Best Cell Phone Deals for July 2026: Get the New iPhone 17 for Free

The best cell phone deals in July 2026 include a free iPhone 17 with a new line on Verizon's select Unlimited plans, a free Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra with a new line on T-Mobile, and a free Google Pixel 10 through T-Mobile with no trade-in required. Most of these deals apply as monthly bill credits over 24 to 36 months, so you'll need to keep the line active to get the full value.

Carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile are offering the deepest discounts on the new iPhone 17 series and iPhone Air, along with the Google Pixel 10 and Samsung Galaxy S26. You can also save on budget devices, including the iPhone 14 at up to 50% off through T-Mobile and the Samsung Galaxy A37 5G through Mint Mobile.

We've tracked down the best trade-in discounts and BOGO deals on the market to help you save on your next device. New cell phone deals change every week, but we're on the ball so you don't have to be. We find the best deals from all of the carriers, big and small, online or in-store, so you can save.

iPhone 17 series deals

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The new iPhone 17 series is probably the best smartphone on the market. With a new A19 processor and updated 18MP Center Stage selfie camera system, Apple has once again redefined what to expect with a premium smartphone. Plus, it also kept all your favorite features from last year's series, like the Camera Control button and access to Apple Intelligence. So which carrier has the best offer for you? We've scoured them all—here are our top picks.

Free iPhone 17 with T-Mobile

New T-Mobile customers switching to the Experience Beyond, Experience More, Better Value, Go5G Plus or Go5G Next plans and trading in an eligible device can save up to $1,100 on an iPhone 17 series with a 24-month installment plan. You can also get the same savings with a new line and port-in. That's enough to get one for free. Other eligible plans get up to $900 off with a trade-in.

View at T-Mobile

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Get an iPhone 17 for free with Verizon

Verizon is offering the iPhone 17 for free when you add a new line on a select Unlimited plan. This deal knocks $830 off the price of the phone and requires a 36-month installment plan. You can also get up to $830 off with a number port-in and trade-in on a select Unlimited plan.

View at Verizon

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Samsung Galaxy S26 deals

The Samsung Galaxy is arguably the closest rival to the Apple iPhone, and with good reason. With 8K video recording, new Galaxy AI features, and 5G capability, the latest Galaxy smartphones are the cream of the Android-powered crop. Here's how you can save on one of your very own, with Galaxy trade-ins, BOGOs, and more. You can also check out our list of the best Android devices to figure out which one is best for you.

Get a free Galaxy S26+ with Verizon

You can get the Galaxy S26+ free, a savings of up to $1,100, on a 36-month installment plan with the new activation of a select Verizon postpaid unlimited plan. You can also get up to $1,100 off with a number port-in and trade-in on the Unlimited Ultimate plan.  

View at Verizon

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Get up to $1,119.99 off the Galaxy S26 Ultra with Verizon

Verizon is offering up to $1,119.99 off the Galaxy S26 Ultra with a new line activation on the Unlimited Ultimate plan and a 36-month installment plan. You can also get up to $1,100 off with a number port-in and trade-in on the Unlimited Ultimate plan. The discount is applied through monthly bill credits, so make sure you sign up for installments. 

View at Verizon

Google Pixel 10 deals

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The brand-new Google Pixel 10 series includes the Pixel 10, 10 Pro, and 10 Pro Fold devices. All of them offer a serious upgrade over previous Pixel models, with a new processor, upgraded 48MP cameras, and the newest Gemini AI features. With these available Pixel deals, you're sure to find one at a price you love.

Get $800 off a Pixel 10 with Verizon, no trade required

Order a new Pixel 10 with a new line on Verizon's Unlimited Ultimate plan and get it cheap. This Verizon deal will knock $800 off the price of the phone through 36 installments, making it absolutely free. It doesn't require a trade-in. You can also get up to $800 off with a number port-in and trade-in on select Unlimited plans. 

View at Verizon

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Pixel 10 for $8.99/month with no trade from AT&T

AT&T is offering the Google Pixel 10 for $8.99/month with installments on its unlimited plans ($60/month minimum for new and existing customers). All you need to do is purchase a new line or upgrade an existing one, and no trade-in is required. 

View at AT&T

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Budget device deals

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Not everyone needs the newest and flashiest devices. You can save a lot by picking a budget device or an older model of your favorite smartphone. Companies like Apple, Samsung, and Google typically discount their previous year's phones by $100 or more after the newest series comes out. Savvy customers can pick these devices and get tons of great features at a much friendlier price point. 

Save on a Galaxy A37 5G and get 12 months of Mint Unlimited for $15/month

Mint Mobile is offering a special deal with the purchase of a new Samsung Galaxy A37 5G. You'll save $150 on the device itself on any 12-month plan, plus get an additional $400 off with an eligible device trade-in. You'll also get one year of the Mint Unlimited plan for $15/month. This requires a $180 upfront payment and a port-in. This is a great way to save on your plan overall since Mint offers much cheaper pricing than postpaid plans from major carriers. Even better, you can also pay for the phone with monthly installments using Affirm.

View at Mint Mobile

How to pick the best phone deal

To pick the best deal, you should consider your needs and budget. The best deal for you may depend on whether you want the newest device, need an installment plan, or are buying phones for the whole family.

• Deals from major carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon are best for customers who need installment plans, are buying for the entire family, or want to score the newest phone as soon as it comes out.
• Deals from MVNOs like Mint Mobile, US Mobile, and Visible are best for customers who want an older phone or budget device, can pay for their phone outright, or are looking to save on their wireless plan overall.  

Make sure to shop around! The offerings are different at every carrier, so you're sure to find at least one deal on the phone you want.

Ready to find a deal? Punch your address into our comparison tool. You'll see which carriers are offering deals in your area. You can also add the phone you're interested in to see deals on that specific model, or use the filters to show only results with specific networks and carriers.

What different kinds of phone deals are there?

Different kinds of deals come with different rules and eligibility requirements. Here are the most common types of mobile phone deals and how to qualify for them:

• New customer (switching) cell phone deals: Most cell phone deals are geared toward new customers. Carriers need a way to entice people to join their networks, so they save their best offers as a "switch cell phone carriers" deal. Existing customers usually still have an opportunity to save when they upgrade—it just won't be as high a discount.
• Buy one, get one (BOGO) deals: BOGO deals require you to purchase more than one phone to get the discount. You usually have to purchase both phones on monthly payments, and you'll often need to sign up for a specific kind of plan (usually an unlimited plan). You'll get a certain amount back as a monthly bill credit that ends up significantly reducing the cost of the second phone. The best BOGO deals discount the second phone for free! These offers are excellent for families or two people teaming up to save money. 
• Trade-in deals: Trade-ins offer credit for your well-loved device and put it toward a shiny new smartphone. While you can almost always get a basic trade-in credit even without a special deal, carriers will often tack on extra savings with your trade if you sign up for a specific plan (usually unlimited) and activate a new line.
• Location-specific deals: Some discounts are available specifically for online or in-store purchases. Make sure you know where your local store location is to snag some deep discounts!
• Outright discounts: Some carriers offer special pricing if you pay for the phone outright instead of selecting an installment plan. These types of deals are most common at MVNO carriers. 

Installment plans vs. purchasing outright

When sifting through smartphone deals, you'll see offers tied to both smartphone installment plans and outright purchases. 

Installment plans spread the cost of the phone out over several monthly payments. At major carriers, they can be as lengthy as 36 months (3 years) and are usually limited to the newest smartphone models. The monthly cost of the phone is cheaper, but you're locked into a contract until it's paid off. Discounts tied to installment plans are applied as a monthly credit to your bill.

Purchasing outright means that you pay full price for the phone as soon as you buy it. The discount is typically applied as a one-time credit, and you pay any remaining costs on the phone upfront. This kind of discount is usually tied to budget devices or last year's model, and is much more common at MVNOs.

Which method is better depends on your needs and the offer. If you're ok with being locked into a long-term contract, installment plans often include the best discounts. If you like the freedom of rate shopping and switching carriers, purchasing outright may be better for your needs.