The Best Black Friday phone deals for 2022

Black Friday 2022 is just around the corner — or is it already here? Big retailers have already started their Black Friday deals Black Friday deals, which include deep discounts on name-brand smartphones. In fact, there are already some hot Black Friday phone deals available right now, so if you don’t want to wait until November 25 to get your holiday shopping on, then the good news is you don’t have to. Even better: We’ve already rounded up the best Black Friday phone deals on tap today so you can dive right in with no time wasted.

Best Black Friday phone deals under $500

Motorola Moto G Stylus — $200, was $400

Moto G Stylus 5G
Andrew Martonik / Digital Trends

Want a good 5G Android phone on a budget that doesn’t cut too many corners? Want a stylus with it, to boot? Check out Motorola’s Moto G Stylus, which has been recently updated to offer 5G connectivity. Make no mistake: The Moto G Stylus isn’t a “flagship killer,” nor does it pretend to be. What it is, however, is a solidly built and affordable Android smartphone that comes with 5G network compatibility, a stowaway pen, a very good camera module, and a great-looking 6.8-inch display. The included G Stylus works very well, and the large screen is responsive and great for sketching and note-taking. For $200 for the 256GB model, early Black Friday phone deals don’t get much better than the Moto G Stylus 5G. (And if you want some more storage, you can for just $100 more.)

Google Pixel 6a — $320, was $449

Google Pixel 6a resting against a yellow fire hydrant.
Joe Maring/Digital Trends

The Google Pixel lineup has long stood among the best values in the Android smartphone space. Google stumbled a bit with the fifth-gen Pixel 5, but we’re pleased to report that the sixth-generation Pixel phones did not disappoint. Perhaps our favorite among these (certainly from a value standpoint, at least) is the Google Pixel 6a, which delivers a lot of bang for your buck. Powered by Google’s own Tensor chip, the Pixel 6a offers smooth performance and a slick Android experience. It’s also a nice size with its 6.1-inch touchscreen, which, while only 60Hz, still looks nice and is a vibrant OLED panel. The camera suite is excellent as well, although you’ll have to upgrade to one of the flagship models if you want the latest and greatest. Still, for the money, the Google Pixel 6a is one of the best early Black Friday phone deals up for grabs right now. Holiday shoppers should also take note that its sturdy build and affordable price point also make the Pixel 6a one of the best smartphones for kids.

Best Black Friday phone deals above $500

Google Pixel 6 Pro — $860, was $899

The Google Pixel 6a laying on top of the Google Pixel 6.
Joe Maring/Digital Trends

Moving into “flagship smartphone” territory brings us to Google’s sixth-generation Pixel phones, particularly the Pixel 6 Pro. It’s not Google’s latest flagship, but it packs the company’s Titan M2 chip, which delivers excellent performance. The camera suite is also top-notch — something that the Pixel smartphones have long been known for — with a 50 megapixel main camera, 48MP telephoto camera, 12MP wide-angle lens, and 11MP selfie camera. The 6.4-inch FHD display also boasts a nice 90Hz refresh rate.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra — $1,000, was $1,200

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra in Phantom Black with S Pen.
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

Google may be largely responsible for bringing the Android software ecosystem into existence, but Korean tech giant Samsung is still the king of the hill when it comes to the best Android phones. Case in point is the Galaxy S series, and the Galaxy S22 Ultra represents the pinnacle of Samsung’s current flagship offerings. The Galaxy Ultra devices have pretty much replaced the now-discontinued Note series, so Note fans will be pleased to know that the Galaxy S22 Ultra comes with the beloved S Pen. The stylus works beautifully with the phone’s 6.8-inch 120Hz AMOLED touchscreen, and stows away neatly in its garage when not in use. The S22 Ultra delivers just about everything else, too, including excellent hardware performance, superb software, great build quality, and highly capable camera suite. It’s pricey to be sure, but early Black Friday phone deals let you score it for less than a grand. The for $100 more.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 — $1,500, was $1,800

A way to open apps in multitasking mode on the Galaxy Z Fold 4.
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

You’ve probably noticed that folding phones are a thing thanks to innovations in LCD panel technology. Some, like the Galaxy Flip 4, hark back to the days of the iconic flip phones; others, like the Galaxy Z Fold 4, use that foldability to enhance your screen real estate. It’s not just a gimmick: Samsung has refined the design over the years, so the Galaxy Z Fold 4 isn’t just a great folding phone — it’s one of the best smartphones, period. Its useful cover screen and wide foldout main display add tons of versatility to the standard smartphone design, provided you can accept the trade-off of a thicker frame. The hardware is extremely capable — this is a flagship phone, make no mistake — and when deployed, the inner display essentially turns the Galaxy Fold 4 into a miniature tablet, making it great for videos and mobile games. Its solidly built and water-resistant, too, which is something we want to see with a design like this. It ain’t cheap, but it’s the best device for anybody in the market for a powerful folding phone.

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