Best Phone Deals: Save on Google Pixel 7, Galaxy S22 Ultra

New year, new you, new mobile, maybe? While January might not seem like the obvious month to grab yourself one of the best smartphones around, you’ll be surprised at just how many amazing deals are out there right now. We’ve done the hard work and gathered all the best phone deals around, including Google Pixel deals, Samsung Galaxy deals, iPhone deals, 5G phone deals, and more. There are some excellent offers on, so you can treat yourself to a shiny new smartphone without blowing the budget. Keep reading and we’ll take you through all the best deals, and why they’re so appealing.

Google Pixel 7 (Unlocked) — $499, was $599

Google Pixel 7 home screen with rainbow gradient wallpaper in light
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Trends

Why Buy:

  • Compact and lightweight
  • Flagship-level performance
  • Outstanding cameras
  • IP67 water resistance

While you certainly may debate between the Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, one thing is certain, they’re both some of the newest Google handsets. The Pixel 7 is equipped with Google’s Tensor G2 chip, for faster, more secure experiences, plus the Titan M2 security chip for built in layered-security.  You get 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage for photos, media, and more — plus you can always choose models with more storage if you need it.

Its compact footprint and 6.3-inch OLED panel with Full HD+ 1,080 x 2,400 resolution ensures the Pixel 7 slides effortlessly into a pocket and is comfortable to use with one hand. Everything looks stunning on the display, from videos to photos, and the 90Hz refresh rate keeps everything fluid and smooth. Corning Gorilla Glass Victus covers the screen, and there’s an IP68 rating to ensure your phone stays safe on rainy days.

You’re also getting Google’s outstanding cameras, with a 50MP Octa PD Quad Bayer main camera with OIS, a 12MP ultrawide, and an 10.8MP selfie camera. Expect great shots indoors and out, though details are a little softer in low-light conditions. Of course, you also get all of Google’s camera features like Portrait Mode, Magic Eraser (bye-bye photo bombers), Photo Sphere, and the new Camouflage tool.

The Pixel 7 runs Android 13 out of the box, and Google provides three years of OS upgrades and five years of security updates, making this a solid future-proof choice and one of the best phone deals for under $500. The 4,355mAh battery should easily see you through a full day of use, and works well alongside Pixel’s Adaptive Battery solution which stretches the battery up to 24 hours in a minimal mode or up to 72 hours in Extreme Battery Saver mode. Fast-charging is onboard too, of course. It is QI-certified and offers wireless and fast wireless charging, as well as battery share with compatible devices.

Samsung Galaxy S22 (Unlocked) — $565, was $850

Purple Samsung Galaxy S22 front and back.
Andrew Martonik / DIgital Trends

Why Buy:

  • Compact design
  • Gorgeous flat OLED display
  • Excellent cameras
  • Samsung’s unbeatable updates promise

If the S22 Ultra seems like overkill, the Samsung Galaxy S22 is likely the phone for you, and it’s one of the best phone deals out there right now. Samsung’s latest flagship boasts top-notch build quality with a glass rear panel and Gorilla Glass Victus for durability. Unlike some larger flagship phones, the relatively compact 6.1-inch Super AMOLED display means this phone is perfect for one-handed use, and its smaller size is pocket-friendly, too. That display packs HDR10+ and a 2,340 x 1,080 pixel resolution, with a variable 48Hz to 120Hz refresh rate that’s a battery boon (more on that shortly).

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor is more than capable of handling whatever you want to do, from playing fast-paced multiplayer games to opening multiple browser tabs, multitasking with your favorite apps, or streaming video. There’s 256GB of onboard storage (though the MicroSD card slot has gone the way of the Dodo). The cameras are excellent, too, with a 50MP main lens, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP telephoto with 3 x optical zoom, plus a 10MP selfie cam. You’ll take some great snaps with this camera setup — portrait mode provides amazing results, while night mode support ensures you can get crisp, clear shots even in low light conditions.

The S22 runs Android 12 with Samsung’s OneUI 4.1, and you’ll benefit from Samsung’s industry-leading updates promise, with four years of Android OS upgrades and five years of security updates. The only real downside to the S22 vs. the S22 Ultra is its minuscule 3,700mAh battery. Sadly, it won’t see you through more than a day of use without a top-up. It takes around an hour for a full charge with a 25W wired charger (though there’s no charger in the box). Battery life aside, though, this is a top effort from Samsung and a must-buy for anybody who finds many of today’s flagships too hefty or ungainly to hold one-handed.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 (Unlocked) — $740, was $1060

Diablo Immortal cinematic on Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 cover screen.
Nadeem Sarwar / DigitalTrends

Why Buy:

  • Stylish clamshell design
  • A unique talking point
  • Great screen
  • Water resistance

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is the latest generation of Samsung’s folding smartphone, and there are some key improvements over the previous generation. Its cute clamshell design makes it look like an old-school flip phone, and when closed, its compact form factor makes it easy to slide into a pocket. Don’t be fooled by its stylish design though, as it’s surprisingly robust.

With its flatter frame and slightly smaller hinge, it’s even more compact than ever before, and the hinge is designed to survive over 200,000 folds during its lifetime — that’s around 100 folds per day over five years of use. It opens and closes smoothly and can be propped up at almost any angle for video calls or hands-free Netflix binges. The rear panels have a frosty matte finish and Gorilla Glass Victus — it’s on the cover screen too — while Samsung’s Armor Aluminum frame and an IPX8 water resistance rating ensure this phone will stand the test of time.

The closed phone offers the same 1.9-inch Super AMOLED cover screen as its predecessor, great for checking notifications, accessing widgets, adjusting quick settings, and more. The star of the show here is the 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED screen with 2,640 x 1,080 resolution, HDR10+, 1,200 nits of peak brightness, and a variable 120Hz refresh rate. Whether you’re playing the latest Android games, watching videos, or just checking your email, everything looks crisp, colorful, and clear. Yes, there’s a crease on the open screen, but after you’ve spent a few hours with the phone, it’s practically unnoticeable. Under the hood, you get the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of onboard storage.

When it comes to cameras, the setup here is fairly basic but solid, with a 12MP primary and 12MP ultrawide shooter plus a 10MP selfie cam. It’s the exact same setup as the Galaxy Z Flip 3, but this time around Samsung says the main camera is 65% brighter, so it handles nighttime shots well — great if you’re often shooting past sunset. The battery has received a 500mAh bump too, with its 3,700mAh dual-cell battery seeing you easily through a full day of use, plus 25W wired charging and 10W wireless charging.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is a truly unique phone that’s sure to spark conversation among your friends, and at this price, it really is a no-brainer.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Unlocked) — $820, was $1,300

Best Android Phone 2022 Galaxy S22 Ultra in hand with S Pen feat image.

Why Buy:

  • Stunning screen
  • Built-in S Pen
  • Powerful processor
  • Two-day battery life

Anyone looking for the best smartphone around right now would be wise to choose the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. This powerhouse is one of the best Samsung phones around, packing the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor and 12GB of RAM for speedy multitasking and playing all the latest Android games. You get 256GB of onboard storage, but the highlight here is definitely the stunning 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED screen. With its 120Hz refresh rate and a maximum resolution of 3,088 x 1,440, it has peak brightness of 1,750 nits, so everything on the screen is visible even in direct sunlight. You also get 256GB of onboard storage, though there’s no MicroSD card slot here to expand that.

For those dreaming nostalgically of the now-defunct Galaxy Note line, the S22 Ultra has an S Pen stylus that’s great for taking notes or sketching, housed in a storage slot on the bottom of the phone, so it won’t go astray. With a versatile quad-camera array — a 108MP main wide len, two 10MP telephoto lenses, and a 12MP ultrawide — the S22 Ultra takes gorgeous photos in any lighting conditions, with Samsung’s signature colorful touch. A nice addition is the 100x Space Zoom for astrophotography.

Throw in Android 12 alongside Samsung’s OneUI, two-day battery life, and 45W fast charging (though there’s no charger in the box), and it’s easy to see why the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is an excellent futureproof choice that regularly tops best smartphone lists. At this price, it’s one of the best phone deals around.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 (Unlocked) — $1,185, was $1,920

The Galaxy Z Fold 4 open in a person's hands.
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

Why Buy:

  • Latest processor
  • 512GB of onboard storage
  • Great for productivity
  • Stylish foldable design

For those tempted to dip their toe into the foldable market, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 regularly tops lists of the best folding phones around. This is the fourth generation of Samsung’s flagship foldable, with some marked improvements over the Galaxy Z Fold 3. It’s not quite as tall and not quite as slim, making it much easier to hold, the cover screen is slightly larger, it’s a little less hefty than its predecessor, and it sports a new hinge design that makes one-handed use easier.

Let’s be honest, the folding design and dual displays are the reason to buy the Z Fold 4. The 7.6-inch 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED display ensures everything looks stunning, from Netflix shows to family photos, and the 6.2-inch 120Hz cover screen lets you start out using an app there before switching to the main screen.

Under the hood, the latest Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip paired with 12GB of RAM ensures this productivity powerhouse is ready for anything, from multitasking to opening multiple browser tabs and playing the latest fast-paced games. Android 12L, made with larger screens in mind, lets you split the screen into four apps at once, and there’s a new Taskbar that works like Windows Taskbar, allowing you to add icons to the bottom of the screen.

Battery life is solid, though heavy use will mean you’ll need to top up at the end of the day, and there’s 512GB of storage which should be more than enough for most people. There’s no MicroSD card slot here, so the storage you get can’t be expanded, which is a good thing as you won’t fill your device up with files and photos you don’t need.

There’s also a versatile triple rear camera with 50MP main, 12MP wide-angle, and 10MP telephoto lenses offering subtle but meaningful upgrades over the Galaxy Z Fold 3, and you can shoot 8K video at 24fps. Plus, you’ll benefit from Samsung’s industry-leading updates promise: four years of software updates and five years of security updates, making the Galaxy Z Fold 4 an excellent future-proof purchase.

Editors’ Recommendations