With the holiday shopping season right around the corner, many people are wondering if they should wait until Black Friday to buy the new Samsung Galaxy S23.
This latest flagship phone was just released in February 2023, so deals are not as prevalent yet. However, Black Friday is known for having great tech deals, so should you hold off buying the S23 until then?
In this article, we’ll look at last year’s Galaxy S22 Black Friday deals, price trends for newer Galaxy models, and tips for finding the best S23 deal this November.
Read on to learn whether the S23 is likely to be cheaper on Black Friday or if you should buy now.
Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday for Galaxy Deals
First, let’s overview the differences between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Black Friday always falls on the day after Thanksgiving, while Cyber Monday is three days later. Both are major shopping days with lots of online deals.
For Samsung Galaxy phones, the deals available on Black Friday and Cyber Monday are usually very similar. Most Black Friday deals extend through the weekend and into Cyber Monday. However, some new Cyber Monday-only promotions may pop up.
The bottom line is that major retailers like Samsung, Amazon, Best Buy, and carriers like Verizon and AT&T will all be running promotions on the new Galaxy S23 series over the entire Black Friday weekend. It’s worth keeping an eye out for deals on both Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
What Were the S22 Deals Like?
To predict possible S23 Black Friday prices, let’s look at deals on the S22 series last year. The Galaxy S22, S22+, and S22 Ultra were released in February 2022 and then discounted for Black Friday in November.
Here are some of the best Samsung Galaxy S22 Black Friday deals from 2022:
- Samsung: Up to $800 off S22 series phones with trade-in
- Amazon: S22 for $599 (originally $799), S22+ for $799 (originally $999)
- Best Buy: Free $200 gift card with S22 series purchases
- Verizon: Buy one, get one free on the S22 series
- AT&T: S22 for free with trade-in and unlimited data plan
The S22 devices were 9 months old at the time of these Black Friday 2022 deals. Given the similar February release for the S23, we can expect similar discounts this year, ranging from $100-500 off at major retailers.
New vs. Old Galaxy Models on Black Friday
In general, the best Galaxy phone deals on Black Friday tend to be on older models. For example, the S21 series from 2021 saw bigger discounts during Black Friday 2022 compared to the newer S22 series.
When a new Galaxy model has only been out for a few months at the time of Black Friday, the deals usually aren’t as significant. Retailers know people want the latest tech gadgets for the holidays, so they don’t have to discount as heavily.
However, we still usually see at least a $100 price drop on new Galaxy models during Black Friday. For example, the Galaxy S10 received a discount of $200 just 9 months after its release in 2019. Based on past trends, you can expect at least moderate deals on the S23 this Black Friday.
Expected Samsung Galaxy S23 Black Friday Prices
Now that we’ve looked at historical pricing trends, here are my predictions for Galaxy S23 Black Friday deals this year:
- Samsung: Trade-in offer of up to $600 off, bringing the S23 to around $599
- Amazon: Prices starting at $699 for the S23 (originally $799), $899 for the S23+
- Best Buy: $100-$200 off all S23 models
- Carriers: BOGO deals when you switch carriers and add a line
Of course, it depends on stock levels and consumer demand closer to November. But in general, I predict discounts of $100-300 off the retail prices of the S23 series this Black Friday.
Finding the Best Galaxy S23 Black Friday Deal
Here are some tips to make sure you find the absolute best price on the Galaxy S23 this Black Friday:
- Start deal tracking now – Add the S23 to your DealNotifier alert list for real-time updates
- Look beyond the big retailers – Lesser known stores can have the best discounts to compete
- Consider carrier deals – Switching carriers can net you a free or heavily discounted S23
- Don’t forget trade-ins – Trades can lower the price significantly when combined with sales
- Shop early – The best deals sell out fast, so shop in the morning on Black Friday
Also be on the lookout for Black Friday coupons and codes from sites like DealRay to save even more on the new S23.
Should You Wait for Black Friday or Buy the S23 Now?
While the Galaxy S23 will likely see at least a small price drop over Black Friday, it may not be worth waiting months if you want the phone now.
Here are a few reasons you may want to buy the S23 before Black Friday:
- You’ll get to enjoy new features for 9 more months
- There will be more color options available now
- Waiting means continuing to use an outdated phone
- Deals aren’t guaranteed to be much better
However, here are some reasons to wait for Black Friday:
- Prices are almost sure to drop somewhat
- You may be able to get extra gift cards, accessories, etc.
- There will be lots of deals on cases and accessories too
- You’ll know what reviewers think about the phone by then
When to Buy the S23 for the Best Deal
Timing your Galaxy S23 purchase correctly this holiday season can help you maximize savings.
I recommend keeping an eye on prices starting in October, which is usually when early Black Friday deals start. Prices probably won’t drop much initially. But you may see some promotions for free accessories like wireless chargers or earbuds with purchase.
Early to mid-November is when the best S23 deals will start cropping up. Older Galaxy models like the S22 and S21 series will see bigger discounts first. Expect price drops on those before the S23 goes on sale.
Actual Black Friday through Cyber Monday (Nov 24-28 this year) is prime buying time. Have a list of retailers and check for their Cyber Monday-specific promos. Stock tends to sell out on the actual weekend, so shop early.
If you miss the main sales, don’t worry – deals will continue in December. There are usually new batches of deals in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Retailers want to keep drumming up sales before the end of the year.
In January and February, prices will start to climb back up. Once the holiday shopping season passes, deals won’t be as great. Demand also naturally drops off after the new year.
So in summary, the ideal times to buy the Galaxy S23 are October through early December. Shop especially hard late November during the peak of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
How Much Should You Spend on the S23?
The official Samsung retail pricing for the Galaxy S23 line is:
- S23 – $799
- S23+ – $999
- S23 Ultra – $1,199
You shouldn’t pay more than those prices before Black Friday rolls around. And once the sales start, use these price ranges as a guide:
- S23 – aim for $600-$750
- S23+ – aim for $800-$950
- S23 Ultra – aim for $1,000-$1,150
I would hesitate to pay much more than the high ends of those ranges even during Black Friday. The exceptions would be if you’re getting a lot of extra value via gift cards, accessories, plan discounts from your carrier, etc.
Also consider how much you can save with a trade-in. With the right phone to trade in, you could get the S23 for as little as $350-$400. That’s an excellent value in my opinion.
At the end of the day, trust your gut. If a S23 deal feels too good to pass up, go for it! But if you’re uneasy about the price, keeping waiting – more deals will come.
Unlocked vs. Carrier S23 Deals
Should you buy an unlocked Galaxy S23 or go through a carrier? Let’s compare the pros and cons:
Unlocked S23
Pros:
- Works on any GSM carrier like AT&T or T-Mobile
- No required service contracts
- Use eSIM to easily switch carriers anytime
- Bring your own phone to cheaper prepaid plans
Cons:
- Have to pay full price upfront
- No carrier deals or discounts
- Unlocked models may be out of stock
Carrier S23
Pros:
- Discounted monthly payment plans
- BOGO and free phone deals
- Bundle with plan discounts
- Existing customer perks
Cons:
- Carrier activation and contracts
- Monthly fees and down payments
- Locked to one carrier’s network
- Early termination fees
In most cases, buying through a carrier will be cheaper upfront but more expensive long term. If you want to pay off the phone ASAP and change networks freely, go unlocked. But if you’re fine being locked in and spreading out costs, carrier deals can save you $100 or more.
Getting the Best Trade-In Value
Trading in your old phone can potentially save you hundreds on the Galaxy S23 this Black Friday. But you’ll want to strategize to get the most for your trade.
Here are some tips:
- Shop around for quotes – get offers from Samsung, carriers, and resellers like Decluttr
- Compare trade values vs. reselling outright
- Reset and clean your phone before trading
- Note if value is via bill credit or instant cash
- Consider waiting until you have the S23 before trading
The original box, manuals, chargers, etc for your old phone also help boost its trade value. And broken/cracked screens will lower values significantly, so get that fixed beforehand if possible.
You can trade in very old phones, but values drop off steeply after 3 years. Ideally trade in a recent 1-2 year old flagship from Apple, Samsung, Google, or OnePlus for the maximum savings towards your Galaxy S23.
Using Cash Back & Coupons
In addition to sales and promotions from Samsung and retailers, you can save extra on the S23 by stacking cash back, coupons, and referral discounts.
Here are some options:
- Rakuten – Get up to 10% cash back from Samsung’s site
- Honey – Find coupons and promo codes for all retailers
- TopCashback – Get bonus cash back during the holidays
- Student discounts – Check for student coupons from Samsung and carriers
- Referral offers – Referring a friend to a carrier can score you $25-100+
With stacking bonuses like these, you can potentially save an additional $100 or more beyond the base S23 sales and promotions.
Buying Refurbished and Used
If you want to pay even less for the Galaxy S23, buying refurbished or used is an option. However, you’ll need to be careful when going this route.
Refurb S23 phones were used and returned, but inspected and cleaned by Samsung. They come with a lower price but the same 1 year warranty.
Buying used means purchasing from an individual seller, like on Swappa. Prices will be lower but no warranty is included.
When going the refurbished or used route:
- Inspect photos and descriptions carefully
- Buy only “mint/excellent” condition phones
- Check for signs of damage
- Verify the IMEI/ESN is clean
- Test phone thoroughly upon arrival
As long as you’re careful, you could save $200 or more buying refurbished/used. But be prepared to return it if the phone arrives damaged or in poorer condition than described.
Closing Thoughts on S23 Black Friday Deals
Finding a great Galaxy S23 deal boils down to being patient for sales, yet pouncing once you find a good offer before stock sells out.
Start monitoring prices now, and expect to see the best offers in November around Black Friday. Discounts of $100-300 off are likely from Samsung and major retailers.
Factor in stackable savings like trade-in values, cash back, coupons, and carrier incentives to maximize your savings. With the right combination of promotions, you could get the S23 for 50% or more off retail pricing.
While nothing is guaranteed, the odds are certainly in your favor to score an impressive Galaxy S23 bargain this Black Friday 2023. So get your shopping lists ready and prepare to cash in on the deals!
