AT&T phone upgrades in May
Thinking about upgrading your AT&T phone?
Before you go down to your local AT&T store, check out some of these budget-friendly alternative online phone deals.
You might be surprised how much you could save with no compromises and without leaving the comfort of your own home!
Best AT&T iPhone upgrade deals
AT&T iPhone SE deals
| Device | Storage | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone SE (Refurbished) | 64GB | $72 |
| Apple iPhone SE (Unlocked) | 64GB | $149 |
| Apple iPhone SE (AT&T) | 64GB | $149 |
| Apple iPhone SE (T-Mobile) | 64GB | $359 |
| Apple iPhone SE (Verizon) | 64GB | $399 |
Screen Size | 4.7" |
Screen Resolution | 1334 x 750 pixels |
HDR Screen | Yes pixels |
Processor | A13 Bionic pixels |
Internal Memory | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
Operating System | iOS 13 |
Back Camera | 12MP |
Front Camera | 7MP |
HDR for Photos | Yes |
Video Resolution | 4K, FHD, HD |
Wireless Charging | Yes |
Voice Commands | Yes |
Talk Time | Up to 14 hours |
Dimensions | 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3mm |
Weight | 148g |
Splash Proof | IP67 |
Water Resistant | Yes |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | Nano |
eSIM | Yes |
Pros
Compact and lightweight
Water-resistant
Amazing A13 chip performance
Affordable price
Touch ID
Cons
Battery capacity
Night mode is missed
Only a 5W charger
AT&T iPhone 12 deals
| Device | Storage | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone 12 mini (Refurbished) | 64GB | $590 |
| Apple iPhone 12 mini (Unlocked) | 64GB | $479 |
| Apple iPhone 12 mini (AT&T) | 64GB | $479 |
| Apple iPhone 12 mini (T-Mobile) | 64GB | $729 |
| Apple iPhone 12 mini (Verizon) | 64GB | $729 |
Screen Size | 5.4" |
Screen Resolution | 2340 x 1080 pixels |
HDR Screen | Yes pixels |
Processor | A14 Bionic Chip pixels |
Internal Memory | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
Operating System | iOS 14 |
Back Camera | Dual 12MP |
Front Camera | 12MP |
HDR for Photos | HDR |
Video Resolution | 4K, FHD, HD |
Wireless Charging | Yes |
Voice Commands | Yes |
Dimensions | 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4mm |
Weight | 135g |
Splash Proof | IP68 |
Water Resistant | Yes |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | nano |
eSIM | Yes |
Pros
Great compact size
Excellent camera
5G compatible
Brilliant OLED display
Cons
Battery life
No tele lens
| Device | Storage | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone 12 (Refurbished) | 64GB | $733 |
| Apple iPhone 12 (Unlocked) | 64GB | $579 |
| Apple iPhone 12 (AT&T) | 64GB | $579 |
| Apple iPhone 12 (T-Mobile) | 64GB | $829 |
| Apple iPhone 12 (Verizon) | 64GB | $829 |
Screen Size | 6.1" |
Screen Resolution | 2532 x 1170 pixels |
HDR Screen | Yes pixels |
Processor | A14 Bionic Chip pixels |
Internal Memory | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
Operating System | iOS 14 |
Back Camera | Dual 12MP |
Front Camera | 12MP |
HDR for Photos | HDR |
Video Resolution | 4K, FHD, HD |
Wireless Charging | Yes |
Voice Commands | Yes |
Talk Time | Up to 20 hours |
Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4mm |
Weight | 164g |
Splash Proof | IP68 |
Water Resistant | Yes |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | nano |
eSIM | Yes |
Pros
Attractive design
Fantastic audio quality
5G compatible
Amazing OLED display
Cons
No charger or headphones included
Battery life
Not much camera upgrade
| Device | Storage | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone 12 Pro (Refurbished) | 128GB | $844.99 |
| Apple iPhone 12 Pro (Unlocked) | 128GB | $749 |
| Apple iPhone 12 Pro (AT&T) | 128GB | $749 |
Screen Size | 6.1" |
Screen Resolution | 2532 x 1170 pixels |
HDR Screen | Yes pixels |
Processor | A14 Bionic Chip pixels |
Internal Memory | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
Operating System | iOS 14 |
Back Camera | 12MP (Ultra Wide, Wide, Telephoto) |
Front Camera | 12MP |
HDR for Photos | HDR |
Video Resolution | 4K, FHD, HD |
Wireless Charging | Yes |
Voice Commands | Yes |
Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4mm |
Weight | 189g |
Splash Proof | IP68 |
Water Resistant | Yes |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | nano |
eSIM | Yes |
Pros
Bright and colorful OLED display
Good photo quality
5G compatible
Good quality speakers
Attractive design
Cons
Shorter battery life than iPhone 11
No charger or headphones included
| Device | Storage | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max (Unlocked) | 128GB | $849 |
| Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max (AT&T) | 128GB | $849 |
Screen Size | 6.7" |
Screen Resolution | 2778 x 1284 pixels |
HDR Screen | Yes pixels |
Processor | A14 Bionic Chip pixels |
Internal Memory | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
Operating System | iOS 14 |
Back Camera | 12MP (Ultra Wide, Wide, Telephoto) |
Front Camera | 12MP |
HDR for Photos | HDR |
Video Resolution | 4K, FHD, HD |
Wireless Charging | Yes |
Voice Commands | Yes |
Dimensions | 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.4mm |
Weight | 228g |
Splash Proof | IP68 |
Water Resistant | Yes |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | nano |
eSIM | Yes |
Pros
Durable and water resistant
Large OLED screen
5G compatible
Great battery life and fast charging
Photo and video quality
Cons
Expensive
Heavy
No charger or headphones
AT&T iPhone 11 deals
| Device | Storage | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone 11 (Refurbished) | 64GB | $464.99 |
| Apple iPhone 11 (Unlocked) | 64GB | $349 |
| Apple iPhone 11 (AT&T) | 64GB | $349 |
| Apple iPhone 11 (T-Mobile) | 64GB | $599 |
| Apple iPhone 11 (Verizon) | 64GB | $599 |
Screen Size | 6.1" |
Screen Resolution | 1792 x 828 pixels |
HDR Screen | No pixels |
Processor | A13 Bionic pixels |
Internal Memory | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
Operating System | iOS 13 |
Back Camera | 12MP (Dual) |
Front Camera | 12MP |
HDR for Photos | Yes |
Video Resolution | 4K, FHD, HD |
Wireless Charging | Yes |
Voice Commands | Yes |
Talk Time | Up to 17 hours (video playback) |
Dimensions | 150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3mm |
Weight | 194g |
Splash Proof | IP68 |
Water Resistant | Yes |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | Nano |
eSIM | Yes |
Model Number | A2111 |
User Manual |
Pros
Tougher and water resistant design
Great quality speakers
Good photos from main camera
Excellent selfie photo and video quality
Powerful A13 processor
Cons
No screen update
Storage starts at 64GB
Only a 5W charger included
| Device | Storage | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone 11 Pro (Refurbished) | 64GB | $556 |
| Apple iPhone 11 Pro (Unlocked) | 64GB | $649 |
| Apple iPhone 11 Pro (AT&T) | 64GB | $649 |
Screen Size | 5.8" |
Screen Resolution | 2436 x 1125 pixels |
HDR Screen | Yes pixels |
Processor | A13 Bionic pixels |
Internal Memory | 64GB, 256GB, 512GB |
Operating System | iOS 13 |
Back Camera | 12MP Ultra Wide, Wide, Telephoto |
Front Camera | 12MP |
HDR for Photos | Yes |
Video Resolution | 4K, FHD, HD |
Wireless Charging | Yes |
Voice Commands | Yes |
Talk Time | Up to 18 hours (video playback) |
Dimensions | 144 x 71.4 x 8.1mm |
Weight | 188g |
Splash Proof | IP68 |
Water Resistant | Yes |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | Nano |
eSIM | Yes |
Model Number | A2160 |
User Manual |
Pros
Fast charging battery
Quality stereo speakers
Amazing video quality
Fast A13 processor
Cons
Ultra wide camera lacks autofocus
Very expensive
No headphone jack
Best AT&T Galaxy upgrade deals
AT&T Galaxy A11 deals
| Device | Storage | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy A11 (Refurbished) | 32GB | $126 |
| Samsung Galaxy A11 (Unlocked) | 32GB | $50 |
| Samsung Galaxy A11 (AT&T) | 32GB | $50 |
| Samsung Galaxy A11 (T-Mobile) | 32GB | $199 |
Screen Size | 6.3" |
Screen Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels |
HDR Screen | Yes pixels |
Internal Memory | 32GB |
Operating System | Android 10 |
Back Camera | 13MP, 5MP, 2MP |
Front Camera | 8MP |
HDR for Photos | Yes |
Video Resolution | FHD |
Wireless Charging | No |
Voice Commands | Yes |
Dimensions | 161.4 x 76.3 x 8mm |
Weight | 177g |
Splash Proof | No |
Water Resistant | No |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | Nano |
eSIM | No |
Model Number | SM-A115AZKAATT |
Pros
Android 10.0 OS
Triple rear camera
3.5mm headphone jack
MicroSD slot
Cons
Not waterproof
No LED flash on front camera
No wireless charging
AT&T Galaxy A21 deals
| Device | Storage | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy A21 (Unlocked) | 32GB | $50 |
| Samsung Galaxy A21 (AT&T) | 32GB | $50 |
| Samsung Galaxy A21 (Verizon) | 32GB | $279 |
Screen Size | 6.5" |
Screen Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels |
HDR Screen | No pixels |
Internal Memory | 32GB |
Operating System | Android 10 |
Back Camera | 48MP, 8MP, 2MP, 2MP |
Front Camera | 13MP |
HDR for Photos | No |
Video Resolution | FHD |
Wireless Charging | No |
Voice Commands | Yes |
Dimensions | 163.7 x 75.3 x 8.9mm |
Weight | 192g |
Splash Proof | No |
Water Resistant | No |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | Nano |
eSIM | No |
Pros
Large 6.5" screen
Amazing quad camera
Powerful battery
Excellent front camera
Cons
No Gorilla glass protection
No wireless charging
Plastic body
AT&T Galaxy A51 deals
AT&T Galaxy S20 5G deals
AT&T refurbished phones
| Device | Storage | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy A10e (Refurbished) | 32GB | $96 |
Screen Size | 5.8" |
Screen Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels |
HDR Screen | Yes pixels |
Processor | Exynos 7884 pixels |
Internal Memory | 32GB |
Operating System | Android 9.0 (Pie) |
Back Camera | 8MP |
Front Camera | 5MP |
HDR for Photos | Yes |
Video Resolution | FHD |
Wireless Charging | No |
Voice Commands | Yes |
Talk Time | Up to 23 hours |
Dimensions | 147.3 x 69.6 x 8.4mm |
Weight | 141g |
Splash Proof | No |
Water Resistant | No |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | Nano |
eSIM | No |
Model Number | SM-A102UZKATMB |
Pros
Great battery life
Stylish design
Cons
Lacks good performance
Poor sound quality
No fingerprint sensor
Not water-resistant
| Device | Storage | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy S7 edge (Refurbished) | 32GB | $130.99 |
Screen Size | 5.5" |
Screen Resolution | 2560 x 1440 pixels |
HDR Screen | No pixels |
Processor | Snapdragon 820 pixels |
Internal Memory | 32GB |
Operating System | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) |
Back Camera | 12MP |
Front Camera | 5MP |
HDR for Photos | Yes |
Video Resolution | HD, 4K |
Wireless Charging | Yes |
Voice Commands | No |
Talk Time | Up to 27 hours |
Dimensions | 150.9 x 72.6 x 7.7mm |
Weight | 157g |
Water Resistant | Yes |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | Nano |
eSIM | No |
Model Number | SM-G935U |
User Manual |
Pros
Good battery life
Improved camera
Water resistant
MicroSD support up to 200GB expandable memory
Fast focusing camera
Cons
Expensive
Glass design makes it fragile
Glass back is a fingerprint magnet
Touchwiz is not fully optimized
| Device | Storage | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy S8 (Refurbished) | 64GB | $142.99 |
Screen Size | 5.8" |
Screen Resolution | 2960 x 1440 pixels |
HDR Screen | No pixels |
Processor | Snapdragon 835 pixels |
Internal Memory | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
Operating System | Android 7.0 (Nougat) |
Back Camera | 12MP |
Front Camera | 8MP |
HDR for Photos | Yes |
Video Resolution | HD, 4K |
Wireless Charging | Yes |
Voice Commands | Yes |
Talk Time | Up to 20 hours |
Dimensions | 148.9 x 68.1 x 8mm |
Weight | 155g |
Splash Proof | IP68 |
Water Resistant | Yes |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | Nano |
eSIM | No |
Model Number | SM-G950U |
User Manual |
Pros
Excellent camera
Large and amazing display
Headphone jack
MicroSD Support
Cons
Poor Battery life
Badly placed fingerprint sensor
Fragile
| Device | Storage | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy Note8 (Refurbished) | 64GB | $239 |
Screen Size | 6.3" |
Screen Resolution | 2960 x 1440 pixels |
HDR Screen | No pixels |
Processor | Snapdragon 835 pixels |
Internal Memory | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
Operating System | Android 7.1.1 (Nougat) |
Back Camera | 12MP |
Front Camera | 8MP |
HDR for Photos | Yes |
Video Resolution | HD, 4K |
Wireless Charging | Yes |
Voice Commands | Yes |
Talk Time | Up to 22 hours |
Dimensions | 162.5 x 74.8 x 8.6mm |
Weight | 195g |
Splash Proof | IP68 |
Water Resistant | Yes |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | Nano |
eSIM | No |
Model Number | SM-N950U |
User Manual |
Pros
Two cameras take fantastic pictures
MicroSD expansion
6GB of RAM
Amazing design and build
Cons
Badly placed fingerprint reader
Quite big and heavy
Speaker is weak
| Device | Storage | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy S9+ (Refurbished) | 64GB | $196 |
Screen Size | 6.2" |
Screen Resolution | 2960 x 1440 pixels |
HDR Screen | Yes pixels |
Processor | Snapdragon 845 pixels |
Internal Memory | 128GB |
Operating System | Android 8.0 (Oreo) |
Back Camera | 12MP |
Front Camera | 8MP |
HDR for Photos | Yes |
Video Resolution | HD, 4K |
Wireless Charging | Yes |
Voice Commands | Yes |
Dimensions | 158.1 x 73.8 x 8.5mm |
Weight | 189g |
Splash Proof | IP68 |
Water Resistant | Yes |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | Nano |
eSIM | No |
Model Number | SM-G965U |
User Manual |
Pros
Long battery life
Great display
Camera performance
High-end build
Wireless charging
Cons
Expensive
Fragile all glass design
No major upgrades
AT&T phone upgrades
Let's take a look at how upgrading works with AT&T.
Monthly Installments
Available on basic phones (smartphones are only available under AT&T Next & Next Every Year)
Must sign a 20-month payment agreement
Must have well-qualified credit
Must maintain a service plan on the device
AT&T Next
Next and Next Every Year are AT&T's early upgrade plans.
Finance a smartphone for 30 months
Upgrade with trade in of financed device after 80% of your device balance is paid (24 months, earlier if you make an optional down payment)
Own your phone after making all payments
AT&T Next Every Year
Finance a smartphone for 24 months
Trade up after 50% is paid (after 12 months, earlier if down payment made)
Own your phone after making all payments
Although Next is technically a purchase plan if you keep trading in for an upgrade the plan essentially works like a lease.
There is no extra monthly charge for the Next programs, however, you must maintain a service plan that costs at least $45 per month after autopay and paperless billing discounts are applied.
AT&T Plans With Upgrade
This carrier offers two types of plans:
Mobile Share Flex - prices range from $45 to $120 after discounts
AT&T Unlimited & More - starts at $70 per line, comes with 30 TV channels
Cost example with device payment:
Samsung Galaxy S9: $26 per month
Mobile Share Flex with 5GB of data: $70 per month
$96 per month total cost, plus fees and taxes.
Cons of upgrading with AT&T Next:
If you have less than great credit you'll have to make a 30% down payment on your device.
Your device must be in good condition to qualify for trade-in.
You're stuck with the carrier until your phone is paid off because device financing operates like a contract.
It's somewhat deceptive because you're paying less per month to upgrade earlier, but that keeps you in the cycle of never owning your device unless you pay off the entire balance. This means that if you keep upgrading you're essentially leasing your phone and will never get anything out of it.
AT&T refurbished phone benefits
Want to break the cycle? Buy a used smartphone outright and switch to a cheaper cell phone plan (I'll get to those details in a minute).
More and more often people are choosing to buy a refurbished phone because of the high cost of new flagship smartphones. Additionally, the changes made from one model to the next are typically minor, making it a waste to continually shell out $1000 each year just for the privilege.
Benefits of buying used include:
Savings of about 50% off the retail price
Freedom to take your paid-off, unlocked phone to any carrier you want
Wide range of late-model devices available from reputable sellers
Typically generous return policies in the event of something wrong
Third-party warranties and insurance available to protect your investment
Key factors when buying a refurbished phone
Here's what to keep in mind while shopping for a secondhand device:
Refurbished vs. used: Used cell phones are sold as-is. Refurbished devices have been repaired and restored either by the factory or a third-party. Refurbs are more likely to come with a guarantee or warranty.
Warranties: Each seller site has its own system in place. Decluttr offers 12 months. Swappa, on the other hand, connects you directly to the seller so they don't offer a warranty of their own.
Return policies: Most phone seller sites offer a 30-day return period. Swappa allows you to request a return if the item was not as advertised.
Shipping: Shipping is usually free.
Certified phones: Some seller sites, like Decluttr and Gazelle, put their devices through a rigorous testing process.
Phone insurance: There are third-party device protection companies, which can give you peace of mind when buying used.
Phone financing: Gazelle is a seller with a monthly payment option. The interest is typically high on these arrangements so we recommend you pay in full if at all possible.
Cheap AT&T cell phone plans
Once you've got your new-to-you unlocked phone you're then free to shop around for a cheaper cell phone plan.
Switching to an AT&T MNVO
MVNO stands for Mobile Virtual Network Operator. All that means is that a smaller wireless company leases space on one of the big four networks and sells the service to you at a lower cost.
How can low cost carriers sell you service so cheaply? They don't have the massive overhead and marketing costs of the major providers, and they pass those savings along to their customers.
AT&T MVNO benefits
The same reliable 4G LTE network you're used to
Rates up to 50% or more cheaper than the competition
Flexibility to bring your own phone - and phone number
Custom plans so you don't pay for anything you don't need
Easy signup, typically done by ordering a new SIM card online
24/7 customer service in many cases
No contracts or credit checks
Not sure if you'll really save money by switching carriers? Calculate your potential savings now.
COMPARE NOW: Cheap AT&T cell phone plans
Sell your old AT&T phone for cash
So you've made it through all of the steps to get a cheaper cell phone and reduce your wireless bills. There's one thing left to do to maximize the cash you put back in your wallet - sell your old cell phone.
Selling your unused device:
Puts cash into your pocket right away
Is environmentally responsible
Is simple and fast
You can usually use the same sites to buy and sell used phones, making it easy and efficient.
Recap
Take your new knowledge and break the upgrade cycle! The steps are simple and will save you hundreds - possibly thousands - in the long run.
Compare cell phone prices to find the best deal on a new phone from multiple sellers in one place.
Compare cell phone plans from low-cost carriers.
Sell your old phone for cash.
Pocket your savings and enjoy!
Deal of the Month: Pure Talk - $250 Off iPhone 12