Top Black Friday phones to look out for in 2026

Top Black Friday phones to look out for in 2025

The biggest discount day of the year is almost here. Black Friday 2026 falls on Friday 27th November, and it's the perfect opportunity to make big savings on the latest handsets.

Between the new iPhone series and the latest Google Pixel handsets, these are the phones to look out for on Black Friday. Check out our Black Friday hub for the latest deals as they happen.

iPhone 18 Pro range & iPhone Duo

• iPhone 18 Pro
• iPhone 18 Pro Max
• iPhone Duo

Apple’s 2026 event heralded a host of surprises. Anyone expecting the humble iPhone 18 was instead greeted by a range starting with iPhone 18 Pro, and also including iPhone 18 Pro Max. Between them they showcased an improved 48MP Pro Fusion main camera, a leap in battery life with faster charging, and next-generation A20 Pro chip with dual 16‑core Neural Engine.

The 2026 generation was headlined by Apple's first ever foldable device, boasting the largest iPhone display ever with its 7.6-inch Super Retina Display. This means poweful multitasking, big-screen entertainment, or the versatility to use half-folded as a mini laptop, hands-free video-call, or illuminated clock face with notifications. Rounding off the device is the same amazing 48MP dual camera and A20 Pro chip as the 18 Pros.

iPhone 17 range

• iPhone 17
• iPhone Air
• iPhone 17 Pro
• iPhone 17 Pro Max

Previously, Apple’s 2025 iPhone line-up also really impressed us with some meaningful updates from the previous generation, both small and large. The biggest improvements that stood out include improved camera arrays across the board (48MP telephoto rather than 12MP), powerful photography features like Dual Capture, and the inclusion of Ceramic Shield 2 on every handset in the range to enhance screen protection.

The iPhone 17 series also marked the debut of the iPhone Air; Apple’s successor to the Plus model. This phone was pitched as an ultra-thin and lightweight iPhone option, which we can corroborate with our own handling of the device. You can hardly tell you’re carrying the iPhone Air around, and its remarkably thin design means it can fit in any pocket with ease. If you’re looking for a handset to take on your travels, the iPhone Air is a must-have.

Google Pixel 10 & 11 range

• Pixel 11
• Pixel 11 Pro
• Pixel 11 Pro Fold
• Pixel 10a
• Pixel 10
• Pixel 10 Pro
• Pixel 10 Pro XL
• Pixel 10 Pro Fold

Where AI is concerned, Google’s Pixel phones are some of the most advanced on the market. The Pixel 11 series continued this trend with aplomb, led by new features and improvements to the Pixel’s AI suite, such as Gemini Intelligence and Live Translate, as well as a 48MP camera with 30x Super Res Zoom.

Pixel 10 isn't short of features too, debuting Magic Cue, which is one of those features that comes along and really demonstrates the potential of AI on smartphones. Let’s say you’re on the phone to discuss a flight with an airline; Magic Cue will find any relevant information – such as the flight number – and show it on-screen while you’re on the call. It’s transformative when you first use Magic Cue, bringing together different information from across your accounts when you need it.

There’s even more to the Pixel series to discover. The Camera Coach feature on Pixel 10 & 11 is brilliant for adjusting your photos with AI-assisted tips; ideal if you’re unsure where to start when editing. Gemini was also given an upgrade with Gemini Live, which enables you to ask the AI about your screen’s contents when viewing through the Camera app.

Samsung Galaxy S26 & Z Flip range

• Galaxy S26
• Galaxy S26 Ultra
• Galaxy S26 FE
• Galaxy Z Flip8
• Galaxy Z Fold8
• Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy 2026 line-up is comparable in some ways to the current iPhone generation, being comprised of familiar variations as well as foldable options, albeit with more handsets to choose from. Improvements made to performance and Galaxy AI lead the way, effectively supercharging the already-excellent S26 series.

The shift from a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 to an Exynos S5E9965 processor can be keenly felt across all areas of the S26 series. Everything from games and videos to swapping between apps feels much smoother, especially on the base Galaxy S26 continues to offer a generous 12GB RAM.

This uplift in performance generation-to-generation impacts the S26’s AI capabilities, too. We particularly like image-enhancing features such as Photo Assist with natural language prompts, Audio Eraser, and the upgraded Circle to Search.

Fans of foldables can choose between a book-style or clamshell approach with the Galaxy Z Flip8 and Fold8, while the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra offers the supersized 8-inch foldable display alongside a whopping 200MP triple-lens camera.

Conclusion

Black Friday can be a hectic flurry of deals and excitement. Take a look at our guide for everything you need to know about Black Friday 2026.