Most people want to save some cash when they’re ready to buy a new phone. Luckily, if you’re selective about when you buy one, you can save hundreds of dollars.
Read on to discover the hidden secrets of getting the best deals on phones. We’ll break down some of the key points on when to buy new, slightly older, and competing models. The question of when is the best time to buy a phone is about to be answered!
The Quick and Easy Rule
It can get a little tricky perfecting your timing. Here’s the quick and easy rule that should get you a solid deal most of the time:
- Brand new phone – order during pre-order for the newest model.
- Slightly older – phones between six months and a year old should be ordered between 2-4 weeks before the announcement of the newest model (Apple, Samsung, Google, etc.). For example, Apple usually announces new iPhone models at the beginning of September. You should purchase in August, as many retailers will want to clear their inventory.
- Older than 1 Year – Prices always drop in the months after releases. However, some models may be discontinued, so you’ll be unable to purchase new phones directly from the manufacturer. Keep this in mind when making your decision.
Why Preordering is Best for a New Phone
New phone models stay new for about a year. Accordingly, you’ll want to maximize your time in that window. However, there’s also a cost-saving strategy that goes along with this.
During preorder, you have two extra advantages:
- Many retailers offer significant discounts and deals.
- You’ll be guaranteed to get your phone when it launches. You won’t have to wait for weeks it to hit store shelves.
You want to preorder 2-4 days after the new phone model is announced. This means September for Apple and February or early March for Samsung. Not only will you be able to receive your device within 2-4 weeks, but you’ll also get great deals, such as buy one, get one free.
The Best Time to Buy Older Phones
You might buy an older phone a month or so before the announcement of the new models. This is because stores are clearing out their inventory.
It’s also potentially beneficial to buy a used or older phone after the newest models are released. The price of used phones drops at that time.
Here are some of the better phone deals being offered by companies and brands right now:
- AT&T: AT&T is offering an iPhone 14 free with your trade-in, plus signing up for an eligible 5G plan.
- Verizon: Verizon will give you an iPhone 13 free when you open a new line and accept one of their eligible 5G plans. As part of that deal, you can also get a free Apple Watch SE 2022 and a free iPad 9th gen. You must purchase data plans for each of these devices to take advantage.
- Samsung: Samsung is offering up to $660 if you trade in an older model for their Galaxy S23.
These are just a few examples. You can also find deals on Amazon, Apple, Best Buy, and retailers around this time.
The Pros and Cons of Buying Used, Refurbished, or Older Model Phones
If you’re buying a used, refurbished, or older model phone, you should also keep some of the pros and cons in mind that go along with that.
With used or refurbished phones, you’re getting a lower price than what you would pay for a brand-new model. That’s easier on your wallet, so you might go with one of these options for that reason. For deeper discounts, you can’t beat a used or refurbished phone.
If you’re buying used or refurbished, though, you probably won’t get the one-year warranty that often comes standard with these devices. Some online sites or brick-and-mortar store locations might give you a thirty-day warranty, but that’s usually as much as you can expect.
Buying older phones from the manufacturer, such as directly from Apple or Samsung, might be the optimal way to get the best of both worlds. Since the device is no longer the top of the line, you can usually expect a significant discount.
At that same time, since you’re still getting a brand-new device, you can get that standard one-year warranty. You can always purchase an extended warranty as well if you’d like.
The Best Time to Buy Competing Phones
Another secret to getting phones is during competing releases. You can look for deals on Apple phones during Samsung releases and vice versa.
Seasonal Promotions
Don’t forget about seasonal promotions. You can find great deals on Cyber Monday, after Christmas, and in quiet parts of the sales year.
Many retailers also offer back-to-school discounts and other promotions. Try to line up one of the promotions with one of the ideal time opportunities we mentioned above for additional savings.
What if I Don’t Want to Buy from a Carrier?
Carrier always offer deals to incentivize customers to sign long contracts. If you want an unlocked phone and the flexibility to use whatever career you want, you can still find great deals. You don’t have to sign up for an expensive phone plan, either.
The main question is whether you need the latest release or not. If you can wait a couple of months after the release of the newest phones, you can get a significant discount on last year’s top models.
Phones are more powerful than ever. Nowadays, top-tier phones will work great for years.
You can also check out refurbished phones. Factory refurbished devices have the advantage of directs parts and labor, ensuring they are of the highest quality.
When’s the Best Time to Sell My Phone?
You might also wonder if there’s a best time to sell a phone. There is, and it means keeping an eye on the new device release cycles the major phone manufacturers use.
If you want to get the most value for your old phone, you should sell it in the weeks before a new model is likely to be announced. If you do, you’ll be able to hang onto your phone for the longest amount of time before selling it and still getting the best price on the deal.
The worst time to sell your phone is in the first two months after the announcement and release of a new model. Your phone’s value will drop significantly then. However, it will stabilize until the next big releases. This is particularly true for iPhone and Samsung devices, since those have very dedicated followings.
The release of a new Samsung Galaxy will not particularly diminish your iPhone’s value. Keep in mind, though, that surprise mid-year releases can always happen.
The Best Time to Buy a Phone
Nowadays, it’s always a new phone season. If you’re looking for the best deals, you should either pre-order new phones or purchase older models when retailers clear them out to make room for the newer ones. Be sure to keep an eye on seasonal promotions that can increase your savings as well.
No matter what time of year it is, Buyback Boss always offers the highest price, guaranteed, for your used phone. With us, it’s simple to sell your phone for cash.
Simply click here to get an instant quote and see how much your phone is worth. Then, print out our free shipping label and send your phone through the mail.
You’ll get money in your PayPal account or a check in the mail in no time. There’s no better way to get some extra cash so you can upgrade to the latest phone model.
To discover more technology tips and tricks, visit the Buyback Boss Blog. There, you can learn about iPhone upgrade plans, phone pre-orders, and a whole lot more.