I cover wireless carriers — these are their best phone deals heading into Cyber Monday

best wireless carrier phone deals for black friday

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Editor's Note: The main event is here, and we are covering all the best Cyber Monday phone deals right now! Whether you're an iOS or Android user, we've found the cream of the savings crop.

Now that people are turning their attention to the best Cyber Monday deals, I hope any search for a discount on a phone includes checking out the offers that wireless carriers are making this weekend. Because if you want a top Cyber Monday phone deal, chances are you'll find it with the company that provides wireless service for that device.

This time of year, all of the best phone carriers are looking to bring in new customers, and they figure the best way to do that is by offering phones at a very low cost — and in some instances, no cost at all.

Wireless providers aren't letting you have the latest iPhone, Samsung device or other handset at considerable discounts out of the kindess of their hearts — they want something in return. Namely, by distributing credits for your free phones over 24 to 36 months, phone carriers can ensure a couple of years of you paying for their wireless service.

Which is not to say you should turn your nose up at any of these offers — getting a free flagship phone is almost always a winning proposition. You should just know the terms of these deals heading into your shopping spree, so that you know what's required of you, whether it's a device trade-in, committing to an unlimited data plan or both.

I lead the coverage for wireless carriers here at Tom's Guide, so I'm always keeping an eye out for the deals they're offering on smartphones and monthly service. If your holiday wishlist includes a new phone, these are the best offers on phones I've found this weekend. I've also included a few deals that look to reduce what you spend on your monthly cell phone bill instead of your next phone.

Black Friday phone deals at wireless carriers — Quick links

Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus: was $999 now free with Galaxy Watch 6 @ Verizon
iPhone 15 Pro: was $999 now free with trade-in + unlimited plan @ AT&T
Google Pixel 8 Pro: was $999 now free with trade-in + unlimited plan @ T-Mobile
iPhone 15 Pro: was $999 now $60/month @ Boost Infinite
Buy 3 months of wireless service, get 3 months free @ Mint Mobile
Buy an iPhone or Pixel, save up to $240 on service @ Visible
Sign up for 1 line of unlimited data, get a 2nd line free for 12 months @ Xfinity Mobile

Best Black Friday deals available at wireless carriers right now

Google Pixel 8 Pro: was $999 now free with trade-in + unlimited plan @ T-Mobile
You can get enough credit to pay for your Google Pixel 8 Pro when you trade in your current device and sign up for an unlimited data plan at T-Mobile. Eligible plans are Go5G Next and Go5G Plus, T-Mobile's most expensive options for coverage. On the bright side, T-Mobile spreads out your credits over 24 months, not 36 months like AT&T and Verizon. T-Mobile offers similar deals for the latest iPhone and Galaxy S models, too.

Buy 3 months of wireless service, get 3 months free @ Mint Mobile
You don't need to buy a new phone to take advantage of this Mint Mobile deal, which offers discounts on the carrier's already low-cost service. Pay for three months of any Mint plan — there are four, ranging from a 5GB offering for $15/month to a $30 unlimited plan — and you'll get three more months for free. After that, you'll need to pay for a full year of service to keep your low rate on Mint's service, which uses T-Mobile's network for coverage.

Buy an iPhone or Pixel, save up to $240 on service @ Visible
In this deal, you won't get a discount on the phone you buy at Visible, but the Verizon-owned wireless service will reduce the cost of your monthly service by a total of either $120 or $240 over the next two years. The discount applies to the Visible Plus plan, which at $45/month is the carrier's most expensive unlimited data plan (though it also has the most perks for customers). Eligible devices any iPhone 15 model, plus the iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Plus and the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, Pixel 7 and 7a and the Pixel 6a.

There's one other deal I want to call your attention to, though since it only runs through Sunday (November 26), it may be gone by the time Cyber Monday rolls around. Still, if you want one of the better midrange phones to come out this year, you can pick up a Samsung Galaxy A54 for $139 @ Straight Talk. When I reviewed the Samsung Galaxy A54, the phone cost $449, so that's a considerable discount, especially when you consider that the A54 features the same 50MP main camera used by the pricier Galaxy S23.

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Philip Michaels is a Managing Editor at Tom's Guide. He's been covering personal technology since 1999 and was in the building when Steve Jobs showed off the iPhone for the first time. He's been evaluating smartphones since that first iPhone debuted in 2007, and he's been following phone carriers and smartphone plans since 2015. He has strong opinions about Apple, the Oakland Athletics, old movies and proper butchery techniques. Follow him at @PhilipMichaels.