By estherdidsang@gmail.com 
If your trusty phone is lagging, acting up or simply no longer up to par, then we’re glad to let you know scoring a new phone doesn’t have to be expensive. Not only have we found multiple deals on Apple, Samsung and Google smartphones, but we’ve come across this Motorola Moto G for a low $110. Want to trade in your current device? Doing so might help you nab the latest Samsung Galaxy S26 for free. These deals are unpredictable, so its best to act fast.
With so many deals live, narrowing down the right phone for your needs and budget can feel overwhelming. That’s where we come in. Our CNET shopping team is combing through every deal so you don’t have to. Unlocked phone models are on sale with hundreds of dollars worth of discounts. Plus, you can save a ton via carriers such as AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon with a new line or an eligible trade-in.
We’re updating this page regularly to keep the deals fresh, so keep a close eye on this space and lock in your deal before it’s gone.
Best unlocked phone deals right now
Shopping for a new phone from a carrier comes with red tape and fine print, which can be a headache. An easier alternative is an unlocked model. Choosing an unlocked phone means you won’t be immediately tied to a multiyear contract or service plan, and you can always activate it with your preferred carrier later. There are plenty of no-strings-attached deals to reduce the starting price.
These deals won’t save you as much as the carrier deals further down, but on the plus side, they don’t need a trade-in or a new line of service. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best discounts on unlocked phones that you can shop right now.
The Pixel 10 is Google’s latest flagship and one of the best phones on the market. Its long-range camera, substantial battery life and helpful AI tools impressed our reviewer, who called it the “best bang-for-your-buck Android phone” of 2026.
You can take advantage of Best Buy’s $200 savings right now. The retailer also has a trade-in program to help you save up to $300 on your new phone. Or sign up for a carrier deal and save $100 without trading in an eligible device. Right now, it’s $599 at Amazon as well, and you can get an extra $100 off when you trade in.
The Nothing Phone 3 isn’t the latest model in the lineup, but it’s still a solid choice. You can even save up to $600 when you trade in an older device. We loved the phone’s macro photography mode. The software support period is helpful as well. Plus, the quirky design is certainly eye-catching.
The Pixel 10A is our top pick for Android users looking for a great value. It’s part of Google’s budget-friendly 10-series lineup and can match, or even exceed, the main Pixel 10 in certain areas.
The 128GB is now starting at $449, thanks to a $50 discount. You can also save up to $440 with a trade-in.
Selling for just $110, this 2024 Motorola phone is about as cheap as they come. The Motorola Moto G Play has 64GB of storage, a sleek sapphire blue color, a 6.5-inch screen, a 50-megapixel rear-facing camera, and an 8-megapixel front-facing camera. Best Buy is offering a $40 direct discount, and you can save with a trade-in.
Activate the phone through Verizon or AT&T, and you can get it for $10.
The iPhone 16E is one of the most budget-friendly recent Apple releases at $600. The white option is currently discounted by $60, but if you have an eligible device to trade in, you could cut costs further. Plus, Best Buy automatically gives you a $100 discount if you let it connect you to a carrier.
Of note: Best Buy mostly only carries refurbished unlocked configurations of the iPhone 16E.
Best phone deals from carriers
You can also save by trading in your old device or activating a 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. Below, you’ll find some of the best deals for new and existing carrier customers who are adding lines and trading in phones.
Read more: Best Phone Plan Deals
Carrier contracts as we knew them may no longer be around, but newer phone deals from AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon and others 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 period to keep 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 committing to that “free phone” deal you see advertised.
Read more: Cheap Phone Plans, Compared
Apple’s new iPhone 17 lineup dominates our list of the best phones for 2026, and Verizon is offering you a chance to grab any model for less right now. Just adding a new line on a qualifying unlimited plan will score you the basic iPhone 17 and 17 Pro for free. The iPhone Air drops to $5 a month and the iPhone 17 Pro Max to just $15 a month.
Plus, you’ll also get a $100 gift card to Verizon when you make your purchase online.
The iPhone 16E is the most affordable model in Apple’s lineup. It’s even cheaper when you grab one at AT&T. Purchasing online takes $200 off the price when you add a new line, and you can also get up to an $800 AT&T Visa Reward card when you switch to AT&T from another carrier.
The entire Samsung Galaxy S26 lineup is free with an eligible trade-in at AT&T. If you don’t have an old phone to trade in, you can score the budget-friendly Galaxy S25 FE for just $14 per month. If you have an old phone to trade in, it can knock up to $1,300 off the Galaxy S26 Ultra, $1,100 off the Galaxy S26 Plus and $900 off the Galaxy S26. You’ll get the full discount for trade-ins valued at $95 or more, and even devices valued at just $35 or more will still net you $800 in credit.
Our mobile tech experts named the Galaxy Z Fold 7 as the best foldable phone of 2026. However, this large-screen hybrid doesn’t come cheap with its $2,000 starting price, so you’ll want to take advantage of these T-Mobile offers. Customers on an Experience Beyond or Go5G Next plan can also save up to $1,100 or with an eligible trade-in. Those on other plans will get up to $600 off.
You can also save up to $300 with a trade-in. If you want to switch carriers, T-Mobile is offering up to $800 to break your contract.
Note that the blue shadow color is currently sold out.
The Apple iPhone Air is thin, light and speedy. It comes in four colors and typically sells for $1,000. However, AT&T is offering this phone for up to $840 off when you purchase on installment and open a new line on an unlimited plan. Credits will apply over 36 months, bringing your cost down to under $5 per month.
Optimum is offering the iPhone Air for free with an eligible trade-in. The deal applies to new and current customers.
You can sign up for an Unlimited Max plan at Optimum and get a free iPhone 17E or iPhone 17. If you prefer the Unlimited plan, you’ll get $300 off plus the value of an eligible trade-in.
Optimum currently has the Samsung Galaxy S26, S26 Plus and S26 Ultra in stock. It’s currently offering up to $500 off the Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus and the basic version on select plans. The S26 Ultra is also up to $600 off without trade-in. This offer is available to current and new customers.
The Motorola Razr 2025 is now $200 off for both new and existing customers at Optimum when using the coupon code SAVE200. This coupon code can’t be combined with other offers. This phone is only available in 256 GB SSD and 8GB RAM. It’s equipped with Android 15 and offers hotspot, a 50 MP main camera, 13 MP front-facing camera and the Razr’s nostalgic foldable design.
Do you get the best phone deals when you switch carriers?
To attract new customers, carriers often reserve their steepest discounts for those who are switching carriers. That means you may find a more appealing phone deal if you consider moving carriers. It’s a straightforward process but can be a little complicated for those with multiple lines. Ultimately, it’s worth shopping around when it comes time to upgrade your phone in case another offers some kind of switcher bonus or switcher-exclusive phone deal.
Unlocked vs. carrier: Which phone deals are the best for most?
Whether you want to purchase your new phone on a carrier deal or buy it unlocked will depend on your preferences and circumstances. For a lot of folks, 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 with each other to offer steep discounts or added freebies, manufacturers now tend to offer their own trade-in and financing programs to make it more affordable to upgrade without involving a carrier in the process.