The best cell phone deals for December 2023

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Carrier phone deals
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We've rounded up all of this week's best cell phone deals into one neat little package right here for our readers. Looking to pick up a device before Christmas? We've got good news - excellent Black Friday specials from Verizon, Amazon, and a few other retailers are still up for grabs this week. For how much longer, we can't say for certain, but there are some superb cell phone deals to check out right now on both carrier and unlocked devices - both of which you'll find just below.

Cell phone deals: quick links

Assorted Apple, Samsung, and Google devices on a light blue background — (Image credit: Future)

Jump to the section that's relevant for you:
1. Carrier phone deals
2. Unlocked phone deals
3. Specific pages for more phone deals
4. 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 seen many carriers throw in freebies alongside their deals recently as an extra incentive to sign up for those plans.

Which type of cell phone deal should you go for? Well, that will depend on your personal needs. If you're looking for the latest flagship device and an unlimited plan to pair it up with then you'll find great options at carriers like Verizon and AT&T. If you're looking for maximum flexibility or long-term savings, then it's generally better to consider either buying a device unlocked and then weighing up your plan options separately. This isn't a bad idea since there are a number of great prepaid plans on the market right now and there are often bring-your-own-device savings at the major carriers, too.

Note, all of the devices featured on our list have been personally reviewed by the staff here at TechRadar. They're all fantastic picks in their own right and you won't find any sub-par choices included. If you'd like to find out which is best for you we'd recommend checking our updated guide to the best phones for 2023.

Today's best cell phone deals at a glance

Free iPad and Apple Watch: with eligible iPhone purchase at Verizon
Free iPhone 15 Pro: with trade-in and new unlimited line at Verizon
Free tablet and smartwatch: with Android devices at Verizon
Google Pixel 8 Pro: $200 off with a new plan at Mint Mobile
Google Pixel 8 Pro: $1,000 off with eligible trade at AT&T
iPhone 15 Pro: device plus plan for $60 at Boost Infinite
Apple trade-in: save up to $600 on a new iPhone with a trade

Carrier phone deals

Apple iPhone 15 series: get a free iPad and Apple Watch with an unlimited plan at Verizon
Still available: Verizon's headline Black Friday deal is still up for grabs, with the carrier offering a free 10th gen iPad 10.9 and a free 2nd-gen Apple Watch SE with an eligible 5G iPhone purchase. These freebies alone are worth $780 by themselves so this is a significant addition to the host of already-awesome trade-in rebates on the iPhone 15 series. The caveat here, however, is that you'll still need an unlimited data plan to be eligible for this saving.

Select Android devices: get a free Galaxy Tablet and Galaxy Watch 6 with an unlimited plan at Verizon
Black Friday deal still available: More into your Android devices? Good news - Verizon is also giving away some serious freebies with select flagships from Google and Samsung. As with on the latest iPhones, you'll be able to bundle in a free Galaxy Watch 6 and a Galaxy Tab S9 FE on the house when you pick up a phone alongside a new line on an unlimited data plan. This stacks on top of the current trade-in rebates of up to $1,000 on the Google Pixel 8 Pro, the Galaxy S23 series, and the Google Fold.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro: up to $1,000 off with a trade-in, plus free iPad and Apple Watch at Verizon
Here we go folks - this is our favorite trade-in rebate available right now on Verizon. While the maximum saving of $1,000 off is nothing new on the excellent iPhone 15 Pro, Verizon is currently letting you hand over any iPhone model to achieve that maximum rebate. That means you can potentially hand over an old beater and get a shiny new Phone 15 Pro in return - plus, the free Apple Watch and iPad that we've already outlined above. Note, this promo is only eligible with a new line on an unlimited data plan (upgraders can get up to $830 off).

Apple iPhone 14 Pro: free with an unlimited data plan at Verizon
No trade-in needed: Don't have an old iPhone ready to hand over for a trade rebate? One of the best Verizon deals available right now is on the slightly older iPhone 14 Pro. While stocks last, you can currently get this device for free alongside a new line on an unlimited data plan, which is a superb "freebie" if you're coming over fresh to Verizon. Note, this promotion was originally available on the 14 Pro Max but that's sold out now so we'd highly recommend picking this one up sooner rather than later if you're interested.

Google Pixel 8 Pro: free with an eligible trade-in and unlimited data plan at AT&T
Another superb trade-in focused cell phone deal this week on the brand new Google Pixel 8 Pro. You can get this device for free right now at AT&T with a hefty trade-in rebate of up to $1,000. While an unlimited data plan is still needed, of course, this is a great option for both new and existing customers at the carrier. If you'd prefer to not trade in, then you can get the standard Google Pixel 8 for just $15 per month with an unlimited plan right now.

Apple iPhone 15 series: up to $1,000 off with a trade-in at AT&T
The carrier AT&T is offering a good trade-in rebate of up to $1,000 for the Pro models and up to $800 off with the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus. These are essentially the 'standard' trade-in rebates for flagships at the major carrier, but they are a match for the best we've seen, so you're not missing out by getting that preorder in early. Note, however, that you will still need that 36-month unlimited data plan here to be eligible, which is the usual criteria you need to apply for a rebate at AT&T.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro: device plus unlimited plan for $60/mo at Boost Infinite
Here's a pretty awesome deal on the new iPhone 15 Pro. The company behind Boost Mobile has launched a new service specifically for iPhones over at its Boost Infinite site. This promotion offers you a completely unlimited data plan and an iPhone 15 Pro for just $60 per month. That's pretty damn great value by itself but Boost Infinite is also guaranteeing that you'll be able to upgrade to the next model in a year's time free of charge. Since this one isn't tied to the usual trade-in rebates at the major carriers it's one of the best iPhone 15 deals available in regard to barrier to entry. You could also potentially trade-in your device elsewhere then sign up at Boost Infinite with this promotion for even extra value.

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

Google Pixel 8 Pro: was ~~$999~~ now $799 at Amazon
Google's best Pixel is still getting a great discount; it dropped by $210 to its lowest price ever for Black Friday and though it's now risen by $10 that's still a big saving. This is a fantastic Pixel phone, with great cameras and cool new AI features that you'll only find on Pixel. The best part is that Google promised to support this phone for seven years, longer than any other phone, so this great deal will pay off long term.
Google Pixel 8: was ~~$699~~ now $549 at Amazon

Motorola Razr Plus (2023): was ~~$999.99~~ now $699.99 at Amazon
This huge price drop on the Motorola Razr Plus (which is known as the Razr 40 Ultra outside the US) brings its price down to the lowest we've ever seen. This was already one of the more affordable clamshell foldable phones, and Motorola had offers around launch time, but this price makes it a steal, and if you've ever considered a folding phone, we'd absolutely recommend this one. We called the Motorola Razr Plus "the foldable phone you've been waiting for" in our review.

Samsung Galaxy S23 series: up to $800 off with a trade at Samsung
Samsung is always a great choice if you're looking for a decent discount on an unlocked Galaxy device. While upfront savings tend to be a little rare, the official site offers fantastic all-year-round trade-in rebates that can offer a massive saving of up to $800 on a brand new Galaxy S23. If you're interested, you'll also find options for exclusive colors via the Samsung store as well as excellent bundle options for savings on ear buds and smartwatches. See this deal on the premium Galaxy S23 Ultra also.

Apple iPhone 15: up to $650 off with a trade-in at Apple
Apple itself isn't offering the best trade-in rates for the initial batch of iPhone 15 deals, but it is the only option if you want a shiny new unlocked device at launch. Right now, you can get up to $650 off with a trade-in at the official store, which is still pretty good and enough to cut that hefty price tag for a new model right down to size. To get the full amount ($650), you'll have to trade in an iPhone 14 Pro Max or equivalent device, although those handing over an iPhone 14 can still get a decent $430 off a new device.

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 - price cuts, trade-in rebates, and freebies with own-brand devices

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.

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.