The wait for the year's biggest tech sales event is nearly over, as Black Friday 2025 prepares to deliver spectacular savings on smartphones. Kicking off officially on Friday, 28 November, the sales frenzy offers a golden opportunity for Brits to upgrade their devices, with incredible early offers already appearing from major retailers and networks.
Top Early Bird Smartphone Offers
Shoppers don't need to wait until the main event to snag a bargain. Several standout deals have already emerged that are too good to ignore. The Independent's tech expert, Steve Hogarty, has been tracking these promotions and highlights one particularly impressive contract.
The new iPhone 17 Pro is available for just £44.99 per month with a £99 upfront cost through ID Mobile via Uswitch.co.uk. When calculated over the full 24-month term, including expected mid-contract price increases, the total cost reaches £1,220.76. This works out to an effective data cost of just £5.07 per month after accounting for the handset's value, all while operating on Three's robust network.
Android Alternatives Shining Bright
For those loyal to the Android ecosystem, Samsung's premium offerings receive significant discounts. The cutting-edge Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has been reduced by £50 at AO.com, bringing its price down to £899. Described by experts as boasting "the best hardware Samsung can muster", this device features a superb camera system and a brilliant display perfect for demanding tasks and gaming.
An even more compelling contract option for the same model comes via Uswitch.com, offering the Galaxy S25 Ultra with 500GB data, unlimited minutes and texts for £29.99 monthly and £159 upfront. This remarkable deal means customers effectively pay less than £1 per month for their data, minutes and texts package.
Budget-conscious shoppers should consider the Samsung Galaxy S24 5G 256GB, which has seen a massive £300 reduction at Argos, slashing its price from £759 to £459. Despite being last year's model, it remains a powerful Android device with an impressive camera and display.
Expert Shopping Advice for Black Friday
With years of experience covering the Black Friday sales, Steve Hogarty offers crucial guidance for navigating the deals. "Be wary of cheaper introductory prices at the beginning of the contract," he advises, warning shoppers about potentially misleading discounts. He recommends using comparison sites like Uswitch that clearly display the total cost over the entire contract period.
The IndyBest team provides additional support through their comprehensive testing programme. They conduct year-round evaluations of top smartphones, assessing camera performance, battery life and long-term value to ensure they only recommend devices genuinely worth your money.
For those not looking to upgrade their handset, sim-only deals also present excellent value. Vodafone's Unlimited Plus plan has been reduced from £33 to £24 monthly, offering unlimited data, minutes and texts with download speeds sufficient for 4K streaming. Alternatively, Smarty Mobile's 50GB data plan costs just £8 per month on a flexible rolling contract without annual price increases.
The Black Friday sales period extends beyond the main date, running through the weekend and culminating on Cyber Monday on 1 December. However, based on previous years, many offers will begin earlier and some may persist beyond the official dates, giving shoppers ample opportunity to find their perfect deal.