When to Buy a New Phone

Ready to trade up to a new phone? Timing is everything.

There are certain times of the year—after phone launches, during holidays, when carriers reset their inventories—that providers offer the steepest discounts on phones. But that’s only part of the equation: if you’re planning on trading in your current device, you’ll get the highest value for it if you hand it in during a certain window of time. 

In this article, we’ll unpack all of this for you so you can get the best deal possible on that new phone you have your eye on. 

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Signs That It’s Time to Get a New Device

First things first: if your current device is experiencing any of these issues, it’s probably a good time to consider trading up for a new one.

A Dying Battery

There's nothing more frustrating than a phone that fails to maintain its power throughout the day. If you're continually seeing your phone's battery drain, it may be due to natural degradation — batteries lose capacity over time. If you're struggling to keep your phone powered throughout the day, even after a full overnight charge, no amount of low-power mode will fix the underlying problem. A new device with a fresh battery can make an enormous difference in your daily experience.

Slowness

Whether due to an aging processor, insufficient RAM, or an operating system that has simply outgrown the hardware, a slow phone can affect everything you do. If apps take several seconds to open, or scrolling feels choppy and unresponsive, it can be a signal that your device is struggling to keep up with modern software demands. If so, it’s probably time to look for a new phone. 

Random Shutdowns

Another clear sign that it's time to move on to a new device is if your current phone periodically shuts down for no reason. Unexpected shutdowns can stem from a swollen or failing battery, hardware faults, or software corruption—none of which are easy or cheap to fix. If your phone is powering off mid-call, mid-task, or even while sitting idle, a new device purchase is probably in order. 

Best Times of The Year to Buy

If you’ve decided you’re ready to buy a new phone—whether due to issues with your current device, or you just really want a new one—the following can help you time it just right. 

Up to One Month Before a New Model Lineup Comes Out

In preparation for the release of a new lineup of phones—especially iPhones or Samsung Galaxies—carriers tend to start discounting the soon-to-be-replaced generation. 

For example, in the lead-up to the unveiling of the iPhone 17 series, the major carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile) dropped the prices of their iPhone 16 handset. This period tends to be a great time to get your hands on a new smartphone, assuming you’re o.k. with getting a very-slightly older model. 

As a rule of thumb, Apple unveils the new iPhones every September, making August the time to target. Samsung, on the other hand, usually opens preorders for its new Samsung Galaxy S series of phones in February, so January is the time to start shopping. 

During Black Friday and Cyber Monday

Another ideal time to start shopping for a new phone is in and around Black Friday in November. The major carriers consistently run aggressive trade-in promotions and outright device discounts during this window, and it's not uncommon to see older flagship models steeply discounted. 

Cyber Monday can extend the deals a few more days, and some carriers begin the promotions as early as the week before Thanksgiving. If you have flexibility on which model you want, this period tends to have the widest variety of deals across multiple manufacturers.

During the Holidays

If you miss out on the sales going on during Black Friday, don't worry. Carriers big and small tend to run some attractive device promotions in and around the December holiday period as well. 

These deals often take the form of buy-one-get-one offers, gift card bundles with new activations, or straightforward price cuts tied to a new line or upgrade. The holiday promotions sometimes even rival Black Friday deals, particularly in the final days before Christmas when retailers push to move remaining inventory.

During the New Year Inventory Reset

A lesser-known, but still ideal, time to start shopping for a phone is in January, when the carriers reset their device inventories. This is a time of the year when carriers look to clear out their overstock, mark down any unsold holiday inventory, and make room for spring product launches. 

The discounts during this period tend to be less publicized than holiday sales, but that also  sometimes translates to better deals on specific models. It's worth checking carrier websites and comparing offers in early January before the window closes.

During Preorder Periods

Lastly, if you're interested in getting your hands on some valuable extras to go along with a new device, consider buying your phone when the preorder period opens up for a new series. 

Manufacturers and carriers frequently sweeten preorders with bonus accessories like wireless chargers, earbuds, or protective cases, as well as early trade-in credits that may exceed what's offered after launch. The preorder window is typically brief—often just two weeks—so it pays to watch for announcements and act quickly if you spot a bundle that makes sense for you.

Understanding Trade-In Cliffs

If you’re in the market for a new phone, you’ll likely get the best deal by trading in your current device, and applying that value to the purchase. If that’s the route you plan on taking (and we recommend it!) you should know that there are certain windows when you’ll get the most for your handset. 

Something the carriers won’t tell you is that they factor “trade-in cliffs” into their offers. If you try trading in your phone after one of these drop-offs, you’ll get far less for it than you would otherwise.  

These cliffs are tied to promotional eligibility thresholds that carriers set internally. Your device doesn't lose half its value because it stopped functioning well; it loses that value because it crossed an invisible line in the carrier's pricing structure. To make matters more complicated, these thresholds vary from carrier to carrier, meaning the same phone can be worth dramatically different amounts depending on where you're shopping.

The practical takeaway is that timing your upgrade—and your trade-in—matters a lot more than most people realize. Holding onto a phone for even one extra year past the right window can cost you hundreds of dollars in lost trade-in credit that you'll never get back. The sweet spot for trading in a flagship device is generally within two to three years of its release, though the exact cliff point differs by carrier and which new device you're upgrading to. When in doubt, it pays to check trade-in values sooner rather than later.

Final Thoughts

Buying a new phone at the right time can save you significant money—and trading in your old device at the right moment can save you even more. The best windows to shop are in the weeks before a major iPhone or Samsung Galaxy launch, during Black Friday and the holiday season, and in January when carriers reset their inventories. If you're eyeing a preorder, the bonus accessories and early trade-in credits can sweeten the deal.

On the trade-in side, don't let your current device sit past its prime. Trade-in cliffs are real, and crossing one can cost you hundreds of dollars. As a general rule, aim to trade in your phone within the first two to three years.

A little planning goes a long way. Timing your purchase and trade-in strategically can make a huge difference in what you pay.