The 11 Best Amazon Android Day Deals (Ending Tonight): Google Pixel, Samsung, OnePlus and Motorola Phones
When it comes For technology, it can feel like Apple is the Empire and the diverse Android devices are the Petty Rebellion. I don’t know how long I can keep this Star Wars metaphor, but I do know that the force is very strong with the Uprising today. Amazon is having an “Android Day” sale that ends at 11:59 p.m. PT on August 30, and some of our favorite phones are on sale right now (along with a few. other gadgets, like headphones). This includes Google Pixel, Samsung, Motorola, and OnePlus devices. If you’re looking for a new phone, today is a great day to buy one.
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Google Pixel Deals
You can learn more about these devices in Best Google Pixel phones and Guide to the Best Wireless Headphones.
Pixel 6A is Our favorite Android phone (8/10, recommended wired), and this is the lowest price we’ve ever seen (it just launched last month). The Google’s Tensor Chip is a highlight, but our favorite software feature is the high-accuracy Assistant Voice Typing feature, so you can read your messages instead of typing them; Keep Me, to avoid lengthy and tedious; and Now Playing, to know what song is playing without having to ask. The Pixel 6A doesn’t have wireless charging or a charger, but it’s water resistant, has a great camera system, and has a bright OLED display.
The Pixel 7 right around the corner, but it’s still a great price (the lowest we’ve seen) for last year’s Pixel 6 (9/10, WIRED Recommend). Its larger camera sensor means it can take some of the best photos of any smartphone right now. Upgrades on Pixel 6A include Screen 90 Hz for buttery-smooth animations, larger OLED screens, wireless charging support, and better construction materials. It will receive two more OS upgrades and an additional four years of security updates. If you want an even bigger phone and a great 4X optical zoom camera, go Google Pixel 6 Pro is on sale for $649 ($250 off) at Target.
Pixel Buds A-Series (8/10, recommended wired) is our favorite wireless headphones for most people. They have excellent sweat resistance and a comfortable fit, plus they can pair with Android phones and iPhone is pretty fast. The only downside to pairing with an iPhone is that you won’t get Google Assistant integration. Still, the sound does sound better than Apple’s base AirPods, so it might still be worth it.
Samsung phone deals
Read ours Guide to the best Android phones for more recommendations.
Galaxy S22 series (9/10, WIRED Recommend) are some of the best Android phones you can buy. They pack almost everything you want in a smartphone, from a powerful processor to a slightly stronger battery that lasts all day. Most people will be happy with the standard Galaxy S22 and its manageable size. This is the lowest price we’ve ever tracked. If you want a bigger phone, S22+ is on sale for $750 ($250 off).
The S22 Ultra is the ultimate Android phone, not least because it has a built-in stylus. Its 6.8-inch screen is huge, but our favorite feature is the 10X optical zoom camera, which lets you zoom out super far and still get sharp shots of your subject. You can read more about the difference in S22 series right here.
This is a great smartphone at its MSRP, and this price cut makes the deal even sweeter (though phones drop to this price often). Galaxy A53 (8/10, WIRED Recommend) has a large 6.5-inch AMOLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate, a good camera, and all-day battery life. It will stay updated longer than any other Android phone at this price: Samsung promises four OS upgrades and five years of security updates. Just know that there’s no headphone jack and wireless charging, but you do get a MicroSD card slot.
OnePlus phone deals
OnePlus 10 Pro (7/10, WIRED Recommend) is a good phone, but it’s a bit pricey for what you get. That’s why OnePlus officially lowered the MSRP from $900 to $800 this month, and the deal drops it even further. You get some of the fastest chargers around, so if you often find an outlet to charge your phone, this is the one you want. It has smooth performance, a 120 Hz display, and a capable camera. Just know that if you’re on AT&T, you’ll only get 4G LTE, as the device doesn’t support the network’s 5G.
Nord N20 5G (7/10, WIRED Recommend) is a much more affordable option than most of the devices on this list, but that doesn’t mean a lot of compromise. You still get an AMOLED display, a battery that lasts all day, and great performance. It even supports NFC so you can make contactless payments. It will receive three years of security updates but only one operating system upgrade. There’s no 5G support on AT&T, and 5G doesn’t work on Verizon either, so it’s really best for anyone using T-Mobile.
OnePlus 9 (8/10, WIRED Recommend) was OnePlus’ flagship last year and it’s a pretty good phone. It will get two more OS upgrades and three more years of security updates, so it should last for a while, but the point here is that you’ll get top level performance with a great price. It will have no problem with the most demanding games. It even supports wireless charging and has a 120 Hz AMOLED display. The cameras are just OK.
Motorola phone deals
Ours A Guide to the Best Cheap Phones more advice from Motorola.
The Moto G Stylus 2022 is a perfect strong phone, but it is a much better value at this price. You get two days of battery life, a 90 Hz LCD display, and three years of security updates. Performance has indeed dropped compared to its predecessor, which is unusual, but it still runs well enough. There’s still no NFC to let you pay with your phone, and I haven’t found the built-in stylus to be useful. However, for $200 it should work fine.
The Moto G 5G is another Motorola phone that is too expensive for what you get at its MSRP but a better deal 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 upgrade. NFC is still unavailable, so you can’t make contactless payments and the camera is lackluster.
