How to Buy a Cell Phone

These days, having a cell phone almost isn’t even a luxury anymore—it’s pretty much a necessity! With so many cell phone carriers and retailers, it can feel overwhelming to try to figure out the best way to buy one. To help cut through the clutter, we’ve answered some of the most common questions that people have about buying cell phones so you can make the best choice for you.

Question 1
Question 1 of 9:
Can I buy a cell phone without a plan?

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    Yes, you can buy an unlocked phone without a plan. If you don’t want to sign a contract and pay a monthly fee in order to purchase a phone, you don't have to. A locked cell phone is one that includes a SIM card and only works in a specific cell phone carrier’s network. An unlocked phone isn’t tied to a specific network and you can use it with any carrier that you choose.[1]
    • When you buy a locked phone, you also own it outright. You don’t have to pay any additional fees or sign a lengthy contract. It’s yours!
    • Choosing an unlocked phone also gives you more options since you’re not limited to the phones that a specific carrier provides.

Question 2
Question 2 of 9:
Where can I buy a new unlocked phone?

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    You can buy new unlocked cell phones at most electronics retailers. Big vendors like Best Buy and Walmart sell brand-new unlocked phones that you can purchase and use with whichever cell phone carrier you want. They also offer a wide selection, including the latest smartphones. Visit a local store to see what options they’re offering and choose one that suits your needs.[2]
    • For instance, you can buy the latest iPhones, Moto G7 Power, and Samsung Galaxy at many of the big-box retailers.

Question 3
Question 3 of 9:
Do I need a SIM card for an unlocked phone?

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    Yes, you’ll need a SIM card on the network you choose. You can choose any carrier you like for your unlocked phone. But you’ll need to install a SIM provided by the carrier in order to use their network to make calls, send texts, and use your data. Choose a carrier and then contact them or visit a physical store to install a SIM card you can use.[3]
    • For instance, if you choose to use a company such as Boost Mobile, you can contact them and they’ll send you a SIM card or you can visit one of their stores and have an employee install one for you.

Question 4
Question 4 of 9:
Can I buy a cell phone online?

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    Yes, you can buy unlocked phones or phones from a carrier online. If you’re looking to purchase a phone from one of the major cell phone carriers, you can visit their website, choose a phone, and have it shipped to you. Many carriers may even waive shipping fees and offer deals for customers switching from other carriers and buying new phones on monthly payments. If you’re looking to buy an unlocked phone, there are many online retailers who sell them including Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart, and eBay.[4]
    • For instance, if you want to purchase a phone from a company like Sprint, Verizon, or AT&T, you can visit their website and order one.
    • If you buy a smartphone from a cell phone carrier, many come with a built-in setup wizard that will walk you step-by-step through the activation process.
    • When you buy an unlocked phone online, you’ll need to choose a carrier in order to start using it ot make calls.

Question 5
Question 5 of 9:
What are the best phones on the market right now?

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    The Samsung Galaxy and the iPhone are the best phones in 2021. With the most features, best battery life, stylish design, and high-quality camera, the Samsung Galaxy S21 is the best overall phone out there. The iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max are the most powerful iPhones to date and they have almost all of the same features as the Samsung Galaxy S21, but they’re more expensive. For the price of an iPhone 12 Pro, you can buy a Samsung phone with a bigger screen and more storage space. But, they’re still great phones.[5]
    • There are also older models of Samsung Galaxies and iPhones that have all of the same features, they just won’t have as high-quality of a camera or operating system.

Question 6
Question 6 of 9:
What is the best cheapest smartphone?

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    The Google Pixel 4A is the best overall affordable smartphone for 2021. The 4A has all of the features of smartphones such as the iPhone or Samsung Galaxy, including all of the apps and accessibility options. It also has a high-quality camera that can take photos that are as quality as phones 3 times its price. At $350 USD brand new, it’s tough to beat the bang for your buck that the 4A delivers.[6]
    • It also has a speedy operating system and the battery charge lasts a full day, so you won’t be constantly looking for a charger.

Question 7
Question 7 of 9:
What cell phone carrier is the best?

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    T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T are the best major carriers. When it comes to the best plans, prices, and customer service, T-Mobile is the best overall of all of the large phone companies. Verizon and AT&T offer high-quality network speeds and great plans, but their unlimited plans can be on the pricey side and their “5G” speeds may be limited to select areas. Ultimately, the best carrier for you will be the one that satisfies your cell phone needs.[7]
    • For instance, if you don’t need an unlimited plan, you may be able to get a cheaper plan at Verizon than with T-Mobile.
  2. 2
    Visible, Mint, and Metro by T-Mobile are the best discount carriers. If you aren’t looking for a pricey plan with one of the major carriers, there are a variety of alternative companies you can use. Companies like Visible and Mint may not have all of the service options of the larger companies, but you can get unlimited talk and data for a much cheaper rate. If you’re looking for the best cell phone service for the cheapest rate, Metro by T-Mobile (formerly MetroPCS) offers plans as low as $15 USD a month.[8]
    • With some of the alternative companies, your loading speed can slow down if the network is heavily congested.

Question 8
Question 8 of 9:
What is the cheapest place to buy a phone?

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    Amazon is almost always the best place to find a cheap phone. Visit the site, run a search for cell phones, and see what they have available. You can even sort by the cheapest price to look through the most affordable options. Select and pay for the phone that suits your needs and it’ll be shipped right to your home.[9]
    • Amazon also offers both new and used or refurbished phones.
    • Purchasing from Amazon also means you’ll have customer support as well as the option of a refund or replacement if the phone you receive doesn’t work.

Question 9
Question 9 of 9:
Do any cell phone companies offer free phones?

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    Yes, many carriers offer discounted or free phones with a plan. Companies like Samsung, Verizon, and Sprint often offer older model phones at highly discounted rates and sometimes even for free. The phones may be older or they may have limited features, but if you’re looking for the most affordable way to get a phone, buying a plan from a carrier that offers free phones may be the way to go.[10]
    • Companies like Google Fi, Cricket, and Pure Talk often offer free phones to entice you to switch to them.
    • The cost of cell phone plans varies from company to company. For instance, some may cost around $60 USD for an unlimited plan with data, while others may offer a talk-only plan for $45 USD.

Community Q&A
Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow

  • Question
    What kind of cell phone should I get?
    Mobile Kangaroo
    Mobile Kangaroo
    Computer & Phone Repair Specialists
    Mobile Kangaroo is a full service repair shop and Apple Authorized Service Provider headquartered in Mountain View, CA. Mobile Kangaroo has been repairing electronic devices such as computers, phones, and tablets, for over 16 years, with locations in over 20 cities.
    Mobile Kangaroo
    Mobile Kangaroo
    Computer & Phone Repair Specialists
    Expert Answer

    Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

    When buying a phone, you should always think about the features that are important to you and what your budget is. Be sure to include a good phone case and screen protector in your budget.
  • Question
    How long will the process take at the store?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Time spent at the store depends on if you want to set up a contract or make a data plan. If the store is busy, it could take an hour or more. If you just want to purchase a phone and do a pay-as-you-go plan, it could take as little as 15 minutes.
  • Question
    Which carrier is the best in the US?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It very largely depends on your location in the US. Most of the Eastern United States is well-covered, while the Midwest and West have quite a few dead zones.
  • Question
    Would I be able to buy a 2 year contract phone in the USA and use it in Europe?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    While some carriers offer free international service in Canada and Mexico, all major carriers require you to purchase international service outside of North America, which can be quite expensive.
  • Question
    What is the difference between buying a phone at a phone store and using a retailer like Target?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    The phone store will focus on one carrier only, have more phones in stock, and be able to answer any questions you have more thoroughly. The only con I could see is that they also focus more on 2-year contracts or financing the phone. In stores like Target, it's more often focused on prepaid phones from lots of carriers. You'll have fewer phone options, but more carrier options.
  • Question
    Can I do all this online instead of going into the store?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes.
  • Question
    How do you get a phone number?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You are given a phone number when you set up a wireless plan for your phone.
  • Question
    What happens to my pictures and text messages on the old phone if I buy a new one from the store?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    If you have an iPhone, you can backup your iPhone with iCloud using your Apple ID. Then when you set up your new iPhone, enable iCloud and sync it with your latest backup. It will most likely ask you, "Would you like to set up as a new phone?" or "Sync with latest backup".
  • Question
    How much would I have to pay upfront?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It really depends on the phone and your payment choices. If you choose to buy a more advanced phone, it would cost more. It also depends on whether you plan to spread out the payment over a few years or just at the store. Depending on the brand, if you have another phone to trade in for your new one, you can get a discount.
  • Question
    How do I know my iPhone is backed up to the cloud?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You have to go and back it up in the settings page. You will see Back up or iCloud and you click it then you should be able to back it up. Then you get a new iPhone and you press back up information and you should get all your stuff that you backed up.
Show more answers

Warnings

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.gazelle.com/thehorn/2017/02/09/never-buy-new-smartphone-cell-phone-carrier-heres/
  2. ↑ https://clark.com/cell-phones/unlocked-phones/
  3. ↑ https://www.whistleout.com/CellPhones/Guides/Do-I-Need-a-New-SIM-Card-to-Switch-Carriers
  4. ↑ https://www.whistleout.com/CellPhones/Guides/buy-phone-online-avoid-stores
  5. ↑ https://www.techradar.com/news/best-phone
  6. ↑ https://www.wired.com/story/best-cheap-phones/
  7. ↑ https://www.tomsguide.com/best-picks/best-phone-carrier
  8. ↑ https://www.tomsguide.com/best-picks/best-phone-carrier
  9. ↑ https://www.moneymanifesto.com/the-best-place-to-buy-your-new-cell-phone-isnt-where-you-would-think-6959/
  1. ↑ https://www.whistleout.com/CellPhones/Guides/guide-to-free-cell-phone-plans
  2. ↑ https://earth911.com/recycling-guide/how-to-recycle-cell-phones/

About This Article

Mobile Kangaroo
Co-authored by:
Mobile Kangaroo
Computer & Phone Repair Specialists
This article was co-authored by Mobile Kangaroo. Mobile Kangaroo is a full service repair shop and Apple Authorized Service Provider headquartered in Mountain View, CA. Mobile Kangaroo has been repairing electronic devices such as computers, phones, and tablets, for over 16 years, with locations in over 20 cities. This article has been viewed 147,579 times.
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Co-authors: 26
Updated: August 25, 2021
Views: 147,579
Categories: Telephones