When's the Best Time to Buy a Cell Phone Plan?

Looking for a new cell phone plan? The timing of your search can make a huge difference in the deals you score. Even if you don't need one right this second, being smart about when you shop can save you a lot. Here's when to start hunting for new cell phone plans.

The Best Times of Year to Shop for Cell Phone Plans

Cell phone providers, like many retailers, align their best promotions with key shopping seasons and product release cycles.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday (Late November)

These sales after Thanksgiving are consistently some of the best times to score big savings on phones and enticing plan bundles. The good news is, deals often kick off a few weeks before Black Friday and run all the way through Cyber Monday, giving you a wider window to shop.

Prime Day (Mid-July and sometimes Fall)

Amazon's yearly Prime Day sales event often features big discounts on unlocked phones and accessories to go with them, which you can then match up with all sorts of plans.

New Phone Model Releases

You might also find great deals around September (when new iPhones come out) or February (for Samsung Galaxy S series launches). When major manufacturers like Apple and Samsung release their new flagship phones, two things happen:

• Pre-order Deals: Carriers often offer enticing promotions (like substantial trade-in credits or bundled accessories) to encourage pre-orders of the latest models.
• Discounts on Older Models: Once a new model is out, the previous generation often sees price drops as retailers and carriers clear inventory. If you don't need the absolute latest and greatest, this can be a fantastic time to get a powerful phone at a lower price.

Other Holiday Sales

You'll also find that most major holidays throughout the year bring some kind of promotion from carriers. So, if you're not in a huge rush, definitely keep an eye out for those. And especially in Canada, Boxing Day (December 26th) is a really strong time for post-Christmas deals.

• Memorial Day
• 4th of July
• Labor Day
• Back-to-School
• Christmas

End of Quarter/Year

Some industry insiders suggest that providers might offer more aggressive deals towards the end of their financial quarters (March, June, September, December) to meet sales targets.

Best Days and Times of the Week

While less impactful than seasonal events, there are some general tendencies to consider:

• Early to Mid-Week: Carrier promotions often launch early in the week (e.g., Monday or Tuesday). This is when new deals are typically announced. Don't forget to check out T-Mobile Tuesdays for special weekly perks that sometimes include phone or plan-related offers.
• Online Shopping: You're more likely to find exclusive online promotions, discounted activation fees, and promotional gift cards when shopping directly on carrier or retailer websites. These online-only deals can save you an additional $50-$100 compared to in-store purchases.
• Monitor Deal Sites: Websites and forums dedicated to tracking deals (like RedFlagDeals in Canada, for example) can be invaluable. Users often share newly discovered promotions and discuss their experiences, helping you catch flash sales that might end quickly.

Tips for Savvy Cell Plan Shopping:

• Do Your Research: Before diving into deals, understand your actual usage needs (data, talk, text), coverage requirements in your area, and preferred phone brands.
• Compare Across Carriers and Retailers: Don't limit yourself to just one provider. Check out deals from all major carriers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, etc.) as well as smaller MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) that run on the major networks (e.g., Mint Mobile, Visible, Google Fi). Also, compare offers from major electronics retailers like Best Buy, as they sometimes have their own incentives.
• Consider Unlocked Phones: Buying an unlocked phone outright gives you the freedom to switch carriers easily and take advantage of plan-only deals. While the upfront cost is higher, it can save you money in the long run by allowing you to choose the best plan regardless of device financing restrictions.
• Look for Trade-in Offers: Many of the best phone deals, especially around new model releases, involve significant trade-in credits for your old device.
• Read the Fine Print: Always understand the terms and conditions of any promotion, including contract lengths, bill credits, data caps, and any potential hidden fees.

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