These are the 11 best early Prime Day phone deals I'd actually buy myself

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Close Home Tech Smartphones These are the 11 best early Prime Day phone deals I'd actually buy myself Prime Day 2026 is next week. Save hundreds right now on early phone deals, including the Google Pixel 10 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S26, and Motorola Edge. Written by Cesar Cadenas, Staff WriterStaff Writer June 16, 2026 at 12:05 p.

m. PT Written by Cesar Cadenas, Staff WriterStaff Writer June 16, 2026 at 12:05 p.m.

PT Amazon Prime Day will run from June 23 through June 26 this year, but you don't have to wait to score a great deal on a new phone. Amazon has already begun rolling out early discounts on some of the year's most popular mobile devices, making now a great time to upgrade. Whether you're shopping for a flagship model, a budget-friendly Android handset, or a cheaper iPhone, there are already some worthwhile offers available.

Also: The best early Amazon Prime Day deals: I found editor-approved tech already on saleHere at ZDNET, I review several major smartphone releases and track deals of even more throughout the year. Something I've noticed is that buying a new phone is more complicated than ever in 2026. Between rising prices, economic instability, and a market packed with excellent options at every price point, finding the right device can be challenging.

To help make your decision easier, I have sifted through Amazon's early Prime Day promotions and rounded up the phone deals worth your attention.Find more early Prime Day dealsBest early Samsung phone Prime Day deals Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra for $1,100 (save $200) Prakhar Khanna/ZDNET Current price: $1,100 (15% off)Original price: $1,300The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra isn't a major upgrade from its predecessor. Instead, it successfully refines an already winning formula with a sleeker design, smarter software features, and several meaningful quality-of-life improvements.

Its standout feature is Privacy Display, which obscures the screen's view at certain angles to keep sensitive information hidden from nearby onlookers. Powering the flagship is Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, delivering flagship performance. Whether you're juggling multiple apps or playing demanding mobile games, the Galaxy S26 Ultra will stay fast, responsive, and remarkably smooth.

Longevity is another major strength, as the phone's 5,000 mAh battery comfortably lasts a full day. After testing the Galaxy S26 Ultra, ZDNET Contributing Writer Prakhar Khanna found that the device still had roughly 25% battery remaining after an entire day of use. Review: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Show more View now at Amazon Samsung Galaxy S26 for $800 (save $100) Prakhar Khanna/ZDNET Current price: $800 (11% off)Original price: $900Samsung's Galaxy S26 may be the entry-level model in its series, but it still delivers much of the same premium experience as the S26 Ultra.

It supports the improved photo editing tools that the Ultra model has, as well as the Document Scanner, Now Brief, and the upgraded Circle to Search feature. You can even choose between Bixby, Gemini, or Perplexity as your main AI assistant.Its screen isn't as nice; however, it is still solid.

The base S26 features a 6.3-inch Full HD+ AMOLED screen running at 120Hz, delivering vibrant visuals, high detail, and smooth scrolling. Performance is rock-solid, thanks to a custom-built Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset.

Show more View now at Amazon Samsung Galaxy Z