Best early Amazon Spring Sale phone deals 2026: 20 sales out now

For Amazon's Big Spring Sale, I've rounded up the best early phone deals from major brands like Apple, Samsung, Motorola, and more.

Best early Amazon Spring Sale phone deals 2026: 20 sales out now
Best early Amazon Spring Sale phone deals 2026: 20 sales out now Photo: ZDNet

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Amazon's Big Spring Sale is coming up next week .

It's a major sales event where the e-commerce giant offers significant discounts on electronics, particularly phones.

Even though the Big Spring Sale hasn't officially kicked off, early deals are already live.

And judging from what I've seen, this year's event will be one of the best times to upgrade.

Also: Amazon's Big Spring Sale 2026: Dates, what to expect & everything to know
At ZDNET, we review every major phone release and track deals year-round.

Picking a new phone is surprisingly difficult because there are so many good choices out there.

Maybe you want the latest flagship or a budget model.

Or maybe you're considering switching to the Android ecosystem.

I've sifted through many different sales, promotions, and limited-time offers to bring you the best early Amazon Big Spring Sale phone deals.

So far, I've seen discounts on the iPhone 17 Pro Max , Galaxy Z Fold7 , and Pixel 10 Pro XL .

This year's event will be one of the best times to upgrade.

Also: I broke my 5-year iPhone upgrade rule with the latest model - here's why I'm not regretting it
If I had to describe the Galaxy Z Fold7 in one word, it would be luxurious.

It features a 6.5-inch outer for everyday use, an expansive 8-inch inner screen perfect for watching movies, and flagship performance from its Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset.

The Z Fold7 even has a 200MP lens in its main rear camera.

Multiple configurations are on sale.

The deal that I'm highlighting is for the 256GB unlocked model, which is on sale $1,675.

ZDNET's editor-in-chief, Kerry Wan, says the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL offers a versatile camera system with impeccable zoom capabilities.

The phone is powered by Google's Tensor G5 chip, enabling deep Gemini AI integration across the device's features.

Plus, it ensures speedy performance, thanks in no small part to the 16GB of RAM.

It boasts a large 6.8-inch Super Actua display that peaks at 3,300 nits of brightness, allowing the phone to look vibrant even under direct sunlight.

Motorola's Razr Ultra is an aesthetically striking foldable, sporting Pantone-validated finishes.

Beyond its looks, the model offers plenty of functionality, with a four-inch outer display that lets you read messages, use widgets, and control media.

Inside is a seven-inch AMOLED inner screen that's bright and features a less noticeable crease.

Every single color option is currently on sale.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is a premium foldable with great performance thanks to the Tensor G5 chip.

Both the Moonstone (silver) and Jade green options are on sale.

Best early Spring Sale budget phone deals
When it first came out, the Moto G Stylus was easily the best in its series, offering a surprisingly premium experience.

It comes with a 6.7-inch Super HD AMOLED display running at 120Hz, dual Dolby Atmos speakers, and a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chip that excels at multitasking.

Motorola is sweetening the deal by also bundling a free Moto Tag with the purchase and a trade-in bonus.

If you trade in an eligible device, you can drop the price of the Moto G Stylus by up to $120.

The Motorola Edge is a solid midrange phone that really impressed me when I first reviewed it.

Its 6.7-inch curved screen now runs at Super HD resolution (2,712 x 1,200 pixels) with a peak brightness of 4,500 nits, offering vibrant visuals that pair perfectly with the Dolby Atmos speakers.

Together, these two components deliver a theater-like experience in the palm of your hand.

Under the hood, the Edge is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7400 processor and 8GB of RAM for smooth everyday performance.

Battery life is solid.

The device can last around 20 hours on a single charge.

If that doesn't sound long, do note that the phone has fast charging capabilities.

Samsung's Galaxy S25 FE is the midrange model for the S25 series.

It sports many of the same features as the base S25 phone, including support for Galaxy AI features, a sleek matte design, and a triple-camera layout.

There are some notable differences, namely its internal hardware.

Instead of running a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset like the others, the FE version operates on the Exynos 2400.

This phone doesn't perform as well as the others, but it's still a solid piece of hardware, capable of running everyday tasks smoothly.

What it lacks in power, the Galaxy S25 FE makes up for in size.

The mobile device boasts a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x display with a 120Hz refresh rate.

Together, these features allow this phone to feel like a flagship model.

Even years after its release, the iPhone 13 remains a highly dependable and great smartphone.

A big part of its longevity is thanks to the A15 Bionic chip, which keeps the phone feeling fast in everyday use.

Its 6.1-inch OLED screen is bright and sharp.

While it lacks many of the premium features of newer models, it is still highly responsive.

Its form factor has held up well, with the flat-edge aluminum frame and compact size making it comfortable to use.

The dual-camera system takes high-quality photographs and videos, with lenses that perform well in most lighting conditions.

Video features like Cinematic Mode let users get creative with their recordings, helping the device feel contemporary.

Battery is another strong point, easily lasting a full day on a single charge.

Samsung's Galaxy A36 is arguably one of the best-value phones you can find under $400.

It has all the core features most people will want in a reliable, everyday mobile device.

It boasts a bright 6.7-inch AMOLED screen, a 50MP wide-angle camera lens, and a large 5,000 mAh battery that lasts an entire day and then some.

For this generation, Samsung upgraded the design of its midrange phone by giving the A36 a more premium glass back plus a Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset for better performance.

What will really help the Galaxy A36 in the long term is the level of support it receives.

Samsung promises up to five years of software and security updates.

It may not be the flashiest phone, and charging speeds are slower than its rivals, but for people who want a well-rounded mobile device, you can't get better than this.

Best early Spring Sale flagship phone deals
Google's Pixel 10 is a great baseline smartphone that adeptly balances power and versatility.

Powered by the Tensor G5 chip with 12GB of RAM, this mobile device delivers fast performance, a longer battery life, and a suite of AI features that enhance the everyday experience.

The technology is used to enhance photo editing tools and provide personalized suggestions.

It's a big step up from the previous generation as the Pixel 10 introduces a third lens to its rear camera system.

The phone has a dedicated 10.8 MP telephoto lens, enabling 5x optical zoom.

The Pixel 10 is also one of Google's first phones to support Pixelsnap, a series of magnetic accessories that allow for secure attachment for wireless Qi2 chargers.

Also: Google Pixel 10a vs.

Pixel 10: I compared the two midrange phones, and this model wins
Finally, we have the Pixel 9 Pro XL, a large smartphone that delivers a flagship-like experience without flagship prices.

It comes with a 6.8-inch OLED screen with a maximum brightness of 3,000 nits, ensuring stunning visuals whether you're outside or indoors.

The phone runs on the Tensor G4 chipset and a hefty 5,060mAh battery for smooth, all-day operation.

Its flat-edge design, combined with the Gorilla Glass Victus 2 panel, makes the Pixel 9 Pro XL feel exceptionally premium, like no other phone out there today
The Pixel 9 Pro XL offers the same core experience as the Pixel 10 Pro XL; however, the latter provides more robust AI features thanks to the more powerful Tensor G5 chip.

If you don't mind missing out on this tech, this smartphone remains one of the best Android buys.

Also: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: We tested both and it's a close one
Samsung's Galaxy S25 Ultra remains one of the best Android phones on the market, even a year after its launch.

Its standout feature is the 6.8-inch AMOLED LTPO display.

For this generation, Samsung equipped its flagship model with Gorilla Armor 2 glass for improved scratch resistance and an anti-glare coating to enhance visibility.

Performance is top-notch thanks to the custom-made Snapdragon 8 Elite chip.

It handles heavy multitasking, gaming, and the device's AI-powered features with ease.

I certainly can't forget about the 5,000mAh battery.

Even on a phone this power-hungry, that battery is big enough for a full day.

With the Galaxy S26 Ultra now available, it seems Samsung is ready to clear excess inventory.

I don't think this is the last that we'll see of this discount.

Also: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs.

S25 Ultra: I compared the flagship phones to decide the better buy
As the name suggests, the Galaxy S25 Edge is essentially a slimmed-down version of the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

It measures 158.2 x 75.6 x 5.8 and weighs 163 grams.

The Ultra is 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2 mm and weighs 218 grams.

The S25 Edge is also slightly smaller, featuring a 6.7-inch AMOLED screen.

However, it does run on the same custom Snapdragon processor for excellent performance.

For this particular deal, you will also receive a free $50 Amazon gift card with purchase.

If you want to pay less, the Galaxy S25 Edge is on sale for $900.

There's also a bundle deal that includes a pair of Galaxy Buds 3 Pro for $1,140.

Also: Finally, a Samsung phone that I'd put my S25 Ultra away for (especially at this price)
The iPhone 17 Pro may be Apple's current flagship smartphone, but it would be remiss to ignore and forget its predecessor: the iPhone 16 Pro.

It hits that perfect sweet spot of size, power, and features.

Measuring 149.6 x 71.5 x 8.25mm, it is smaller than the current generation, allowing for a more comfortable hold.

However, due to its titanium construction, it is slightly heavier than the 17 Pro.

Also: Apple iPhone 17 Pro vs.

iPhone 16 Pro: I compared both models, and there's a big difference
Amazon's Big Spring Sale 2026 will run from March 25-31.

Last year, the sale ran during the same dates.

It's a multi-day event where the platform rolls out big discounts on laptops, phones, monitors, smart watches, headphones, and more, with many promotions going live before it even begins.

How did we choose these early Amazon Spring Sale deals?

Here at ZDNET, we focus only on smartphone deals we think are truly worth paying for.

These are products we would actually want for ourselves, our friends, and family.

Our experts typically look for deals of 20% or more, or for products that rarely go on sale.

However, if there are exceptions to the rule, we believe the phone in question is a top-tier device.

We take customer feedback into account, analyzing user reviews to see what people really liked about their purchase.

The goal here is to provide reliable guidance so you can shop smarter and avoid wasting money on smartphones that are lackluster and just not worth buying.

Get the new Galaxy S26 Ultra for up to $720 off with trade-in from Samsung - here's how

Source: This article was originally published by ZDNet

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