It’s been a year for smartphones, to say the least, with manufacturers left and right joining the foldable war, Samsung breaking out a 200MP camera sensor, and Apple continuing to reign supreme with the hottest new iPhones. All to say, it’s a great time to shop for a new phone, because there are tons of great options — particularly with Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days sale happening right now.
Also: Best October Prime Day deals: Live updates
The second coming of Amazon’s mega sales event has just kicked off and we’re already seeing some of the best deals you’ll find on phones all year, as listed below. Stick around for the latest updates and even more deals as we go from day 1 to day 2, and beyond.
Best October Prime Day phone deals 2023
- Google Pixel 8 Pro with Pixel Watch 2: $999 (Save $350)
- Motorola Razr Plus: $799 (Save $200)
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5: $1,399 (Save $400)
- Google Pixel 7a: $399 (Save $100)
- Apple iPhone 13: $511 (Save $89)
- Current price: $949
- Original price: $1,199
In the running for phone of the year, Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Ultra is the most complete handset on the market right now, with a big and bright display, a base storage of 256GB, a quad-camera setup that’s helmed by a 200MP sensor, and even a built-in stylus. It’s on sale right now for its lowest price of the year, too.
- Current price: $1,399
- Original price: $1,799
Samsung’s big-screen foldable has been discounted by $400 this Prime Day, making it more accessible than ever for power users, productivity seekers, and mobile entertainment fans. The phone comes brand new, with 256GB of storage, and is unlocked for every major carrier.
- Current price: $999
- Original price: $1,249
The latest and greatest from Google just released, and while it’s still in the preorder phase, you can take advantage of its early-bird special that includes a free Pixel Watch 2 — a $350 value.
- Current price: $569
- Original price: $699
The OnePlus 11 has been a sleeper pick for best smartphone this year, more so because it was released back in February. And if you value a handset that’s the epitome of speed, from performance to charging, run, don’t walk for this Prime Day offer.
- Current price: $329
- Original price: $449
Samsung’s Galaxy A54 5G is arguably the best mid-range phone on the market right now, with a large AMOLED display, a triple camera setup, and a performant chipset under the hood. At a $120 discount, it’s basically one heck of a deal during Prime Day.
More Prime Day 2023 phone deals
Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days sales event is happening on October 10 and 11.
For Prime member-exclusive offers, you’ll want to tune into ZDNET’s buying guides over the course of the week.
ZDNET only writes about deals we want to buy — devices and products we desire, need, or would recommend. Our experts also use established price comparison tools and trackers to determine whether the deal is actually on sale and how frequently it drops.
We also looked over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the deals we’re recommending. Our recommendations may be based on our own testing — in addition to extensive research and comparison shopping. The goal is to deliver the most accurate advice to help you shop smarter.
We test a lot of phones at ZDNET, from ones that flip and fold to ones that can communicate via space satellites, so we have a knack for knowing what’s the best on the market.
Currently, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the best phone you can buy. It features a large 6.8-inch AMOLED display, the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, a 5,000mAh battery, four cameras at the rear including one that shoots up to 200MP photos, and an S Pen stylus siloed on the bottom corner.
If you’re not a fan of larger phones, there’s a good chance you’ll find something more to your liking in ZDNET’s best phones list.
