Getting a new phone in your hands doesn’t have to be as expensive as you might think. There are always deals out there on Android phones but they tend to come and go rather quickly with other discounts appearing in their place. However, if you’re hoping to buy one of the latest devices on the market, finding a proper deal is easier than ever these days.
Best Android Phone Deals
- Unlocked deals
- Carrier deals
When it comes to buying a new smartphone, there are two main types of deals to consider. You could buy your new phone unlocked so that you own it and can bring it to any carrier where it’s compatible, or you can purchase devices through carrier deals at a retailer such as Verizon or T-Mobile.
Carrier deals generally make you pay for the device in monthly installments and require that you add a line of service, which means you’ll be locked into paying for the device (and your service contract) for a few years. Deals like these can be excellent if you’re willing or need to switch carriers, but if you don’t want to switch your service, you probably want to stick to deals on unlocked devices.
Best unlocked Android phone deals
Google Pixel 4a 5G | $459 at Amazon
Save $40 on the new Google Pixel 4a 5G device at Amazon today. This marks the best deal on this new device so far, and it likely won’t last for long.
$459 at Amazon
OnePlus Nord N100 with 50% off Accidental Damage Protection Plan | $179.99 at OnePlus
OnePlus is offering 50% off the 1-year Accidental Damage Protection Plan when you purchase the new OnePlus Nord N100 device between now and January 31.
$179.99 at OnePlus
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G | from $499.99 at Best Buy
Best Buy is offering up to $200 off the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE unlocked right now. Activating the device today will save you the most on the purchase, though choosing not to activate can still save you $100 instantly.
from $499.99 at Best Buy
Samsung Galaxy S20+ | from $1,099.99 at Best Buy
Samsung’s Galaxy S20+ is currently discounted by up to $100 at Best Buy which is great because it’s an incredible phone. While we recommend the Galaxy S20 FE for most people, the S20+ is worth the extra money for its improved screen and cameras, and its sleeker metal-and-glass design. You’ll save the most by activating the device today on Sprint, though activating it on another carrier or activating it later can save you up to $50 as well.
from $1,099.99 at Best Buy
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 | $799.99 at B&H
The unlocked Samsung Galaxy Note 20 is now available at a $200 discount via B&H for a limited time. This device comes with a built-in stylus and is compatible with GSM carriers.
$799.99 at B&H
LG G8X ThinQ Dual Screen | from $399.99 at Best Buy
This unique smartphone has two screens and is currently discounted by up to $100 at Best Buy when you activate it today on the carrier of your choice.
from $399.99 at Best Buy
OnePlus 8 Pro | $799.99 at Amazon
Pick up the OnePlus 8 Pro in Ultramarine Blue at nearly $200 off via Amazon right now. This device has 12GB RAM, 256GB storage, Quad Camera, and a beautiful 120Hz fluid display. It even features the Amazon Alexa voice assistant built-in.
$799.99 at Amazon
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra | $999.99 at B&H
Save $300 on the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra today at B&H. This sale comes with free expedited shipping and is available on the Mystic Black, Mystic Bronze, and Mystic White colorways.
$999.99 at B&H
Moto G Power | $219.99 at Amazon
One of the best low-cost Android phones you can buy right now is the Moto G Power. The big draw to the phone is its 5,000 mAh battery, which allows for up to three days of use on a single charge. Talk about long endurance. It’s discounted $30 for a limited time.
$219.99 at Amazon
Moto G Fast | $149.99 at Motorola
Save $50 on the Moto G Fast smartphone today at Motorola. This device features 3GB RAM, 32GB storage, a battery that can last for two days, a 6.4-inch HD display, and a 16MP triple camera system. It’s even water-repellant.
$149.99 at Motorola
TCL 10 Pro | $359.99 at Amazon
TCL’s 10 Pro is an affordable powerhouse with a 6.47-inch AMOLED display with NXTVISION tech, a quad-camera setup, Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 octa-core processor, and 6GB of RAM. It has a 128GB capacity, expandable via microSD. Use the on-page coupon to save $90 instantly today.
$359.99 at Amazon
TCL 10L | $199.99 at Amazon
The 64GB TCL 10L offers great bang-for-your-buck with a huge, adjustable display and clean TCL UI software. Its hardware is solid for the price and the inclusion of NFC for mobile payments is rare in the phone’s price range. Today’s deal saves you $50 when you clip the coupon on its product page.
$199.99 at Amazon
Samsung Note 20 Ultra | Up to $675 off with trade-in at Samsung
Save up to $600 on the Note 20 Ultra when you trade-in an eligible device at Samsung. Even devices with cracked screens can earn you up to $340. Plus, the Samsung Discount Program can save some people an additional $75. Use code BLACKFRIDAY50REV for a free $20 Samsung Credit with purchase.
Shop at Samsung
OnePlus Nord N10 (128GB) | $299.99 at B&H
Pre-order the 128GB model of the new OnePlus Nord N10 at B&H and you’ll also score a $50 B&H gift card with the purchase! B&H includes free expedited shipping as well; shipping begins on January 15. This device is unlocked and compatible with GSM and CDMA carriers.
$299.99 at B&H
Motorola Edge | $499.50 at Amazon
The Motorola Edge has a massive 6.7-inch 90Hz OLED panel, Snapdragon 765G chipset with 5G connectivity, 6GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, 64MP camera at the back, 25MP front camera, and a 4500mAh battery with 18W fast charge. For what you’re paying here, you are getting an incredible deal.
$499.50 at Amazon
Back to top
Best carrier Android phone deals
Google Pixel 4a with $150 back at Visible
Visible uses Verizon’s 4G LTE network while offering some of the most affordable phone plans around at just $40/month! Today you can score a $150 prepaid Mastercard when you switch to Visible and buy the Google Pixel 4a either outright or with monthly device payments starting at $14/month.
from $14 per month at Visible
Google Pixel 5 | Get up to $750 off at Verizon
Verizon is offering up to $750 off the cost of the Google Pixel 5 when you buy another at regular price and add a new line of service. Verizon will give you $50 back in Verizon Dollars when you open a Verizon Visa® Card and buy this device with it. You can apply at checkout.
Shop at Verizon
Note 20 or Note 20 Ultra | Save up to $750 with trade-in at Verizon
Verizon is offering up to $750 off the Note 20 or Note 20 Ultra when you trade-in an eligible device for a limited time. Verizon even includes free Stream TV and 5G access at no extra charge, as well as a $250 Verizon Gift Card if you’re switching from another carrier.
Shop at Verizon
OnePlus 8 5G | Free at T-Mobile
T-Mobile is offering the OnePlus 8 5G for free when you trade-in an eligible device and add a new line. Some older devices will earn you $375 off instead of the full $600 discount.
Shop at T-Mobile
OnePlus 8 | Free $200 prepaid Mastercard and B&O Wireless Speaker at Visible
Visible is offering a free $200 prepaid Mastercard Virtual Account when you switch to Visible, port-in your current number, and buy the OnePlus 8. You’ll also score a free Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Wireless Speaker with the purchase. Though the phone has higher monthly payments here than at retailers above, Visible’s $40 all-in monthly plan for unlimited talk, text, and data helps to make this a better deal overall.
Shop at Visible
Google Pixel 4a 5G | 50% off at T-Mobile
The Pixel 4a 5G is one of the best Android values of 2021, and right now, T-Mobile has a great deal on it. If you join the carrier, pick an eligible plan, and purchase the 4a 5G on a monthly installment plan, you can get up to $250 back through monthly bill credits.
Shop at T-Mobile
Google Pixel 4a | Free with select Unlimited plans at Verizon
The Google Pixel 4a features design upgrades, an enhanced camera, and all-day battery life that puts other budget smartphones to shame. Today’s deal at Verizon scores you the device for free when you add a line on select unlimited plans.
Shop at Verizon
Back to top
How much should you spend on a phone?
The weird thing about shopping for a phone is that there are two ways to do it: outright, or through your carrier. (Actually, there a few more ways to do it — financing it through the manufacturer itself, or buying it used, but we’ll focus on the first two now.)
Buying a phone unlocked means you’re spending more for the phone upfront in exchange for spending less on your monthly phone bill. That’s because when you buy a phone through your carrier, its cost is amortized over the length of your contract, usually around 18 to 24 months.
Things get a bit more complicated on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, because companies are playing with their prices in ways they don’t usually during other times of the year. Yes, phones do go on sale in March and August, but November is really when things start getting competitive.
The other thing to keep in mind is that the more expensive phones — the Galaxy Note 20 Ultras of the world, for example — will usually have the largest percentage drop in terms of discounts, but overall, they’re still going to be far more expensive than the mid-range options that, honestly, offer almost as good an experience for less than half the price.
If you’re set on getting a phone through your carrier, Black Friday and Cyber Monday really are the best times to get them, since they’re more willing to negotiate or make exceptions on your monthly plan pricing in exchange for picking up a new phone. Most carriers are looking for new signups, so if you’re willing to switch providers entirely you can likely get at least one, if not two, free smartphones for your trouble.
Either way, do a bunch of research before you buy. We have a list of the best Android phones and the best cheap Android phones to help you make your decision. I recommend you give those a look before pressing buy on anything above.
