Best Prime Day Phone Deals 2021: Weekend Deals Begin

It’s the weekend before Prime Day 2021, and that means Prime Day deals are here! Prime Day 2021 technically runs on June 21 and June 22, but the sales extravaganza always starts early, with some deals coming out the days before the official Prime Day dates.

This means we’re already seeing plenty of great Prime Day smartphone sales, making this the ideal time to buy if you’re looking to upgrade your existing smartphone. Whether you’re looking for a budget handset or something far more premium, we’ve got everything you need to know about Prime Day smartphone deals that are already live and those that might be coming.

You don’t need to wait for Prime Day to officially start. Some deals have already begun, and it’s likely some of these deals will rival those we’ll see on Prime Day itself.

The best smartphone deals happening now

The OnePlus 8 Pro is one of our favorite OnePlus phones. It holds its own with the iPhone 12 and Galaxy S20 with its world-class display and buttery smooth performance — and it's cheaper. More Less

Buy at Amazon

Live life in the lap of luxury with the Galaxy S21 Ultra, which delivers superb performance and boasts a world-class 8K camera. Its 1440p screen lets you enjoy videos and play games in crisp Quad HD. More Less

Buy at Best Buy

WITH ACTIVATION

Thanks to its AMOLED+ screen, the A71 has a bigger and brighter display that lets you watch media and take photos and videos clearly. And with a 64MP main camera, you can capture moments in hi-res. More Less

Buy at Best Buy

With its long-lasting battery and 5G connectivity, the new Galaxy S21 is the ideal Samsung smartphone for those who want the a new flagship -- without paying nearly a grand. More Less

Buy at Verizon

Samsung currently has one of the best trade-in deals, offering the Galaxy Note 20 for as low as $325 or the Note 20 Ultra for as low as $600. Activate with any major carrier or buy unlocked. More Less

Buy at Samsung

WITH PORT-IN

If you're looking to ditch the traditional carriers for a more economical prepaid service provider, then Cricket Wireless has the new iPhone SE on sale for a nice discount if you bring your number. More Less

Buy Now

You can't beat a classic -- especially when it's free. New or current Verizon customers who sign up for an unlimited plan can score the 2020 iPhone SE for no charge. More Less

Buy at Verizon

FREE $100 SAMSUNG CREDIT

If you have a device to trade and you aren't interested in carrier BOGO or bill credit rebates, Samsung has a nice trade-in offer when you pre-order the new Galaxy S21, S21 Plus, or S21 Ultra. More Less

Buy at Samsung

T-Mobile has a ton of offers for new and current customers on all models of the new iPhone 12, with massive savings available (via bill credits) when you trade in and switch. More Less

Buy at T-Mobile

The Samsung Galaxy S8 is 2017's flagship model and still a solid choice with excellent battery life. This factory unlocked version can be used on any U.S. carrier. More Less

Buy at Amazon

The 2019 Google Pixel 4 is still a fantastic phone and an unbeatable value now that the Pixel 5 is out. New or current Verizon customers can score what might be the best price on one right now. More Less

Buy at Amazon

What Prime Day smartphone deals to expect

Technology is one of the strongest categories in the Prime Day sales and we’re expecting to see great Prime Day smartphone deals on all the biggest smartphone names. That means brands such as the Apple iPhone and Samsung Galaxy range are likely to be discounted, along with the likes of more inexpensive phones such as those from Motorola, Oppo, Nokia, LG, and much more.

Prime Day smartphone sales tend to encompass a wide range of budgets so whether you’re looking for something that only costs about $100 or investing in a $1,000 behemoth, there should be something on sale here for you.

What Prime Day smartphone deals we saw last year

Last year saw big price cuts on some huge brands. Those deals included substantial discounts on the Samsung Galaxy S20 and S10 range, Prime Day smartphone deals for OnePlus phones, and price drops for the Motorola Moto range.

Most impressively, there was up to $200 off the Samsung Galaxy S20 range with up to 47% off other Samsung Galaxy smartphones, too. iPhones saw similar discounts with older iPhones such as the iPhone XR and iPhone XS, seeing hundreds of dollars slashed off their prices as part of Prime Day’s smartphone deals.

Should you buy a new smartphone on Prime Day?

Prime Day is generally a good sales event for buying any kind of technology with smartphones often discounted heavily during this time. If you’re looking for a new smartphone then Prime Day smartphone deals are a good place to go.

As always, know your budget and do your research beforehand. A good deal is only a good deal if you need and benefit from the item. Check out our look at the best smartphones if money is no object and you want the best out there. We’ve also looked at the best Android phones and the best cheap smartphones too.

You could wait it out until Black Friday, but odds are if you’re considering purchasing a phone now, you probably want to use it straight away rather than wait for months. Bear in mind though that new iPhones are typically announced in September so it might be worth your while waiting until Black Friday (if you can) if your heart is set on an Apple device and you want the best price possible.

We strive to help our readers find the best deals on quality products and services, and we choose what we cover carefully and independently. The prices, details, and availability of the products and deals in this post may be subject to change at anytime. Be sure to check that they are still in effect before making a purchase.

Digital Trends may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers.

The best smartphone deals happening now

What Prime Day smartphone deals to expect

What Prime Day smartphone deals we saw last year

Should you buy a new smartphone on Prime Day?

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