News: The Best Black Friday 2018 Deals on Android Phones

The Best Black Friday 2018 Deals on Android Phones

It's that time of year again. No, not Thanksgiving. Black Friday. There are a lot deals available this holiday weekend, many of which include flagship Android devices. Whether you are thinking of buying a phone for yourself or looking for a gift for someone else, you can find a little savings to shop smart during the holidays.

Some of these phones deals are available right now, while others aren't going on sale until Black Thursday (aka Thanksgiving) or Black Friday weekend. Also, some deals do have some requirement such as opening a new line or having to actually go into a brick-and-mortar store, so be sure to read our description and the fine print to make sure you don't miss out.

1: Up to $200 Off with Amazon

If you are in the market for GSM-unlocked devices (phones which don't come with SIM cards but are compatible with either T-Mobile or AT&T using an appropriate SIM card), Amazon should be one of the first places you look. Not only does Amazon have deals on their Prime Exclusive phones (GSM-unlocked phones preloaded with Amazon's bloatware at a discount price) but also standard unlocked devices (phones that don't come with any carrier or Amazon bloatware). And with an Amazon Prime subscription, you can enjoy free 2-day shipping.

Unlocked Phones

Prime Exclusive Phones

2: $300 Gift Card from Walmart (& Other Deals)

Walmart has a great deal on Samsung's latest flagships — a $300 Walmart gift card with qualifying activation. This is the same deal they are offering for iPhone models. The activation must be through either AT&T's Next plan or Sprint or Verizon's Device Payment Plan. However, you must make the purchase in store.

  • $300 gift card with the purchase of a Samsung Galaxy S8, S8+, S9, S9+, or Note 9 (AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint)

They are also offering general discounts on select Samsung Galaxy devices.

3: Up to $400 Off at Best Buy

There is no better place to get the Google Pixel 2 or 3 (XL models included) than at Best Buy. Starting Thursday, you can get $400 off of the Google Pixel 2, 2 XL, 3, and 3 XL with a qualified activation on Verizon. But don't wait on this deal as its ends on Friday. Starting Saturday, the saving cuts in half to $200. Similar to Walmart, this deal requires you to sign up for a 24-month payment plan through Verizon where the monthly installment will be reduced to reflect the savings. Additionally, there are some savings for unlocked devices and carrier-locked phones.

Thursday and Friday

  • $400 off Google Pixel 3 or 3 XL (Verizon)
  • $400 off Google Pixel 2 or 2 XL (Verizon)
  • $300 off Samsung Galaxy Note 9 (Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint)
  • $300 off Samsung Galaxy S9 or S9+ (Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint)
  • $200 off Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Unlocked
  • $200 off Samsung Galaxy S9 or S9+ Unlocked

All Weekend

4: Up to a $300 Gift Card from Target

Target is also giving away free gift cards with a qualified activation, but they are doing it for the two hottest Android phones on the market, the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 and Google Pixel 3 (or 3 XL). The Galaxy Note 9 gives the larger gift card at $300, while the Pixel 3 or 3 XL is limited to $200. To qualify for each deal, you must purchase and activate the device on either Verizon or AT&T, where you will make monthly payments for either 24 or 30 months (depending on the carrier). You must be in-store to receive this deal.

5: $100 Off at OnePlus

OnePlus is offering one of the best smartphone deals on Black Friday. Starting November 20 at 3 a.m. EST, OnePlus will be taking $100 off the OnePlus 6. This brings the price down to $429 for the entry 6 GB/64 GB Mirror Black model. Not only is this an amazing phone, but it's the last OnePlus phone to include the headphone jack, so get it while it's hot.

6: Up to $200 Off at Google

Google has a few different sales on the latest addition to the Pixel lineup. Google is offering a buy one get one up to 50% off deal on both the Pixel 3 and 3 XL. They are also offering $150 off the Pixel 3 and $200 off the Pixel 3 XL. And unlike the carrier deals, these are the unlocked versions of the phone, meaning you can use these phones on any carrier in the world. You also get the benefit of being able to unlock the bootloader and root, something that the Verizon variant can't do.

7: $400 Off at Verizon

The largest wireless carrier isn't going to pass up one of the biggest shopping days of the year. Verizon has several good deals to save you some money. If you shop online Thursday and Friday only, you can get $400 off some of this year's top phones, including the Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, and the Galaxy Note 9. But, if you can't make it on those days, the discount will drop in half to $200 off on the same phones. And best of all, this deal doesn't require any trade-in or force you to open a new line. The only limitation is the discount comes in the form of a bill credit spread across 24 months.

Get $400 off on the following Android smartphones (Thursday and Friday only). Get $200 off starting on Saturday and Sunday.

  • Google Pixel 3
  • Google Pixel 3 XL
  • Samsung Galaxy S9
  • Samsung Galaxy S9+
  • Samsung Galaxy Note 9
  • LG V40 ThinQ

8: Free Phones at T-Mobile

Starting 11/16, T-Mobile is running what they call "Magenta Friday." During this time, you can get a free Samsung Galaxy S9, OnePlus 6T, and more when you trade in an eligible device and open two to three lines. Each phone has their own requirements, but there are a lot of choose from.

New customers need to activate two new lines of qualifying service, while existing customers need to activate at least one new line of qualifying service. You also need to trade-in an eligible device, purchase the phone via the Equipment Installment Plan (either 24 or 36 months), pay the required down payment and applicable taxes (along with the SIM starter kit when applicable), and remain active and in good standing.

You can trade in the following phones for the offer:

  • Samsung Galaxy S6 series, Galaxy S7 series, Galaxy S8 series, Note 8, Note 5
  • Google Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL
  • LG V30, V30+, G7, V20, G6
  • Motorola Z2 Force, Z2 Play
  • One Plus 5, 5T, 6

When all these criteria are met, the following phones are free:

  • Samsung Galaxy S8
  • Samsung Galaxy S9
  • LG G7 ThinQ
  • LG V40 ThinQ
  • OnePlus 6T

These phones, while not free, will be $750 off if you meet the above requirements:

  • Samsung Galaxy Note 9
  • Samsung Galaxy S9+
  • Samsung Galaxy S8 Activate

You can also get a free REVVL, REVVL Plus, REVVL 2, or REVVL 2 Plus by activating a new line and purchasing the phone via the Equipment Installment Plan for 24 months. You do need to pay any down payment and remain active and in good standing during the 24 months.

9: Buy One, Get One Free at AT&T

AT&T is making it easy to shop for yourself and someone else by letting you buy one phone and get a second one free (or heavily discounted). To qualify, you must add one new line to your account. You must pay all taxes for both devices and activate the phone for 24 monthly payments.

These phones will be completely free if you meet the above requirements:

  • Samsung Galaxy S9
  • LG V35 ThinQ
  • LG V40 ThinQ

These phones, on the other hand, will be heavily discounted at $790 off:

  • Samsung Galaxy S8 Active
  • Samsung Galaxy S9+
  • Samsung Galaxy Note 9

10: Get a Free TV with Sprint

Sprint's Black Friday deals are very different than the other wireless carriers we've mentioned. Instead of just offering free or discounted smartphones, Sprint is giving away something even better, a 4K television. When you sign up for a new line of service for an LG V40 ThinQ for $20 per month, you will get a free LG 49-inch 4K Smart LED TV (valued at $499.99).

  • Get a free LG 49-inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV ($499.99 value) when you lease a LG V40 ThinQ for $20/month with Sprint Flex lease

Additionally, you can get brand new Samsung Galaxy smartphones for discounted monthly rates when you sign up for a new line with an 18-month payment plan.

  • Get the Samsung Galaxy S9 for $5 per month with Sprint Flex lease
  • Get the Samsung Galaxy S9+ for $10 per month with Sprint Flex lease
  • Get the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 for $20 per month with Sprint Flex lease

11: Free Phones from Boost Mobile

For those not looking to get into a contract with a wireless carrier, Boost Mobile's got your back. For those who switch, Boost is offering several phones for free, including the Samsung Galaxy J7 Refine and the Moto G6 Play. And if you purchase a LG G6, you can get a second one for free. They are also offering some great deals on wireless plans which will save quite a bit of money.

  • Free Samsung Galaxy J7 Refine when you switch from another carrier to Boost
  • Free Moto G6 Play when you switch from another carrier to Boost
  • Buy One LG G6, get one free when you switch from another carrier to Boost
  • Four lines of unlimited talk, text, and data for $100/month
  • Bring your own phone, get one free month
  • Up to 60% off on select phones

12: Up to $150 Off on Newegg

Newegg has some deals on GSM-unlocked devices. The best deal would be $150 off the Honor View 10, a phone which already had an amazing price at $499.

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Cover image via HardwareCanucks/YouTube

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