Android phone deals January 2021: Free Pixel 4a, $400 Galaxy S10 & more
Getting a new phone in your hands doesn't have to be as expensive as you might think. There are always deals out there on Android phones but they tend to come and go rather quickly with other discounts appearing in their place. However, if you're hoping to buy one of the latest devices on the market, finding a proper deal is easier than ever these days.
Best Android Phone Deals
When it comes to buying a new smartphone, there are two main types of deals to consider. You could buy your new phone unlocked so that you own it and can bring it to any carrier where it's compatible, or you can purchase devices through carrier deals at a retailer such as Verizon or T-Mobile.
Carrier deals generally make you pay for the device in monthly installments and require that you add a line of service, which means you'll be locked into paying for the device (and your service contract) for a few years. Deals like these can be excellent if you're willing or need to switch carriers, but if you don't want to switch your service, you probably want to stick to deals on unlocked devices.
Best unlocked Android phone dealsOnePlus Nord N100 with free OnePlus Bullets Headphones | $179.99 at OnePlus
OnePlus is including a free pair of its OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z earbuds when you pre-order the new Nord N100! That's a $50 savings, though the deal ends on January 15 once the device is officially released.
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G | from $499.99 at Best Buy
Best Buy is offering up to $200 off the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE unlocked right now. Activating the device today will save you the most on the purchase, though choosing not to activate can still save you $100 instantly.
Samsung Galaxy S20+ | from $799.99 at Best Buy
Samsung's Galaxy S20+ is currently discounted by up to $400 at Best Buy which is great because it's an incredible phone. While we recommend the Galaxy S20 FE for most people, the S20+ is worth the extra money for its improved screen and cameras, and its sleeker metal-and-glass design. Plus, with 12GB of RAM, this thing will keep going for years and years and years. You'll save the most by activating the device today on Sprint, though activating it on another carrier or activating it later can save you up to $350 as well.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 | $799.99 at B&H
The unlocked Samsung Galaxy Note 20 is now available at a $200 discount via B&H for a limited time. This device comes with a built-in stylus and is compatible with GSM carriers.
Samsung Galaxy S10 | from $399.99 at Best Buy
Samsung's Galaxy S10 is currently down to $500 at Best Buy, saving you $200 off its regular price. This device features 8GB RAM, 128GB storage, and can be used with most major carriers as it's GSM and CDMA compatible. Then again, you can save up to $100 extra when you activate the device today at best Buy.
LG G8X ThinQ Dual Screen | from $399.99 at Best Buy
This unique smartphone has two screens and is currently discounted by up to $100 at Best Buy when you activate it today on the carrier of your choice.
OnePlus 8 Pro | $925.92 at Amazon
Pick up the OnePlus 8 Pro in Ultramarine Blue at nearly $75 off via Amazon right now. This device has 12GB RAM, 256GB storage, Quad Camera, and a beautiful 120Hz fluid display. It even features the Amazon Alexa voice assistant built-in.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra | $999.99 at B&H
Save $300 on the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra today at B&H. This sale comes with free expedited shipping and is available on the Mystic Black, Mystic Bronze, and Mystic White colorways.
Moto G Power | $219.99 at Amazon
One of the best low-cost Android phones you can buy right now is the Moto G Power. The big draw to the phone is its 5,000 mAh battery, which allows for up to three days of use on a single charge. Talk about long endurance. It's discounted $30 for a limited time.
Moto G | $149.99 at Target
Save $50 on the Moto G smartphone today at Target and use a RedCard to save an additional 5% at checkout. This device features 3GB RAM, 32GB storage, a battery that can last for two days, a 6.4-inch HD display, and a 16MP triple camera system. It's even water-repellant.
TCL 10 Pro | $359.99 at Amazon
TCL's 10 Pro is an affordable powerhouse with a 6.47-inch AMOLED display with NXTVISION tech, a quad-camera setup, Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 octa-core processor, and 6GB of RAM. It has a 128GB capacity, expandable via microSD. Use the on-page coupon to save $90 instantly today.
TCL 10L | $199.99 at Amazon
The 64GB TCL 10L offers great bang-for-your-buck with a huge, adjustable display and clean TCL UI software. Its hardware is solid for the price and the inclusion of NFC for mobile payments is rare in the phone's price range. Today's deal saves you $50 when you clip the coupon on its product page.
Samsung Note 20 Ultra | Up to $675 off with trade-in at Samsung
Save up to $600 on the Note 20 Ultra when you trade-in an eligible device at Samsung. Even devices with cracked screens can earn you up to $340. Plus, the Samsung Discount Program can save some people an additional $75. Use code BLACKFRIDAY50REV for a free $20 Samsung Credit with purchase.
OnePlus Nord N10 (128GB) | $299.99 at B&H
Pre-order the 128GB model of the new OnePlus Nord N10 at B&H and you'll also score a $50 B&H gift card with the purchase! B&H includes free expedited shipping as well; shipping begins on January 15. This device is unlocked and compatible with GSM and CDMA carriers.
Motorola Edge | $499.52 at Amazon
The Motorola Edge has a massive 6.7-inch 90Hz OLED panel, Snapdragon 765G chipset with 5G connectivity, 6GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, 64MP camera at the back, 25MP front camera, and a 4500mAh battery with 18W fast charge. For what you're paying here, you are getting an incredible deal.
Best carrier Android phone dealsGoogle Pixel 4a with free B&O Wireless Speaker and $100 back at Visible
Visible uses Verizon's 4G LTE network while offering some of the most affordable phone plans around at just $40/month! Today you can score a $100 prepaid Mastercard when you switch to Visible and buy the Google Pixel 4a either outright or with monthly device payments starting at $14/month. You'll also get a free Bang & Olufsen Beosound Wireless Speaker with the purchase.
Google Pixel 5 | Get up to $750 off at Verizon
Verizon is offering up to $700 off the cost of the Google Pixel 5 when you buy another at regular price and add a new line of service. Verizon will give you $50 back in Verizon Dollars when you open a Verizon Visa(R) Card and buy this device with it. You can apply at checkout.
Note 20 or Note 20 Ultra | Buy one, get one $1,000 off at Verizon
Verizon is offering $1,000 off the Note 20 or Note 20 Ultra when you buy two and add a new line of service on a premium Unlimited line. Verizon even includes free Stream TV and 5G access at no extra charge, as well as PlayStation Plus and PlayStation Now subscriptions.
OnePlus 8 5G | Free at T-Mobile
T-Mobile is offering the OnePlus 8 5G for free when you trade-in an eligible device and add a new line. Some older devices will earn you $375 off instead of the full $600 discount.
OnePlus 8 | Free $200 prepaid Mastercard and B&O Wireless Speaker at Visible
Visible is offering a free $200 prepaid Mastercard Virtual Account when you switch to Visible, port-in your current number, and buy the OnePlus 8. You'll also score a free Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Wireless Speaker with the purchase. Though the phone has higher monthly payments here than at retailers above, Visible's $40 all-in monthly plan for unlimited talk, text, and data helps to make this a better deal overall.
Google Pixel 4a 5G | 50% off at T-Mobile
The Pixel 4a 5G is one of the best Android values of 2021, and right now, T-Mobile has a great deal on it. If you join the carrier, pick an eligible plan, and purchase the 4a 5G on a monthly installment plan, you can get up to $250 back through monthly bill credits.
Google Pixel 4a | Free with select Unlimited plans at Verizon
The Google Pixel 4a features design upgrades, an enhanced camera, and all-day battery life that puts other budget smartphones to shame. Today's deal at Verizon scores you the device for free when you add a line on select unlimited plans.
How much should you spend on a phone?The weird thing about shopping for a phone is that there are two ways to do it: outright, or through your carrier. (Actually, there a few more ways to do it - financing it through the manufacturer itself, or buying it used, but we'll focus on the first two now.)
Buying a phone unlocked means you're spending more for the phone upfront in exchange for spending less on your monthly phone bill. That's because when you buy a phone through your carrier, its cost is amortized over the length of your contract, usually around 18 to 24 months.
Things get a bit more complicated on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, because companies are playing with their prices in ways they don't usually during other times of the year. Yes, phones do go on sale in March and August, but November is really when things start getting competitive.
The other thing to keep in mind is that the more expensive phones - the Galaxy Note 20 Ultras of the world, for example - will usually have the largest percentage drop in terms of discounts, but overall, they're still going to be far more expensive than the mid-range options that, honestly, offer almost as good an experience for less than half the price.
If you're set on getting a phone through your carrier, Black Friday and Cyber Monday really are the best times to get them, since they're more willing to negotiate or make exceptions on your monthly plan pricing in exchange for picking up a new phone. Most carriers are looking for new signups, so if you're willing to switch providers entirely you can likely get at least one, if not two, free smartphones for your trouble.
Either way, do a bunch of research before you buy. We have a list of the best Android phones and the best cheap Android phones to help you make your decision. I recommend you give those a look before pressing buy on anything above.