Best phone deals from carriers
You can also save by trading in your old device or activating a new line of service at major carriers, meaning you have plenty of places to look for phone deals. That’s why CNET is working with Navi to help cut through the confusion. Navi is an independent marketplace that aggregates information on service plans and phone deals to help consumers find the best choices and prices on the market. Below you’ll find some of the best deals out there for both new and existing carrier customers who are adding lines, trading in phones and more.
Read more: Best Phone Plan Deals
Carrier contracts as we knew them may not be around anymore, but these newer phone deals from Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and more are similar in many ways. Through monthly bill credits, you can get a phone for next to nothing in many cases. The stipulation is that you must remain a customer for a set length of time while you’re receiving the credits. Otherwise you’re responsible for the remaining costs and potentially more, depending on the carrier.
In addition, some carriers will allow you to take advantage of these deals only on specific plans, which are usually some of their more expensive 5G plans. So be sure to understand the monthly costs associated with switching before taking advantage of that “free phone” deal you see advertised.
Read more: Cheap Phone Plans, Compared
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Apple’s budget-focused iPhone SE is available for the low price of $0 (plus a $35 activation fee) at Verizon with a new line on an unlimited data plan, which starts at $65 a month. Verizon is also currently offering a $430 discount with a promo credit. The deal applies to the 64GB model, and the discount is applied via monthly bill credits. You can up the storage capacity for just a few bucks per month extra. Verizon is also offering up to $460 on an iPad with the purchase of any 5G iPhone device.
Andrew Lanxon/CNET
Verizon customers with an old phone to trade in can save up to $1,000 on the Pixel 8 Pro with a new line on a qualifying unlimited plan or up to $800 if they’re already on an unlimited plan and qualify for an upgrade. Verizon is also offering some other bonuses, including a $220 promo credit on a Google Pixel Watch 2 with the purchase of a Pixel phone. You can also get $820 in promo credit with a new line when buying the Pixel 8 Pro.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
You can score an Apple iPhone 13 at a low price thanks to a $630 promo credit. Verizon is also providing a credit of up to $520 on certain iPads provided you get a new line for them. New customers can get this phone free with a new line of service.
Samsung