The Ultimate Guide to Buying a New Cell Phone

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Make an informed purchase decision with these insider tips

Co-authored by Mobile Kangaroo and Darlene Antonelli, MA

Last Updated: April 17, 2025 Fact Checked

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When to Get a New Phone

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Android vs iPhone

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Important Features

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FAQ

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Expert Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

These days, having a cell phone almost isn’t even a luxury anymore—it’s pretty much a necessity! With so many cell phone carriers and retailers, it can feel overwhelming to try to figure out the best way to buy one. To help cut through the clutter, we’ve answered some of the most common questions that people have about buying cell phones so you can make the best choice for you.

Buying a New Phone

If your current phone is laggy, doesn't get any software updates, or is outdated, it might be time to upgrade.
Save money by trading in your current phone with your carrier.
You can buy a new phone online, at a local retailer, or at a carrier-specific location.

Section 1 of 4:

When to Get a New Phone

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Does your current phone show these signs of needing to be replaced?
- Lagging performance: If your current phone has a sluggish response to anything, like opening apps, navigating through Settings, and even restarting, the software is bogged down with too much data. You can try making your phone faster, but a newer phone might be the only solution. You might even notice that it crashes a lot; being laggy and frequently crashing are signs to get a new phone.
- No more updates: When your current phone is old enough that the manufacturer no longer sends out security updates to it, you should upgrade. But that doesn't mean you need to replace your phone frequently; Apple updates support the iPhone XS, which was released in 2018. In order to protect your phone and personal information from security vulnerabilities that are frequently and issue with out-of-date phones, you want a phone that will be able to receive security and patch updates regularly.
- Outdated camera and display: If you want to have a new display screen, like OLED with vibrant colors, or the camera on your current phone is lacking, you might need a new phone. Even older phones still have amazing camera quality, like the iPhone 12 and Samsung S21 5G, so you don't need to invest in the newest devices for the better cameras.
- New phone carrier: If you have a phone that's locked to another network, you'll need to get a new phone. But if the phone is unlocked, which is often the case nowadays, you don't necessarily need a new phone. Instead, you can trade in your current phone for an updated one at a cheaper cost.

Section 2 of 4:

Android vs iPhone

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1
Android
- Pros
  - Variety: Since the Android OS is open, there are many different versions including Samsung, Google, and OnePlus.
  - Customizable: Because of widgets and configurable settings, the Android experience means that you can customize your phone as much or as little as you want.
- Cons
  - Old and laggy phones: Lots of phones are sold with older versions of the Android OS and often have the manufacturer's own software on top of the Android OS, which can lead to sluggish phones, low storage space, and clutter on the home screen.
2
iPhone
- Pros
  - Consistency: Apple's iOS is exactly the same between updated models of their phones (except older OS versions) and closely similar to the iPad and Watch OS.
  - Interactive: The iPhone works beautifully with other Apple devices, like the Apple Watch, iPad, and MacBook.
- Cons
  - Expensive: The iPhone is often pricey compared to many Android phones, and they frequently don't have comparable features. For example, the cameras in some iPhones aren't comparable price-wise to similar cameras on Android phones.

Section 3 of 4:

Important Features

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Buy a phone with the features you need. You don't have to pay extra to get a newer phone with features that you don't need. Look out for the following :
- Biometrics: You can unlock your phone or use a fingerprint, your face, or voice, to access important information. More and more modern phones use facial recognition nowadays.
- Camera: Smartphone cameras have come a long way! Many phones have multiple cameras so you have wide, ultra wide, and telescopic options as well as Portrait and Night Modes. But do you need everything that's offered?
- Wireless Charging: The more you plug and unplug a port, the more worn it gets, and the port or the cable will eventually stop working. To avoid this daily wear and tear, manufacturers are leaning more into wireless charging. Check out how fast the wireless charging is, since some are faster than others. And look at what kind of wireless chargers you'll need (like a Qi pad), because not every charging pad will work with every phone.

Section 4 of 4:

FAQ

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Can I buy a cell phone without a plan? Yes, you can buy an unlocked phone without a plan. If you don’t want to sign a contract and pay a monthly fee in order to purchase a phone, you don't have to. A locked cell phone is one that includes a SIM card and only works in a specific cell phone carrier’s network. An unlocked phone isn’t tied to a specific network and you can use it with any carrier that you choose.^{[1]
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- When you buy a locked phone, you also own it outright. You don’t have to pay any additional fees or sign a lengthy contract. It’s yours!
- Choosing an unlocked phone also gives you more options since you’re not limited to the phones that a specific carrier provides.
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Where can I buy a new unlocked phone? You can buy new unlocked cell phones at most electronics retailers. Big vendors like Best Buy and Walmart sell brand-new unlocked phones that you can purchase and use with whichever cell phone carrier you want. They also offer a wide selection, including the latest smartphones. Visit a local store to see what options they’re offering and choose one that suits your needs.^{[2]
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- For instance, you can buy the latest iPhones and Android phones, including the Samsung Galaxy at many of the big-box retailers.
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Do I need a SIM card for an unlocked phone? Yes, you’ll need a SIM card on the network you choose. You can choose any carrier you like for your unlocked phone. But you’ll need to install a SIM provided by the carrier in order to use their network to make calls, send texts, and use your data. Choose a carrier and then contact them or visit a physical store to install a SIM card you can use.^{[3]
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- For instance, if you choose to use a company such as Boost Mobile, you can contact them and they’ll send you a SIM card or you can visit one of their stores and have an employee install one for you.
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Can I buy a cell phone online? Yes, you can buy unlocked phones or phones from a carrier online. If you’re looking to purchase a phone from one of the major cell phone carriers, you can visit their website, choose a phone, and have it shipped to you. Many carriers may even waive shipping fees and offer deals for customers switching from other carriers and buying new phones on monthly payments. If you’re looking to buy an unlocked phone, there are many online retailers who sell them including Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart, and eBay.^{[4]
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- For instance, if you want to purchase a phone from a company like Verizon or AT&T, you can visit their website and order one.
- If you buy a smartphone from a cell phone carrier, many come with a built-in setup wizard that will walk you step-by-step through the activation process.
- When you buy an unlocked phone online, you’ll need to choose a carrier in order to start using it to make calls.
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What cell phone carrier is the best? T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T are the best major carriers. When it comes to the best plans, prices, and customer service, T-Mobile is the best overall of all of the large phone companies. Verizon and AT&T offer high-quality network speeds and great plans, but their unlimited plans can be on the pricey side and their “5G” speeds may be limited to select areas. Ultimately, the best carrier for you will be the one that satisfies your cell phone needs.^{[5]
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- For instance, if you don’t need an unlimited plan, you may be able to get a cheaper plan at Verizon than with T-Mobile.
- Visible, Mint, and Metro by T-Mobile are the best discount carriers. If you aren’t looking for a pricey plan with one of the major carriers, there are a variety of alternative companies you can use. Companies like Visible and Mint may not have all of the service options of the larger companies, but you can get unlimited talk and data for a much cheaper rate. If you’re looking for the best cell phone service for the cheapest rate, Metro by T-Mobile (formerly MetroPCS) offers plans as low as $15 USD a month.^{[6]
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- With some of the alternative companies, your loading speed can slow down if the network is heavily congested.
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What is the cheapest place to buy a phone? Amazon is almost always the best place to find a cheap phone. Visit the site, run a search for cell phones, and see what they have available. You can even sort by the cheapest price to look through the most affordable options. Select and pay for the phone that suits your needs and it’ll be shipped right to your home.^{[7]
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- Amazon also offers both new and used or refurbished phones.
- Purchasing from Amazon also means you’ll have customer support as well as the option of a refund or replacement if the phone you receive doesn’t work.
EXPERT TIP

Henry Paris
Electronic Repair Expert
Henry Paris is an Electronic Repair Expert specializing in sharing information about smartphones. Henry is the owner and manager of Electronic Repair Solutions (ERS Bit), and has a follower base of over 63,000 YouTube subscribers and over 150,000 followers on Instagram. As Ersbit, Henry and his team create electronics repair content, offering repair tutorials, product reviews, and stress testing of devices. His most popular videos highlight phone camera and screen replacement tips. His channels offer recommendations and tips on how to save money by doing DIY repairs and other device upgrades. Henry’s aim is to educate his audience by covering all aspects of repairing phones, so that they can save money and fix their devices, themselves.

Henry Paris
Electronic Repair Expert

Vet sellers when buying used phones. Buying used can save money when phone shopping. eBay's prices are often lower than Amazon's or direct from brands. But, establishing trust with sellers is key. Engage sellers, ask questions, and request extra photos of damage-prone areas. Ensure satisfactory responses and clear images to avoid surprises. Careful navigation guards against hidden flaws.
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Do any cell phone companies offer free phones? Yes, many carriers offer discounted or free phones with a plan. Companies like Samsung often offer older model phones at highly discounted rates and sometimes even for free. The phones may be older or they may have limited features, but if you’re looking for the most affordable way to get a phone, buying a plan from a carrier that offers free phones may be the way to go.^{[8]
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- Companies like Google Fi, Cricket, and Pure Talk often offer free phones to entice you to switch to them.
- The cost of cell phone plans varies from company to company. For instance, some may cost around $60 USD for an unlimited plan with data, while others may offer a talk-only plan for $45 USD.

Expert Q&A

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Question

What kind of cell phone should I get?

Mobile Kangaroo
Computer & Phone Repair Specialists
Mobile Kangaroo is a full service repair shop and Apple Authorized Service Provider headquartered in Mountain View, CA. Mobile Kangaroo has been repairing electronic devices such as computers, phones, and tablets, for over 19 years, with locations in over 20 cities.

Mobile Kangaroo

Computer & Phone Repair Specialists

Expert Answer

When buying a phone, you should always think about the features that are important to you and what your budget is. Be sure to include a good phone case and screen protector in your budget.

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How long will the process take at the store?

Community Answer

Time spent at the store depends on if you want to set up a contract or make a data plan. If the store is busy, it could take an hour or more. If you just want to purchase a phone and do a pay-as-you-go plan, it could take as little as 15 minutes.

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Which carrier is the best in the US?

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It very largely depends on your location in the US. Most of the Eastern United States is well-covered, while the Midwest and West have quite a few dead zones.

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Tips

Old cell phones need to be disposed of correctly. When you buy a new phone, consider recycling your old phone! Look up a recycling company or center in your area that accepts cell phones.^{[9]
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Consider trading-in your current phone if you're getting a newer phone because you might be able to save money that way. Many retailers or carriers will give you money in exchange for your old phone!

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Before you factory reset, sell], or trade in your old phone for a new one, make sure you have a backup of your data.

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