Amazon’s October Prime Day sale is approaching, and several smartphones are on sale early. Though you may not find deals on the latest phones released this year, if you’re looking to upgrade to a midrange phone or one from previous release cycles (that are still excellent phones we recommend), you’re in the right place.
Our Picks
Bottom Line
Current price: $1,000 (17% off)
Original price: $1,200
The Samsung Galaxy S26 is one of our picks for the best Samsung phones, with a compact…
Bottom Line
Current price: $1,650 (13% off)
Original price: $2,100
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is our favorite Galaxy phone, due to its thin, light, and well-don…
Bottom Line
Current price: $424 (15% off)
Original price: $499
The Google Pixel 10a is a solid budget option for Android users, offering flagship feature…
Bottom Line
Current price: $449 (10% off)
Original price: $499
The Nothing Phone 4a Pro is one of our favorite budget phones, competing with similarly-sp…
Bottom Line
Current price: $915 (8% off)
Original price: $999
Google’s older flagship, Pro-level phone is equipped with the company’s Tensor G5 processor…
At ZDNET, our editors test every major phone release, putting them through the paces in our lab and in the real world to choose our picks for the best phones you can buy. Here are the best early October Prime Day phone deals so far that we’d recommend. Be sure to check back here, as this list will be updated as the sale progresses.
Also: Best early October Prime Day deals: Save on TVs, smartwatches, and more tech
for $1,000 (save $200)
Samsung Galaxy S26
for $1,650 (save $450)
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8
- Current price: $1,650 (13% off)
- Original price: $2,100
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is our favorite Galaxy phone, due to its thin, light, and well-done foldable display. Though the Z Fold 8 lacks the pro-level camera system and privacy screen of the S26 Ultra, its AMOLED display and 4,800mAh battery make up for it. You can find the Galaxy Z Fold 8 with 256GB of internal storage for $1,650, though the 512GB configuration is also on sale for $1,850.
Review: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8
Google Pixel 10a / Kerry Wan/ZDNET
for $424 (save $75)
Google Pixel 10a
- Current price: $424 (15% off)
- Original price: $499
The Google Pixel 10a is a solid budget option for Android users, offering flagship features like fast charging, a durable frame, and long-term software support in an affordable package. As a budget phone, the Pixel 10a doesn’t have the same internal storage configurations or complex camera system as the Pixel 10 Pro, but if you don’t require a super-duper-capable Android phone, the Pixel 10a is a great choice. The Pixel 10a with 126GB of internal storage is on sale for the lowest price, and the 256GB configuration is also on sale for $524.
Review: Google Pixel 10a
Nothing Phone 4a Pro in silver / Prakhar Khanna/ZDNET
for $449 (save $50)
Nothing Phone (4a) Pro
- Current price: $449 (10% off)
- Original price: $499
The Nothing Phone 4a Pro is one of our favorite budget phones, competing with similarly-specced options from Google and Samsung. The 4a Pro sports an IP65 durability rating, making it dust and waterproof. The 4a Pro features a 144Hz AMOLED display and 5,080mAh of battery capacity. This phone’s 8GB/128GB storage configuration is the cheapest, but the 12GB/256GB configuration is also on sale for $539.
Review: Nothing Phone 4a Pro
for $915 (save $84)
Google Pixel 10 Pro
- Current price: $915 (8% off)
- Original price: $999
Google’s older flagship, Pro-level phone is equipped with the company’s Tensor G5 processor, a 6.3-inch Super Actua display, and a triple-camera system. With the Pixel 11 Pro being Google’s latest flagship phone, you can find deals on last year’s model. This time, the Pixel 10 Pro in Obsidian with 128GB of internal storage, is 8% off,
Also: I captured 1,000 photos with the Google Pixel 10 Pro in Hawaii, and it set a new standard for me
FAQs
When is October Prime Day?
Amazon’s Prime Big Deals Day sale, or October Prime Day, will begin on Tuesday, Oct. 6, through Wednesday, Oct. 7.
How did we choose these deals?
At ZDNET, we write about legitimately good deals on products we’ve tested, covered, and would recommend. All the options on this list were tested by our experts, and several received Editors’ Choice awards for high marks in performance, design, and innovation. If we don’t like a product or wouldn’t recommend it to our friends, families — or even a stranger — we don’t feature it on our site at all.
