Best for: Power users who want the best Android phone and a long update promise.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is Samsung's most capable phone, and it is $420 below list price in this deal. Its new Privacy Display stops people next to you from reading your screen, and you can set it to turn on in apps like banking.
Pros
Privacy Display for public places
Fast 60W charging
Versatile cameras with long zoom
Seven years of updates
Cons
Battery is 5,000mAh, smaller than many rivals
No built-in magnets, so snap-on chargers need a magnetic case
Frame is aluminum, not titanium
Skip it if: you want a small phone, or you do not need flagship cameras and a big screen.
Deal tip: Memeburn says this price already matches last year's Black Friday depth after Samsung's price rise, so waiting may not save more.
Best for: Everyday use, with a bright screen, good battery and long updates on a budget.
The Galaxy A57 is thin, light and easy to use. Its screen gets as bright as 1,900 nits, so it is readable outdoors, and Memeburn says the battery lasts about a day and a half in typical use.
Pros
Thin, light design with IP68
Bright, vivid screen
Six major Android updates
Around a day and a half of battery
Cons
Photos can look flat with limited dynamic range
Gaming needs lower graphics settings
No headphone jack
Skip it if: you want top camera quality or play demanding games.
Deal tip: Memeburn lists the A57's list price as $549 to $609 depending on the version, so check which version is on sale.
Best for: iPhone fans who want a light, big-screen phone without paying Pro prices.
Apple rarely discounts new iPhones, and the iPhone Air is one of the few getting a real retail cut, at $260 off. At $839, Memeburn says it costs less than the standard iPhone 17.
Pros
Extremely thin and light
Pro-level chip performance
Large, bright screen
One of the few iPhones with a real retail discount
Cons
Only one rear camera, no ultrawide or optical zoom lens
Smaller battery than other current iPhones
eSIM only
Skip it if: you want a zoom lens or the longest possible battery life.
Deal tip: This price was reported at Best Buy, not Amazon. Memeburn says carrier trade-in deals on the iPhone 18 Pro can be bigger, but they lock you in for up to 36 months.
Best for: People who want most of a Galaxy flagship for under $600.
The S26 FE brings the main parts of the Galaxy S experience, including a telephoto camera, fast charging and wireless charging, at a lower price. It was also the only S26 model Samsung did not raise in October.
Pros
Large display and telephoto camera at a mid-range price
45W fast charging
Price was not raised in October
Cons
Exynos chip is a step below the Snapdragon in the S26 and S26 Ultra
No charger in the box
128GB base storage
Skip it if: you want the fastest chip, or you need more than 128GB of storage.
Deal tip: Memeburn says last year's S25 FE fell under $443 on Black Friday, though it also launched at a lower price.
Best for: People who care most about photos, clean software and long support.
The Pixel 11 is built around Google's camera processing and AI features. A 5x zoom camera is unusual at this price, and Memeburn says battery life is much better: its video playback test lasted 25 hours and 25 minutes, about three hours more than the Pixel 10.
Pros
Excellent display and cameras for the price
5x optical zoom
Seven years of updates
25-hour video battery test
Cons
Slower than Samsung and Apple rivals in heavy tasks
Glossy back attracts fingerprints
Wired charging takes about 1 hour 15 minutes
Skip it if: you play demanding games or edit 4K video on your phone.
Deal tip: Memeburn notes last year's Pixel 10 dropped $200 before Black Friday, while the Pixel 11 is $150 off now. A bigger cut could still come.
How to spot a real phone deal
Compare with the brand's own list price, not the retailer's crossed-out price. Some stores still show pre-increase prices as the original.
Look at the final price, not just the dollars off. Samsung raised Galaxy S26 prices by $100 or more in early October, so a big discount now can be the same real price as last year.
Be careful with free phones from carriers. Carrier deals usually need a trade-in and a pricier plan, and the savings come as monthly credits over up to 36 months. If you leave early, you owe the balance.
Check the model year and storage. Names can look almost identical across years, and the sale price is often for the smallest storage size.
Check the return window and whether the phone is the US unlocked version before you buy.
FAQ
When is Black Friday 2026?
Black Friday is Friday, November 27, 2026, and Cyber Monday is Monday, November 30.
Should I buy now or wait for Black Friday?
Memeburn found that some phone prices in October's Prime sale already matched last year's Black Friday depth, for example the Galaxy S26 Ultra at $979. It also says foldables are where waiting looks smartest. If a phone you want is at a price you like, buying now is reasonable.
Is it better to buy unlocked or from a carrier?
Unlocked phones cost more upfront but let you switch carriers any time. Carrier deals look bigger but usually need a trade-in, a higher-priced plan and up to 36 months of bill credits.
Is the Amazon price the same as Best Buy?
Not always. The iPhone Air deal here was reported at Best Buy. Use the Amazon button to compare the current price, storage size and color.
Picks come from Memeburn's Black Friday phone deals roundup (published Oct 11 and updated Oct 13, 2026) and Tom's Guide's Prime Day phone deals list (Oct 7, 2026). Prices are the deal prices those outlets reported at the retailer named, compared with the brand's list price. They change often, so treat each as a price to beat, not a promise. The Amazon buttons search for the model, so check storage size and color before you buy. Assumptions: no price is guaranteed on Black Friday itself. Samsung raised Galaxy S26 list prices in early October, so a discount now buys less than it looks. We will update this guide when real Black Friday deals go live.
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