Best Early Prime Day Phone Deals To Shop In October 2024

While Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days sale doesn't start for another week or so, the commerce giant is making it clear this year that early shoppers will be rewarded. If you're in the market for a new phone, now may just be the best time to pull the trigger, with most manufacturers running Amazon promotions on their latest handsets.

A scan through the A-to-Z catalog finds several deals on phones we've thoroughly tested and recommended at ZDNET. Considering Prime Day officially starts on Oct. 8, I wouldn't stress about the prices dropping any lower. (When in doubt, take advantage of Amazon's 30-day return policy or contact customer service for a price adjustment.) Here are the best early Prime Day phone deals we've found so far.

Our favorite early Amazon October Prime Day phone deals

• Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra for $1,049 (save $250): The best phone we've tested so far, the Galaxy S24 Ultra packs the best specs across key categories, including display, performance, battery life, and camera. It also has a built-in S-Pen for precision inputs.
• Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max for $70.55/month (save $1,199): Boost Mobile will cover the cost of the latest iPhone 16 model when you sign up for an eligible wireless plan and 36-month financing.
• Google Pixel 8a for $399 (save $100): One of the best budget phones on the market, with Google AI features and a 120Hz display.
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 for $899 (save $200): A refined foldable that's ideal for small-phone enthusiasts, content creators, and Samsung fans.
• Motorola Razr 2023 for $399 (save $300): The most affordable foldable phone on the market right now just got cheaper, with the 2023 Motorola Razr hitting an all-time low of $399.
• OnePlus 12R for $599 (save $100): A sleeper pick, this OnePlus deal comes with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.

Best early Amazon October Prime Day Samsung deals

• Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra for $1,049 (save $250): The best phone we've tested so far, the Galaxy S24 Ultra packs the best specs across key categories, including display, performance, battery life, and camera. It also has a built-in S-Pen for precision inputs.  
  
  
• Samsung Galaxy S24 for $719 (save $80): The base model of the Galaxy S24 series has also been discounted by $80. It's a more compact option if you're not a fan of big phones.
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 for $899 (save $200): A refined foldable that's ideal for small-phone enthusiasts, content creators, and Samsung fans.  
  
  
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 for $1,499 (save $400): The company's flagship foldable has a sturdier yet lighter and thinner design, an improved ultra-wide camera, and a host of Galaxy AI features meant to improve your productivity and creativity.
• Samsung Galaxy A35 5G for $325 (save $75): For a budget option, consider Samsung's A-series handset, which somehow has a 120Hz AMOLED display.

Best early Amazon October Prime Day iPhone deals

• Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max for $70.55/month (save $1,199): Apple's most competent iPhone model features a 6.9-inch display and the best battery life among the 16 line.
  
  
• Apple iPhone 16 Pro for $65/month (save $999): Want a Pro iPhone that's actually comfortable to hold and use? Consider the smaller iPhone 16 Pro.
• Apple iPhone 16 for $65/month (save $829): If you can live without the faster refresh rate and video-recording features, consider the non-Pro iPhone 16.
• Apple iPhone 16 Plus for $65/month (save $929): Apple also offers the standard iPhone 16 in a Plus size, with a 6.7-inch display.  
  
  

Best early Amazon October Prime Day Motorola deals

• Motorola Razr+ 2024 for $899 (save $100): The best flip phone you can buy right now is $100 off and comes with 256GB of storage.
• Motorola Razr+ 2023 for $599 (save $400): Another foldable phone contender, the higher-end Razr+ model is discounted even more heavily and is arguably a better flip phone than Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip thanks to a more customizable and functional outer screen.
• Motorola Razr 2023 for $399 (save $300): The most affordable foldable phone on the market right now just got cheaper, with the 2023 Motorola Razr hitting an all-time low of $399.
• Motorola Edge 2024 for $449 (save $100): Motorola's mid-range option offers a competitive spec list at an accessible price. Just be aware of its curved display.
• Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G 2024 for $349 (save $50): For a budget phone with stylus support, check out the 5G version of the Moto G Stylus.
• Motorola Moto G 5G 2024 for $173 (save $27): Motorola's G 5G line doesn't have the flashiest features, but it has a large battery and efficient processor that makes it a fantastic pick-up for kids, students, elders, or a secondary device.
• Motorola Moto G Play 2023 for $99 (save $70): Another budget option for less than retail, the Moto G Play has a reliable 5,000mAh battery that, when paired with its efficient processor, can deliver up to three days of endurance

Best early Amazon October Prime Day Google Pixel deals

• Google Pixel 8a for $399 (save $100): One of the best budget phones on the market, with Google AI features and a 120Hz display.
• Google Pixel 8 for $499 (save $200): Coming with 128GB of storage, the year-old Pixel 8 is still a fantastic mid-range option if you value camera quality above all else.

More October Prime Day phone deals

FAQs

When is Amazon's October Prime Day 2024? 

This year, Amazon's October Prime Day event takes place on Tuesday, Oct. 8, and ends on Wednesday, Oct. 9. However, there are already deals available for shoppers to take advantage of, and we can expect them to last a day or two after the official event ends.

Are phones really cheaper on Prime Day? 

Yes, phones are often cheaper on Prime Day, matching the level of discount you'd find in a Black Friday or Cyber Monday deal. This is partly because Prime Day is happening in October, months after most manufacturers like Samsung, OnePlus, Google, and Motorola have launched new devices in the first half of the year. With the amount of time that has passed, you'll often see the more recent phones discounted by a good amount at this time.

When is the best time of the year to buy a phone?

It depends on urgency. If your phone is damaged, cracked, or usable in a significant way, you should buy a new device as soon as you can -- whether through a carrier or brand retail store. In the case of an emergency, I'd advise buying it from the former, as your local carrier can best help you transfer contact information and data while potentially giving you an upgrade deal. If you can wait things out, consider buying a phone during major shopping events like Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. For more, here's our list of the best Prime Day deals so far.  

How did we choose these Prime Day deals?

ZDNET chooses Prime Day deals based on the percentage of discount compared to the original price ($5 off a $20 item is just as good as $250 off a $1,000 item), how significant the discount is compared to pricing history, and whether our experts have tested and recommended the product.

We also look at deals from a wider scope, considering better alternatives, unique use cases, stock, and existing customer reviews on websites like Amazon, Best Buy, and Reddit. The best deals will save you a decent amount of money while giving you a truly worthwhile product.