Find the best Black Friday mobile phone deals

The Black Friday sale applies to almost anything that can be classed as tech, from TVs and home appliances to laptops and games consoles. You can also find some great mobile phone Black Friday deals, whether you’re looking to replace an outdated handset or renew your current contract. The “big four” mobile phone carriers all offer exclusive discounts available only on or during the lead-up to Black Friday, as do most handset manufacturers and retailers. 

Apple rarely participates in big sale events, so the discounts are few and far between. While Back Market does not offer mobile phone contracts, if you’re seeking the best price for a new handset you can access this year-round, without having to wait for Black Friday. And the best part? Apple products can be purchased with the same discounts, meaning you can get your next iPhone for the best price, as well as other leading brands. 

The discounts that will become available for mobile phones on Black Friday 2024 are yet to be disclosed, but here are some general price comparisons:

*Prices last updated 06/111/24 – prices subject to change.

Is Black Friday the best time to get deals on mobile phones?

There’s no doubt that Black Friday offers opportunities to access some great deals on mobile phones. Depending on which brand you prefer and how recent a model you desire, you could be looking at a discount of as much as 50%. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that Black Friday mobile phone deals are the best you can expect. Retailers and contractors run multiple sales throughout each year, and, while Black Friday certainly offers some bargains, there is a lot of hype. If you genuinely need a new handset or contract around the end of November, then you might find one at a good discount. If you don’t, Back Market offers similar price reductions all year round and includes Apple products in these deals.

When are the other best times to buy a new phone?

Believe it or not, there are in fact more opportunities to buy a smartphone at a cut-price other than Black Friday.

At the pre-order period

This applies to buying the latest smartphone for cheaper than the full price. Generally, retailers will offer a discount for those willing to put a payment upfront and wait for the new model to be released in store. Once the new model is released in stores, there will be no discounts and the public have to pay full price. These offers aren’t usually heavily discounted, but normally between 5%-10% off full price with pre-order offers.

Few weeks before the launch of the new model

For the older models, we can expect some slight price drops as weeks start to build up to the unveiling of a new smartphone model. At this period, the current latest model would have been in stores for a year (normally), and as time progresses, it’s normal to see the price start to fall as the manufacturer and retailers start to get rid of stock and focus on the newer model to sell. Note, that sometimes the discounts become better when the new model is released, to help retailers really clear out old stock for new stock to come in.

During Christmas Sales

Shopping for a Christmas present is the key driver to any discounts during this period, but prices aren’t always heavily discounted. Generally the public would have completed their Christmas shopping on Black Friday, which leaves discounts during Christmas more geared towards other types of products like beauty rather than tech. Expect some minor price drops but nothing extraordinary.

On Boxing day!

Boxing day is as notorious as Black Friday, or perhaps even better for getting a bargain deal. Unique and somewhat exclusive to the UK, boxing day is certainly a day to look out for significant price drops across all product types.

January Sales

Another big shopping opportunity, which is catered for those that didn’t want to endure the Boxing day madness. January sales are arguably the time for retailers to completely get rid of old stock from the previous year as they start to stock up on the new season trends. Normally bargains are found in clothing stores and some can be seen with tech products too.

Should I look for a Black Friday mobile phone deal?

Black Friday undoubtedly offers discounts and deals, which could well save you money. Be wary of getting caught up in the hype, however - research has shown that only a small percentage of Black Friday deals on mobile phones and other tech represent the cheapest price throughout the year. 

In this pre-Christmas period in the UK, shoppers are also more frantic and stressed, which can make the overall shopping experience harder. While there are great Black Friday mobile phone deals to be had, perhaps they should only be looked for if you actually need a new phone at the end of November? 

Another point to consider is the environmental aspect of buying new just to get what seems like a good deal. When you shop at Back Market, you shop refurbished devices that are sold as good as new, with a guarantee for a minimum of one year, a 30-day returns policy and the knowledge that you are helping to protect the environment by shopping used not new.

Back Market's Black Friday recommendation

The top mobile phone handset pick for 2024 from Back Market is the iPhone 14.

The bottom line on Black Friday mobile phone deals

Black Friday certainly offers great opportunities to make savings on new technology. However, it isn’t necessarily the be all and end all of tech discounts. In fact, most retailers offer the same products at cheaper prices at other times of the year. Being a savvy shopper year-round and seeking out the best deals for mobile phones online can mean you grab a better discount. Back Market sells Verified Refurbished mobile phone handsets for as much as 50% lower than the retail price, with a “try before you buy” no obligation 30-day return policy, free shipping and fast delivery. You can even pay in interest-free instalments, making your new mobile phone purchase even more affordable by spreading it over three, six or 12 months.