Black Friday is here, and it’s one of the best times of the year to grab an unlocked phone without dealing with contracts or carrier hoops. As someone who’s covered countless tech sales, I can tell you these deals are worth the hype—especially if you’re after flexibility. This year, retailers like Best Buy and Amazon are offering deep discounts on some of the top phones of 2024, from Samsung and Google to select iPhone models (though the latest ones tend to stay full price). If you’ve been eyeing a device from our best phones list, now’s your chance to save big—no trade-ins, no new lines, no gimmicks. Just great prices on the phones you actually want.
CNET's experts have curated the best Black Friday phone deals available right now to make your shopping experience a bit easier. This list will be updated regularly throughout the weekend and Cyber Week to ensure you don't miss out on the latest offers. If you're specifically looking for an iPhone, check out our dedicated guide to Black Friday iPhone deals, as discounts on unlocked models are currently limited. Unlike deals from carriers like Verizon and T-Mobile, these offers come with no trade-ins, new lines or special conditions.
Best Black Friday iPhone deals
It's nearly impossible to find any straightforward discounts on the latest Apple phones, so you'll have to opt for a previous-gen model if you're hoping to snag an unlocked iPhone on sale. This 2023 model is still one of the best phones for 2024, and features an A16 Bionic chip, a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display, 128GB of storage, 5G support and USB-C charging. It's currently at the lowest price in two months.
Best Black Friday Samsung Galaxy Deals
The Galaxy S24 is the latest model in Samsung's flagship lineup, and the best Android phone out there for most people. It features a dazzling 6.2-inch AMOLED display, support for Samsung's Galaxy AI tools and substantial battery life that impressed our reviewers.
Best Black Friday Google Pixel deals
The Pixel 9 Pro is the best Google phone on the market, and one of the best phones of 2024, period. It features a 6.3-inch Super Actua display, a cutting-edge Tensor G4 processor and a stunning triple-camera system. Plus, it's designed to work seamlessly with Gemini, Google's new AI assistant.
Best Black Friday Motorola phone deals
Even with some sleek new Samsung models on the market, this Motorola is our favorite foldable phone of 2024. It features a vibrant 6.9-inch pOLED screen with a 3.9-inch outer display, a Snapdragon 8 Plus processor, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, as well as 5G connectivity. Note that you can save an extra $100 with same-day activation.
Best Black Friday foldable phone deals
With a 6.3-inch cover screen and a 7.6-inch interior display, this large-screen Samsung foldable offers serious versatility. It's also equipped with a fourth-gen Snapdragon 8 processor, and the basic configuration comes with a respectable 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Samsung has knocked $800 off its online-exclusive variants or $500 off the basic colors. Just note that you'll only get these savings if you're not trading in an old device.
Is Black Friday the best time to buy a phone?
While phone deals are readily available throughout the year, many of these more consistent offers will require you to trade in an old phone or sign up with a carrier. However, during the Black Friday shopping season, direct discounts on unlocked models are a lot more frequent. That means you can score some savings without having to jump through any hoops or sign a multiyear contract.
Where can I find the best Black Friday phone deals?
While carriers like T-Mobile and Verizon may be offering discounts on phones, these deals are often available year-round, and they typically require a trade-in or new line. To take advantage of any special Black Friday offers, you'll want to shop for your new phone at a tech retailer like Amazon or Best Buy. That is where you'll find steep discounts on unlocked models, which won't require you to meet any special conditions.