sales don't quite match those found on the big carriers.
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.
If you'd like to see more prepaid phone deals, we recommend checking out our main page on this week's best Mint Mobile deals and Visible wireless deals.
iPhone and Android deals
Looking for something specific? We've got a whole host of dedicated phone deal pages that are super handy if you've got your eye on that new iPhone or Galaxy in particular.
Cell phone plans
Looking to simply save on that bill? Perhaps it's time to switch or upgrade that old plan you've been on for years. Our roundup of the best cell phone plans in the US is one of the best resources on the web for finding the right plan for you. No matter whether you're looking for a cheap plan, unlimited or a plan for your family, our guide will help you out.
iPhone deals
Not sure which Apple device is for you? If you need a guide to the best prices on the whole range, our iPhone deals roundup is the place to start. You'll find the best offers from all the big carriers right here, as well as the cheapest prepaid and unlocked iPhone deals currently available.
iPhone 13 deals / iPhone 13 mini deals
Here it is folks - the latest Apple flagship for 2021. With a powerful new processor, improved battery life, camera upgrades, and an expanded storage capacity, both the 13 and 13 Mini are great choices for the average user. See our bespoke guides to score yourself a nice little price cut today.
iPhone 13 Pro deals / iPhone 13 Pro Max deals
Feeling a bit flush? Why not check out our articles on how to save some cash on the latest premium flagships from Apple, the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max. These devices are the first to include a 120Hz refresh rate - a welcome improvement that, alongside an upgraded processor and camera system, means they're easily some of the most powerful devices you can get in 2021.
iPhone 12 deals / iPhone 12 Mini deals
Apple's 2020 flagship is a fantastic choice - especially since it's now at least $100 cheaper than release across the board. Check out our latest deals roundup for this week's news on this great new device, and, where to pick yourself one up for much less than you would think....
iPhone 12 Pro Max deals
The biggest, baddest, and of course, most expensive Apple device from 2020, the iPhone 12 Pro Max, is still a great choice for 2021 - especially for avid phone photographers. Check out our bespoke deals page to see how you can potentially dodge that eye-wateringly high price tag.
iPhone 11 deals
The cheapest of Apple's latest flagship trio, the iPhone 11 is an excellent phone to go for. It sports a dual camera set-up, an ultra fast CPU, IP68 rating and a 3110mAh battery. This luxury phone has a lot to offer, and better still - it even comes at a lower introductory RRP than the also excellent iPhone XR.
iPhone SE deals
Apple's low-cost flagship, the iPhone SE, is the 2nd generation of Apple's fantastic budget range. It brings a lot of impressive, up-to-date specs including Apple's A13 Bionic chip, 4K video, and a new portrait mode. Even with all this brand new tech under the hood it still manages to come in at a wallet-friendly price, thanks to the reuse of the venerable old iPhone 8 design.
iPhone XR deals
The iPhone XR was the budget flagship until the new iPhone SE superseded it earlier this year. That's not to say it's still not an excellent phone however with its powerful A12 bionic chip and massive battery life. Better still the prices just keep getting lower and lower, so you're really spoilt for choice when it comes to cheap iPhones right now.
Samsung Galaxy S21 deals / Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus deals
Early 2021 has brought a whole fresh range of excellent new flagships from Samsung in the form of the new Galaxy S21 range. Astonishingly, these handsets are coming in at a whole $200 cheaper than the launch prices of the prior generation. That doesn't mean Samsung has cheaped out though, these phones still carry a ton of great specs and a powerful new processor in particular.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra deals
We've also got a separate page for the current biggest and baddest phone from Samsung - the Galaxy S21 Ultra. With a quad-camera array, incredibly powerful processor, and stunning 1440p display capable of 144Hz (!), this is currently the phone to buy if you're really, really serious about your Android devices.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 deals / Galaxy Z Flip 3 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 3 and Fold 3 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.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 deals / Galaxy Note 20 Ultra deals
Are you a fan of big phones? Your first destination should be our roundup page of the best offers on Samsung's latest phablets - the Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra. Expanded battery's, updated designs and of course awesome S-Pen functionality are all hallmarks of these awesome new (and huge) phones.
Google Pixel 5 deals
It's not just new Apple phones releasing this quarter, the brand new Google Pixel 5 is also a relatively new addition. A top phone for Android users, the new Google Pixel 5 is actually much more economical than you would think, thanks to a range of excellent design choices.
Google Pixel 4 deals / Google Pixel 4a deals
After Google managed to win the public over with three generations of top camera phones, hopes were high for the Google Pixel 4. For those wanting a camera phone to compete with the best out there, this will be the way to go. It's no surprise to hear that this is Google's best phone yet.
OnePlus 9 deals
Check out this week's best cell phone deals on the latest devices from the well-known Chinese brand OnePlus - the 9 and the 9 Pro. With co-designed Hasselblad camera systems, powerful Snapdragon 888 processors, and gorgeous 120Hz displays, these are a great alternative to the likes of Google, Apple, and Samsung.
Phone deal tips
If you want to be sure you're getting a good deal on a phone, there are a lot of factors you need to consider.
Compare your favorite retailers
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.
Shop at the right time of year
Shopping around big sales events is also a good time to find a phone deal. While major retailers cut prices on popular products, carriers can also take those opportunities to make their usual discounts even more enticing. Carriers also offer some of these major discounts around the launch of a new phone. Even if the price of the phone doesn't change, there may be some freebies that add extra value.
Switch to get the best phone deals
If you're after the steepest discounts, though, you'll likely need to be ready to switch carriers or at least add new lines to your account. Major carriers strongly incentivize this, and it's one of the few ways you'll get a new phone for more than 50% off. These deals can sometimes be easier if you have a second person you're shopping with, as buy-one-get-one deals are also incredibly common and often only entail one new line of service.