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As of October 8, 2026, the clearest reported U.S. phone deals include up to $1,200 off select iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models through qualifying carrier activation and trade-in at Best Buy, plus a reported $399 Amazon price for the Samsung Galaxy A57, down from $599. These are time-sensitive examples, not guaranteed live prices. The iPhone savings depend on offer terms; check each listing before buying.
Phone deals reported in October 2026
The offers below were reported or displayed for the U.S. market around October 8, 2026. Phone promotions, eligibility and stock can change, so use the linked offer page to confirm the current model, configuration, price and terms.
| Phone or offer | Reported savings or price | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max at Best Buy | Up to $1,200 off, as displayed on Best Buy’s offer page in 2026 | Qualifying Verizon or AT&T activation and trade-in; confirm eligible model, trade-in value, plan and current stock on Best Buy’s phone offers page. |
| Select unlocked Android phones at Best Buy | Up to $600 off, as displayed on the offer page in 2026 | Confirm which models qualify, their unlocked status, configuration and current price on Best Buy’s phone offers page. |
| Samsung Galaxy A57 at Amazon | $399, reported by Tom’s Guide in October 2026, reduced from $599 | This is a dated report, not a confirmed current Amazon price. Check the live listing’s configuration, seller, stock and price. |
Tom’s Guide’s October 2026 roundup also reported plan- and trade-in-dependent offers on iPhone 17 and Galaxy S26 models, and up to $1,200 off iPhone 18 Pro through a qualifying AT&T offer. Treat those as reported promotional terms, not unconditional discounts; review the roundup and the linked seller’s current terms at Tom’s Guide’s October phone-deal coverage.
How to tell whether “free” or “up to” savings are worthwhile
A large advertised discount may be delivered as monthly bill credits rather than an immediate reduction. It can also require a qualifying unlimited plan, a trade-in, a new line or another activation condition. “Free” therefore does not necessarily mean no cost to you: the offer may depend on service charges and staying eligible for the full credit period. Apple’s carrier-offer page describes current terms and examples that can vary by carrier; some offers may accept trade-in devices in any condition, while others may not require a trade-in. Read the terms for the specific deal at Apple’s carrier offers page.
#1 Best Overall
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Compare the cost of the phone and required service over the full offer term, not just the advertised savings against the phone’s list price. Before committing, check:
- Total cost: Add the phone payments and required service charges over the entire credit or payment term, along with any applicable activation or financing charges.
- Trade-in rules: Confirm the eligible phone models, condition requirements, valuation and whether the offer requires you to trade in a device.
- Plan and activation: Check whether you need a specific plan, a new line, a port-in or another activation step.
- How the discount is paid: Distinguish an instant discount from monthly bill credits, and note how long credits continue.
- Lock and compatibility: Verify whether the phone is unlocked and whether it works with your carrier’s network.
- Financing and flexibility: Check return, installment, upgrade and cancellation terms, including what happens to remaining credits if you leave or change plans.
For carrier offers, estimate your service cost against a plan you would otherwise choose. A phone subsidy can be a poor fit if the required plan costs more than your alternative over the same period, even when the discount looks large.
Rank #2
- Blazing-fast Qualcomm performance. Get the speed you need for great entertainment with a Snapdragon 680 processor and 4GB**** of RAM.
- Fluid display + immersive stereo sound. Bring your entertainment to life with an ultrawide 6.5" 90Hz* HD+ display plus stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, and Hi-Res Audio**.
- 50MP*** Quad Pixel camera. Capture sharper, more vibrant photos day or night with 4x the light sensitivity.
- 64GB**** built-in storage. Get plenty of room for photos, movies, songs, and apps—and add up to 1TB more with a microSD card*****.
- Unbelievable battery life. Work and play nonstop with a long-lasting 5000mAh battery.*****
Choose between a carrier offer and an unlocked phone
Carrier activation and trade-in deals
These can produce the largest headline savings, especially on flagship phones, but eligibility can hinge on a particular carrier, plan, new line and trade-in. A retailer’s deal page may show several carriers’ promotions alongside other offers. Confirm which conditions apply to the exact listing rather than assuming the maximum discount is available to every buyer.
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An unlocked-phone discount can be simpler if you want to keep your current carrier or avoid a new line, but verify network compatibility and whether the reduction is genuinely available without activation. Best Buy’s 2026 offer page displayed up to $600 off select unlocked Android phones; the eligible models and live prices need to be checked on the page.
Rank #3
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
Expired offer to leave off a current-deals shortlist
Google Fi’s official offer page listed $1,000 off the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8, split into $300 in instant savings and $700 in monthly bill credits over 24 months on the Unlimited Premium or Flexible plan. The page gave an October 7, 2026 end date, one day before the offers were checked for this guide. It should not be treated as an active deal on October 8. The dated terms are visible on Google Fi’s offer page; check it directly for any replacement promotion.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- GSM Unlocked: Enjoy seamless connectivity with your preferred GSM carrier. Compatible with T-Mobile, Metro PCS, AT&T, Cricket, Mint Mobile and other GSM networks. SIM card not included. For network compatibility, please check with your carrier. Note: Not compatible with CDMA networks like Verizon (Visible, Spectrum Mobile, US Mobile, Total Wireless, Straight Talk Wireless)
- Boundless Views: Enjoy immersive viewing on the spacious 6.5” HD+ display. Whether you're watching videos, browsing, or gaming, every detail comes through with stunning clarity.
- Smooth Performance, All Day: Powered by an efficient octa-core processor, the G35 ensures smooth performance for your everyday tasks. Enjoy faster app launches, seamless multitasking, and reliable speed.
- Snap, Share, Repeat: The G35 features a dual rear camera setup for sharp, detailed shots, and a front-facing camera that’s perfect for selfies and video calls. Capture every moment with ease and clarity.
- Effortless Access: Keep your phone secure with A.I. Face ID technology. Instantly unlock your G35 with just a glance. It's fast, easy, and secure.
Rank #4
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with Verizon, Spectrum, AT&T, Total Wireless, other CDMA carriers, it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- 4G LTE Bands: B1/B3/B5/B7/B8/B20/B28/B38/B40/B41
- Display: Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM) | 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density)
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)
Where to check current listings
- Apple carrier offers for iPhone promotions and carrier-specific requirements.
- Best Buy phone offers for a mix of carrier-activation, trade-in and unlocked-phone listings.
- Google Fi offers for current Fi promotions; the cited Galaxy Z Fold8 offer had already expired by October 8, 2026.
- Tom’s Guide’s October 2026 deal roundup for reported iPhone and Galaxy carrier promotions.
- Tom’s Guide’s Prime Day phone coverage for the dated Galaxy A57 price example; verify the Amazon listing itself before relying on that price.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
