The 20 best phone deals in December 2022: the best iPhone and Android sales
As essential as smartphones are to our daily lives, when the time finally comes to buy a new one, it’s important to find a device that’s capable and reliable enough to last for years into the future.
While Black Friday and Cyber Monday are done and dusted, there are still plenty of deals on the latest phones including those from Apple, Samsung, Google and more worth considering. If you missed the initial wave of promotions, check out these remaining deals to save hundreds on some of the best smartphones around.
Holiday Smartphone Deals
These are the latest deals we’ve found since the page was last updated.
The best smartphone deals for vacations
Below, you’ll find my top picks for holiday smartphone deals, including from Google, Apple, Samsung, and more.
- Current price: $750
- original price: $900
It’s the second year of Google’s redesigned Pixel lineup, and things have never looked better. According to ZDNET tests, the flagship Pixel 7 Pro exceeded our expectations with a new and improved Tensor G2 processor, a camera setup that surpasses Samsung’s, and a generous set of convenient, user-first software features.
The Pixel 7 Pro has always undercut industry flagships at $900, but for a very limited time, you can still get Google’s latest phone for just $750 ($150 off).
If you normally buy your smartphones from the local vendor, it may be in your best interest to stick with them over the holiday season. Right now, carriers like AT&T are running promotions that will get you the latest iPhone 14 for free. There are some loopholes, of course, but they’re less complicated than you might think.
To get an iPhone 14 at a full discount, you’ll need to trade in a suitable device and you’ll also need to be on a qualifying Unlimited plan, which includes Premium, Extra, and Starter. Discount is applied in 36 monthly bill credits.
- Current price: $820
- Original price: $1,000
Ever since Samsung pushed the “Ultra” smartphones, the Plus model has been left behind, but not entirely forgotten. That’s because it mostly retains the features of the big phones that came with the Ultra, but in a more affordable and less polarizing form factor. I would go so far as to say that the Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus is the sleeper pick for this year’s best all-round smartphone.
It has a generous 6.8-inch flat screen that refreshes at 120Hz, a 50-megapixel main shooter that can capture video as sharp as 8K, and is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor. Right now, Amazon has the phone for $260 off, with no strings attached.
- Current price: $729
- Originally priced: $859
The iPhone 14 Pro was reviewed by ZDNET back in September, and while Apple’s latest phone dazzled with improved camera features and its most ambitious display feature yet: Dynamic Island, it didn’t feel like a revelation compared to the previous year’s iPhone 13 Pro. . That said, if you were hoping to buy an iPhone for less before the holidays, this $129 discount on the excellent iPhone 13 Pro Definitely worth looking at.
The phone is certified “refurbished” by Walmart, which means it has been fully inspected and will look like new. Barring that, you can expect the same iOS 16 experience that you’d get on the pricier iPhone 14 Pro, and a more traditional notched display.
- Current price: $599
- original price: $700
Google’s Pixel 7 isn’t quite as flashy as its Pro sibling, but in many ways the smaller Pixel is superior to its more premium counterpart. Things like the flat-edge display, similarly sized battery capacity, and the fact that you’re getting all the software goodies of the Pro variant for a cheaper price make the standard Pixel 7 one of the best trucks around. great value available. during the holiday season.
The Pixel 7 right now is on sale for $599, which is $100 off the retail cost of the 256GB model.
- Current price: $1,095
- Original price: $1,400
In the race for the best smartphone of the year, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, with its gorgeous 6.8-inch OLED display, up to 8K video recording, S Pen support, and generous 5,000mAh battery, has proven to be the best. from the Korean giant. Full phone yet. Amazon has the 512GB variant discounted to $311, putting the Galaxy right next to the latest iPhone 14 Pro with four times the storage capacity.
- Current price: $230 (with activation)
- original price: $300
Over the past two years, OnePlus has created a new segment of smartphones that focuses on bringing value at cheaper price points, and it’s gotten really good at it. The Nord N20 5G, released earlier this year, is among the few nominated for best cheap 5G phone in 2022. The reasoning is quite simple. For one, it’s got a sharp-looking 6.43-inch AMOLED display, a rarity in this sub-$300 market. Then there’s the 128GB of base storage, 4500mAh battery, and 33W fast charging that top the ratings. lower-mid-range offerings from Motorola and Samsung.
You can get the OnePlus Nord N20 5G for as little as $230 right now.
Amazon Holiday Smartphone Deals
Here are some other holiday smartphone deals still available on Amazon:
Best Buy holiday smartphone deals
Here are some other holiday smartphone deals still available at Best Buy:
Walmart Holiday Smartphone Deals
Here are some other holiday smartphone deals still available at Walmart:
When it comes to finding the best deal, part of the equation is looking for smartphones that users actually enjoy using. By testing most of the phones that hit the open market throughout the year, ZDNET’s team of subject matter experts can offer the best advice on what to buy and what to avoid.
The second part of the equation is determining whether or not a deal is real. In some cases, retailers will mark down a product knowing full well that it has been on sale for weeks and months before. In other cases, like the ones mentioned above, you’re saving money on products like never before.
You can call and send SMS text messages on traditional cell phones and smartphones. However, while the former is a radio-based portable phone, the latter is more like a laptop, providing the user with access to the Internet, mobile applications, and software. In recent years, smartphones have evolved as smart home managers, personal health trackers, and devices capable of accessing social media and financial services.
Smartphone cameras are getting better every year. They’re great for casual photography on the go and while traveling, but are they right up there with DSLRs?
The short answer is no. DSLRs have larger sensors and can capture more information. They also tend to work better in low light or difficult conditions, while smartphones work better in brightly lit environments.
However, one of the differences to keep in mind is the use of AI algorithms and smart technologies to optimize the images. Older DSLRs lack these features. When it comes to images, smartphones are convenient, but DSLRs offer so much more in terms of shooting and editing, so they’re better suited for professional photography.
ZDNET’s experts break down the best deals by retailer, brand, and category, which you can see below.
Holiday Deals by Retailer
Holiday deals by brand
Vacation deals by category