Best Cyber Monday Phone Deals 2026: What to Expect on December 1
Cyber Monday 2026 (December 1) is when retailers add their second wave of phone discounts — particularly online-only deals that didn't run on Black Friday. We track which awarded picks historically discount most on Cyber Monday.
Updated · 5 picks · Rankings reflect MKBHD Smartphone Awards outcomes.
How we picked
Phones with strong Cyber Monday discounting history at Amazon, Best Buy, and online carriers. MKBHD Smartphone Awards placement is the editorial anchor.
- #1
Won Phone of the Year at MKBHD's 2025 Smartphone Awards. Amazon and Best Buy historically run online-only iPhone deals on Cyber Monday — typically matching or slightly improving Black Friday pricing.
Pros
- MKBHD's 2025 Phone of the Year
- Online-exclusive discounts often $50 deeper than Black Friday
- Apple Intelligence supported
Cons
- Stock can run low
- Apple direct rarely participates
- #2
Biggest Cyber Monday discount — 2024 Phone of the Year
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Samsung · 2024 · From $1299
Won Phone of the Year at MKBHD's 2024 Smartphone Awards. Samsung.com and Amazon historically discount last-gen Ultras most aggressively on Cyber Monday — expect $400–$600 off launch pricing.
Pros
- MKBHD's 2024 Phone of the Year
- Expected $400–$600 Cyber Monday discount
- Same camera as S25 Ultra
Cons
- One generation behind on chip
- Galaxy AI features lag latest
- #3
Won Most Improved at MKBHD's 2024 Smartphone Awards. Google Store typically discounts Pixel 9 Pro by $200–$300 on Cyber Monday — slightly deeper than Black Friday.
Pros
- MKBHD's 2024 Most Improved
- Expected $200–$300 Cyber Monday discount
- Best AI features
Cons
- Google Store stock limits
- Carrier deals require new line
- #4
Best Cyber Monday budget phone — runner-up Best Value 2024
Google Pixel 8a
Google · 2024 · From $499
Runner-up Best Value at MKBHD's 2024 awards. Often hits its lowest price of the year on Cyber Monday — typically $329–$379 at Amazon and Google Store.
Pros
- Runner-up Best Value 2024
- Often hits $329–$379
- Seven years of OS updates
Cons
- Plastic frame
- Tensor G3 isn't fast
- #5
Won Best Battery at MKBHD's 2025 Smartphone Awards. OnePlus typically offers $100–$200 Cyber Monday discounts plus accessory bundles (AirPods-equivalent OnePlus Buds Pro).
Pros
- MKBHD's 2025 Best Battery
- Expected $100–$200 Cyber Monday discount
- Accessory bundles common
Cons
- 4 years of updates
- OxygenOS less polished than One UI
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Frequently Asked Questions
Cyber Monday vs Black Friday phone deals — which is better?
Roughly equivalent for flagship phones. Cyber Monday tends to have slightly deeper online-only discounts on last-gen flagships and budget phones; Black Friday has bigger carrier trade-in bonuses.
Best place to buy a phone on Cyber Monday 2026?
Amazon for direct discounts on Pixel, OnePlus, and Samsung. Best Buy for iPhone with carrier activation. Apple direct rarely discounts iPhones meaningfully.
Should I wait until Cyber Monday after missing Black Friday?
Yes — Cyber Monday catches most Black Friday deals plus adds online-only discounts. You won't lose much by waiting four days.
About this list
We index every phone that won or placed in MKBHD's annual Smartphone Awards (2014–2025) and surface the strongest matches for this category. Award badges link to the full award history. We earn a commission on purchases via our retailer links — at no extra cost to you.