If you were watching upgrade to a new phonenow is a good time. The biggest shopping event of the year so far, i Amazon Big Spring Saleis here, and it brings many discounts on phones. We’re seeing deep discounts across Google, Samsung, Apple and Motorola with hundreds of premium model discounts and some free trade-in offers. You don’t have to spend a ton, either, like budget options like Motorola Moto G they sell for just over $100. But there are many phones on sale right now, making it difficult to find the right one for your needs and budget. Don’t worry, though, because we’re here to help.
Our CNET shopping team covers all the deals so you don’t have to. Unlocked phone models are sold at discounts worth hundreds of dollars, and you can save a ton with carriers like AT&T, IT-Mobile or Verizon for a new line or a suitable trade-in. We update this page regularly to keep up with the latest deals, so check back whenever you’re ready to shop.
The best phone deals are open right now
Buying a new phone from a carrier comes with red tape and fine print, which can cause headaches. Another easy way is the open model. Choosing an unlocked phone means you won’t be immediately tied into a multi-year contract or service plan, and you can activate it with your preferred carrier later. There are many unattached deals to lower the initial price.
These deals won’t save you as much as the carrier deals below, but on the plus side, they don’t require a trade-in or new line of service. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best discounts on unlocked phones you can buy right now.
The Pixel 10 is Google’s latest flagship and one of the best phones on the market. Its long-range camera, great battery life and useful AI tools impressed our reviewer, who called it the “best bang-for-your-buck Android phone” of 2026. Best Buy is offering a $150 discount, bringing the price down to $649. You can also take advantage of its trade-in program to save up to $300 on your new phone. Or sign up for a carrier deal and save $100 with no trade-in on an eligible device.
Samsung makes some of the best phones on the market right now, and our experts named the Galaxy S25 the best overall Android of 2026. While there are no direct discounts at Best Buy, you can take advantage of its trade-in program to save up to $140 on your new phone. Or sign up for a carrier deal and save $100 with no trade-in on an eligible device.
No Phone (3) (256GB): $599
The Nothing Phone 3 isn’t the latest model in the lineup, but it’s still a solid choice. And it’s 25% off right now. We liked the phone’s large picture mode. Time to support the software has been very helpful as well. In addition, the intricate design is sure to catch the eye.
Motorola Razr Plus (2024): $380
Best Buy is offering the koala gray 2024 Motorola Razr Plus for $320 off. With a 3.6-inch cover screen and a stunning 6.9-inch internal OLED 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. Best Buy also has a trade-in program that can help you save even more.
The Pixel 9A is our top pick for Android users on the hunt for great value. It’s part of the budget-friendly A series from Google and can match, or even surpass, the flagship Pixel 9 in some categories. The phone is full price, so the $100 discount makes it a steal. Note that this is for the Porcelain color selection. The Iris color is down to $458. Some models are sold by a third-party seller, which we do not recommend.
Even though it’s now two generations old, the iPhone 15 is still the best option for Apple customers on a budget, especially since deals on the unlocked iPhone 16 are so hard to come by. This deal shaves $80 off the list price, making the upgrade more affordable. And if you sign up with a carrier, you can knock another $100 off the price.
Motorola Moto G Play (2024): $110
Selling for just $110, this 2024 Motorola phone is about as affordable as they come. Motorola Moto G Play has 64GB of storage, sapphire blue color, 6.5-inch screen, 50-megapixel rear camera and 8-megapixel front camera. Best Buy offers a straight $40 rebate, and you can save with trade-ins. Activate the phone through Verizon or AT&T, and you can get it for $10.
The iPhone 16E is one of the latest budget-friendly releases from Apple at $550. If you have the right device to trade in, you can reduce costs further. Plus, Best Buy automatically gives you a $100 discount if you let them connect you to a carrier. In addition, you will receive a three-month subscription to Apple Fitness, Apple Arcade and Apple Music. A free two-month trial of Apple TV is included.
OnePlus has just released its latest smartphone, the OnePlus 15. Although it is not as well known as other Android powerhouse brands such as Google and Samsung, OnePlus is still packing this smartphone with security features, a fast Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 triple-chip system and three cameras with a resolution of up to 50 megapixels. There are no direct discounts on the OnePlus 15 at Best Buy, but you can save $100 off the list price and up to another $600 when you trade in an eligible device.
The best phone deals from carriers
You can also save by trading in your old device or unlocking service from major carriers, which means you have more places to look for phone deals. That’s why CNET is working with it Navi to help cut through 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 in the market. Below, you’ll find the best deals for new and existing customers who add lines and trade in phones.
Read more: Best Phone Plan Deals
Carrier contracts as we knew them may be gone, but these new phone deals from AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon and others are similar in many ways. With monthly bills, you can get the phone for free in most cases. The policy states that you must remain a customer for a set period of time to continue receiving credits. Otherwise, you are responsible for the remaining costs and more, depending on the carrier.
In addition, some carriers will only let you use these deals on certain plans, which tend to be some of their most expensive 5G plans. So make sure you understand the monthly costs associated with switching before committing to that “free phone” deal you see advertised.
Read more: Cheap Phone Plans, Compared
Apple iPhone 17 series at Verizon
Apple’s new 17-inch lineup dominates our list of the best phones of 2026, and Verizon is giving you a chance to grab any model for less right now. Simply adding a new line to an eligible unlimited plan will get you a basic iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone Air for free, and drop the iPhone 17 Pro Max down to $3 a month.
The iPhone 16E is the most affordable model in Apple’s entire lineup, and it’s even cheaper when you grab it from AT&T. Buying a new line with a qualifying plan takes $200 off it, and you can also get an $800 AT&T Visa Rewards card when you switch to AT&T from another carrier.
Google Pixel 10 series on Mint Mobile
Mint Mobile is offering hundreds of dollars off all Pixel 10 models right now. The basic Pixel 10 is $500 off, the 10 Pro is $275 off, the 10 Pro XL is $500 off, and the 10 Pro Fold is $250 off. You’ll also get unlimited service for just $15 a month with your purchase.
Samsung Galaxy S25 series on AT&T
There are five models in the latest Samsung Galaxy S25 lineup, and most are 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 $11 a month. If you have an old phone to trade in, it’s up to $1,000 for the Galaxy S25 Edge and S25 Ultra, which gets you the Ultra for free and the Edge for about $16 a month. You’ll get a full trade-in discount of $95 or more, and even devices valued at $35 or more will still be credited with $800.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 on T-Mobile
Our mobile tech experts named the Galaxy Z Fold 7 as the best foldable phone of 2026. However, this big-screen hybrid isn’t cheap at a starting price of $2,000, so you’ll want to take advantage of this T-Mobile offer. Customers on the Experience Beyond or Go5G Next plan can also save up to $1,300 on eligible trade-ins. Those on other plans will be discounted up to $500.
Apple iPhone Air on T-Mobile
Apple iPhone Air is small, light and fast. It comes in four colors and usually retails for $1,000. However, T-Mobile is offering this phone for free with an eligible trade-in for an eligible plan right now. Savings are reflected as credit credits over a 24-month period. Most other plans qualify for an $830 discount with a new line and trade-in, making this phone just $170.
When is the Amazon Big Spring Sale?
For the past two years, Amazon’s Big Spring Sale has taken place in March. In 2024, it started from March 20 to March 25. In 2025, it started from March 25 to March 31. This year, the dates are from March 25 to March 31.
Are you getting the best phone deals when you switch carriers?
To attract new customers, carriers often reserve their steepest discounts for switchers. That means you can get a very attractive phone deal when you consider mobile carriers. It’s a straightforward process for each individual but can be a bit complicated for those with multiple lines. Ultimately, it’s worth shopping around when it comes time to upgrade your phone just in case one offers you some kind of trade-in bonus or special phone deal.
Unlocked vs. carrier: What are the best phone deals?
Whether you want to buy your new phone with a carrier deal or buy it unlocked will depend on your preferences and circumstances. 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 some, being locked into a long-term plan is less than ideal. Although carriers often compete to offer higher discounts or additional payments, manufacturers now often offer their own trade-in and financing programs to make it more affordable to upgrade without involving a carrier in the program.
