The best cell phone plans often also include deals on top Apple and Android smartphones. Cellular service providers offer great rates for popular line plans, with options to purchase smartphones on affordable monthly installment plans. Begin by researching the plans and products offered by AT&T Verizon and T-Mobile. 

Also investigate the products, plans, and bundles offered by Boost, Visible, Mint Mobile, and Google Fi. These top providers are always in competition with each other, which is a great thing for consumers. Essentially, carrier competition to generate more business means lower prices and better deals for you.

Cheap phone plans come in many forms. For example, family plans often apply cumulative discounts for each new line added. Senior cell phone plans from Consumer Cellular, FreedomPop and Republic Wireless are available for as low as $10 to $15 per month. Many senior cell phone plans have age requirements, but not all do. This means you might be able to get affordable rates on a cell phone plan and smartphone regardless of your age.

Please note: Many senior cell phone plans are basic and have helpful albeit limited features. If you are looking for a reliable smartphone and monthly services at affordable prices, these types of deals might be right for you. If you need a little more from your smartphone and cell phone plan, consider the T-Mobile Magenta plans (if qualified).

Many top cellular service providers participate in the Lifeline program. The Lifeline program is sponsored by the U.S. federal government, which subtracts $9.25 off the total price of monthly cell phone bills for qualified consumers. How do you qualify for the Lifeline program? Your household income is a key requirement factor. Consumers already enrolled in government-sponsored benefits programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and SNAP are generally eligible for the Lifeline program as well.

Mint Mobile offers affordable $15/mo plans for qualified new customers. Mint Mobile currently also offers six months of free service to customers who purchase an Apple iPhone 12 ($819) along with the Mint Mobile premium wireless service. Similar deals on smartphones under $1,000 also apply for Mint Mobile customers who purchase the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 12 mini, and iPhone SE.

Retail stores such as Walmart, Target, and Best Buy commonly run promotions for customers who purchase top Apple and Android phones combined with service plans through their stores. Many times, these deals are offered in the form of rebates. Deals are often combinable with other discount offers from phone manufacturers or cellular service providers as well. When you are shopping for a new smartphone for under $1,000 it is important to remember a few things.

Many smartphone manufacturers upgrade their models approximately once every one to two years. The outgoing models are often extremely similar in quality to the incoming models, albeit at significantly reduced prices. Also, look for great deals during holiday sales and on financing offers. Most cell phone companies offer affordable monthly payments on the latest and forthcoming smartphones market-wide.