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Best Prime Day smartphone deals for 2021: The best sales you can still shop

All the latest Amazon Prime Day smartphone deals and sales

The sun has set on Prime Day 2021, but a number of Prime Day deals are still available. Even though Prime Day has officially ended, and a lot of the official Amazon deals are done, you may still see something you like for yourself or a loved one. So if you do spot something, be sure to grab it while you can before the sales fully end.

What started as an Amazon-only event has become one of the biggest sale days on the calendar, with bargains on all kinds of items from online stores. Prime Day is the best chance you’ll have all year to scoop up a deal on technology items like smartphones, and even though it’s ended, there are still some deals to be had. If you’ve been waiting to upgrade your phone to something newer or faster, then now is the time to act. Whether you’re after more storage on your device, more memory, a better camera, or updated features for your phone, you’ll find a whole range of options available from manufacturers like Samsung, OnePlus, Microsoft, and more.

The deals available after Prime Day include budget smartphones as well as top-of-the-line flagship models, so there’s something for every budget. If you’re an Apple aficionado, you’ll want to check out the Prime Day iPhone deals as well to see if you can score yourself a shiny new iPhone. Or if you prefer Android and other smartphone options, then read on to see some of the best deals out there. The deals aren’t limited to Amazon either, as the Walmart Deals for Days Sale is still in full swing.

Our team has spotted the best deals from across the internet and rounded them all up into this one convenient post. Keep checking back as deals are changing all the time, and we’ll be keeping this page updated with all the very best deals as they come in.

Best Prime Day smartphone deals still available

OnePlus 8T, a 5G-capable mobile, is one of the best values on the Android market today, sporting flagship quality and features for a sub-flagship price.
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.
Half phone, half tablet, the unique Surface Duo is a versatile device that can handle all your daily mobile tech needs.
Grab the new OnePlus Nord N10 5G smartphone and score a free case or screen protector (your pick) to sweeten the deal.
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.

Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Verizon)

Save up to $800 when you trade in your old or damaged phone.
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.
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.
OnePlus has been blowing up the mid-range flagship alternative scene, and the new OnePlus Nord N100 continues that trend -- and you can grab it for cheap.
FOR NEW CUSTOMERS
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.

Apple iPhone SE 2020 64GB (Verizon)

Save $250 on iPad with iPhone purchase.
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.
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 buy the new Galaxy S21, S21 Plus, or S21 Ultra.
Get the Google Pixel 3 smartphone with a huge discount from Amazon and have the purest Android experience. Add in fantastic photos, and this is deal is a winner.
It's a massive blast from the past, but also futuristic. The new Motorola Razr is an incredible piece of tech, and now it can be yours for even less.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is a premium flagship, offering a nearly bezel-less 6.8-inch 120Hz AMOLED touchscreen. It's pricey, but this big deal can reduce the hit to your wallet.
Powered by 2020 Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 processor, 48MP triple camera system, and 6.6" Max Vision HD, you can capture all the fun moments without worrying about battery, thanks to a 5,000mAh battery.
Activate today and score the incredible Samsung Galaxy S10 for a nice discount.
Feel free to choose the carrier you want with this unlocked Motorola Edge. You get an immersive display and a dependable 5G performance all in one smartphone.

Apple iPhone 12 (All Models, T-Mobile)

Up to $1000 off with trade-in and switch
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.
It may not be the latest OnePlus phone anymore, but you can still grab the striking McLaren Edition OnePlus 7T Pro 5G smartphone for a discount.
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.
WITH PLAN PURCHASE
The new iPhone SE has the heart of an iPhone 11, the body of an iPhone 8, and the price tag of an iPhone 6.
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.
It's not big and it's not flashy, but if you just need a basic phone for basic purpsoes, then this is an exceptional deal that'll save you a LOT of money compared to many other smartphones.
Looking for a modest-sized affordable Android smartphone? You're in luck. The LG K30 has everything you need to text, talk, snap, and browse — at home and on the move.
The Moto G series has long been a household name among budget-friendly Android phones, and this Moto G7 Plus is unlocked for GSM carriers including AT&T and T-Mobile.
You can count on the Motorola Moto G9 Play’s capable 48MP camera system for your photo-op needs, from low-light to close-up photography. The model also comes with a long-lasting 5,000 mAh battery.
Love a stylus, but also love not spending large amounts of money? the Moto G Stylus is the cheapest stylus phone around, and with 128GB of storage it's also a solid performer as well.
If you don't want to activate just yet or are still between service providers, this is a great standalone discount on the premium unlocked Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.

Should you buy a new smartphone in the last-minute Prime Day sales?

Prime Day is 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 these Prime Day smartphone deals are a good place to go.

But there is some advice you should be aware of before you make a purchase. Around Prime Day, as with any other sales period, know your budget and do your research beforehand. Think about what features you need from your phone and don’t be swayed by manufacturer claims. If you don’t take many photos, for example, then you don’t need a top-of-the-line camera. Many smartphone cameras are now so good — even on budget models — that you can take fantastic-looking photographs without needing to shell out a lot of money for extra features you don’t need. Remember that a good deal is only a good deal if you need and benefit from the item.

On the other hand, sometimes you want the best of the best and nothing else. If you love new technology and are willing to splurge, then check out our look at the best smartphones if money is no object. We’ve also looked at the best Android phones and the best cheap smartphones too to help you narrow down your choices to the best option for you.

Another option for purchasing is that you could wait it out until Black Friday when there are also lots of sales on technology items like phones. 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.

How to choose a smartphone on Prime Day

When it comes time to choose a new smartphone, you might feel overwhelmed by the sheer range of options available. If that’s the case, don’t worry! There are a number of factors to consider to narrow down your choices to the right option for you. As long as you stick to a recent model by a reliable manufacturer, you’ll get all the basic features you want from a phone. But thinking more in-depth about your needs and doing some planning in advance can really help you score a phone that isn’t just acceptable but one you love to use.

The first thing to consider is how much money you’re willing to spend. You can get smartphones for under $100, but you’ll get a lot more from your purchase if you move into the budget range of $200 to $500. In this range, you can find models from brands like Nokia, Moto, Google Pixel, and even some of the more affordable iPhones. If you’re willing to spend more than this, you can look into flagship phone models and enjoy some cutting-edge technology to show off to your friends.

The next factor is the operating system and features. Most people have a preference for iOS or Android devices, but switching between the two is certainly not impossible. Both options have a huge range of apps available to cover all your essential needs. The advantage of Android is seamless integrations with commonly-used Google products like Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Assistant. With iOS, you get the slick Apple user experience and features like Siri, FaceTime, and iCloud.

You’ll also want to look at how powerful the smartphone is, in terms of both its processor and the amount of RAM built in. This can get a bit technical if you’re not familiar with phone hardware and is complicated by factors like the fact iOS and Android devices use RAM differently, so numbers aren’t always directly comparable between the two. If in doubt, look for reviews of a specific device you’re interested in and take note of how snappy and responsive the device seems to be.

Another important and often overlooked factor that can majorly affect how much you enjoy using the phone is its size. If you have smaller hands or you like to use your phone one-handed, then a phone that is too large will get in the way. On the other hand, if you like to watch or read a lot of content on your phone, you might enjoy the extra real estate of a larger screen size. Compare the size of your current device to the one you’re thinking about buying and imagine holding it in your hand. Does that size feel good?

One more quality-of-life feature to consider is the phone’s battery life. Most of us use our phones all day long, and a phone that runs out of juice before the end of the day is a massive pain to live with. Don’t only look at the mAh rating for batteries as how long a phone battery will last also depends on things like the phone’s screen size and software. Here, again, looking at reviews will help you out.

Other factors to consider are the amount of storage available, so you can keep all your media on your device, and whether there is an option for additional storage so you can use something like a MicroSD card. And finally, don’t forget that your phone will take its share of knocks and bumps, so check how durable it is and consider purchasing a case to keep it safe as well.

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.

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