Android phone deals May 2021: $800 off Galaxy S21 and 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 dealsSamsung Galaxy S21 | As low as $49.99 at Samsung
Samsung is the best place to snag the new Galaxy S21 right now. While you won't get a direct price drop, if you order there you will receive six months of Sirius XM and four months of YouTube Premium for free. You can trade-in your old phone to save up to $700 off its full price instantly; eligible customers can use the Samsung Discount Program to save another $38.
Nokia 5.4 | $70 off at Best Buy
The 128GB Nokia 5.4 Android smartphone is now on sale unlocked for just $180, saving you $70 off its usual cost. Along with a 6.39-inch HD display, this phone features 4GB RAM, expandable storage, and offers Dual SIM support for two phone numbers.
Google Pixel 3 64GB Smartphone | $200 at Daily Steals
Score the Pixel 3 on sale for only $200 today at Daily Steals. This device is GSM and CDMA compatible, features a5.5-inch OLED display, and comes with 64GB storage + 4GB RAM.
Samsung Galaxy S20+ | from $849.99 at Best Buy
Samsung's Galaxy S20+ is currently discounted by up to $350 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. You'll save the most by activating the device today on Verizon, though activating it on another carrier can save you quite a bit as well.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra | $819.99 at B&H
The unlocked 256GB Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is now available at a $280 discount via B&H for a limited time. This device comes with a built-in stylus and is compatible with GSM carriers. Plus, the deal's available on the Mystic Black, Mystic Bronze, and Mystic White colorways.
Moto G7 Plus | from $69.99 at Best Buy
The Motorola G7 Plus is now on sale for only $119.99 at Best Buy, though you can drop its price even lower to just $69.99 if you activate it today with AT&T. This unlocked device can only be used on GSM networks.
Moto G Fast | $30 off at Amazon
Save $30 on the Moto G Fast smartphone instantly at Amazon. 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 | from $270 at Best Buy
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. Best Buy is offering up to $100 off its regular price when you choose 'Activate Today' on the product page.
TCL 10L | $174.99 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 $75 at Amazon when you clip the coupon on its product page.
Samsung Note 20 Ultra | Up to $450 off with trade-in at Samsung
Save up to $450 on the Note 20 Ultra when you trade-in an eligible device at Samsung. Even devices with cracked screens can earn you up to $343 off. Plus, the Samsung Discount Program can save some customers an additional $98.
OnePlus 8T with free case | $150 off at OnePlus
The unlocked OnePlus 8T is now discounted by $150 at OnePlus! This is one of the fastest Android phones on the market. It features a stunning 120Hz AMOLED flat display with 256GB storage and 12GB RAM. You'll also score a free case with the purchase.
BLU Studio Mini | $69.99 at Amazon
The BLU Studio Mini features a 5.5-inch HD curved glass display with a 13MP rear camera and an 8MP selfie camera. It also comes equipped with 32GB internal storage, 2GB RAM, and a microSD card slot that lets you add an additional 64GB of storage. Regularly sold for less than $100, it makes this one of the most affordable ways to get an Android device in your hands before even considering today's discount.
Best carrier Android phone dealsSamsung Galaxy S21 | Free at Verizon
Verizon's offering $800 off the S21 when you trade in an eligible phone and add a line on select Unlimited plans. You can also score $200 back and the Verizon Stream TV for free with the purchase when you switch to Verizon and port-in your number to an Unlimited plan.
Samsung Galaxy S21 | $100 with trade-in at AT&T
Get the Galaxy S21 for free when you trade-in an eligible device at AT&T and add a line on an Unlimited plan! This deal is available for new and existing customers and saves you $700 off the device's regular cost. You can also add the Galaxy Tab S5e to your purchase for only $5 per month.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | Up to $700 off at AT&T
Both new and existing AT&T customers can get up to $700 off any Samsung Galaxy S21 series phone with the trade-in of an eligible device and choosing 30-month installment payments while adding a line on an AT&T unlimited plan. That means you can effectively get the Galaxy S21 Ultra for just $499.99 there. You can also add the Galaxy Tab S5e to your purchase for only $5 per month.
Google Pixel 4a with $150 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 $150 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 score a free Nimble Fast-Charging Bundle with the purchase.
Google Pixel 5 with $100 back at Visible
Visible is offering a $100 prepaid Mastercard with your purchase of the Google Pixel 5 today. You'll also receive a free Nimble Fast-Charging Bundle with the purchase. The Pixel 5 is equipped with a 6-inch FHD+ display, 128GB storage, dual rear cameras as well as an 8MP front-facing camera, and an integrated fingerprint sensor.
Moto G Power | $216 at Visible
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. Visible is including a $100 prepaid Mastercard and a free Amazon Fire TV Stick when you switch to Visible, port-in your current number and purchase this device.
Note 20 or Note 20 Ultra | Save up to $1,000 at Verizon
Verizon is offering up to $800 off the Note 20 or Note 20 Ultra when you trade-in an eligible device for a limited time, or you can buy one and save up to $1,000 on another. Verizon even includes free Stream TV and 5G access at no extra charge.
OnePlus 8 | Free $50 prepaid Mastercard at Visible
Visible is offering a free $50 prepaid Mastercard Virtual Account when you switch to Visible, port-in your current number, and buy the OnePlus 8. 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.
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G | $10 per month at Verizon
Score the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G device for just $10 monthly with an Unlimited plan at Verizon. This phone has a vivid 6.5-inch Infinity-O display and a quick 120Hz refresh rate, along with triple rear cameras with Space Zoom and a 32MP front-facing camera.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 | Up to $1,000 off at Verizon
Verizon is offering $1,000 off the all-new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 when you purchase another at regular price with monthly device payments, or trade-in an eligible device to save up to $800 if you just want one. This 256GB device has a foldable screen so you can use it like a phone or a tablet.
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.