The best early Prime Day 2021 phone deals you can shop right now, including discounts on Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy phones
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Amazon; Alyssa Powell/Business Insider
Amazon Prime Day is a great time to buy a new phone, especially if you're an Android fan. This year's annual Amazon shopping event will take place on June 21 and 22.
It's not Prime Day just yet, but we're already seeing some worthwhile deals on phones from Google, Samsung, and others. Other retailers typically offer deals of their own to compete with Amazon, so it's important to check Best Buy, Walmart, and Target for compelling offers as well.
Deals change often, so we'll be updating our coverage throughout the shopping event. And don't forget: you'll need an Amazon Prime membership to gain access to these deals.
Prime Monthly Subscription (small)
Early Amazon Prime Day deals on Google Pixel phones
Google's Pixel phones are already pretty affordable depending on the model, but they're even more tempting at a discount. The latest Pixels didn't make our list of the best smartphones, but the Pixel 4a is our favorite budget smartphone for photography.
If the upcoming Prime Day is anything like last year's, we may indeed see steeper discounts on Google's smartphones. The now-discontinued Pixel 4, for example, was available at a $350 discount during Amazon Prime Day in 2020.
Pixel 5 (medium)Pixel 4a (medium)
Early Amazon Prime Day deals on Samsung Galaxy phones
Samsung makes a lot of Galaxy phones, and in 2021 that lineup has grown even bigger. However, the Galaxy S21 is our favorite Android phone right now because of its excellent design, great triple-lens camera, and solid performance. It's also decently priced for a flagship phone, but discounts make it an even better deal for Android phone shoppers.
There are already a few Samsung Galaxy deals at Best Buy, but they require a carrier activation. We're hoping to see bigger discounts without these stipulations as Prime Day gets closer.
Galaxy S21 (medium, Preferred: Best Buy)Galaxy S21 Ultra (medium, Preferred: Best Buy)
Early Amazon Prime Day deals on other Android phones
Samsung and Google may be among the most popular Android device makers, but it's also worth looking elsewhere. Companies like OnePlus and TCL are known for making quality phones that are often hundreds of dollars less than the latest phones from Samsung, Apple, and Google. And some models are already discounted heading into Prime Day.
8T (medium, Preferred: Amazon)10 Pro (medium, Preferred: Amazon)
Frequently Asked Questions
How to shop for a smartphone
Most people in the United States buy their phones from carriers, even though there are often better prices to be found elsewhere. Amazon Prime Day is a good example of an instance in which it's probably a better deal to buy your phone through another retailer like Amazon rather than your carrier.
Amazon mostly sells unlocked phones, which means the phone isn't tied to any specific carrier and will work with any phone service provider. That means you should be able to insert your SIM card into your new phone without much hassle.
The most important factor to consider when purchasing a new phone is how much you want to spend. This will automatically limit your search, and you want to make sure you're not wasting time researching devices that are out of your price range. You also want to consider which features matter the most to you. Is having an excellent camera the most important thing, or do you want a phone with the longest battery life? What's your biggest complaint about your current phone that you're hoping to address by upgrading? Those are the types of questions you should be asking yourself.
When is Amazon Prime Day?
Amazon Prime Day will take place on June 21 and 22. In years past it's been held in July, except for 2020 when the annual shopping holiday was pushed to October.
What's on sale on Amazon Prime Day?
Amazon Prime Day sales span the gamut in terms of product categories, with discounts on everything from tech gadgets to beauty products, kitchen items, and much more. Think of it as Black Friday in the summer, but only on Amazon.
Do I need to be a Prime member to get Prime Day deals?
Yes, Amazon Prime Day is only available for Prime subscribers. Amazon Prime costs $119 per year or $12.99 per month, but the annual billing option is a better deal. Not only does Amazon Prime provide access to fast shipping options and Prime Day deals, but it also comes with other perks like Amazon Prime Video and Prime Music access.
What smartphone deals were available on Prime Day last year?
Amazon Prime Day included deals on phone models from Google, Samsung, and Motorola among others in 2020. Of course, these were models that are now considered to be a generation old, like the Samsung Galaxy S20, Samsung Galaxy Note 20, and Google Pixel 4.
What about iPhone deals on Prime Day?
We don't typically see iPhone deals on Amazon Prime Day, and that's likely to continue in 2021. However, last year's Prime Day saw plenty of deals on other Apple products like AirPods, iPads, and MacBook laptops. Check out our guide to the best iPhone deals to learn more about other non-Prime Day related discounts.