The most direct path: walk into a carrier store or order online

The fastest way to get a new phone is to buy one outright from a carrier store — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or a regional provider — or order directly from the phone manufacturer's website. You pay the full price upfront, set up the phone on your existing plan or a new one, and leave with a working device the same day. No contracts, no waiting for shipping.

If you order online from a carrier or manufacturer, the phone arrives in 3 to 7 business days. You then set up it yourself by following the setup prompts on the phone, or you can call the carrier's support line and have them walk you through it. Either way, you'll need your account number or phone number to start the process.

The trade-off is cost: a new flagship phone costs $800 to $1,200. If that's too much, you have other routes that lower the upfront price.

Key Takeaways

  • Buying outright from a carrier store or the manufacturer's website is the fastest option and gives you full ownership of the phone with no contract.
  • Monthly payment plans spread the cost over 24 to 36 months, reducing what you pay upfront, but you stay locked into a carrier during that time.
  • Trading in an old phone reduces the final price by $100 to $400 depending on its condition and model, and most carriers offer this at the point of sale.
  • Refurbished phones from carriers or certified sellers cost 30 to 50 percent less than new ones and come with the same warranty.
  • Switching carriers sometimes includes a phone discount or credit toward a new device if you bring your number to them.

Monthly payment plans: lower upfront cost, but you're locked in

Most carriers offer to split the phone's cost into monthly payments — usually 24 or 36 months — added to your regular phone bill. This means you might pay $30 to $50 per month instead of $1,000 upfront. The catch is that you're locked into that carrier for the length of the plan. If you switch carriers before it's paid off, you owe the remaining balance in full.

To set up a payment plan, go to your carrier's website, select the phone you want, and choose the payment option at checkout. You'll need an active account with that carrier. The phone ships to you or you can pick it up in-store, and it's activated when ready on your plan.

Some carriers offer 0% interest on these plans, meaning you pay no extra fee for spreading the cost. Others charge interest, so check the terms before you agree. The monthly payment is separate from your phone bill — it's an additional line item.

Trade-in programs: reduce the price of a new phone

If you have an old phone, most carriers will take it as a trade-in and credit the value toward a new one. A phone in good condition might be worth $200 to $400; one with a cracked screen or battery problems might be worth $50 to $150. The credit applies when ready, so if a new phone costs $800 and your trade-in is worth $300, you pay $500.

To trade in a phone, bring it to a carrier store along with your ID, or start the process online. The carrier will ask about its condition — does the screen work, is the battery holding charge, are there cracks or water damage. Be honest; they'll inspect it when it arrives and adjust the credit if the condition is worse than you described.

Trade-in value varies by carrier and by the phone's age and model. A three-year-old iPhone might be worth $250 at one carrier and $200 at another. Check the trade-in value on each carrier's website before you decide where to buy.

Refurbished phones: the same device for less money

A refurbished phone is one that was returned, repaired, and resold. It's not new, but it's been tested and restored to working condition. Refurbished phones cost 30 to 50 percent less than new ones — a phone that costs $800 new might be $400 to $500 refurbished — and they come with the same warranty as new phones from the carrier.

Carriers sell refurbished phones on their websites and in stores, usually in a separate section labeled "Certified Refurbished" or "Like New." You can also buy them from third-party sellers like Amazon or Best Buy, but stick to sellers that offer a warranty. A refurbished phone with no warranty is a gamble.

The main risk is that you don't know the phone's history. It might have been dropped once and returned, or it might have had a battery replaced. The warranty protects you if something fails, but you won't have the original box or accessories. If you need a phone quickly and cost matters more than having the latest condition, refurbished is a solid option.

Switching carriers and getting a discount

If you're moving to a new carrier, many offer discounts or credits on a new phone to make the switch worth your while. Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile all run promotions where you can get $300 to $800 off a new phone if you bring your number from another carrier. Some also pay off your old carrier's early termination fee, though that's less common.

These offers change monthly and vary by phone model. Before you switch, check what each carrier is offering on their website or by calling their sales line. The discount usually applies when you set up the new phone on the new carrier's network, so you'll need to port your number — a process that takes a few hours and is handled by the new carrier's staff.

Switching is worth considering if your current carrier's service is poor in your area or if you're unhappy with their prices. The discount can offset the cost of a new phone, but don't switch just for the discount if you're happy where you are.

Buying used phones from private sellers

You can buy used phones from individuals on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or eBay. Prices are often lower than refurbished — sometimes 40 to 60 percent below retail — because there's no middleman. The risk is higher too: you have no warranty, no way to verify the phone's history, and no recourse if it breaks the day after you buy it.

If you go this route, meet the seller in person, test the phone before you hand over money, and ask to see the original receipt or proof of purchase. Check that the phone isn't blacklisted — a phone reported stolen or used to commit fraud won't work on any network. You can check this on the carrier's website by entering the phone's IMEI number, a unique identifier printed on the box or found in the phone's settings.

Buying used is cheapest, but it's only worth it if you're comfortable with the risk and you know how to spot a problem. If something goes wrong, you're out the money.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep my phone number when I get a new phone?

Yes. If you're staying with the same carrier, your number transfers automatically when you set up the new phone. If you're switching carriers, the new carrier handles the transfer — it's called porting your number — and usually takes a few hours. You'll need your account number and PIN from your old carrier to start the process.

What happens to my old phone after I trade it in?

Carriers either refurbish and resell it, or send it to a recycling facility where materials are recovered. You don't get to choose which. If the phone has personal data on it, wipe it completely before you hand it over — use the factory reset option in settings.

Do I need to buy a phone from my carrier, or can I buy one anywhere?

You can buy a phone from any retailer — Best Buy, Amazon, the manufacturer's website — as long as it's compatible with your carrier's network. Bring it home, insert your SIM card, and set up it on your plan. You won't get carrier discounts or payment plans this way, but you have more choice and can compare prices across stores.

What's the difference between a SIM card and a phone?

A SIM card is a small chip that connects your phone to the carrier's network. The phone is the device itself. You can move a SIM card from one phone to another, and your number and plan move with it. When you get a new phone, you either move your old SIM card into it or the carrier gives you a new one with the same number.

Should I buy the most expensive phone or a cheaper one?

It depends on what you use it for. Expensive phones have better cameras, faster processors, and longer battery life, but a mid-range phone ($400 to $600) handles email, texting, and web browsing just as well. If you take a lot of photos or play games, spend more. If you mostly use it for calls and messages, a cheaper phone is fine.