Best Buy “An authorized reseller for major US carriers.” Walmart “A go-to spot to find affordable and budget-friendly smartphones and basic cell phones.” Target “It sells a variety of higher-end options that people are most likely to want.” Apple “If you’re an iPhone fan, it’s the place to be.” Gazelle “An online marketplace that resells used devices.” AT&T “Ask the salespeople if there’s an opportunity for you to take advantage of cheaper pricing.” Boost Mobile “Ranks shopping experiences among both major carriers and smaller, prepaid wireless carriers.” First, go into the retailer (in-person or online) with an idea of what you are looking for in your new device. If you prefer a previously used model, check out an online store like Gazelle at buy.gazelle.com. In need of a new iPhone? Try purchasing directly from Apple at apple.com! You have many options to choose between when it comes to good quality products and customer service. Research the smartphone model you want, then go to one of the best places to buy phones to make your purchase! Best Buy has an outstanding selection of smartphones and cell phones, including both budget phones and today’s highest-end handsets. Better yet, it’s an authorized reseller for major US carriers, so if you want to sign up for a new Verizon or AT&T account, for instance, you can do it at Best Buy without ever needing to go head to a carrier location. Best Buy’s on-site staff is knowledgeable, the company gets new smartphones on the days they launch, and it often offers sales. Aside from that, Walmart is a top choice for convenience, since the company has both an online presence and the ability to buy its phones at brick-and-mortar locations. And since its stores are in so many locations, it shouldn’t be difficult to find what you want, when you want. Apple has one of the best retail experiences in this roundup. Its stores are well-designed, its staff is extremely knowledgeable, and if you want to get your iPhone fixed, going to the Apple Store is your best bet. If you decide to buy a new iPhone on launch day, Apple’s stores have the most inventory and are the most likely to have the unit you want. Add that to an outstanding online store that ships quickly and cheaply, and Apple is to choose if you’re team iPhone. Gazelle is an online marketplace that resells used devices. So, let’s say you want to buy a new iPhone. Instead of buying it new at full price, you can go to Gazelle and get a smartphone that was turned in by someone else. Gazelle ensures that the smartphone is working well and assigns a price to it based on its condition and overall value. Best of all, you can use Gazelle to get the latest and greatest smartphones, including iPhones and Android devices, without ever needing to wait weeks or months for new launches to come down in price. Gazelle is one of many similar used phone sales companies. But it’s a worthwhile option for anyone seeking a good deal on ever-expensive smartphones. When you walk into a carrier store, you can, in most cases, toss out any chance of getting a great deal on a new smartphone. But you can expect the carriers to offer you a variety of ways to buy the handset, including full price or via monthly installments. And if you’re a new customer, you can ask the salespeople if there’s an opportunity for you to take advantage of cheaper pricing by signing up for a new line. Carriers are increasingly expanding their product lines, so you could also go to the location to buy accessories. And just in case you don’t want to go to a store, all four of the major carriers offer outstanding online marketplaces that help you quickly buy your latest and greatest smartphone. Considering that, going to a prepaid wireless carrier to buy a new phone might be the way to go. Prepaid carriers generally offer solid prices on their plans and offer far more flexibility in how you want to structure your deals than major carriers. And although prepaid carriers generally have a larger stock of cheap smartphones, if you want a new iPhone or top-notch Android device, you can go to a prepaid carrier and get what you want. Be aware, however, that prepaid carriers rely on major carrier networks to deliver their service. So be sure to check which major carriers prepaid companies are relying on to see if you have good coverage in your area. The deals are nothing to scoff at either. B&H offers significant discounts on many midrange devices, letting you save quite a bit of cash compared to the prices of top-tier flagships. That said, their selection for higher-end phones isn’t the biggest, so if you’re only keen on the latest flagships, you may want to look elsewhere.
