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True Cost Calculator: Carrier Deal vs Unlocked
Carriers love "$1,000 off with trade-in" deals that lock you in for 36 months. Plug in the numbers and see whether the carrier offer actually beats buying outright.
Estimate based on retail price minus carrier credit, plus extra-line-fee over contract. Real-life deals also vary by trade-in value and tax. Methodology →
Background reading
- practitioner
Unlocked vs Carrier Phone: Which Is Actually Cheaper?
Carrier deals look like free phones, but the math is trickier than it appears. Here's how to compare the real 36-month cost before you sign anything.
- insider
The Hidden 3-Year Cost of Owning a Phone (It's More Than You Think)
The sticker price is just the beginning. Here's the full math on what a smartphone actually costs over three years — and why a 'cheap' phone sometimes ends up costing more than a flagship.