It’s been a great year for phones in general, and I’ve been able to use the vast majority of devices launched in the last 12 months. I tested 73 phones in 2024, ranging from localized entry-level picks to the latest foldables and everything in between.

The Pixel 9 Pro XL is one of my favorite phones of the year, and while I usually recommend Pixels, Google ticked all the right boxes this year — the phone is much better in key areas, and it’s Android. 15 has better fluidity with the update. . Google does a good job of discounting its phones, and for Black Friday, there’s the Pixel 9 Pro XL Dropped to $849.$250 off its launch price.

Then there’s the Pixel 9 Pro, which I actually liked better than the XL variant purely because of the manageable size, and now it’s Available for $799. As part of Black Friday, that’s usually $200 less. If you don’t want to spend that much and still want a great phone, there’s last year’s Pixel 8 Pro. Going for only $592.and that’s an unbeatable value when you consider that the phone will get seven years of software updates.

While not feature-rich, the OnePlus 12 is still one of the best phones of the year. It has a beautiful design — even better than the OnePlus 13 — and a vibrant AMOLED with useful eye protection tech, high-end hardware, and much better cameras. But what is particularly interesting is the OnePlus 12 Reduced to just $549an all-time low.

If you need a mid-ranger, the Pixel 8a is my choice, and that’s the phone now Available for just $399.This makes it an even better value. At the other end of the scale is the OnePlus Open. It’s over a year old, but it’s still the best foldable you can get in the US — it easily beats out the Galaxy Z Fold 6. With Open Available now for $1,199.you are getting a good deal.

I’m highlighting six deals in this post, and incidentally, all six phones are at their lowest prices yet. So if you need a new device, now is the perfect time to upgrade.

Obviously, there are devices I like that aren’t on this list, and that has to do with global availability. Vivo’s X100 Ultra is the best overall camera package I’ve used this year, but the phone is limited by chain, and I wouldn’t recommend going through the trouble of getting it. The Find X8 Pro does pretty well on its own, and the phone is now on sale in several global markets. I also really enjoyed using the Magic V3 Foldable. The ultra-slim design makes it feel like a normal phone, and it has great cameras on the back.

But it’s the Pixel 9 Pro XL that was particularly noteworthy. The phone has much better build quality than previous years, the brightest OLED panel of any device I’ve used this year, the best camera, and the best software with class-leading AI features. While I’ve grumbled about the state of the hardware on previous Pixels, it’s not an issue on the 9 Pro XL, and that alone is a refreshing change of pace.

While it doesn’t have the best cameras—the Chinese trio of Vivo, OPPO, and Xiaomi beat Google to the punch in this area—it still delivers consistently great photos and videos, and the software is unmatched. And while I didn’t like the premium Google introduced this year, Black Friday pretty much addresses it, and $849 is a good deal. Consider what you’re getting into.

Having said that, I think you should get the Pixel 9 Pro instead. I used it after the 9 Pro XL, and grew to like the device a lot. It does not skip any area; You get the same set of cameras on the back, the same OLED (albeit smaller), and the same software with all the AI ​​extras. While its battery is short, I got a day out of it, and Coming in at $799.it’s a better overall choice.

Next is the OnePlus 12. I keep coming back to this device because of the design and battery life, and with OxygenOS 15, you get a lot of useful additions, including AI-backed features that you’ll actually use. It’s the best OnePlus phone by a wide margin (I should know), and even though the OnePlus 13 is slated to launch soon, I don’t think you should wait for it — not with the OnePlus 12. Reduced to just $549.

If you need a mid-range phone, the Pixel 8a and OnePlus 12R are both good choices. I recommend the Pixel 8a because I like Google’s software better, but if you need a powerful phone, the 12R is a better choice. Rounding out the list is the OnePlus Open. I was going to recommend the Galaxy Z Fold 6, but using it with the Open made me realize that the latter is still the better all-round device.

The Open has a better design by far, and the crease in the middle is nowhere to be seen. I also like its cameras better, and the battery lasts significantly longer than the Galaxy Z Fold 6. It’s still on Android 14, but should get the Android 15 update soon, and $1,199 discount This is a direct recommendation.

Ultimately, there’s no shortage of great phone deals this Black Friday, and regardless of which device you go with from the options listed above, you’re getting a great device.