Best Phone Deals: Upgrade to a New iPhone for Free or Save Hundreds on Google, Samsung Phones
Now is one of the best times to buy a new phone. Brands like Google, Apple, and Samsung are releasing fast, beautiful phones with top-notch security features and faster chips. However, this quality does not come cheap. Finding the right deal can help you get an upgrade for less or even free.
Our dedicated CNET shopping experts are constantly on the lookout for discounts that will help you achieve just that. You can save hundreds on unlocked models or sign up with a carrier like AT&T, T-Mobile Or Verizon and save big with a new line or eligible trade-in.
Phone deals come and go frequently, so we’ll continue to update this page with the latest and greatest deals. Be sure to come back every time you want to purchase.
Best unlocked phone deals right now
Buying a new phone from a carrier comes with red tape and fine print, which can be a headache. A simpler alternative is an unlocked model. Choosing an unlocked phone means you won’t be immediately tied to a contract or multi-year service plan, and you can always activate it with your preferred carrier later. There are plenty of no-strings-attached offers to reduce the starting price.
These deals won’t save you as much as the carrier offers below, but on the plus side, they don’t require a trade-in or a new line of service. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best unlocked phone discounts you can shop right now.
The Pixel 10 is Google’s latest flagship model and one of the best phones on the market right now. Its long-range camera, long battery life, and helpful AI tools impressed our reviewer, who called it the “best value Android phone” of 2025. A $150 reduction makes it an even better value, although it’s still $100 less than the biggest price cut we’ve seen.
Amazon’s trade-in program can save you up to $600 if you own an eligible device.
Samsung makes some of the best phones on the market right now, with our experts naming the Galaxy S25 the best Android for 2025. If you’re hoping to get your hands on one, you’ll find all four colors on sale right now on Amazon. The online retailer also has its own trade-in program where you can save up to $600 in trade-in for your old phone.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7: $900
Samsung’s latest eye-catching flip phone impressed our reviewer in almost every way, earning it a spot on our list of the best phones for 2025. It has great internal and external displays, a user-friendly interface, and a surprisingly durable design. It’s certainly not cheap at $1,100, but this deal makes it much more reasonable.
Motorola Razr Plus (2024): $380
Best Buy is currently offering the Koala Gray Motorola Razr Plus 2024 for $320 off. With a 3.6-inch cover screen and a stunning 6.9-inch OLED interior display, the Motorola Razr Plus 2024 is our favorite flip phone on the market. Even at full price, it’s cheaper than the similar Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7.
Plus, Best Buy offers a trade-in program that could help you save even more.
The Pixel 9A is our top pick for Android users looking for great value. It’s the latest model in Google’s budget A-series lineup and can match or even surpass the mainline Pixel 9 in some categories. It’s already a bargain at full price, so a $100 discount makes it a steal.
Although it’s now two generations old, the iPhone 15 is still the best option for Apple users on a budget, especially since deals on an unlocked iPhone 16 are still quite hard to find. At just $630, you’re already saving $170 over the last model, and this deal gets you an extra $80 off. Unless you want to sign up with a carrier or buy used phones, this is one of the cheapest iPhone deals you’ll find right now.
This purchase also includes free three-month subscriptions to Apple Music, Apple Arcade, and Apple Fitness, as well as a free two-month subscription to Apple TV.
Motorola Moto G Play (2024): $120
Selling for just $150, this Motorola 2024 phone is about as cheap as it gets. The Motorola Moto G Play has 64GB of storage, elegant sapphire blue color, 6.5-inch display, 50-megapixel rear camera and 8-megapixel front camera. Best Buy is offering $30 off, and you can save even more with a trade-in. Activate the phone through Verizon and you can get it for free.
The iPhone 16E is one of Apple’s most budget-friendly recent releases. It currently retails for $600, and Best Buy’s $50 rebate lets you snag it for just $550.
If you have an eligible device to trade in, you could reduce your costs further. Plus, Best Buy automatically gives you a $100 discount if you authorize it to connect to a carrier.
On top of that, you’ll get free 3-month subscriptions to Apple Fitness, Apple Arcade, and Apple Music. A 2-month free trial of Apple TV is also included.
Best phone deals from operators
You can also save by trading in your old device or activating a service line with major carriers, meaning you have plenty of places to look for phone deals. This is why CNET is working with Navi to help clear up the confusion. Navi is an independent marketplace that aggregates information about 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 for new and existing carrier customers adding lines and swapping phones.
Learn more: Best phone plan deals
Carrier contracts as we knew them may no longer exist, but these new phone deals from AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon and others are similar in many ways. With 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 period of time to continue receiving the credits. Otherwise, you are responsible for the remaining charges and potentially more, depending on the carrier.
Additionally, some carriers will only let you take advantage of these deals on specific plans, which are usually among their most expensive 5G plans. So make sure you understand the monthly costs associated with switching before committing to that “free phone” offer you see advertised.
Learn more: Cheap phone plans, compared
Apple iPhone 17 series at Verizon
Apple’s new iPhone 17 lineup dominates our list of the best phones for 2025, and Verizon is giving you the chance to snag any model for less right now. Simply adding a new line on an eligible unlimited plan will net you the base iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, or iPhone Air for free, and bring the iPhone 17 Pro Max down to just $5 per month.
The iPhone 16E is the most affordable model in Apple’s lineup, and it’s even cheaper when you pick it up from AT&T. Buying the phone on an installment plan reduces the cost to just $2 per month, saving you up to $528 with no trade-in required.
Google Pixel 10 series at Mint Mobile
Mint Mobile is currently offering hundreds of discounts on all four Pixel 10 models. The base Pixel 10 is $250 off, the 10 Pro is $275 off, the 10 Pro XL is $500 off, and the 10 Pro Fold is $200 off. You’ll also get unlimited service for just $15 per month with your purchase.
Samsung Galaxy S25 series at AT&T
There are five models in Samsung’s latest Galaxy S25 lineup, and they’re all discounted right now. If you don’t have an old phone to trade in, you can get the budget-friendly Galaxy S25 FE for just $6 a month. Alternatively, you can opt for the base Galaxy S25 for $11 per month when you buy the phone on an installment plan, with no trade-in required.
If you have an old phone to trade in, you can save up to $1,000 on the Galaxy S25 Edge and S25 Ultra, getting you the Edge for free and the Ultra for around $8 per month. You’ll get the full discount on trade-ins worth $95 or more, and even devices worth just $35 or more will still get you $800 in credit.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 at T-Mobile
Our mobile tech experts named the Galaxy Z Fold 7 the best foldable phone of 2025. However, this big-screen hybrid doesn’t come cheap with a starting price of $2,000, so you’ll want to take advantage of these T-Mobile deals. People with an Experience Beyond or Go5G Next plan can save up to $1,100 with a new line or eligible trade-in. Those on other packages will get up to $800 off.
Apple iPhone Air at T-Mobile
The Apple iPhone Air is thin, light and fast. It comes in four colors and typically sells for $1,000. However, T-Mobile is currently offering this phone for free with a new line and trade-in if you choose one of the Experience plans. Savings will appear as bill credits over a 24-month period.
Most of its other plans will get you $830 off with a new line and trade-in, making this phone just $170.
Do you benefit from the best phone deals when you change operator?
To attract new customers, operators often reserve their biggest discounts for those who switch customers. This means you may find a more attractive phone deal if you’re considering switching carriers. This is a simple process for individuals but can be a little complicated for those with multiple lines. Ultimately, it’s worth shopping around when the time comes to upgrade your phone in case another offers some sort of switching bonus or switch-exclusive phone deal.
Unlocked or Carrier: Which Phone Deals Are Best for Most People?
Whether you want to get your new phone through a carrier deal or unlock it will depend on your preferences and situation. For many people, spreading the cost of the phone over two or three years makes it much easier to upgrade to one of the best phones on the market.
For others, being locked into a long-term plan is less than ideal. While carriers often compete to offer deep discounts or extra freebies, manufacturers now tend to offer their own trade-in and financing programs to make upgrading more affordable without involving a carrier in the process.
Impulse buys under $25 that make unexpected gifts
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