Smartphones are just too expensive these days. Today if you’re not spending at least $700 on a new phone purchase, you’re going to miss out on a lot of goodies that make the smartphone experience all the more exciting. And that includes the latest high-end hardware that makes your apps and games run smoothly, click great pictures and more, and timely software support to ensure your device is up to date with all the latest security and feature updates. So, how do you get your hands on the best of the best that the smartphone industry has to offer, all while not blowing your budget? Well, without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the best ways you can save money when buying a phone.
- Sell your old phone Selling your old phone is one of the best ways you can make some quick cash to put towards a new phone. And while there are many buyback services out there, it is worth noting that not all of them offer the same value for your old electronics. The difference in trade-in value for the same smartphone may range from a few dollars to even several hundred dollars based on the platform you’re selling on. Hence, we strongly recommend using a price comparison website to see your options and get the best price for your old device. Sites like SellCell.com can be of great help if you’re looking for reliable buyers that offer the best price for used gadgets.
- Buy it refurbished The ‘refurb’ label could be a dealbreaker for many, especially those who have never tried a refurbished device before. But once you realize the incredible value for money these products bring to the table, you will probably never go back to buying anything brand new. Before bringing pre-owned phones back to the market, manufacturers and re-commerce companies subject them to extensive testing procedures to ensure they are in fully working condition. Necessary repairs are performed on the handset to make sure they match the safety, and performance standards of a brand new phone, then, and only then, are they assigned the ‘refurbished’ tag. However, with countless services trying to sell you refurbished phones at varying price points, finding the best deals isn’t going to be easy. That is unless you’re using a price comparison site. Thankfully, you don’t have to go looking for a new service as SellCell has you covered on that front as well.
- Unlocked vs. contract phones The cons of getting a contract-based phone from a carrier outweigh the pros. While the fact that you don’t have to pay the full price upfront might seem comforting at first, you will end up spending an excess of a few hundred dollars in the long term through a series of monthly installments. Also, another major disadvantage is that the phone you buy on a contract is locked to the carrier network, meaning you’re stuck with their service for two years or at least until you completely pay off the remaining balance, in which case you might also have to pay an additional early termination fee. On the other hand, you don’t have to worry about these troubles if you’re getting an unlocked phone directly from the manufacturer or through a retailer, given that you can afford one outright. Furthermore, opting for prepaid or pay-as-you-go phone plans also helps save quite a bit of money as you are required to pay only for the services that you really use.
- Look for budget flagships Affordable flagships are hard to come by, but every once in a while, there is a release that ticks all the right boxes with a sub-$500 price tag. And this year, that’s the $400 iPhone SE featuring much of the same specs we’ve come to expect from a high-end iPhone. Phones like iPhone SE will help give you a taste of what it’s like to use a premium phone , without having to break the bank. Flagship models from the previous year are also worthy options for those looking for powerful budget phones, considering their prices drop significantly soon after the launch of new models. Similar to refurbished phones, inexpensive flagships are also a nice option to have if you’re contemplating switching to a different OS platform and would like to have it tested firsthand before making the jump.
- Always use coupons Discounts are always nice when you’re shopping online, no matter how big or small. Applying promotional codes at checkout can sometimes bring down the price significantly, and lets you save quite a bit on the side when you’re shopping for something expensive like smartphones. And here’s a pro-tip for bargain hunters — visiting numerous websites looking for valid coupon codes can be a tedious task, and so we suggest you download a browser extension like Honey or WikiBuy that will autofill best codes at checkout.
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