Parenting Healthy

Shopping for a phone plan can be a complicated process. Many factors determine your best plan, including providers, phone prices, and network perks.

There are also several times of the year when carriers offer big discounts on phone plans and phones. Keep reading to learn more about when to buy a new plan.

Black Friday

Whether upgrading to a new phone or signing up for affordable Washington local phone plans, the best time to buy is often Black Friday. This shopping bonanza takes place the day after Thanksgiving and offers many deals on electronics and phones, including unlimited data plans with a free device.

Alternatively, you can find great smartphone deals during the preorder period or after the newest models are announced. It’s also possible to save on older devices if you wait a month until stores clear out their inventory.

Smaller carriers that offer flexible phone plans are another good bet for Black Friday deals. These providers typically offer short-term contract options cheaper than traditional two-year plans. They can also be more flexible regarding coverage area and data allowances to fit your needs.

Amazon Prime Day

Amazon Prime Day may be over (it ends tonight), but a few deals are still available for last-minute shoppers. Amazon’s two-day mega sale is like a second, warmer Black Friday for Prime members (and some non-members).

This year’s Prime Day saw some of the best phone discounts of the summer. Unless you’re looking for a specific model, most deals will run out fast—especially for older iPhone models. But don’t panic if your desired device is sold out: Amazon usually restocks most of its sales quickly.

The company is also planning a second sale for Prime members this fall. The new event will be called “Prime Big Deal Days.” It will occur in 19 countries this October and is expected to follow a similar format as Prime Day.

New Phone Releases

The newest models of phones usually come out in the fall and spring. When new models are released, the previous versions see a dramatic price drop. That’s an excellent time to pick up an older phone, especially if you want a low upfront cost.

Some providers offer 24-month installment plans that divide the cost of a phone into monthly payments. That’s a solid option for people who like to replace their phones often or those with credit issues.

It’s also possible to get significant smartphone discounts by using a trade-in. You can find the best trade-in prices around a new phone release or during Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day. In addition, many networks offer family plan deals that let you add additional lines at discounted rates. That’s a great deal for busy families with multiple device users. This option can be beneficial if your children need their own devices for school or extracurricular activities.

Big Sales Events

The major carriers also hold big sales events yearly to help customers save money on new devices and plans. These often require adding a new line or switching carriers but can still be worth the effort for anyone looking to get into a better phone at a much more affordable price point.

These special sales events are tied to a device-plan combo or a carrier trade-in program. We also see a sales offer, which gives you an older phone for free when you purchase a plan at the company.

It used to be that switching carriers was a big hassle, requiring exorbitant activation fees and trips to the store. However, changing providers is much easier, thanks to modern cellular plans and apps. And the best time to do so is during a big sales event.