With prices on the rise, getting the most value for your money matters more than ever in 2026. If you plan ahead, Black Friday can be a smart time for big purchases and early holiday shopping.
So is Black Friday worth it this year? The answer is yes, as long as you shop with a plan. Make a shopping list now, check what each item costs today, and track prices as stores announce their deals. That way you can tell if a discount is real or just a recent price hike in disguise. We recommend downloading one or two price-tracking apps so you know the right moment to buy.
Add the items you want to your online cart now and check back every so often. If you see a real price drop on November 27, you can buy with confidence. It takes a little more effort, but it's the best way to avoid deals that only look like deals.
We'll break down when Black Friday is worth your time and money, and how to avoid the most common traps.
When is Black Friday worth it?
Black Friday brings some of the biggest savings of the year, but only if you spend wisely. Here's what to look for and what to skip:
What to look for:
- Planned purchases: Black Friday is a good time to buy items you already plan on getting, especially if you aren't in a rush.
- Premium electronics: You're more likely to find big savings on expensive electronics like flagship smartphones and tablets, which matters even more now that phone prices went up.
What to avoid:
- Impulse buys: The excitement of sales can lead to overspending on items you don't really need.
- Misleading deals: Retailers sometimes inflate original prices to make discounts look bigger, so check the item's price history before you buy.
Shop for items you need
The best way to make Black Friday worth it is to shop for items you already intend to buy. Instead of getting caught up in whatever's on sale, start with what you actually need. A focused search helps you save on products you'd normally pay full price for, instead of falling for flashy marketing on things you don't need.
Start by making a list of what you plan to buy. Think of it like this: Black Friday shopping without a plan is like grocery shopping while hungry. Everything looks tempting, but a list keeps you from buying the whole store.
Save on phones after this year's price hikes
If you're thinking about a new premium smartphone, Black Friday is the best time to shop around. Flagship phones are more expensive than ever. In September, Apple raised the starting price of every iPhone it sells by $100, including older models like the iPhone 17. Samsung followed in October with a $100 increase across the Galaxy S26 lineup, and the 1TB Galaxy S26 Ultra jumped $200. Google's Pixel 11 also launched at $899, $100 more than the Pixel 10, though it now starts with double the storage.
Reports point to rising memory chip costs as a big reason behind the increases, and the next round of phones could cost even more. Black Friday is when brands, retailers, and carriers compete hardest with discounts, which makes it your best shot at a new flagship for close to what it cost before the hikes.
Flagship phone price hikes 2026
| Phone | Original price | New 2026 price |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 16 | $699 | $799 |
| iPhone 17 | $799 | $899 |
| iPhone 17e | $599 | $699 |
| iPhone Air | $999 | $1,099 |
| Samsung Galaxy S26 | $899.99 | $999.99 |
| Samsung Galaxy S26+ | $1,099.99 | $1,199.99 |
| Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | $1,299.99 | $1,399.99 |
Keep the original prices in mind when you compare Black Friday deals. A $100 discount on the Galaxy S26 sounds great, but it only brings the phone back to its $899.99 launch price. That still saves you money compared to today's price, but the best deals will go below what the phone cost before the hike.
Retailers also offer steep discounts on previous-generation phones that are still worth buying in 2026. Opt for an older model for extra savings, but nothing more than two generations old. Phones three generations or older are more likely to be discontinued and lose software updates sooner, which cuts into how long you can use them. A phone's long-term value matters more than a one-time discount.
The Apple iPhone 17, Samsung Galaxy S25, or Google Pixel 10 are great options for a premium phone at a lower price. On the other hand, you probably shouldn't buy an older model like the iPhone 15. Apple stopped selling it in 2025, and even though some carriers still offer it, it will lose software support sooner than newer models.
Save on unlimited data this Black Friday
If you score a new phone this Black Friday, pair it with an unlimited data plan to get the most out of it. The good news is you don't have to pay big carrier prices to get great service. Smaller carriers run on the same T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T networks, so you get the same coverage for a fraction of the cost.
Here are some of the most popular unlimited data plans to help you save on phone service.
|
Visible
$25 Visible Plan
$25.00/mo
Taxes & Fees included
|
|
Mint Mobile
Unlimited Data Plan
$10.00/mo
$60 for 6 months of service
|
|
Verizon
Simplicity Plan
$30.00/mo
+ Taxes & Fees. Price includes AutoPay & Bring a Number discount
|
Why Black Friday is bad
It's important to know when to walk away from Black Friday deals. It's easy to get caught up in the hype, and that excitement often leads to a few classic shopping mistakes.
Don't fall for flashy deals
Before you buy something (and regret it later), take a moment to think about whether you need it. Countdown clocks and low stock alerts are designed to create urgency and push you toward impulse buys. We've all been there: you grab something because it seems like a great deal, not because you need it.
Before you know it, those small extras have blown your budget, and the money you saved on one item is gone. So before you check out, look over your cart and ask yourself, "Do I actually need this?"
Not every discount is a bargain
Good Black Friday deals are the needle in the shopping haystack. There are real offers out there, but finding them takes some effort. Retailers often inflate an item's original price to make the sale price look incredible, and some create lower-quality versions of products just for the event. This year, recent price hikes add another layer, since a "discount" may simply undo a price increase from a few weeks earlier. If you haven't checked the price history or compared model numbers, it's easy to be fooled. You could pay the standard price, or even more, while thinking you got a great deal.
Who has the best Black Friday deals?
No one can predict Black Friday deals with total certainty, but past years show that flagship smartphones get some of the best price cuts.
You can find big Black Friday discounts from major retailers like Amazon, and valuable perks like trade-in credits when you buy through carriers like AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile. In recent years, we've seen price cuts on Samsung Galaxy phones, Google Pixels, and even Apple iPhones.
Check out our best Black Friday deals page, where we keep track of the top offers and promotions as they go live, including the best discounts on the iPhone 18 Pro:
iPhone 18 Pro 256GB Plans
|
Visible
$25 Visible Plan
$25.00/mo
Taxes & Fees included
+ $1,199 Upfront
|
|
T-Mobile
Essentials Saver 2.0
$50.00/mo
with Auto-Pay - Taxes & Fees NOT included
+ $1,199.99 Upfront
|
|
Verizon
Simplicity Plan
$30.00/mo
+ Taxes & Fees. Price includes AutoPay & Bring a Number discount
+ $1,199.99 Upfront
|
When do Black Friday deals start?
Early holiday deals pop up throughout November, with bigger sales likely ramping up the week of November 16. Every year, Black Friday deals start earlier and last longer. What used to be a single day of shopping is now a sales event that runs for weeks.
Major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and Target even launch promotions as early as October. That gives you much more than one day to snag the biggest discounts of the year.
Is Cyber Monday better than Black Friday?
No, Cyber Monday isn't better than Black Friday, since both offer similar deals. The difference between the two has shrunk over the years. Black Friday used to focus on in-store doorbusters, while Cyber Monday focused on online deals.
Now, retailers usually launch their promotions on Black Friday and keep them going all weekend. Many of the same offers available on Friday, November 27, will still be around on Cyber Monday, November 30.
New offers will keep popping up throughout Cyber Week. If you want the best online discounts, start your search on Black Friday instead of waiting for Cyber Monday.
Best early ways to save
Over 30% of Americans start their holiday shopping in October. Between Amazon's two Prime sales each year and new phone launches that set off price drops, you can find discounts all year long. Check out the best phone deals going on right now to snag a new smartphone for less.
Moto G 5G (2026) 128GB
- 6.7 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 50MP, 2MP
- Front Camera: 32MP
Galaxy A26 5G
- 6.7 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 50MP, 8MP, 2MP
- Front Camera: 13MP
Galaxy A27 5G 128GB
- 6.7 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 50MP, 5MP, 2MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
Best Black Friday shopping tips
Black Friday is all about strategy, not speed. A solid plan and the right tools are what separate a real bargain from a cleverly disguised trap. Here's how to shop smarter this year.
1. Make a list
This is the golden rule of Black Friday shopping. Decide exactly what you're buying and who it's for before you look at any ads. A list is your best defense against impulse buys.
2. Set a firm budget
Decide exactly how much you can afford to spend before the sales begin. A set limit keeps you from getting swept up in the frenzy and overspending.
3. Research prices in advance
Look up product prices before you trust the deals you see. This exposes fake discounts that are really just prices dropping back to normal, which is especially important for phones after this year's price hikes. Luckily, you don't have to track prices by hand. Browser extensions and apps can compare prices, show trends, and even earn you rewards.
Here are the top extensions and apps to track product prices:
- CamelCamelCamel and Keepa are must-haves for Amazon shoppers. They show a product's full price history, so you can see if a discount is actually a historic low.
- Flipp is your digital flyer hub. It gathers local store circulars in one place, so it's easy to find and compare the week's best advertised deals.
- If you like to compare prices in stores, use ShopSavvy. Scan any product's barcode to see if it's cheaper somewhere else.
4. Be patient
Resist the urge to buy the first thing you see. Waiting gives you time to compare prices, skip the initial rush, and often find the same item at a deeper discount. Sales usually continue through Cyber Week, so don't stress if you miss a deal on Black Friday itself. Chances are it'll carry over for the next few days.
Black Friday shopping: FAQs
Should I shop Black Friday?
You should shop Black Friday if you're looking for deals on specific items like smartphones or tablets, but be ready to research carefully. Track product prices to find real savings and avoid marketing gimmicks.
Is Black Friday still worth it?
Black Friday is still worth it if you're a strategic shopper with a plan. It's important to know when to walk away from deals and impulse buys you don't need.
Is Black Friday the best time to buy a phone in 2026?
Black Friday is the best time to buy a phone in 2026 for most people, since Apple, Samsung, and Google all raised flagship prices this year. Holiday sales are your best chance to get a new phone for close to its original price. Just compare deals to the price before the hike, not the new one.
Are prices really lower on Black Friday?
Yes, prices really are lower on Black Friday, but you have to find the right deals to save the most. We recommend tracking prices with apps or browser extensions so you can see if deals are legit or just false advertising.
What are the disadvantages of Black Friday?
Black Friday has several disadvantages, like waiting in line if you shop in store, the overwhelming number of discounted products, and deals that look like a steal but aren't.
Jessica Santero
Staff Writer
Thousands of cell phone plans unpacked. All the facts. No surprises.
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