Whether they feature a foldable or traditional slab design or send green versus blue text messages, we rely heavily on our smartphones — arguably more than any other gadget in our lives. We’re always looking for the best deal regarding trading in our phone for one with a more powerful processor, room for storage, or a more professional camera suite. Alternatively, if our smartphone meets an untimely demise, we might just need an affordable handset to tide us over.
Also: The best Verizon deals
As a top U.S. carrier, AT&T emphasizes both current and potential customers can qualify for a quality deal. ZDNET has rounded up the top deals that apply to customers old and new alike, including a discounted Google Pixel 7a Samsung Galaxy S23 and iPhone 14 Pro Max. One of the top new deals, however, might be more to your taste: you can pick up a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 for free with trade-in.
And, of course, deals are abundant for the new iPhone 15 range.
The best deals available are for Apple’s new flagship devices, including the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. You can pick up an iPhone 15 for free with discounts provided by trade-in offers, or save up to $1000 on the Pro and Pro Max. The pre-order deals launch formally on Friday.
Also: Everything Apple just announced: iPhone 15, Apple Watch Ultra 2, AirPods
Check out the best deals at AT&T below. (You can also check out the latest Apple deals and Samsung deals we’ve found.)
AT&T is offering the iPhone 15 for free with trade-in (up to $830 off) to new and existing customers.
The offer will be going live in a few days and as long as you are willing to trade in an eligible device, you can walk away with either a free handset or a sizable discount on the full retail price.
Preorders will begin on September 15, 5 a.m. PT.
If you would like to upgrade to the Apple iPhone 15 Plus, AT&T will offer you the same discount — $830 off the typical retail price, bringing the monthly cost down to as low as $2.78 per month.
The iPhone 15 Plus is available in five colors and storage options range from 128GB to 512GB.
However, if a more substantial upgrade to your existing iPhone is on the radar, you can save up to $1,000 when purchasing the Apple iPhone 15 Pro.
Retailing for $999 at the entry storage level, you can pick up the device for free when you trade in a suitable device. The discount is applied in bill credits over 36 months.
Naturally, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is also going to feature on this list as Apple’s new flagship product.
AT&T will also give you up to $1,000 off the usual $1,199 purchase price, applied in bill credits, as long as you trade in an eligible device. This discount will bring the monthly cost down to only $5.56 per month.
Announced at Samsung Unpacked, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is one of the South Korean tech giant’s latest flagship mobile devices, alongside the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 has a 3.4-inch “Flex Window” panel, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 chip, and up to 512GB storage. Four colors are available: mint green, lavender, cream, or graphite.
AT&T has a deal on offer if you order the device. You can pick up the new flip phone for free if you trade in an eligible device (up to $1,000 in bill credits) and sign up for or maintain a suitable line.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is also available with a discount at AT&T.
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold5 has outer 6.2-inch and inner 7.6-inch displays, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 mobile processor, and up to 512GB storage.
At AT&T, customers can take advantage of a discount of up to $1,000 with the trade-in of an old, eligible device, granting you the device for free.
Another phone deal we recommend at AT&T is for the Google Pixel 7a. This budget-friendly handset — generally set at an RRP of around $520 — is available for only $5 per month, based on a contract of 36 months, with no trade-in required.
If you’re shopping for a handset that won’t break the bank, the Google Pixel 7a is a great choice. The model on offer is in charcoal and comes with 128GB SSD storage.
No trade-in is required, which is always a bonus. You will, however, need to agree to the installment plan and either sign up or upgrade to an Unlimited plan with AT&T. Furthermore, AT&T is offering a range of discounts on Pixel devices, including the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro.
There’s also a promotion for Samsung’s Galaxy S23 at AT&T. If you’re willing to trade in an older device, you can pick up the flagship smartphone for free.
AT&T does require you to hand over a suitable device for the full trade-in value. However, different devices will net you different discounts. Note that you will also need to sign up or upgrade to an Unlimited plan.
If you’re an Apple fan, AT&T is currently running a deal on the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max and you can earn up to $1000 in credits when you trade in an older device.
Depending on the mode, age, and condition of the device you trade, you can seriously bring down the cost of the monthly iPhone payment. Your installment plan can be reduced from $30.56 at a full rate (for a 128GB version) or reduced from $44.45 monthly for a 1024GB handset option.
The Motorola Razr+ is a sleek, foldable smartphone and a great alternative to an Apple, Samsung, or Google device.
If you order this product via AT&T on an eligible installment and Unlimited plan, you will pay the equivalent of $10 per month based on a 36-month agreement. The Motorola Razr+ comes with 256GB storage.
No trade-in is required to take advantage of this deal. The smartphone’s full retail price is $1,000.
ZDNET considers the Google Pixel Fold to be a worthy competitor to Samsung’s stake in the foldable phone market. While limited multitasking capabilities exist, this device is for you if you want a powerful handset with reasonable battery life for a foldable phone.
Over at AT&T, you can pick up a Google Pixel Fold for $24.50 per month, and no trade-in of an old device is necessary. To take advantage of this deal, however, you will need to agree to an installment plan and select or upgrade to an eligible unlimited plan. The promotional price is applied over 36 months.
More AT&T deals
The best deals available are for Apple’s new flagship devices, including the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. You can pick up an iPhone 15 for free with discounts provided by trade-in offers, or save up to $1000 on the Pro and Pro Max. The preorder deals launch formally on Friday.
When we made our selection for the best AT&T deals, we wanted to include options based on the following criteria:
- Value: The deal had to offer good value for money, especially regarding trade-in offers or discounts applied to new handsets, tablets, or entertainment products.
- Affordability: The economy is facing an uncertain time, and when we experience this type of disruption, it is sometimes essential to reduce our expenses as much as possible. With this in mind, we have included products suitable for various budgets.
- Variety: We require a diverse range of products to be available, suiting different users and their needs.
- Free products: Devices drop in value over time, and to offload excess stock, some carriers will launch time-sensitive deals, giving subscribers free products in exchange for signing up for a new contract.
- Events: It’s always worth checking retailers after a major event, such as Samsung Unpacked. You will often find that deals will be launched just after, luring customers to agree to preorder their new handset in return for discounts and free storage upgrades.
It’s true, carriers are the most aggressive with their offers when it’s year-end and new customers are shopping around for services to switch to. Still, AT&T has done a fairly balanced job of pushing promotions for new and existing customers, including all the deals we have listed above. If you’ve been a loyal customer, we’d even recommend reaching out to your local AT&T provider to see if there are any exclusive deals just for you.
In general, there is no difference in how much money you save whether you shop online or in stores. Instead, deciding between the two really boils down to your preference for transactions. With how complicated carrier phone deals can be, you may be better off heading down to the local AT&T store and consulting with a product expert to help you navigate the fine print. Otherwise, shopping online can be faster and more convenient.
