Phones & Tablets

Phones and tablets are discounted on a predictable rhythm: the previous generation drops the week a new model launches, carriers and retailers run trade-in bonuses around that launch, and the deepest cuts on current models arrive at Prime Day, Black Friday and the January sales. Outside those windows, the best value is usually a manufacturer-refurbished or certified pre-owned unit with a warranty.

Two checks before any phone deal. First, whether the phone is unlocked or tied to a carrier; a carrier price that looks half of unlocked usually requires a plan. Second, the exact storage and colour variant, since listings for the same model at very different prices are often different variants or different conditions.

Coupon codes are rare on phones from major retailers; the saving is normally a listed price cut, a trade-in credit or a bundled accessory. Tablets follow the same pattern, with education and student pricing as an extra route on iPad.