Amazon Prime Day returns October 6 and 7, 2026, a 48-hour Prime Big Deal Days sale with Prime-only discounts on phones, tablets, and accessories. Early deals are already live, led by $250 off the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 and $200 off the Google Pixel 10 Pro, and Amazon will drop fresh deals three times a day once the sale officially starts.
The timing is great for phone shoppers, because Samsung raised Galaxy S26 prices by $100 on October 1, Google pushed the Pixel 10a up $100 a day later, and Apple quietly did the same to the iPhone 17 in September. Prime Day is the easiest way I've found to claw that money back without opening a new line or trading in a phone.
We're updating this page as deals go live and sell out through October 7, so bookmark it and check back before you buy.
Looking for more steals?
We're always on the hunt for the best bargains in tech. Find even more savings in our guides to the best cell phone deals, the best iPhone deals, and the best cell phone plans for every budget.
Early Prime Day deals are already live
Amazon's early Prime Big Deal Days discounts started weeks before the October 6 kickoff, and some of the biggest tech deals of the sale are available right now. I went through the early sale and picked out the five early Prime Day tech deals I'd actually buy, and every one of them is at least 40% off, covering smart home gear, a gaming monitor, a Kindle bundle, and a pair of earbuds.
Early deals can sell out or jump back up in price before the main event, so if something on that list is already sitting in your cart, I wouldn't wait until October 6 to check out.
Is Prime Day a good time to buy a phone?
October Prime Day is one of the best times of the year to buy an unlocked Android phone, a tablet, or accessories, especially after this fall's round of price hikes. Amazon discounts the hardware it sells directly, so the steepest cuts land on Samsung foldables, Google Pixels, and accessories, which regularly hit their lowest prices of the year during the sale.
The newest iPhone is the exception. Apple almost never lets current iPhones go on sale through Amazon, so a carrier trade-in deal will beat anything you find here for the iPhone 18 Pro. For everything else, Prime Day is the cheaper way in.
Best iPhone
Prime Day Deals
Don't expect discounts on new iPhones this Prime Day. Apple keeps the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 17, and iPhone Air at full price on Amazon, and the iPhone 17 actually got more expensive in September when Apple raised it to $899. The real savings are in Amazon's Renewed Premium stock, the top tier of Amazon's refurbished program, which comes with a 1-year Amazon Renewed Guarantee and more than 90% of the original battery life. Right now, that means real money off the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. We're updating this section as deals land and sell out, so check back through October 7.
$213 off Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max (Renewed Premium)
Amazon's Renewed Premium iPhone 17 Pro Max with 1TB of storage is down to about $1,386 in Deep Blue, $213 under its original $1,599 price. That's also $513 less than Apple charges for the 1TB iPhone 18 Pro Max, and last year's Pro Max is still one of the best iPhones you can buy. Only the Deep Blue model is at this price, and the other colors cost more, so check the color before you check out.
$120 off Apple iPhone 17 Pro (Renewed Premium)
If you don't want a giant phone, the 512GB iPhone 17 Pro in Renewed Premium condition is down to $1,179, $120 under the $1,299 price of a new one. You get the same Pro design and camera system as the Pro Max in a smaller body, plus the same 1-year guarantee and 90%-plus battery health. Cosmic Orange and Silver are both at this price right now.
Want a new iPhone 18 Pro? Go to a carrier
The iPhone 18 Pro launched in September, and Amazon isn't discounting it. For real savings on a brand-new iPhone, check out our iPhone deals page, where carrier trade-in and new-line offers take hundreds off and some make the iPhone 18 Pro Max free.
Best Samsung
Prime Day Deals
Samsung's newest foldables are the standout early Prime Day deals, with the Galaxy Z Fold8 $250 off and the Galaxy Z Flip8 $150 off. Unlike Apple, Samsung lets its current phones drop on Amazon, so these are real price cuts on new, unlocked units with a full warranty and no trade-in required. Prices below are current as of October 5 and moving fast, so confirm before you buy.
$250 off Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8
The Galaxy Z Fold8 is Samsung's newest book-style foldable, and the 256GB model is down to $1,649.99 at Amazon, $250 off its $1,899.99 price. Samsung went wider this year, so the inner screen opens into a passport-shaped display that feels like a small tablet in landscape, which makes it great for video, reading, and running two apps side by side. You also get the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and a 5,000mAh battery. The 512GB model gets the same $250 cut, and all three colors (Graphite, Cream, and Lavender) are included.
$150 off Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8
The Galaxy Z Flip8 is down to $1,049.99 at Amazon for the 256GB model, $150 off its $1,199.99 price. It's Samsung's newest flip phone, folding down to a compact square that slides into a small pocket, with a cover screen that handles notifications, quick replies, and selfies without opening the phone. Samsung left its foldable prices alone when it raised the Galaxy S26 on October 1, so this discount is pure savings.
$100 off Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Samsung raised the Galaxy S26 Ultra to $1,399.99 on October 1, but Amazon is still selling the 256GB model for $1,299.99, $100 off the new price, which wipes out the price hike completely. You get the 6.9-inch QHD+ display, the built-in S Pen, Samsung's Privacy Display, a 5,000mAh battery, and seven years of software updates. Amazon sells the Black and White models itself at this price, so double-check the seller if you go with another color.
Best Pixel
Prime Day Deals
The best early Prime Day Pixel deals are $120 off the brand-new Google Pixel 11 and $200 off last year's Pixel 10 Pro. Both are new, unlocked phones with no trade-in required. Pixel pricing has been shifting almost daily, so confirm the price before you buy.
$120 off Google Pixel 11 (512GB)
The Pixel 11 has barely moved off full price since it launched in August, but Amazon has the 512GB model down to $899, $120 off its $1,019 price. That's the same price as the 256GB model, so you're basically getting double the storage for free. It runs Google's new Tensor G6 chip on a 6.3-inch 120Hz OLED display, and the camera now goes up to 30x Super Zoom. Pixel 11 pricing has been bouncing around, so if it's back above $899 when you check, look again after the next deal drop on October 6 or 7.
$200 off Google Pixel 10 Pro
The Pixel 10 Pro is last year's compact flagship, and the 128GB model is down to $799 at Amazon, $200 off its $999 price. That makes it cheaper than the base Pixel 11, and you still get the Tensor G5 chip, 16GB of RAM, a 6.3-inch display, and a triple-camera setup with a 5x telephoto lens, with years of software updates still ahead of it. Pixel 10 Pro stock has been getting harder to find since the Pixel 11 launched, so I wouldn't sit on this one.
Best Budget
Prime Day Deals
The best Prime Day budget phone deals are on the Motorola Moto G (2026) and the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro, both under $450 and discounted right now. Rising memory-chip costs are pushing cheaper phones up the fastest (Google just raised the Pixel 10a to $599), so a sale price on a capable budget phone matters more this fall than it usually does.
$70 off Motorola Moto G (2026)
The Moto G (2026) is down to around $230 at Amazon, $70 off. It's a no-frills daily driver with a 5,200mAh battery that gets through a full day without trouble, a 50MP main camera, and a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chip that handles calls, texts, browsing, and streaming just fine. It's not built for heavy gaming, but at this price it makes a smart backup phone or a first phone for a teenager. The discount varies a little by color, so check the listing.
$50 off Nothing Phone (4a) Pro
The Nothing Phone (4a) Pro is down to $449 at Amazon, $50 off its $499 price. For under $450 you get a metal unibody design, a 144Hz AMOLED display, a Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chip, a 5,080mAh battery, and six years of software support. Nothing's design stands out in a sea of identical midrange slabs, and the 256GB model is $90 off if you want more room for photos and apps.
Best Tablet
Prime Day Deals
The best early Prime Day tablet deals are the Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4) at $649 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE at about $420. Both are $100 or more off and well-suited to streaming, note-taking, schoolwork, and travel.
$100 off Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4)
The 11-inch iPad Air with the M4 chip is down to $649 at Amazon for the 128GB Wi-Fi model, $100 off its $749 price, and one of the best prices since Apple's summer price increases. The M4 handles everything from video editing to multitasking with ease, and Apple's N1 chip adds Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. The 13-inch model is $100 off too, at $849.
$130 off Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE
The Galaxy Tab S10 FE is down to about $420 at Amazon, $130 off its $549.99 price. It pairs a 10.9-inch display with an S Pen right in the box and IP68 water and dust resistance, which makes it a great pick for note-taking, sketching, or a tablet that's going to live in a backpack. It's the Android tablet I'd buy if you want a real stylus without paying Galaxy Tab S11 prices.
Best Accessory
Prime Day Deals
The standout early Prime Day accessory deals are the Apple AirPods Pro 3 at $179 and the AirPods Max 2 at $429, $120 off and lower than they dropped during June's Prime Day. Accessories see the deepest percentage cuts of any Prime Day category, and these deals are live right now.
$70 off Apple AirPods Pro 3
The AirPods Pro 3 are down to $179 at Amazon, $70 off their $249 price, and the best price they've hit since June's Prime Day. You get active noise cancellation, USB-C charging, and Apple's latest fit and audio upgrades. If you live in the Apple ecosystem and want the best earbuds Apple makes, this is the pair to grab before the holidays.
$120 off Apple AirPods Max 2
The AirPods Max 2 are down to $429 at Amazon, $120 off their $549 price, and the deal covers every color. That's $70 less than they sold for during June's Prime Day. They're Apple's flagship over-ear headphones, with 24-bit lossless audio over USB-C, active noise cancellation, Live Translation, and Spatial Audio. If you've been waiting for a real price drop on the Max 2, this is it.
$95 off Anker Prime 3-in-1 Qi2.2 Charging Station
The Anker Prime 3-in-1 Qi2.2 charging station is down to $135 at Amazon, $95 off its $230 price, which is about 41% off. It charges three devices at once and supports 25W magnetic Qi2.2 charging for your phone, so one stand on the nightstand can handle your phone, watch, and earbuds. It works with MagSafe iPhones and Qi2-compatible Android phones.
$50 off Apple Watch SE 3
The Apple Watch SE 3 is down to $199 at Amazon for the 40mm GPS model, $50 off its $249 price, matching its lowest price ever. The 44mm model is $50 off too, at $229. It's the easiest way into an Apple Watch for fitness tracking, notifications, and safety features, and it makes a great gift for anyone in your family who already uses an iPhone.
$40 off Samsung Galaxy Watch 8
The Galaxy Watch 8 is down to $259.99 at Amazon for the 40mm model, $40 off its $299.99 price. With the Galaxy Watch 9 now out, last year's model is the value pick for Android owners who want solid health and fitness tracking, Wear OS apps, and tight integration with a Galaxy phone, all for well under the newer model's $429.99 price.
When is October Prime Day 2026, and what to expect
Amazon Prime Big Deal Days runs October 6 and 7, 2026, a 48-hour event open only to Prime members. It's Amazon's second Prime Day-level sale of 2026, following the four-day Prime Day in June. The sale kicks off at 12:01 a.m. PT on October 6 (3:01 a.m. ET) and ends at 11:59 p.m. PT on October 7. New deals drop three times a day during the event, and early deals are already live, so you don't have to wait until the 6th to start saving.
| Detail | What to know |
| Event dates | October 6 to October 7, 2026 (48 hours) |
| Start time | 12:01 a.m. PT on October 6 (3:01 a.m. ET) |
| New deal drops | Midnight, 8 a.m., and 1 p.m. PT each day |
| Early deals | Live now |
| Who can shop | Prime members only |
| Strongest phone deals | New, unlocked Samsung foldables and Google Pixels |
| Weakest phone deals | New iPhones, which Amazon rarely discounts |
What to expect by category
Based on the early deals already live and how past October Prime Day events have played out, here's where the savings are landing in 2026. Treat these as guides, not guarantees, since prices can change throughout the event.
| Category | Typical early Prime Day discount | Live examples |
| Flagship Android phones | $100 to $200 off | Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 11, Galaxy S26 Ultra |
| Foldables | $150 to $300 off | Galaxy Z Fold8, Galaxy Z Flip8 |
| Budget phones | $50 to $70 off, roughly 10% to 25% | Moto G (2026), Nothing Phone (4a) Pro |
| Tablets | $100 to $130 off | iPad Air (M4), Galaxy Tab S10 FE |
| Headphones, chargers, and wearables | 15% to 40% off | AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Max 2, Anker Prime 3-in-1 |
| New iPhones | Rarely discounted, go to a carrier | See carrier deals |
| Renewed Premium iPhones | $120 to $213 off | iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max |
The pattern is pretty simple. Accessories and budget devices move fast and sell out, so grab those early. Since Amazon is dropping new deals at midnight, 8 a.m., and 1 p.m. PT, it's worth checking back at each drop if you're shopping for a flagship phone, and if you want a new iPhone, skip Amazon and check a carrier trade-in deal instead.
October Prime Day vs. Black Friday: Which is better for phones?
For unlocked Android phones and accessories, October Prime Day is your first real shot at holiday pricing. For a new iPhone or flagship through a carrier, Black Friday is the bigger event. The two sales serve different buyers, so the better one depends on how you want to buy.
Prime Big Deal Days is built around the hardware Amazon sells, such as unlocked Android phones, tablets, and accessories, and many of these prices tend to come back around on Black Friday rather than drop much further. The catch is that you need a Prime membership, and new iPhones almost never go on sale.
Black Friday lands on November 27, 2026, and it's when Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile push their most aggressive holiday trade-in and new-line promotions on phones like the iPhone 18 Pro and Galaxy S26. Those deals are open to everyone with no membership required, but most require a new line, an eligible trade-in, or both.
| October Prime Day | Black Friday | |
| Dates | October 6 to 7, 2026 | November 27, 2026 |
| Best for | Unlocked phones, tablets, and accessories | Carrier flagship deals |
| Requirement | Prime membership | New line or trade-in, varies by deal |
| New iPhone deals | Rare | Strong, through carriers |
Best Cell
Phone Plans
October Prime Day is a great time to buy a phone outright, and pairing an unlocked phone with a low-cost carrier is how you keep saving after the sale ends. An unlocked Galaxy or Pixel works on any major network, so you can drop it onto a cheap plan and cut your monthly bill for good.
One of our favorite plans right now is Mint Mobile's Unlimited plan, which runs on T-Mobile's nationwide 5G network. New customers can get unlimited premium data starting at $15/month for the first three months, then $40/month after. For reliable coverage at a fraction of what the big carriers charge, it's the one we recommend.
|
Mint Mobile
Unlimited Data Plan
$10.00/mo
$60 for 6 months of service
|
We're also fans of Visible's $35 Visible+ plan, which runs on Verizon's network and includes unlimited premium data and unlimited hotspot for $35/month, taxes and fees included. We tested Visible for a full month and found the service fast and reliable.
|
Visible
$30 Visible+ Plan
$30.00/mo
Taxes & Fees included
|
For more options across every budget, see our guide to the best cell phone plans.
October Prime Day deals: FAQ
When is Amazon Prime Day in October 2026?
Amazon's October Prime Day, officially called Prime Big Deal Days, runs October 6 and 7, 2026. The 48-hour sale starts at 12:01 a.m. PT on October 6 and ends at 11:59 p.m. PT on October 7. It's Amazon's second Prime Day-level event of 2026, after the four-day summer Prime Day in June.
What time do new Prime Big Deal Days deals drop?
Amazon is dropping new Prime Big Deal Days deals three times a day, at midnight, 8 a.m., and 1 p.m. PT. The new drops are limited-time offers that end once they sell out, so checking back at each drop gives you the best shot at the deepest discounts.
Do you need a Prime membership to shop on Prime Day?
Prime Day deals are exclusive to Amazon Prime members, so you need a membership to get them. Prime costs $14.99/month or $139/year, and new members can start a 30-day free trial that unlocks the deals and can be canceled before it renews.
Is October Prime Day or Black Friday better for phone deals?
October Prime Day is better for unlocked Android phones and accessories, and Black Friday is better for carrier flagship deals. Carriers save their most aggressive trade-in and new-line promotions for the holidays, while Prime Big Deal Days focuses on unlocked phones, tablets, and accessories that Amazon sells directly.
Are there iPhone deals on Prime Day?
Current iPhones rarely go on sale during Prime Day, since Apple keeps its latest models at full price on Amazon. The iPhone deals you will find are on Amazon's Renewed Premium stock, like the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, which come with a 1-year guarantee and more than 90% battery health. For a discount on a new iPhone 18 Pro, a carrier trade-in is the better route.
What are the best early Prime Day phone deals right now?
The strongest live early Prime Day phone deals are on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8, the Google Pixel 10 Pro, the Galaxy Z Flip8, and the Google Pixel 11. The Galaxy Z Fold8 is $250 off at $1,649.99, the Pixel 10 Pro is $200 off at $799, the Z Flip8 is $150 off at $1,049.99, and the 512GB Pixel 11 is $120 off at $899. All four are new, unlocked, and discounted ahead of the main event.
Are Prime Day accessory deals worth it?
Prime Day accessory deals are some of the deepest discounts of the whole sale, often 20% to 50% off, which makes them well worth a look. Earbuds, headphones, chargers, and smartwatches regularly hit their lowest prices of the year, and during the early sale the AirPods Pro 3 dropped to $179, the AirPods Max 2 fell to $429, and the Anker Prime 3-in-1 charging station hit $135. Accessories sell out faster than phones, so buy early.
When do the early Prime Day deals end?
Early Prime Day deals run as part of Prime Big Deal Days, which ends at 11:59 p.m. PT on October 7. Some sell out before then, and prices shift daily, so it pays to check back. We update this page as deals go live and expire.
Scott Houghton
Jr. Staff Writer
Thousands of cell phone plans unpacked. All the facts. No surprises.
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