The best smartphone deals in May so far — save $200 on Apple's iPhone SE

Antonio Villas-BoasMay 5, 2020, 02:22 IST

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Many of the best smartphones you can buy in the US are expensive, but luckily, they often go on sale.
You can even find deals on brand-new phones with the latest tech, features, and design, as well as discounted last-gen models that can easily keep up in 2020.
These are the best smartphone deals we've seen in May 2020 so far, but we' ll update this list regularly with more great sales.
Right now, one of the best deals is $200 off the Apple iPhone SE.

Smartphone price tags are crazy these days, so finding a solid deal that scrapes a bit — or a lot — off the top can be helpful to anyone.

Below, you'll find some of our favorite smartphones that are currently getting a discount. We check back every week to make sure the list is up to date, and we use that opportunity to add any new smartphone deals we spot.

In the US, the top smartphones you can buy are typically from Apple, Samsung, Google, and OnePlus. Thankfully, we've found deals for various models from those four smartphone makers, including those in the high-end premium, mid-range, and budget segments.

We also include deals for slightly older smartphones if we think they're still worth it, and advice on whether the deal is good enough.

Here are the best smartphone deals in April 2020:

Apple iPhone SE, starting at $6.63/month for 30 months ($200) at Walmart (upgrade only) [You save $200]
Apple iPhone SE, starting at $8.29/month for 24 months ($200) at Walmart (upgrade only) [You save $200]
Apple iPhone XS 64 GB, $699 (originally $899) from Apple Refurbished Store [You save $200]
Apple iPhone XS Max 64 GB, $799 (originally $999) from Apple Refurbished Store [You save $200]
Google Pixel 3a, $349.99 (originally $399) at Best Buy [You save $50]
OnePlus 7T, $499.99 (originally $599.99) at OnePlus [You save $100]

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Best mid-range and budget phone deals.

Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

These phones can run the same apps you'd download on a premium phone that costs twice as much, they take good photos (especially the Pixel 3a), they usually have great battery life, and it's not as emotionally and financially devastating if you break them by accident!

Google Pixel 3a, $349.99 (originally $399) at Best Buy [You save $50]
Samsung Galaxy A50, $224.99 (originally 349.99) at Best Buy [You save $125]
Samsung Galaxy A10, $129.99 (originally $179.99) at Best Buy [You save $50]

Google Pixel 3a, $349.99 (originally $399) at Best Buy [You save $50]
Samsung Galaxy A50, $224.99 (originally 349.99) at Best Buy [You save $125]
Samsung Galaxy A10, $129.99 (originally $179.99) at Best Buy [You save $50]

Best iPhone deals if you're comfortable with going with pre-owned/refurbished

Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

If you can't find a good sale or deal anywhere, the most consistent and best way to save on Apple's iPhones is by going through one of Apple's best-kept secrets — it's own Refurbished Store.

"Pre-owned" or "refurbished" can understandably send people the other way, but my personal experience with Apple's Refurbished Store has made me a total convert. The device I bought was in perfect condition and there was nothing to suggest that it was pre-owned at all — it feels the same as buying new from Apple.

Apple iPhone X 64 GB, $599 (originally $899) from Apple Refurbished Store [You save $300]
Apple iPhone X 256 GB, $699 (originally $1,049) from Apple Refurbished Store [You save $350]
Apple iPhone XS 64 GB, $699 (originally $899) from Apple Refurbished Store [You save $200]
Apple iPhone XS 256 GB, $829 (originally $1,049) from Apple Refurbished Store [You save $220]
Apple iPhone XS 512 GB, $999 (originally $1,249) from Apple Refurbished Store [You save $250]
Apple iPhone XS Max 64 GB, $799 (originally $999) from Apple Refurbished Store [You save $200]
Apple iPhone XS Max 256 GB, $929 (originally $1,149) from Apple Refurbished Store [You save $220]
Apple iPhone XS Max 512 GB, $1,099 (originally $1,349) from Apple Refurbished Store [You save $250]

If you can't find a good sale or deal anywhere, the most consistent and best way to save on Apple's iPhones is by going through one of Apple's best-kept secrets — it's own Refurbished Store.

Pre-owned or refurbished can understandably send people the other way, but my personal experience with Apple's Refurbished Store has made me a total convert. The device I bought was in perfect condition and there was nothing to suggest that it was pre-owned at all — it feels the same as buying new from Apple.

Best iPhone deals

Apple

It's still early 2020, but the iPhone SE is likely to be this year's winner. The phone is already great value at its starting $400 price, as it's running on Apple's A13 mobile chip — the same chip turning the wheels in the iPhone 11 series.

Getting a discount on the iPhone SE is like getting a deal on top of a deal. And at $200 off at the time of writing, Walmart's deal is likely to be the best deal you're going to get, just as long as you're eligible for an upgrade via Verizon or AT&T.

Apple iPhone SE, starting at $6.63/month for 30 months ($200) at Walmart (upgrade only) [You save $200]
Apple iPhone SE, starting at $8.29/month for 24 months ($200) at Walmart (upgrade only) [You save $200]
Apple iPhone SE 64GB, $349.99 ($400) at Best Buy [You save $50]

Best premium smartphone deals

Antonio Villas-Boas/Business Insider

The phones below are typically "flagships," meaning they're a company's best smartphone that comes with the latest technology, innovations, and features.

There aren't a lot of deals in the flagship category at the time of writing, but more will pop up over time, at which point we'll update this list.

For now however, the OnePlus 7 series from 2019 are one of the best deals you can get, with or without a discount. That's because the new OnePlus 8 series of smartphones are more expensive and don't really impress in the value department.

OnePlus 7T, $499.99 (originally $599.99) at OnePlus [You save $100]
OnePlus 7 Pro, $549 8GB+256GB (originally $699) at OnePlus [You save $150]
LG G8 ThinQ, $549.99 (originally $849.99) at Best Buy [You save $300]

The phones below are typically flagships, meaning they're a company's best smartphone that comes with the latest technology, innovations, and features.