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How to Pay for a Flagship Smartphone

How to · Tech

How to Pay for a Flagship Smartphone

Skip the carrier contracts and get a top-tier unlocked phone without paying the full $900 upfront.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $900 before anything else
Across the 0% window $60.00/mo 15 months, no interest

How we got that: $900 spread evenly across the 15-month introductory window on the Discover it® Cash Back. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

A great flagship phone should easily last you three to four years. Instead of jumping on pre-orders the second a new device drops, the smartest move is to wait for the launch event itself. That is when last year's top-tier model instantly drops in price, or when the new version is actually available for real-world testing.

If you want to bypass carrier contracts and buy your phone unlocked, you will need to cover about $900 upfront. We can stretch that cost out over more than a year without paying extra fees or interest by using the right card.

Keep in mind that the 15-month intro window is a strict deadline, not free money. If you still have a balance left when the promotional period ends, the regular variable interest rate will kick in on whatever is left, making your upgrade much more expensive.

The steps

  1. 01

    Time the launch drop

    Smartphone makers follow rigid yearly schedules. When the newest model gets announced, retailers immediately slash prices on the previous generation to clear out inventory. That slightly older flagship is usually 95% as good as the new one, but hundreds of dollars cheaper.

  2. 02

    Choose unlocked

    Do not buy your phone through a carrier contract if you can avoid it. Buying an unlocked device directly from the manufacturer or a major retailer gives you the freedom to switch network providers whenever you find a cheaper monthly plan.

  3. 03

    Spread the cost interest-free

    Instead of dropping $900 all at once, you can use the Discover it® Cash Back (Discover). It offers 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. This means you can pay for the phone over time without any interest piling up during the introductory period.

  4. 04

    Automate your payments

    To completely clear the balance before the promotional rate expires, you need to set up automatic monthly payments. Dividing $900 by the 15-month window comes out to exactly $60.00 per month. Set up an auto-pay for this amount right after your purchase.

  5. 05

    Trade in your old device

    Do not let your old phone sit in a drawer gathering dust. Sell it or trade it in immediately to offset the cost of your new one. You can apply the trade-in value directly to your credit card balance to lower your monthly burden even further.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

    Every figure we publish for the Discover it® Cash Back carries the date a person verified it against Discover and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.

    See Discover it® Cash Back terms →

Common questions

Is it better to buy unlocked or through a carrier?

Unlocked is almost always better. You pay more upfront, but you save money in the long run by choosing cheaper prepaid plans and avoiding upgrade fees.

What is the difference between 0% APR and deferred interest?

With true 0% APR, you only pay interest on the remaining balance after the promo period ends. Deferred interest cards charge you retroactive interest on the entire original purchase amount if you do not pay it off in full.

When do phone prices drop the most?

Prices drop the most during the week of a new model's launch. Retailers want to clear shelves, so you will find deep discounts on the previous generation both online and in stores.

Will a new phone come with a warranty if bought unlocked?

Yes, unlocked phones carry the exact same manufacturer warranty as carrier versions. Just make sure you buy from an authorized retailer rather than an unverified third-party seller.