The 30 best early Black Friday phone deals

This year's Black Friday may be the most competitive shopping season yet, with the biggest retailers and carriers battling it out to serve you the best phone deals. If you're doing some early holiday shopping (or just missed out on Prime Day sales last month), we're already seeing aggressive offers from Samsung, Google, Motorola, and, yes, even Apple.

Also: The best Black Friday deals available now

The phone deals below will save you a significant amount of money on some of the best handsets we've tested and recommend at ZDNET. You'll also find links to the retailer with the best offer, whether that's Best Buy, Amazon, Verizon, or AT&T. Stay tuned as the list will be constantly updated as new deals appear going into Black Friday.

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Our favorite phone deals for Black Friday 2024

OnePlus Open: $1,300 (save $400 At Amazon): One of the best foldable phones we've tested is selling at a $400 discount ahead of Black Friday.   Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: $1,111 (save $309 at Amazon): The best phone we've tested so far, the Galaxy S24 Ultra packs the best specs across key categories, including display, performance, battery life, and camera. It also has a built-in S-Pen for precision inputs. Apple iPhone 16: $0.00/month (save $830 at Verizon): The carrier will credit you the cost of Apple's base-model iPhone when you open a new line and are under an Unlimited Ultimate plan. Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max: $70.55/month (save $1,200 at Boost): Boost Mobile will cover the cost of the latest iPhone 16 model when you sign up for an eligible wireless plan and 36-month financing. Motorola Razr+ 2024: $800 (save $200 at Motorola): The best flip phone you can buy right now is $240 off (blue colorway only) and comes with 256GB of storage. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6: $850 (save $250 at Amazon): A refined foldable with 256GB of storage ideal for small-phone enthusiasts, content creators, and Samsung fans. OnePlus 12: $650 (save $150 at Best Buy): The OnePlus flagship is the fastest-charging phone you can buy in the U.S., with a beefy 5,400mAh battery that should last you well into a second day. Google Pixel 8: $520 (save $200 at Amazon): Coming with 128GB of storage, the year-old Pixel 8 is still a fantastic mid-range option if you value camera quality above all else.   Google Pixel Fold: $1,300 (save $500 at Amazon): The brand's first foldable phone  has a compact 5.8-inch display on the outside and an expansive 7.6-inch screen on the inside. Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G 2024: $250 (save $150 at Motorola): For a budget phone with stylus support, consider Motorola's G Stylus model, which comes with 256GB of storage.  

Best Black Friday Samsung deals

Kerry Wan/ZDNET Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: $1,111 (save $308 at Amazon): The best phone we've tested so far, the Galaxy S24 Ultra packs the best specs across key categories, including display, performance, battery life, and camera. It also has a built-in S-Pen for precision inputs. Samsung Galaxy S24: $720 (save $80 at Amazon): The base model of the Galaxy S24 series has also been discounted by $80. It's a more compact option if you're not a fan of big phones. Samsung Galaxy A35 5G: $326 (save $74 at Amazon): One of the best budget phones on the market, with a 120Hz display and triple camera setup. Samsung Galaxy S24 FE: $6/month (save $650 at AT&T): The carrier is offering an affordable 36-month installment cycle for the latest Samsung Galaxy phone when you have a qualifying unlimited data plan.

Best Black Friday iPhone deals

Jason Hiner/ZDNET Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max: $70.55/month (save $1,200 at Boost): Apple's most competent iPhone model features a 6.9-inch display and the best battery life among the 16 line. Apple iPhone 16: $0.00/month (save $830 at Verizon): The carrier will credit you the cost of Apple's base-model iPhone when you open a new line and are under an Unlimited Ultimate plan. Apple iPhone 16 Pro: $65/month (save $1,000 at Boost): Want a Pro iPhone that's actually comfortable to hold and use? Consider the smaller iPhone 16 Pro. Apple iPhone 16 Plus: $65/month (save $930 at Boost): Apple also offers the standard iPhone 16 in a Plus size, with a 6.7-inch display.  

Best Black Friday Motorola deals

Kerry Wan/ZDNET Motorola Razr+ 2024: $800 (save $200 at Motorola): The best flip phone you can buy right now is $200 off and comes with 256GB of storage. Motorola Razr+ 2023: $550 (save $450 at Motorola): Another foldable phone contender, the higher-end Razr+ model is also discounted and is arguably a better flip phone than Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip thanks to a more customizable and functional outer screen. Motorola Razr 2023: $350 (save $350 at Amazon): The most affordable foldable phone on the market right now just got cheaper, with the 2023 Motorola Razr marked even lower at $350. Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G 2024: $250 (save $150 at Motorola): For a budget phone with stylus support, consider Motorola's G Stylus model, which comes with 256GB of storage. Motorola Moto G Play 2024: $110 (save $30 at Best Buy): One of the more reliable cheap Android handsets you can buy today just dropped to an all-time low. Motorola Moto G Power 2024: $200 (save $100 at Best Buy): Motorola's G Power line doesn't have the flashiest features, but its large battery and efficient processor make it a fantastic pick-up for kids, students, elders, or a secondary device.

Best Black Friday Google Pixel deals

Kerry Wan/ZDNET Google Pixel 9: $735 (save $65 at Amazon): It's not a major discount, but it's still worth considering if you're after Google's latest AI-enhanced handset. Google Pixel 9 Pro: $0.00/month (save $999 at T-Mobile): When you trade in an eligible device, are on a Go5G Plus or Go5G Next plan, and agree to a 24-month installment plan. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: $5.55/month (save $1,200 at Verizon): When you trade in an eligible device, are on an eligible Unlimited plan, and agree to a 36-month installment plan. Google Pixel 7a: $330 (save $170 at Amazon): One of the best budget phones on the market, with Google AI features and a 90Hz display.
Google Pixel 7 Pro: $430 (save $570 at Amazon): The older flagship is still relevant in 2024, with a large display, a reliable camera system, and 256GB of storage. Google Pixel 8: $520 (save $200 at Amazon): Coming with 128GB of storage, the year-old Pixel 8 is still a fantastic mid-range option if you value camera quality above all else.   Google Pixel Fold: $1,300 (save $500 at Amazon): The brand's first foldable phone has a compact 5.8-inch display on the outside and an expansive 7.6-inch screen on the inside.

Best Black Friday OnePlus deals

Kerry Wan/ZDNET OnePlus Open: $1,300 (save $400 at Amazon): One of the best foldable phones we've tested is selling at a $400 discount for the 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage variant. OnePlus 12: $650 (save $150 at Best Buy): The OnePlus flagship is the fastest-charging phone you can buy in the U.S., with a beefy 5,400mAh battery that should last you well into a second day. OnePlus 12R: $430 (save $70 at Amazon): A sleeper pick for the best mid-range Android phone this year, the OnePlus 12R is currently being sold at its lowest price in 30 days. OnePlus Nord N30 5G: $250 (save $50 at Amazon): This is a great budget option with a large 6.7-inch screen, a 5,000mAh battery, and 50W wired charging.

FAQs

When is Black Friday?

Black Friday takes place on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. However, expect retailers to begin early discounts and sales weeks before.

When is Cyber Monday?

Cyber Monday is happening on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, following Black Friday.

Are phone deals really better on Black Friday?

Yes, phones are often cheaper on Black Friday, matching (if not beating) the level of discount you'd find during any other major shopping event. This is partly because Black Friday happens months after most manufacturers like Samsung, OnePlus, Google, and Apple have launched new devices. With the amount of time that has passed, you'll often see the more recent phones discounted by a good amount at this time.

What's the difference between Black Friday and Cyber Monday?

While Black Friday's online presence has risen exponentially over the past decade, Cyber Monday was the original "online only" commerce event. Still, you'll find deals in-store and online for both occasions. In some cases, retailers will list new deals during Cyber Monday, especially for products or inventory that didn't sell as much during Black Friday a few days earlier.

How did we choose these Black Friday deals?

ZDNET chooses Black Friday deals based on the percentage of discount compared to the original price ($5 off a $20 item is just as good as $250 off a $1,000 item), how significant the discount is compared to pricing history, and whether our experts have tested and recommended the product.

We also look at deals from a wider scope, considering better alternatives, unique use cases, stock, and existing customer reviews on websites like Amazon, Best Buy, and Reddit. The best deals will save you a decent amount of money while giving you a truly worthwhile product.

Where can you shop the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals? 

There's no beating in-person shopping that begins on the eve of Black Friday, and retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and Walmart have made it a point to reward those who do. However, you can still find similar discounts online -- and with a higher chance of securing a product before it's snatched by someone else.

Besides big-box retailers, most carriers and e-commerce brands will also host some form of Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotion; simply visit your preferred destinations and see what's available. It won't hurt to try.