How To Get A Good Deal On A Newer Model Smartphone

The technology of personal electronics is ever-evolving, and with each new advancement, consumerlso see price increases. It can be expensive, even cost-prohibitive, to stay up-to-date on the latest in personal electronics–and smartphones are particularly notorious for this problem. Luckily, there are a few ways to get a good deal on those smartphones whose prices would otherwise have a significant impact on your budget. It can be a difficult process to find a good smartphone for a reasonable price. Here are the key ways to get a good deal on a newer model smartphone, and each comes with its own highlights and pitfalls.

Finding A Phone Online

This is arguably the best way to stay up-to-date on new smartphone tech without killing your budget. There are a handful of online buy/sell sites. Because everything is done online, these sites don’t have the same kinds of overhead costs as a major retailer, and they can pass that saving on to the consumer. They also carry the newest phones on the market, so you can get a deal without having to settle for a phone that is a few generations old.

With sites that allow to buy your phone from other sellers, you get a lot of the benefits of online retailers without all the problems. Unlike Amazon, you can view the specific phone you are purchasing, so you can determine its state for yourself. These platforms allow you to better filter your results to your product needs. For example you can select touch screen devices, business cell phones, or mobile devices made for gaming. Another huge benefit these days is that you can do the whole thing–even checking the phone out for yourself–online, and buy/sell websites guarantee that their phones are sanitized thoroughly prior to shipping. Finally, these platforms usually offer a 30-day warranty on all their sales.

Purchasing A New Older-Model Phone From A Manufacturer Or Major Retailer

If you don’t like the idea of having someone else’s old phone, you can still buy new phones at a discount–you just need to wait a couple years. Brand new phones that are a generation or two old can be found at steep discounts. You won’t have the absolute latest tech, but you’ll be able to afford much more than a flip-phone.

Buying Certified Refurbished From A Carrier Or Major Retailer

With this option, you’ll be able to knock around $100-$200 off the retail price of a new smartphone. Compare smartphones from certified refurbished retailers. Purchasing a certified refurbished phone from a reliable source makes it likely that the phone you buy will be in good condition and well repaired. You’ll also likely receive a warranty with purchase or have the option to add one. The downside of buying from a carrier or mega store is the price. These stores carry high costs for labor and maintaining their brick and mortar locations. All of this is passed onto you as the consumer.

Shopping With Online Retailers Like Amazon And eBay

Amazon is often people’s go-to choice for everything from toilet paper to the newest tech. It is convenient, familiar, and easy to navigate. However, there are many pitfalls to purchasing from these sites, making them perhaps the least favorable choice for saving money on a smartphone. For starters, almost all sellers on Amazon and eBay are third party, which makes them less reliable than manufacturers or approved distributors. Listings on these sites for pre-owned and “refurbished” or “scratch and dent” smartphones often use these terms synonymously with “used.” It does not guarantee that the phone will actually be fixed or updated, nor will you receive a warranty on the phone.

Purchasing A Phone On A Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Marketplace

People looking for the very best deals on new or slightly-used tech often turn to P2P marketplaces like Facebook marketplace or Craigslist. You absolutely can find the best deals in the industry on these sites. However, these sites also pose the greatest risk for buyers. Not only may you be defrauded by a scam sales person, many of these transactions take place in person, meaning you may end up putting yourself in the way of bodily harm all to save a few dollars. And in the age of COVID-19, meeting in person is more dangerous than ever.

Whatever direction you chose to take, it is important to know that you can stay up-to-date on smartphone technology without having to pay the ever-increasing prices of buying a brand-new phone.