Amid all the hype leading up to the launch date, there is nothing like getting your hands on the latest smartphone model. Packed with fantastic features and a sleek, shiny screen, a new handset offers a fresh start. Nevertheless, with many models commanding a hefty price tag, paying full price can dampen the excitement. Between seasonal promotions, product release dates, and consumers’ individual needs, figuring out the optimum time to invest in a smartphone can be a bewildering process.
To attract new customers, retailers typically offer bonus gifts and discounts during the pre-order period. While some offer incentives like gift cards or streaming subscriptions, others provide a flat discount for pre-orders. For shoppers who are keen to get their hands on a new release, it is prudent to shop around to obtain the best deal possible.
Big discounts during the holidays
For consumers seeking a new handset at a knockdown price, annual holidays and events can be a good time to secure a big discount. On Black Friday, which is the day after Thanksgiving each year, retailers typically offer their biggest discounts and best sales, particularly for electronics. Black Friday has grown in momentum in recent years, enabling shoppers to order online to secure the best deals while avoiding crowds.
Some retailers start offering Black Friday deals well in advance of Black Friday, so it pays for shoppers to start their research early. If you miss a good deal, try looking again on Cyber Monday, a major online shopping event staged on the first Monday after Thanksgiving. In addition, Amazon Prime Day, which is held in July of each year, can also be a good time to pick up electronic gadgets, including a new mobile phone.
For consumers on a tight budget, buying a refurbished handset can enable them to achieve significant savings. When a dissatisfied buyer returns their smartphone to the manufacturer, the device is thoroughly checked for defects, cleaned, and repaired if necessary, repackaged, and resold as pre-owned at a fraction of the original price.
Aside from being the more environmentally friendly option and helping to reduce the amount of electronic items sent to landfills, purchasing a pre-owned smartphone can be an effective means of stretching your budget further. The good news is that refurbished phones are generally covered by the same one-year warranties as those offered with brand-new handsets, although they can be hard to come by, with limited choices.
New smartphones are typically unveiled in September
For those who are satisfied with buying last year’s model, purchasing it around a month before the new model’s release is usually a safe bet, since this is the time that many retailers start lowering the prices on the soon-to-be-last-generation phone, potentially enabling shoppers to save hundreds of dollars. September is usually the month when Apple, Samsung, Sony, and Motorola unveil their latest offerings. Discounts can vary significantly between retailers, so it is important to compare prices on Amazon and other sites. These discounts often continue beyond the launch date of the new model, although inventory can sell out quickly in some cases.
Purchasing from websites like Amazon, Expansys, and Flipkart can be an effective way to save money on your next smartphone purchase, particularly if you have access to discount codes, vouchers, or online coupons. Buying online enables shoppers to browse at their leisure and compare reviews and pricing, with online vendors typically providing handsets at a lower cost than other suppliers.
Unlocking hidden benefits
Another alternative is purchasing a handset direct from the manufacturer, with official sites such as HTC One X and iPhone offering smartphones SIM-free. Although this option may seem pricey at first glance, consumers can unlock hidden benefits, such as enhanced support, extra storage, a guarantee of returns, and brand reliability.
For those seeking a SIM-free handset, shoppers are restricted to purchasing from an online store or directly from the manufacturer. However, mobile phone network providers often offer attractive deals on handset and plan packages, with many carriers offering free or greatly reduced prices with their plans. In the United States today, the “Big Four” carriers—namely Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile and AT&T—all offer handset and plan packages. When purchasing through a mobile phone provider, it is important to keep in mind that buyers seeking the most recent smartphone model from a certain manufacturer are likely to be required to sign up for a two-year contract. This may enable consumers to get their hands on the latest model for a relatively modest initial outlay, but it may not represent such a good deal in the long-term.
One aspect in which smartphone purchasers should avoid scrimping at all costs is when it comes to battery life. After all, there is no sense in investing in a mobile browsing plan offering several GB of data if the smartphone’s battery will not last that long. Buyers should check the power that their smartphone will deliver after one charge to get the most value for their money. A smartphone offering 3,000 mAh battery life is a good standard to aim for, providing users with more than 13 hours of power.