Tips for finding the best smartphone deals online
Get the latest deals and discounts from your wireless carrier
The best cell phone deals will often be available directly from your wireless carrier. Not only does your wireless service provider want to make sure that you have a phone that's compatible with their network, but everyone also loves great phone deals.
It's easy to get cell phone deals at AT&T. With AT&T Unlimited Your Way® you can mix and match plans for each member of your family and purchase your phone on an AT&T Installment PlanSM. We offer a variety of phone offers starting at a low monthly price, either with an eligible trade-in or if you bring your own device (BYOD). Learn more about the great phone deals AT&T offers on new smartphones for both new and existing users.
If you already have a cell phone with AT&T WirelessSM service, you may be eligible for an upgrade. Current customers get the same great phone deals as our new customers and qualify even if they have one of our legacy unlimited plans. You may wish to check your upgrade eligibility and learn more about our best cell phone deals.
If you’d like to upgrade your device early, you may be interested in the AT&T Next Up® program. You can upgrade to a new phone when you turn in your current phone after paying off 50% of the device cost. AT&T Next Up is the best option for early adopters that never want to miss the newest device.
Choose the best time to buy or upgrade your device
If you're not replacing a broken phone immediately, you may have the luxury of waiting for the best seasonal deals on a new smartphone. AT&T gives new and existing customers our best cell phone deals throughout the year, and seasonal and holiday promotions can offer additional savings.
Seasonal sales like Black Friday and Cyber Monday are some of the best opportunities to buy new devices because most major retailers offer significant discounts. Make sure to check AT&T deals for both fantastic seasonal offers and discounts available all year.
Alternatively, you may wish to time your purchase on the release of a new phone. By purchasing a new smartphone on the release day, you can enjoy having the newest technology.
Many Apple iPhone users time their purchases with the release of the latest iPhone, making iPhone releases a significant event.
If you'd like to pre-order the iPhone from AT&T for the next release, make sure to check out our iPhone offers.
Consider refurbished or pre-owned devices
Another cost-effective alternative to purchasing a new cell phone is choosing a refurbished or pre-owned device.
Refurbished and pre-owned devices usually come at a lower price than the same device if it were new. Buying refurbished or pre-owned is a terrific way to get the best devices at a discounted price, but you should consider the potential risks involved.
To avoid issues like receiving a refurbished device with too much wear and tear for your liking, make sure to:
- Only buy refurbished devices listed in a condition you find acceptable.
- Check reviews of the seller from whom you're buying your phone
- Look for warranties and favorable return policies
If you are interested in a refurbished phone that will work on the AT&T network, you can browse AT&T Certified Pre-Owned phones.
Research and compare cell phone models
While finding a good deal on your next cell phone is very important, you'll want to ensure the cell phone you choose meets your needs. Not only should your new smartphone meet your technical requirements, but you'll also want to verify your phone is compatible with your carrier.
A fantastic way to make sure you have the information you need about a potential smartphone purchase is to do the appropriate research by reading consumer and industry reviews. You can read verified reviews from AT&T customers and compare different cell phones guaranteed to be compatible with the AT&T network on the AT&T online store.
When comparing different cell phone models, here are some features to consider:
- Display: A cell phone display between 5.5 and 6 inches with full high-definition resolution is usually adequate for users who frequently stream or download movies to watch. Some cell phones have screens larger than 6 inches. For example, the iPhone 14 Pro Max has a 6.7-inch display, which may be ideal for some, but others may find that size cumbersome to carry around. You might consider visiting a store where you can try holding different phones to see what is comfortable.
- Battery life: Most cell phone batteries have capacities ranging from 700mAh to 5000mAh. For people who use their phones often, you'll likely want a cell phone with a high battery capacity. For example, the iPhone 14 Pro Max has a 4323mAh battery.
- Storage: The pre-installed programs and operating system that come pre-installed on a smartphone may take up a significant amount of a cell phone's storage capacity. If you use your cell phone to take a lot of video or high-resolution photos, you might want to choose the highest storage capacity. For example, the iPhone 14 Pro Max offers four different storage capacity options: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1024GB. Price varies by storage capacity.
- You may also wish to choose a phone with a slot for a Micro-SD or TF storage card. Extra storage card capabilities on a smartphone mean the phone has expandable, swappable memory.
- Security: Fingerprint sensors and facial recognition features make unlocking your smartphone easy, making security a more seamless experience. For example, the iPhone 14 Pro Max Face ID sensor automatically unlocks the phone when you pick it up and bring it in front of your face.
- Build: Smartphones often have extra durability features in case they get dropped, such as having specially formulated glass for the screen that does not shatter. If you regularly drop phones, you may wish to get a phone with enhanced glass, such as the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus, which has Victus® 2 Gorilla® Glass.
- Processor: Most smartphones have a processor clocked at 1.3GHz to 3GHz and between two to eight processor cores. If you want a faster smartphone, you should pick one with a faster processor speed. For example, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus houses a Qualcomm® Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 with up to 3.36 GHz of processing speed and eight processor cores.
- Camera: Smartphone cameras typically range from 8MP to over 24MP and have a sensor size of about ƒ/2.5 (one centimeter across). If you want to take the best pictures with your smartphone, you will want a primary camera with as many megapixels and as large of a sensor as possible. For example, the Google Pixel 7a has a 64MP camera with a ƒ/1.89 aperture sensor.
- Price: Retail prices for smartphones typically range from $200 to $1,980. When getting a phone from a wireless carrier, deals can be available when you purchase the device on an installment plan.
Make sure you do your research to find the best cell phone and cell phone deals for you.
