Early Black Friday phone deals are already live, with deep discounts on Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, Motorola and other top Android brands. Unlocked models and carrier promos are coming in at up to 40% off, and the most enticing deals are arriving well earlier than they have in previous years as retailers celebrate sprinting out of one challenging economic year by locking you into holiday demand.
Industry watchers have been predicting this trend: Adobe Analytics has reported that the highest deals on electronics typically peak later in November, but that discount volume gets under way well before the top of the top. Counterpoint Research also notes that the majority of Android unit sales are from midrange devices, and this is precisely where the steepest preferential cuts are already visible.
Best Early Deals From Big Android Brands
Standouts are the Google Pixel deals. Previous-gen flagships like the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro commonly settle $200–$300 beneath list throughout early waves, while even the Pixel 8a has been known to fall into the mid-$300s when stacked with retailer gift cards. For buyers who keep their phones longer, a seven-year update promise on the Pixel 8 series can be a major selling point in the Android space.
Samsung spreads savings across tiers. There are still decent instant discounts on the unlocked Galaxy S24 and S24 Ultra, usually $150–$250 off, but bigger amounts when factoring in trade-ins. Foldables such as the Galaxy Z Flip and any Z Fold model usually see their prices drop 25–35% as inventory gets cleared for the upcoming release cycle. Those who are shopping on a budget will want to keep an eye on the Galaxy A-series; we typically see deals on the A15, A25 and even A35 range in that 20–30% off region, sometimes higher with retailer credits. Samsung’s top-of-the-line S24 family, for one, gets up to seven years of software support — making early discounts all the more enticing for those who keep their phones longer.
Motorola just keeps overdelivering for the money. The Edge models (including last year’s) frequently hit 30–40% off MSRP, and the Moto G lineup (G Power, G Stylus) will sometimes drop below $250 with holiday pricing. These come in large part because of the brand’s heavy reliance on big batteries, clean designs and helpful pen features on its stylus models — not a bad thing for most students who don’t want to spend more than they have to.
Bringing up the rear for Android, OnePlus and Nothing frequently use initial coupons and package discounts on unlocked devices. These promos are often available for a limited time only, and different models (color or storage variant) sell out quickly — which means if there’s a particular configuration you want and it happens to be heavily discounted at the moment, waiting is generally not a great idea.
Carrier Deals or Unlocked Savings: Choosing the Better Option
Carriers lure customers with eye-popping headline totals — typically $800 to $1,000 off — that result from adding a trade-in to bill credits spread over 24 to 36 months. That structure can be a great value if you’re already planning on keeping service with a qualifying plan for the total duration of that term. The industry-wide change toward longer financing periods, highlighted by recent iPhone offers, means you should read the fine print very closely before jumping in.
Unlocked deals, on the other hand, not only discount up front, but offer you the flexibility to switch between carriers or MVNOs like Visible, Mint Mobile and Boost Infinite. For flexibility’s sake — or if you’d like to be able to resell your phone later — an unlocked purchase often makes more sense, even if the sticker discount doesn’t seem as big as a carrier’s bill-credit sum.
Both approaches carry potential rewards; the best option depends on your plan, trade-in condition and how long you intend to keep the device.
How To Tell If You’re Really Getting 40% Off
Also compare street price, not just MSRP. Phones get cheaper as the year goes on, so a “40% off” figure based on launch pricing might actually only be 25% off the most recent average price. Use time-machine tools or look at past sales flyers to ascertain whether you are looking at an anomaly.
Compare storage tiers and trade-in terms. Also, a $250 discount on a 256GB configuration might be more appealing than a $200 cut for the 128GB model if you’re doing heavy shooting of 4K videos. For carrier promos, check how long the monthly credit runs, what plans qualify and those early termination fees — and what’s considered “any condition” for older trade-ins.
Find signs of support and warranty. Pixel 8 series and Galaxy S24 family have lengthy software timelines that greatly reduce the total cost of ownership, while extended return windows that many major retailers provide during the holidays help as well. Circana has seen consistent demand for accessory bundles that are upgrade-friendly, so if the charger or case is also offered in a combo pack at a fair price, it will raise the overall value proposition.
Best Values by Budget and Use Case for Holiday Phone Deals
- Under $300: Motorola’s Moto G line and Samsung’s Galaxy A15/A25 are dependable daily drivers when on sale, offering long battery life, sharp OLED or LCD displays and 5G at discount prices. Deals on the prior-gen Pixel 7a sometimes drop around this price range, and you get top-tier photos for the money.
- $300 to $700: Google’s Pixel 8 and Samsung’s Galaxy A35/A54 battle fiercely here, providing excellent cameras, strong displays and years of updates. Motorola’s Edge models generally undercut rivals while packing in larger batteries and fast charging.
- Premium and foldables: If you take a lot of pictures, a lower-cost Pixel 8 Pro is still camera king. Power users and mobile gamers should go for Galaxy S24 and S24 Ultra deals. Z Flip discounts often push foldables into high-end slab territory, and IDC observes that foldables continue to outpace overall smartphone market growth — bolstering heavier holiday promotions.
Bottom Line: Smart Timing for Early Black Friday Phone Deals
You don’t have to sit around waiting for those final Black Friday smartphone discounts. With discounts of up to 40% already live on Google, Samsung and Motorola models, the smarter purchase is to strike when a legit retailer or carrier has your desired model and color in stock at an approved low — before top configurations disappear.
