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When is the best time to buy a mobile phone?

Think smart when shopping for a smartphone.

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Timing is everything. And it’s important to know when to dive in or hold back when you’re thinking about a new mobile phone. Do you queue up in the early hours on release day to bag that brand new smartphone? Or is it better to wait until Black Friday to grab a great phone deal instead?

Truth is, there are a few ways to save money when you’re shopping for a new mobile phone. All you need is some helpful info to explain what your options are. That’s where we come in…

Please note: This article talks about products sold at carphonewarehouse.com. Carphone Warehouse is part of Currys.

How to save money on a new phone

If you can’t afford to pay upfront for the latest phone when it launches, don’t worry about it. As you’ll find out below — there are plenty of ways get your hands on the hottest new tech without having to pay over the odds.

Are pre-order phones cheaper?

Usually, yes. It can be a bit cheaper to buy a new mobile phone when its on pre-order. You’ll probably get a discount or free gift — so it’s definitely worth doing instead of waiting around until release day.

Because these special offers are going to be on the latest phones, you’ll still end up paying a fair bit for a new phone. But if you’re not worried about having the latest specs and features, you can still find a cheaper phone that’ll pack a punch. If you wait about a month before a new smartphone comes out, you’ll likely see the price of the old model drop. So, this makes it a great time to pounce and save some pennies!

Whether you’re looking for the newest mobile phones or cheaper ones that hit shelves last year, you should do some research to find out any future release dates. Then stick them in your calendar so you don’t miss out. Make sure to bookmark the Carphone Warehouse website and our Currys mobile phones page to stay in the loop too.

Black Friday mobile phone deals

Black Friday is one of the biggest events in the shopping calendar. Prices get slashed on loads of products, with some companies saving up their best deals for it. And because it kicks off on the last Friday in November, you can cop some of the cheapest mobile phone deals a month before Christmas. Cracking!

Black Friday sales tend to last the whole weekend. Giving you plenty of time to buy a new phone with a big discount. And once the weekend’s over — Cyber Monday starts. This extends a bunch of deals for another day, with even some new ones chucked into the mix too. So, from the start of Black Friday through to the end of Cyber Monday, you’ll find some epic offers on pay monthly phones, SIM only deals, and much more.

Christmas and Boxing Day phone sales

Even if you miss out on a Black Friday bargain, you’re bound to see some more smartphone deals around Christmas time and beyond. So, you can spend some time browsing the sales while you chill out after that tasty Turkey lunch.

Boxing Day mobile phone deals offer some great discounts on Christmas best-sellers too. It’s just a great time to buy at a special seasonal price! Oh, and also keep an eye out for the January Sales as you head into the new year.

FAQs

What should I do before buying a new phone?

If you’re thinking about buying a new phone, you should find out when the best deals are likely to land. And make sure that you’re ready to compare all the best bargains during those big annual sales. You should also consider pre-ordering new phones too. They might have some kind of extra discount that lasts right up until the release date.

Or before that new phone launches, have a look at last year’s models to see if their prices have been cut. Of course, that does also mean that you’ll need to find out when new phones are coming out. Apple tend to launch their new iPhone in September, while next-gen Samsung Galaxy phones usually drop in the first four months of the year. Google Pixel phones have a habit of dropping in price just before the new model launches. So, keep your eyes peeled!

There are a few other things you should think about to make sure you find a phone deal that’s right for you:

1. Where are you at on your current phone contract?

If you’re near the end of your contract, you could be up for a phone upgrade or a different deal. Or you might see a better offer with another network provider. In which case, you’ll need to switch mobile network to get yourself on the best mobile contract.

2. What kind of phone deal do you need?

During big sales, you’ll see some very tempting SIM only deals where you can get loads of data, talk time and texts without having to buy a new phone. If the end of your contract is looming — but you want to hold onto your current phone for a bit longer — you could go for a SIM only upgrade. It’s a great way to save money as you won’t have to dish out for a new phone.

3. What kind of phone features are you after?

If you’re looking for discount phones in-store or online, don’t feel like you have to rush into buying one because of the sales deadlines. If you can, start comparing smartphones and deals as early as possible so that you know exactly what you want.

Check out the specs and features of each phone and look at things like the battery life, storage, processor, display and operating system. Think about what’s important to you and what you use your phone for the most. Whether you’re a social butterfly who needs a great camera for Insta snaps, or a gamer who wants a big screen with a high refresh rate.

What’s the best month to buy a new phone?

Phone prices change throughout the year. But there are certain times when you can find amazing phone deals. Big brands usually release their new flagship phones at the same time each year. And these often have great pre-order offers which include discount codes, free gifts, and other goodies too. So, getting your order in nice and early can be a good idea.

At the end of the year, seasonal sales like Black Friday usually make November and December the best time to bag a new mobile phone at a mind-boggling price.

Should I wait until Black Friday to buy a phone?

That’s entirely up to you. If you wait for the best phone deals on Black Friday, you stand a great chance of getting a new smartphone at an amazing price. In fact, it might be an offer that you probably won’t see at any other time of the year.

But if you have your eye on a particular phone — especially a shiny new release — then you might find it hasn’t come down in price by as much as you’d have hoped for. It’s always going to be a bit of a gamble!

If you wait for Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Christmas, Boxing Day, or the January phone sales — it’s worth keeping your options open. Take the time to compare the offers that come up. And definitely look at Carphone Warehouse Black Friday deals and Carphone Warehouse Christmas deals for some great prices on all the biggest names.

Any more questions?

Now that you’re clued up on when to buy a mobile phone, why not check out some of the best camera phones you can snap up? Or find out more about SIM only and pay monthly phone deals to help you make the right call.

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