7 Tips To Score the Best Cyber Monday Deals on Smartphones

Cyber Monday comes around every year, but if you want to get the very best deals, it's a good idea to plan ahead and take advantage of upcoming deals and discounts for laptops, headphones, VR headsets, and phones.

Prepare well, and you might purchase a slick new smartphone for yourself or your family while saving big. But while Cyber Monday is sure to bring plenty of great deals, you’ll only score the best purchases — and the lowest prices — if you know the right tips and tricks.

If you don’t know where to start, read on. We’ll break down seven strategic tips to leverage to ensure you benefit from Cyber Monday smartphone deals as much as possible.

1. Plan to Shop Ahead of Cyber Monday Madness

While Cyber Monday will have plenty of excellent smartphone deals, the days and weeks beforehand may also be optimal opportunities to pick up some new devices on the cheap. Many companies are looking to accelerate their Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales and inspire shoppers who usually wouldn't participate in Cyber Monday shopping craziness by offering deals "ahead of schedule."

Early to mid-November could see a rise in Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions that you can take advantage of.

Why do companies advertise special promotions ahead of Cyber Monday? In many cases, it’s to beat their competition — after all, if you can get a special smartphone deal a week before Cyber Monday, why not purchase it now from them, instead of waiting?

At the same time, you may see a rise in trade-in promotion values in early to mid-November this year. For example, in 2023, AT&T's trade-in promotion for phones like the Samsung Galaxy S21, Google Pixel 6 Pro, and others dropped their lowest trade-in credit tiers, enabling customers to trade in these phones for even more value (sometimes up to $800 or $1000).

Don't forget to look for phone plan promotions around early to mid-November, too. In 2023, Verizon opened up extra promotions for all unlimited plans for phone plan switchers and upgraders in early November ahead of Cyber Monday.

All retailers do this, from Motorola and T-Mobile to Amazon and Apple. Even retailers like Walmart may have prepaid or gift card phone plan deals to snag with phones like the Apple iPhone 13 Pro or iPhone 14. It's too soon to tell, of course, but you might be able to get a great deal on the iPhone 15, since the iPhone 16 will probably be released in September 2024.

Bottom line: the earliest part of the month could be the ideal time to snag a great smartphone from store shelves before other buyers.

2. Take Advantage of Trade-In Promotions

You may find plenty of trade-in promotions during Thanksgiving week, especially during Cyber Monday's run-up. For example, during Thanksgiving week last year, Verizon offered as much as $800 in trade-in credit for those who traded in their old Google Pixel 6 Pros.

Trade-in promotions are excellent if you want to upgrade phones from the same manufacturer. Say that you wish to the new Samsung Galaxy and have last year’s model in good condition.

You may be able to get a massive discount or practically get a new phone for free if you turn it in around Thanksgiving week.

3. Keep Your Eyes Peeled For a Good Smartphone/Phone Plan Combo

Around Black Friday and Cyber Monday, you may find a wide range of advertised smartphone and phone plan deal combos.

For example, a smartphone manufacturer may persuade you to purchase a new-line smartphone with a charger (at a slight discount) since you'll receive a phone plan for 12 months in a bundle.

They can be great deals depending on how these combos are represented. However, you want to read the fine print since some of these Black Friday deals could be bad picks, even if they come with sweet perks like Amazon Prime Day offers or early access sales.

Why? In some cases, smartphone and phone plan deals lock you into subpar or expensive phone plans for 12 months, if not more. In the long run, you may pay more for your phone service than for a cheap smartphone.

Because of this, always read discounts or deals carefully and don’t be afraid to ask questions. A representative online, in-person, or on the phone may be able to tell you the details that tell you whether a Cyber Monday deal is actually good or if it’s not a great option for you.

4. Sign Up for Email Newsletters

Have a phone manufacturer or retailer you shop at frequently? Do yourself a favor and sign up for their emails.

This is advantageous because many retailers or online stores will send discount emails and advertisements around Black Friday and Cyber Monday. In many cases, you can only access the best smartphone deals if you are on a retailer's email list.

Not only does signing up for a retail email list give you access to exclusive discounts, but it also tells you when new items are in stock and how best to take advantage of Cyber Monday sales sessions.

You need as much information as possible when adding the best phone deals. Signing up for an email list is an easy and strategic way to get that information.

5. Strategically "Abandon" Your Cart

On or around Cyber Monday, it may help to put a phone in your digital shopping cart with those Airpods or Galaxy Buds, and then exit out of your current window.

If you do this with a retailer whose email list you are on, you may receive a sudden discount in your email inbox minutes later.

This strategic cart abandonment is a great way to maximize your Cyber Monday smartphone savings. In a nutshell, many retailers have automated settings that send discount emails to people who abandoned their carts.

They do this to sweeten deals and make their offers more attractive, assuming someone who abandoned their carts is on the fence.

You can take advantage of this system and exit out of a page, then jump back in once you have a new coupon or discount offer in your email inbox.

6. Compare Prices for the Same Phone

No matter what deals you find, comparing prices for the same smartphone across multiple platforms and stores is a good idea.

For instance, if you find a deal for a great smartphone on Target.com, don't forget to check in-store at Best Buy and similar retailers to see who has the best Cyber Monday deal.

Alternatively, you can use services like Navi. Our free, unbiased Phone Deal Finder below allows you to compare the best phone deals simultaneously, not just by price – and not just on Cyber Monday. Just answer a few questions about what you’re looking for, and we’ll search through thousands of the best deals to bring the top options for you.

In any case, never go with the first discounted phone you see, even if it’s a great model like a Google Pixel 8, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Always confirm it’s the best deal before pressing the Buy Now button.

7. Check Depleted Stocks Before the Following Friday

When the buzz and hubbub surrounding Black Friday and Cyber Monday die down, don't make the mistake of thinking that all the deals have also vanished. You may be able to score an excellent smartphone from previously depleted stocks if you regularly check before the Friday after Cyber Monday. This is because many phone retailer promotions end the Friday after Black Friday rather than Tuesday or Wednesday. However, they continue restocking phones.

Essentially, if your favorite phone like a foldable Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 is out of stock when you check during Cyber Monday, check back in the four days following. You might still be able to purchase it for a great price if Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals are still active.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cyber Monday a good time to buy a phone?

While Cyber Monday will have plenty of excellent smartphone deals, the days and weeks beforehand may also be optimal opportunities to pick up some new devices on the cheap. Many companies are looking to accelerate their Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales and inspire shoppers who usually wouldn't participate in Cyber Monday shopping craziness by offering deals "ahead of schedule."

Who has the best Cyber Monday phone deals?

All three major carriers (Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile) will be running Cyber Monday phone deals that allow you to get your hands on flagship smartphones for far less than you would otherwise pay. In order to take advantage of the best deals, you should be prepared to trade in your current device. 

Is it better to buy an iPhone on Black Friday or Cyber Monday?

Both Black Friday and Cyber Monday offer great iPhone deals, but Black Friday may have more in-store promotions and bundles, while Cyber Monday often has strong online-only offers. It’s best to compare deals on both days to find the best price and availability.