Black Friday used to mean genuine tech deals. Now? It mostly means your favorite phone went up £100 in October, so it could come down again this week.
So instead of wading through fake markdowns, dodgy trade-in offers, and “up to £400 off” banners that usually mean “if you sell your soul to a 36-month plan,” I’ve done the digging for you.
This list covers the phones that are actually worth buying this Black Friday; the ones with real discounts, solid specs, and none of the marketing nonsense.
Sound good? Let’s get to it.
Flagship Deals: iPhone, Samsung, and Google
Let’s start with the big hitters; the phones everyone wants, but only some can justify buying. If you’ve been waiting for the right time to upgrade, Black Friday is when the impossible suddenly becomes… mildly affordable.
iPhone 17 Pro / 16 Pro Deals
Apple still doesn’t “do” Black Friday in the traditional sense, but retailers make up for it. Expect gift cards, free accessories, or AppleCare+ discounts from places like John Lewis, Currys, and Amazon.
The iPhone 17 Pro brings that brighter display, refined titanium frame, and Apple Intelligence features that finally feel more useful than gimmicky.
If you don’t need the absolute latest, the iPhone 16 Pro and even the 15 Pro Max often drop several hundred pounds around this time, and they’re both still quality phones.
Google Pixel 10 Pro / Pixel 9
Google’s discounts are always some of the best. Expect £200–£300 off on the Pixel 10 Pro, especially through the Google Store or Amazon. It’s got the usual magic, like class-leading camera quality and AI tools that genuinely make life easier (and occasionally creepy).
If you’re coming from an older Pixel, the 9 Pro is still an incredible buy, especially if you can find it under £900.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra / S24 Ultra
Samsung’s new S25 Ultra is already seeing some early bundle deals, like up to £400 off with trade-ins, plus free Galaxy Buds 3 Pro or a Watch 7.
It’s faster, lighter, and features the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chip with on-device Galaxy AI baked into more apps than ever. The camera’s sharper in low light, and the display? Still the best in the business.
If you’d rather save, the S24 Ultra is now a brilliant value buy, often around £799–£999 for performance that’s barely behind the new model.
Mid-Range Marvels: Real Value Under £500
Not everyone wants to drop a grand on a phone. And spoiler alert: you don’t need to.
The mid-range market has become the sweet spot for performance, design, and battery life, making people like me question why flagships even exist.
Nothing Phone (2)
Around £499 this Black Friday, and it’s still one of the most unique Android phones out there. You get clean software, a genuinely cool design, and solid performance that holds up against pricier rivals.
Samsung Galaxy A55 / A35
Samsung’s mid-range lineup keeps getting better. Expect excellent OLED screens, long battery life, and dependable performance, all backed by Samsung’s long-term software updates. Usually £100–£150 off around Black Friday.
Google Pixel 8a
A smaller, lighter version of the Pixel 8 that still punches way above its weight. Expect flagship-level photos and smooth performance for around £399.
OnePlus 12R
OnePlus’ latest budget flagship is a powerhouse under £450. You can expect a big screen, fast charging, and near-flagship specs, making it an easy recommendation for anyone who values speed over branding.
Budget Heroes: The Phones You’ll Be Shocked Are This Cheap
If you just need something that calls, texts, scrolls, and occasionally doom-scrolls, these are the phones that get it done without punishing your wallet. Perfect for kids, backups, or anyone tired of £1,000 “Pro Max” nonsense.
Moto G Power / G84
Motorola still owns the budget space when it comes to battery life. You’ll get solid performance, a clean Android experience, and a battery that laughs at two-day use, all for around £200.
Redmi Note 13 Pro+
This one’s sneaky good. A 120Hz OLED display, a capable 200MP camera, and genuinely premium design for around £250 during Black Friday. It’s proof that you don’t need to spend a fortune for a great screen.
Samsung Galaxy A15 / A25
Reliable, familiar, and built to last. You get the Samsung name, solid display quality, and regular software updates, perfect for casual users or anyone who just wants something that works.
Trade-In & Network Tricks
Some of the biggest Black Friday savings hide in trade-in offers and network bundles. Here’s how to make those actually work in your favour.
Trade-In Deals That Are Actually Worth It
- Samsung regularly doubles trade-in values during Black Friday. That cracked Galaxy S21 in your drawer could suddenly be worth £250.
- Google often offers £150–£200 credit on Pixels, especially if you’re trading in an older Android.
- Apple, predictably, pays the least. But some retailers will boost your trade-in with vouchers or extended warranties.
Before you hand over your old phone, always check resale sites like Envirofone or MusicMagpie; you might get more cash selling privately.
Network Bundles and Contract “Deals”
Carriers love to bundle phones with freebies like watches, earbuds, or streaming subscriptions, but they’re not always real bargains.
Contracts often hide the cost by stretching payments across 36 months. If you can, buy unlocked and go SIM-only, you’ll usually save more in the long run.
My Advice: Always calculate the total cost over the contract, not just the “£35 per month” headline (it’s never £35).
Accessories Worth Grabbing
Black Friday is also a good time to pick up a few extras. Not the £5 “charging bundle” with RGB lights, but the stuff you’ll still be using six months from now.
Chargers & Cables
With most flagships ditching chargers, now’s the time to grab a proper fast charger.
- Anker Nano II or III: Compact, reliable, and supports up to 65W fast charging.
- Ugreen Nexode series: Great multi-port options for travel.
Cases & Screen Protectors
Skip the generic Amazon bundles. Go for quality:
- Spigen or Caseology for slim protection that doesn’t ruin the design.
- Dbrand Grip if you want a premium feel and actually good grip.
- Paperlike or ESR screen protectors, they’re clear, easy to apply, and bubble-free.
Earbuds & Audio Deals
If you’re upgrading your phone, your old earbuds probably deserve retirement too.
- Samsung Galaxy Buds3 / Buds FE: Great with any Android, often half-price during sales.
- Pixel Buds Pro: Excellent noise cancellation and integration with Pixel devices.
- Sony WF-1000XM5 – Expensive, but top-tier sound and comfort, often £70–£100 off.
My Final Thoughts on the Best Black Friday Phone Deals
After digging through all the fake markdowns, recycled bundles, and suspiciously named phone brands, here’s the short version:
- Best Overall: iPhone 17 Pro - It’s expensive, yes, but this is Apple’s most refined iPhone yet with a lighter titanium frame, better battery life, and Apple Intelligence. If you can find it for even £150–£200 off, that’s as good as it gets for an iPhone.
- Best Android Flagship: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra - The all-round powerhouse. Huge screen, great camera, and multi-day battery. If you see it under £999, that’s your cue.
- Best Mid-Range: Pixel 8a - Flagship-level photos and years of software updates for under £400.
- Best Budget Buy: Samsung Galaxy A15 / A25 - Reliable, bright AMOLED screens, great battery life, and long-term software support, all for under £250. Perfect for everyday use or as a solid backup phone that just works.
My parting advice? Resist the hype, focus on value, and remember: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
