The Frugal Networker

Guest Post by Andrea Woroch

For gadget heads and Apple fans, the wait is over. The much-anticipated press event held by Apple every year is scheduled forSeptember 7, at which the company is expected to unveil new iPhones and possibly new MacBook Pros and the Apple Watch 2.

While early adopters are likely making plans to line up at the nearest Apple store, the average consumer would rather not pay full price for the latest-and-greatest gadget. To help reduce the cost of your next smartphone upgrade or replacement, follow these seven tips.

Check competitor offers.
Whenever Apple releases their newest iPhone and other devices, competitors often feel the burn with a drop in sales and offer discounts in an attempt to grab attention away from Apple products. In the past, we’ve seen retailers like Walmart and Best Buy as well as wireless carriers such as Verizon and AT&T slash prices on Samsung, LG, Motorola and other Android devices. Keep your eyes peeled for similar deals this year!

Save big on previous models.
With the arrival of the iPhone 7, prices of previous-generation iPhones typically drop by as much as $150. Since the design and functional differences between the iPhone 6 and iPhone 7 are reportedly minimal, buying a previous-generation iPhone at a reduced rate is hardly a compromise. Same goes for Android devices: the Samsung Galaxy S6 was offered for just $1 with a two-year contract in April of this year, ahead of the S7 release.

Search for refurbished.
One of the best ways to save on any smartphone is to search for deals on previously-owned and certified options across brands and carriers including Apple, Samsung, AT&T or Verizon to save 20% to 40%. Even sites like Overstock offer certified-refurbished phones. For example, a refurbished iPhone 5s Unlocked GSM starts at $381.99, compared to $450 for a new iPhone 5s from Apple.

Wait it out.
Jumping on the latest release of any new gadgets means you’re going to pay a premium. Wait for deals to come out later in the year and mark your calendar for Cyber Monday, the one day every year that Apple releases deals on their popular gadgets. Last year, for example, Best Buy offered the iPhone 6s for $99.99 with a two-year activation with Verizon during Cyber Week, a $100 price drop from when the phone was released in September.

Repair first.
If you’re considering upgrading or buying a new phone because of a faulty mechanism or cracked screen, consider repairing it first before shelling out big bucks for a new one. Common issues such as cracked screens, broken charging docks and diminished battery life can be fixed for low fees at sites like RapidRepair.com, saving you hundreds of dollars.

Unload your old device.
Once you buy your upgrade or new device, think about what to do with the old one. Sites like Gazelle.com pay surprisingly well for a number of phone models. For instance, a quick search revealed that they offer $168 for an unlocked iPhone 6S 64GB in good condition and $45 of a Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 tablet. Otherwise, Apple offers their own trade-in program, while retailers like Walmart and Best Buy are also getting in on the action.

Buy extras online.
Spending on a new smartphone doesn’t end with the device. You’ll likely buy a case, screen protector, additional chargers or even upgraded headphones (especially if the iPhone 7 doesn’t have a headphone jack, as rumored). Before loading up with these extras from a traditional retailer or your wireless carrier, know that most stores mark up mobile accessories by up to 60%. Instead, save big by shopping for these accessories online at sites like Amazon or AccessoryGeeks, and search for coupons before checkout. For example, deals’ site CouponSherpa.com recently featured several Amazon promo codes for $4 to $7.50 off popular iPhone accessories.

Keep an emergency smartphone stash.
30% of smartphone users admit to breaking their device by dropping it, while others cite irreparable water damage. Though Apple’s new upgrade program includes coverage for up to two incidents of accidental damage, the best insurance comes in the form of an emergency fund. Set aside a few hundred dollars in a separate account to cover the full cost of replacing your device.

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Andrea Woroch is a money-saving expert who transforms everyday consumers into savvy shoppers by sharing smart spending tips and personal finance advice. As a sought-after media source, she has been featured among such top news outlets as Good Morning America, Today, CNN, Dr. OZ, New York Times, MONEY Magazine, Consumer Reports, Forbesand many more. In addition, Andrea’s stories have been published among leading publications and sites such as Yahoo!, AOL Daily Finance, CNN Money, Huffington Post, LearnVest and New York Daily News. Check out Andrea’s demo reel or visit her website at AndreaWoroch.com for more information about booking an interview or requesting an original written article. You can also follow her on Twitter or Facebook for daily money tips.