Spend any time in front of the TV during the holiday season, and you’ll see commercials from the major phone companies touting the best cell phone deals. The strategy makes sense — quite a few people like to end the year by buying a new phone, and with most of us buying our phones through carriers, this is AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon’s chance to attract new customers with great savings on top-of-the-line hardware.
But while a 30-second spot on TV is great for getting your attention on potential smartphone savings, it’s a poor way to compare shopping. If you’re left wondering which of the holiday deals being whipped up by the major phone companies are the best for you, you’ve got some research ahead of you.
Or you can let us do the work for you instead.
We’re constantly checking out the best AT&T phone deals and the best Verizon phone deals and keep an eye on what T-Mobile has to offer as well, so this is a busy time of year for us. Below, we’ve picked each carrier’s top vacation offer so you can see how much you’ll save and — just as importantly — what hoops you’ll have to jump through to get the biggest savings.
It’s a great time to be in the iPhone market, with all three major wireless providers offering some of the best iPhone 14 deals we’ve seen since Apple’s debut in the fall. Because we realize that not everyone is an iPhone fan, we’re also including deals on some of the best Android phones you’ll find at AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.
Here’s what you’ll find right now if you’re looking for a great phone deal for the holidays.
Verizon holiday phone deals
Verizon’s best iPhone deal
What is the: Free iPhone 14, iPad and Apple Watch SE (Opens in a new tab)
What did you get: Verizon offers this deal for any 5G phone, but it’s especially attractive if you’re looking for any iPhone 14 model. Trade in your existing device and sign up for a qualifying unlimited plan (or upgrade your existing Verizon service to an unlimited plan), and you can get bill credits of up to 1000 dollars. This is enough to get you an iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Plus, or iPhone 14 for free; iPhone 14 Pro Max will only cost you $99 with Verizon discount.
But wait there’s more. You also have the option to use both the ninth-generation iPad and Apple Watch SE 2022 for free, too. In addition, Verizon will offer some Beats Fit Pro wireless earphones with your purchase.
fine print: To get the iPad and Apple Watch SE at a discount, you’ll need to add a line for those devices, so that’s an extra cost on your monthly wireless bill. Also, know that Verizon spreads the credits out over 36 months, and you’re on the hook for any remaining device balances if you want to leave Verizon before your three-year commitment ends.
for whom: Verizon’s holiday deals include a ton of additional devices, so this is a great deal for anyone who wants to end the year with Apple’s full ecosystem of products at their fingertips. Even if the Apple Watch SE and iPad don’t appeal to you, you can still use the trade-in discount to buy the iPhone 14 at no cost.
Verizon’s best Android deal
What is the: Free Samsung 5G phone, Galaxy Tab S7 FE and Galaxy Watch 4 (Opens in a new tab)
What did you get: Take Verizon’s offer above for the iPhone 14, then erase the name of the Apple phone and type in the Samsung 5G phone of your choice. You can get up to $1,000 in credits with an unlimited data plan and trade-in, which you can apply to the Galaxy S22, Galaxy Z Fold 4, or Galaxy Z Flip 4 to name three eligible devices.
Besides your Samsung phone, you can also use the Galaxy Tab S7 FE tablet and Galaxy Watch 4 for free. Dangling from Verizon is a free pair of Galaxy Buds 2, too.
fine print: As with the iPhone deal, Galaxy fans will get credits over 36 months, and this tablet and watch will require additional lines of data.
for whom: With up to $1,000 in credit, this is a great chance to get a free Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22 Plus, or Galaxy Z Flip 4. You can also shell out a good chunk of the cost of the Galaxy S22 Ultra or Galaxy Z Fold 4. And if you’re so inclined, you can grab a Samsung tablet and view it as part of your space.
AT&T Holiday Phone Deals
Best iPhone deal for AT&T
What is the: Up to $1,000 off any iPhone 14 (Opens in a new tab)
What did you get: Like Verizon, AT&T offers up to $1,000 in credits when you trade in the phone, sign up for an unlimited data plan, and buy an iPhone 14. That means the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and iPhone 14 Pro could be yours for free if you get the maximum discount. With $1,000 in credits, you can bring the cost of your iPhone 14 Pro Max down to $2.78 per month over 36 months.
fine print: The 36-month payment plan for iPhone 14 Pro Max refers to the first limit of this offer – that’s when AT&T extends the credits for your free/discounted iPhone, so that’s how long you’ll stay tied to the carrier.
AT&T also offers very specific fine print for rebate-eligible phones. To get the full $1,000 credit, you’ll need an iPhone 11 Pro Max or any iPhone 12 or iPhone 13. Other rebates come in $800 or $350 depending on the age of your phone.
for whom: AT&T may not offer the additional devices in the Verizon deal, but if you’re just looking to get the iPhone 14 at a discount, it’s a solid offer, especially if you can trade in a newer device that gives you a deep discount.
Best Android deal for AT&T
What is the: Galaxy S22 free with trade-in program (Opens in a new tab)
What did you get: If you prefer Android to iOS, you can get the Galaxy S22 for free at AT&T just by trading in your current device and choosing an unlimited plan. Buying a Samsung phone also makes you eligible for $100 off Samsung Galaxy Buds wireless earbuds.
The deal also applies to the Galaxy S22 Plus and Galaxy Z Flip 4, for which you can get up to $1,000 in credit. You can also use the $1,000 trade-in value to bring down the cost of the Galaxy S22 Ultra (usually $1,199) and Galaxy Z Fold 4 (usually $1,799).
fine print: Rebate credits are spread out over 36 months, which ties you to AT&T, and you’ll need a fairly recent phone to get the full discount. Also note that you’ll be charged sales tax when you purchase your phone, plus a $35 activation fee.
for whom: This is a great opportunity to get one of Samsung’s best phones for free, or at a deep discount if you’re looking for the Galaxy S22 Ultra or Galaxy Z Fold 4.
T-Mobile holiday phone deals
T-Mobile’s best iPhone deal
What is the: Four free iPhone 14 models with unlimited data (Opens in a new tab)
What did you get: If a free iPhone 14 is such a great deal, then four free iPhone 14 models should be an out-of-this-world offer. But that’s what you get at T-Mobile — provided you have four phones that qualify to trade in for the discount.
It gets even better if you’re switching to T-Mobile and unlocking four new lines of data for all iPhone 14 models you’ve purchased. T-Mobile will only charge you $25 for the line for a $100 monthly bill. Normally, the T-Mobile Essentials plan gives you unlimited data for $120 per month for four lines of data.
fine print: This offer is only available in stores if you call T-Mobile’s 800 number. The credits show up on your bill over 24 months—hey, that’s at least one less commitment than AT&T and Verizon require—and you’re on the hook for taxes and activation fees.
for whom: Families with trade-in devices are the target for this deal, but keep in mind, even if you’re just one person, you can save up to $800 on an iPhone 14 with an eligible trade-in and a new line of data. Existing T-Mobile customers can get the iPhone 14 at 50% off with a trade-in.
Best Android deal for T-Mobile
What is the: free pixel 7 (Opens in a new tab)
What did you get: The Google Pixel 7 has been the subject of several compelling phone deals since its release in October, but T-Mobile may have the best offer ever. You can get the phone for free with a trade-in once you sign up for the carrier’s unlimited Magenta Max plan.
Subscribing to the Magenta Max plan also gets you a free pair of Google Pixel Buds Pro on a prepaid MasterCard gift card. If you don’t want to sign up for the Magenta Max plan, you can take 50% off the cost of the Pixel 7 through trade-in alone.
fine print: Magenta Max is T-Mobile’s most expensive unlimited plan at $85 per month, though you do get some nice perks, like an Apple TV Plus subscription. As with other deals, the free phone comes in the form of discounted bill credits spread out over 24 months.
for whom: The Pixel 7 is one of the better camera phones out there, so getting it for free is a treat, especially if you like the benefits packed into the unlimited Magenta Max plan.
[ad_2]
