These are the 19 best Prime Day phone deals I'd actually buy myself

ZDNet

TechnologyZDNet·Jun 23, 2026·14 min read

These are the 19 best Prime Day phone deals I'd actually buy myself

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Amazon Prime Day is running from June 23 through June 26 this year, but you don't have to wait to score a great deal on a new phone. Amazon has already begun rolling out early discounts on some of the year's most popular mobile devices, making now a great time to upgrade. Whether you're shopping for a flagship model, a budget-friendly Android handset, or a cheaper iPhone, there are already some worthwhile offers available.

Also: June Prime Day live blog 2026: We're tracking Amazon deals on SSDs, TVs, laptops and more

Here at ZDNET, I review several major smartphone releases and track deals of even more throughout the year. Something I've noticed is that buying a new phone is more complicated than ever in 2026. Between rising prices, economic instability, and a market packed with excellent options at every price point, finding the right device can be challenging.

To help make your decision easier, I have sifted through Amazon's Prime Day promotions and rounded up the phone deals worth your attention.

Find Prime Day deals

Best Apple phone Prime Day deals

Current price: $1,000 (20% off)

Original price: $1,250

Kicking off the list is this renewed iPhone 17 Pro. Multiple configurations are on sale. The one that I recommend is the 512GB model that comes in the eye-catching Cosmic Orange color.

This flagship model is powered by the A19 Pro chipset, providing top-tier performance for every type of task, from gaming to video editing as well as enabling the various Apple Intelligence features. It boasts a high-quality 6.9-inch ProMotion OLED screen. Colors are vibrant, brightness levels are excellent for the outdoors, and on-screen animations are velvety smooth thanks to the 120Hz refresh rate. Similar to the iPhone 17 Pro Max, it comes with a titanium-based design and advanced camera system.

Current price: $252.25 (20% off)

Original price: $315.85

Years after its release, the iPhone 13 remains one of the most dependable iPhone models Apple has ever released. Much of this longevity comes from the A15 Bionic chipset, which still delivers fast, responsive performance for everyday tasks. It comes with a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen outputting at a sharp 2532 x 1170 resolution. While it lacks the advanced visual features found on the iPhone 13 Pro models, the display is great, producing vibrant colors and dark shadows. Its compact aluminum frame is comfortable to hold. Also, the dual camera system has aged gracefully, capable of capturing highly detailed photos across a range of lighting conditions.

Best Samsung phone Prime Day deals

Current price: $935 (28% off)

Original price: $1,300

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra isn't a major upgrade from its predecessor. Instead, it successfully refines an already winning formula with a sleeker design, smarter software features, and several meaningful quality-of-life improvements. Its standout feature is Privacy Display, which obscures the screen's view at certain angles to keep sensitive information hidden from nearby onlookers. Powering the flagship is Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, delivering flagship performance. Whether you're juggling multiple apps or playing demanding mobile games, the Galaxy S26 Ultra will stay fast, responsive, and remarkably smooth.

Longevity is another major strength, as the phone's 5,000 mAh battery comfortably lasts a full day. After testing the Galaxy S26 Ultra, ZDNET Contributing Writer Prakhar Khanna found that the device still had roughly 25% battery remaining after an entire day of use.

Review: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

Current price: $700 (22% off)

Original price: $900

Samsung's Galaxy S26 may be the entry-level model in its series, but it still delivers much of the same premium experience as the S26 Ultra. It supports the improved photo-editing tools of the Ultra model, as well as the Document Scanner, Now Brief, and the upgraded Circle to Search feature. You can even choose between Bixby, Gemini, or Perplexity as your main AI assistant.

Its screen isn't as nice; however, it is still solid. The base S26 features a 6.3-inch Full HD+ AMOLED screen running at 120Hz, delivering vibrant visuals, high detail, and smooth scrolling. Performance is rock-solid, thanks to a custom-built Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset.

Current price: $1,620 (18% off)

Original price: $2,200

Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 sits at the premium end of foldable smartphones, combining flagship performance with one of the most versatile form factors available today. Like the Galaxy S26 Ultra, it runs on Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, providing the power needed for multitasking and the company's AI-powered features.

When closed, the Fold 7 functions like a traditional smartphone thanks to its spacious 6.5-inch outer display. Open it up, however, and the device transforms into an 8-inch mini tablet. The larger inner display is perfect for reading, gaming, and working across several apps, making the Galaxy Z Fold 7 surprisingly effective at productivity tasks. You can have one app on one half of the screen and another on the other half.

Samsung also equipped the phone with a 200MP main camera that captures highly detailed images with excellent clarity.

Review: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

Current price: $560 (44% off)

Original price: $1,000

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 FE brings the foldable phone experience of the base Flip7 to a lower price point. Powered by the Exynos 2400 chipset and 8GB of RAM, the device handles everyday productivity, media streaming, and multitasking with relative ease. On the outside is a 3.4-inch FlexWindow that lets users access specific apps and interact with notifications. With Samsung's FlexMode, you can enjoy hands-free photography with the 50MP main lens too. Other notable features include integration with Gemini Live, a 4,000mAh battery, and support for the company's broader ecosystem of devices and software.

Current price: $400 (26% off)

Original price: $540

Samsung's Galaxy A37 is a well-rounded midrange smartphone that delivers a strong overall experience. My favorite feature is the addition of optical image stabilization to the 50MP main camera. It helps the lens capture sharper photos and steadier videos while moving.

It houses a large 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display running at a 120Hz refresh rate. A screen like this will make you feel like you're using a high-end device. Images are wonderfully vibrant, and the high refresh rate ensures fluid scrolling. Battery life is another standout feature. Its 5,000 mAh battery can comfortably last a full day.

Note that this deal is for the 256GB model.

Review: Galaxy A37

Best early Google Pixel Prime Day deals

Current price: $545 (32% off)

Original price: $799

The Pixel 9 is an interesting device because it was the first of Google's phones to blur the line between base and Pro models. It delivers a user experience akin to a high-end model. A big part of this is the Tensor G4 chip and 16GB of RAM, providing fast, fluid performance for productivity tasks and gaming. The dual-camera system includes a 50MP main sensor and a then-new 48MP ultrawide lens to produce highly detailed, vibrant photographs. It runs on a 4,700mAh battery, which allows the Pixel 9 to last a full day on a single charge.

Current price: $440 (12% off)

Original price: $499

The Pixel 9a is the midrange model for the Pixel 9 series. A phone like this typically doesn't perform as well as higher-end devices. That's true to an extent, but in certain areas, it's better than the base Pixel 9.

Like the previous entry, it runs on the Tensor G4 chipset alongside 8GB of RAM. That is half the memory of the Pixel 9, but it still delivers smooth performance, responsive multitasking, and access to Google's Gemini AI features. The phone sports a vibrant 6.3-inch OLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 2,700-nit brightness. One advantage that the Pixel 9a possesses is its huge 5,100mAh battery, ensuring excellent all-day endurance.

Current price: $799 (27% off)

Original price: $1,099

Google's Pixel 9 Pro XL was once the company's premium flagship model. Although it may no longer be the leader of the pack, it's still a great phone. It boasts a large 6.8-inch OLED screen capable of reaching up to 3,000 nits of brightness. Like the other devices in its series, it operates on a Tensor G4 processor and 16GB of RAM to ensure fast app performance.

The Pixel 9 Pro XL also has one of the better camera systems in the series. A major reason is that the cameras "mainly revolve around AI and how its imaging engine interprets and enhances output," as ZDNet Editor-in-Chief Kerry Wan noted in his review. Photographs taken by the phone are highly detailed with strong contrast and excellent dynamic range. It also comes with AI-powered editing tools like Magic Editor and Add Me.

Review: Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

Current price: $549 (31% off)

Original price: $799

The Google Pixel 10 is the low-end model for its series. Don't think that means it's any less than its smartphone siblings, because it delivers much of the same premium experience as the other models. Powered by the company's Tensor G5 chipset, the Pixel 10 provides smooth everyday performance, better energy efficiency, and deep Gemini AI integration. The camera system also got a significant upgrade, thanks to a new triple-camera setup that now includes a 5x telephoto lens with up to 20x Super Res Zoom. Previous entry-level phones were limited to dual-camera setups.

As part of Google's new generation of phones, the Pixel 10 also supports the Pixelsnap magnetic accessories and Qi2 wireless charging.

Current price: $1,399 (22% off)

Original price: $1,799

As Google's latest foldable, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold offers several improvements over its predecessor. For starters, it boasts an IP68 rating, meaning its internal components are fully protected against dust. This is a big accomplishment for foldables, as the many moving parts often make this type of mobile device susceptible to dust particles.

The phone also supports PixelSnap, which is Google's new Qi2-based magnetic accessory system that operates very similarly to Apple's MagSafe technology. Users gain access to a series of wireless chargers, stands, and cases not supported anywhere else. Like many of Google's phones, it leans heavily into AI. Another notable features include an 8-inch Super Actua inner display, a 5x optical telephoto lens, and a robust set of AI tools.

Best early Motorola Prime Day deals

Current price: $200 (33% off)

Original price: $300

The Moto G Power was one of my favorite phones from 2025, primarily because of its crazy battery life. I tested the mobile device myself when it came out, and I clocked it at lasting nearly three days straight on a single charge. To this day, I don't think I've ever tested a phone that lasted that long.

Inside, it runs on a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset and 8GB of RAM for smooth performance. It's not the highest-performing phone I've ever tested, but it's decent enough to handle web browsing, video streaming, and launching multiple apps without breaking a sweat. Plus, the combination of a large display and booming stereo speakers allows the Moto G Power to double as a mini movie theater.

Review: Moto G Power (2025)

Current price: $490 (51% off)

Original price: $999

Motorola's 2025 Razr Ultra remains a premium foldable phone a year after its release. A part of its continued success is thanks to the combination of its Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and 16GB of RAM, which deliver fast, reliable performance for multitasking, gaming, and general use. The company also enhanced the device's durability by equipping it with a titanium-reinforced hinge, making the Razr Ultra feel much sturdier than the previous generation. It was such a good feature that the hinge is also present on the 2026 model.

Its camera system is another highlight. Sporting a 50MP main sensor and a 50MP ultrawide lens, the phone can capture highly detailed photographs with strong dynamic range and vibrant colors.

Review: Motorola Razr Ultra (2025)

The 4-inch outer screen remains one of the best seen on any flip phone, allowing users to access key apps and notifications without needing to open the Razr Ultra.

Current price: $550 (21% off)

Original price: $700

The Razr FIFA World Cup 26 Edition is a special-edition version of the 2025 Motorola Razr, featuring an exclusive World Cup-themed form factor while delivering the same great user experience. It's powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7400X processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage, ensuring reliable performance for multitasking and streaming. The phone also boasts a dual-camera system, a 4,500 mAh battery designed to last a full day, and AI tools to enhance productivity.

In addition to the World Cup aesthetic, this phone also comes with custom FIFA-themed wallpapers and a ringtone of the official tournament jingle.

Current price: $300 (25% off)

Original price: $400

The Moto G Stylus may be a midrange smartphone, but it's far more capable than its price tag suggests. Powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor, the device can handle heavy multitasking, numerous apps running simultaneously, and even graphically demanding mobile games better than the other phones in Motorola's 2025 Moto G lineup.

It also features a 6.7-inch AMOLED Super HD screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 3,000-nit peak brightness. Colors look rich and vibrant, while the high refresh rate makes on-screen animations look exceptionally smooth. Paired with Dolby Atmos stereo speakers, the display creates one of the best multimedia experiences you'll find on a midrange mobile device.

Review: Moto G Stylus

Best early third-party Phone Prime Day deals

Current price: $510 (15% off)

Original price: $599

The Nothing Phone (4a) Pro is an interesting midrange smartphone. Like the other devices in its series, it has a bold design featuring the company's Glyph Matrix lighting system, which is the mini-LED screen on the back of the device. It acts as a secondary display for notifications, timers, and the status of the battery. Speaking of, the device runs on a 5,080mAh battery capable of lasting an entire day on a single charge.

Nothing's device boasts an impressive 6.83-inch AMOLED screen running a velvety smooth 144Hz refresh rate, perfect for enjoying your favorite movies and games. It also has a peak brightness of 5,000 nits. That's really good. It's strong enough to ensure clear outdoor visibility. Glare from the sun is a non-issue for this phone.

Current price: $599 (25% off)

Original price: $799

The Nothing Phone (3) may be older than the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro, but it is arguably better than the newer model. The Phone (3) leans more toward being a flagship model, whereas the 4a Pro is strictly midrange. Just take a look at their respective hardware. The Phone (3) operates on the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset, while the 4a Pro houses a Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset. This means the older model is better capable of heavy multitasking and gaming. Longevity is better, too, as the Phone (3) houses a 5,150mAh battery.

Photography is another area where the Phone (3) excels, since all four cameras house 50MP lenses. You have the option to get a phone with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. Charging is faster, the water resistance is superior, the list goes on, and on. If you can afford to spend a little extra, I recommend the Phone (3).

Current price: $405 (10% off)

Original price: $450

The Blackview XPLORE 1 Pro is a heavy-duty rugged smartphone built for outdoor adventures and tough work environments. Its standout feature is a massive 20,000 mAh battery that reportedly lasts up to 1,008 hours on a single charge. The phone supports 55W fast charging for quick top-ups, and its OTG (On-the-Go) feature lets you recharge other devices. Holding IP68, IP69K, and MIL-STD-810H certifications, the XPLORE 1 Pro is completely waterproof, dustproof, and drop-resistant.

What's interesting is that it has an interesting dual-screen design. The front has a 6.78-inch Full HD+ display, while the back hosts a customizable 2.01-inch screen that shows notifications, music controls, and selfie assistance.

When is Amazon Prime Day?

Amazon Prime Day 2026 officially runs from June 23 through June 26. However, as mentioned earlier, early smartphone deals are already appearing well before the event begins. In fact, many brands and retailers typically roll out discounts in the weeks leading up to Prime Day, so shoppers may start seeing stronger phone deals in the next week or so.

Is Prime Day a good time to buy smartphones?

Absolutely. In fact, I would argue that Amazon Prime Day is the best time to buy a smartphone. During the event, you'll see some of the best discounts on mobile devices from various brands. Every type of phone imaginable will receive a price drop, from flagship models to midrange devices. You'll even see unique bundles pop up from time to time, where a manufacturer packages a pair of earbuds with its mobile device, among other accessories.

How did we choose these early Amazon Prime Day deals?

At ZDNET, we only recommend smartphone deals that we would personally consider buying, testing, or recommending to friends and family, including you, our readers. To build this roundup, we looked for meaningful discounts on certain devices or a deal on a phone that rarely goes on sale. We also used established price-comparison tools and trackers to determine how good an offer is and how often it drops.

Beyond the numbers, we took into account our own hands-on testing and reviews, as well as real-world experience from customers who already own these devices. Many of the phones featured have been thoroughly evaluated by ZDNET's in-house expert, assessing their performance, battery life, cameras, displays, and overall value. Our goal is simple: we aim to cut through all the noise and find the best smartphone deals that are actually worth your money.

What are the best Prime Day deals so far?

ZDNET's experts are searching through early Prime Day sales to find the best discounts by category. These are the best deals so far:

Best Prime Day deals

Best Prime Day TV deals

Best Prime Day laptop deals

Best Prime Day SSD deals

Best Prime Day smartwatch deals

Best Prime Day headphones deals

Best Prime Day tablet deals

Best Prime Day gaming deals

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Best Prime Day Apple deals