when it comes in technology, it may seem that Apple is the Empire, and the various Android gadgets are the rebellion. I don’t know how long I can keep this Star Wars metaphor going, but I do do know that the force is strong with the Rebellion today. Amazon is holding an “Android Days” sale event that ends at 11:59 PM PT on August 30, and some of our favorite phones are on sale right now (along with other goodies, like headphones). This includes Google Pixel, Samsung, Motorola and OnePlus devices. If you’re in the market for a new phone, today is a great day to grab one.
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Google Pixel Deals
You can learn more about these devices in our guides to the best Google Pixel phones and the best wireless headphones.
The Pixel 6A is our favorite Android phone (8/10, Wired Recommends), and this is the lowest price we’ve ever seen (it only launched last month). The Google Tensor chip is a standout, but our favorite software features are the highly accurate Voice Typing Assistant, so you can speak your messages instead of typing them; Hold For Me, to avoid long and tedious holds; and Now Playing, to know what song is around you without having to ask. The Pixel 6A doesn’t come with wireless charging or a charging brick, but this phone is water resistant, has an excellent camera system, and has a bright OLED display.
The Pixel 7 is just around the corner, but it’s still a great price (the lowest we’ve ever seen) for last year’s Pixel 6 (9/10, WIRED Recommends). Its larger camera sensors make for some of the best photos taken by a smartphone right now. Updates to the Pixel 6A include a 90Hz screen for butter-smooth animations, a larger OLED screen, wireless charging support, and better build materials. You’ll get two more OS updates and four more years of security updates. If you want an even bigger phone and an excellent 4x optical zoom camera, the Google Pixel 6 Pro is on sale for $649 ($250 off) at Target.
The Pixel Buds A-Series (8/10, wired recommendations) are our favorite wireless earbuds for most people. They have great sweat resistance and a comfortable fit, plus they match Android phones i iPhones pretty quickly. The only downside to pairing with an iPhone is that you won’t get Google Assistant integration. However, the audio sounds better than Apple’s basic AirPods, so it’s still worth it.
Samsung phone deals
Read our guide to the best Android phones for more recommendations.
The Galaxy S22 series (9/10, Wired Recommends) are some of the best Android phones you can buy. They pack almost everything you want in a smartphone, from powerful processors to robust batteries that last a little more than a full day. Most people will be happy with the standard Galaxy S22, with its manageable size. This is the lowest price we’ve ever tracked. If you want a bigger phone, the S22+ is on sale for $750 ($250 off).
The S22 Ultra is the ultimate Android phone out there, and not just because it has a built-in stylus. Its 6.8-inch screen is huge, but our favorite feature is its 10x optical zoom camera, which lets you zoom in far and still get sharp shots of your subject. You can read more about the differences in the S22 series right here.
This is a great smartphone at its MSRP, and this discount makes the deal even sweeter (although it drops to that price frequently). The Galaxy A53 (8/10, Wired Recommended) has a large 6.5-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz screen refresh rate, decent cameras, and all-day battery life. It’ll stay updated longer than any other Android phone at this price: Samsung promises four OS updates and five years of security updates. Just be aware that there’s no headphone jack or wireless charging, but you do get a MicroSD card slot.
OnePlus Phone Deals
The OnePlus 10 Pro (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is a good phone, but it costs a bit much for what you get. That’s why OnePlus officially dropped the MSRP from $900 to $800 this month, and this deal drops it even further. You get one of the fastest charges, so if you often find yourself at an outlet charging your phone, this is the device you want. It has smooth performance, a 120Hz display and capable cameras. Just be aware that if you’re on AT&T, you’ll only get 4G LTE, as this device isn’t compatible with the network’s 5G.
The Nord N20 5G (7/10, Wired Recommends) is a much more affordable option than most of the devices on this list, but that doesn’t mean a ton of compromises. You still get an AMOLED display, a one-day battery and excellent performance. It even has NFC support, so you can make contactless payments. It will receive three years of security updates, but only one operating system update. There’s no 5G support on AT&T and it doesn’t work on Verizon either, so anyone on T-Mobile is better off.
The OnePlus 9 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is OnePlus’ flagship from last year, and it’s a pretty good phone all around. It’ll get two more OS updates and three more years of security updates, so it’ll last a while, but the big takeaway here is that you’re getting flagship-quality performance for a really great price. It will have no problems with the most demanding games. It even supports wireless charging and has a 120Hz AMOLED display. The cameras are fine.
Motorola phone deals
Our best cheap phones guide has more Motorola tips.
The Moto G Stylus 2022 is perfect well phone, but it’s much better priced at this price. You get two days of battery life, a 90Hz LCD display, and three years of security updates. Performance has declined from its predecessor, which is unusual, but it still performs decently. There’s still no NFC so you can pay with your phone, and I didn’t find the built-in stylus all that useful. Still, for $200, it will get the job done.
The Moto G 5G is another Motorola phone that was too expensive for what you get at its MSRP, but it makes a lot more sense at this price. There’s 5G support, a day and a half of battery life and decent performance. It will receive three years of security updates, but only one operating system update. NFC isn’t available yet, so you can’t make contactless payments, and the cameras aren’t brilliant.