Best deals on mobile phones and SIM contracts to expect on Black Friday 2024
If you are ending your phone's contract, you're probably looking for a new SIM, handset, or SIM and handset deal.
Trying to figure out the best offer for your needs can be tough, often to the point where it's easier to just stay with the same provider - even if you suspect you're not getting the best deal.
But with Black Friday at the end of November, the moment to snap up the deal of the year is beckoning.
When is Black Friday 2024?
This year the bonanza is later than previous years, officially starting on Friday, November 29. But with most of the UK primed for the epic sale, don't be surprised to see offers trickling in the weeks earlier.
When does Black Friday end?
It will end on Cyber Monday which is immediately after Black Friday - this year that's December 2
It means Black Friday is not only the best time to pick up discounts you've waited all year for but also a great way to bring down the cost of the more expensive tech on your festive shopping list - like a shiny new iPhone or a cost-effective SIM-only deal.
Why is it called Black Friday?
Black Friday started as a US shopping bonanza in Philadelphia and is always held the day after the country marks Thanksgiving. The origin of the name is unknown, but some believe it's down to the traffic jams that occurred as families went shopping to take advantage of the heavy discounts.
What phone deals can we expect for Black Friday 2024?
Autumn and early winter see new handsets launching ahead of the Christmas shopping season. As those shiny new phones take the spotlight, it means previous and ever so slightly older models should see sensational drops in RRP.
In terms of brands, Android manufacturers like Samsung, Honor, Google Pixel and Motorola are likely to do the most slashing but if you're an Apple devotee, don't fear. There will likely be plenty of offers there too.
This means you could get your hands on a new device for a snip of the price, or dramatically reduce the price of your monthly contract if you're happy with your phone and just want a SIM deal.
Read More Best Black Friday deals on TVs to expect 2024: Offers on LG, Samsung and more Best Black Friday offers on tablets to expect 2024: Deals on iPads, Amazon Fire, Samsung Galaxy and more Best Black Friday offers on smartwatches to expect 2024: Deals on Apple Watch, Fitbit and more Best camera deals to expect for Black Friday 2024: Offers on Canon, Sony, Polaroid and more Best laptop deals to expect for Black Friday 2024 from Dell, HP and moreWhile tech deals are usually reserved for Cyber Monday, every year brands start the sales firing gun earlier and earlier. With so many great-sounding deals flying around, it can be challenging to know what to go for.
That's where we come in. We're Black Friday veterans and will shout about the best phone deals as soon as they roll in. No more endless scrolling and comparing - ES Best will sift through the tide of offers and sort the wheat from the chaff.
If you can't wait until then, we've had a look at some of the best phone deals to be had right now.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max (256 GB)During the 'Wonderlust' showcase, we were shown a new design for the phone, namely a colour-infused back glass with a matte, textured finish and a more contoured edge. All devices come with a 48MP main camera while the more advanced Pro and Pro Max models have the added bonus of a 2x Telephoto option for 3x optical zoom.
There has also been a switch-up in the charging port to the widely used USB-C and greater precision for Find My Friends and Roadside Assistance connected via satellite to suit those off the grid. The phones are available in five new colours; pink, yellow, green, blue, and black.
It also has a slightly bigger battery: Apple says the Pro Max can handle a staggering 29 hours of video playback, while the Pro can manage a respectable 23 hours.
Was £1,187.10
Buy now £1099 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6This impressive new launch from Samsung only gets better the more time you spend with it.
From a sharp and bright display and a whip-fast processor to incredible zoom on the cameras and auto adjust that picks out the finest detail, this may be the most capable handset on the market today. The slightly larger main display and sharper corners make the most of every millimetre so you're getting as much viewing and browsing space as possible (especially helpful when you're using multiple apps at once).
The 120hz refresh rate is perfect for streaming shows, scrolling your newsfeed or catching up on the latest headlines, not to mention remote working, especially with the Multi View feature which allows you to see up to three apps at once.
Its range of developed AI features is what makes the Galaxy Z Fold6 soar above the competition, from Live Translate, Chat Assist, Browsing Assist and its much-celebrated Circle to Search innovation (in partnership with Google). This tech is reflected in the elevated RRP, but if you can afford it, it's the best phone for your pocket. Oh and the folding mechanism? Well, that never gets old.
The phone is powered by a 4400mAh battery but there's also super fast charging to get your handset back up to full power quicker.
Samsung has once again raised the bar for mobile technology with this device, leaving the competition quaking in its wake.
Was: £1899
Buy now £1599 Samsung Galaxy S24 UltraBest for: keeping in your pocket
The 200MP main wide-angle camera on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra takes some excellent still images, and it's really good for video too. It's capable of shooting 8K at up to 30fps, but perhaps more interesting is the ability to capture 4K video at up to 120fps for high-res slow-motion effects. You'll need a lot of storage to hold so much video data, and up to 1TB of internal capacity is available.
The S24 Ultra's cameras are optically stabilised and use phase-detection autofocus. The phone also has a dual-recording feature that captures footage from the front and rear cameras simultaneously, perfect for vloggers documenting an event as they can walk and talk without a complicated camera setup.
Was: £847
Buy now £741 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G Mobile Phone SIM Free Android Folding Smartphone 256GB Phantom Black (UK Version)This folding device is full of surprises. Folded, the screen spans 6.2inches, but open it up and you'll have 7.6inches of viewing space to enjoy on the Infinity Flex Display.
The 120hz refresh rate is perfect for streaming shows, scrolling your newsfeed or catching up on the latest headlines, not to mention remote working, especially with the Multi View feature which allows you to use up to three apps at once. Find a refurbished model for even less here .
Was £1,599
Buy now £543.46 Moto Razr50 Koala GreyWas: £799.99
Buy now £599 Honor X6b 4gb 128gb - Forest GreenWas: £129.99
Buy now £79.99 Google Pixel 8 Pro – Unlocked Android Smartphone with telephoto lens – Bay, 256GB + Fitbit Charge 6 Activity TrackerWas: £1,198.99
Buy now £923 Motorola Moto g14 SmartphoneWas: £139.99
Buy now £89.99 John Lewis Google Pixel 8Google Buy now £549 MORE ABOUT
