The best Presidents’ Day phone sales live now

For Presidents’ Day, I’ve rounded up the best phone deals available now from major brands like Apple, Samsung, Motorola, and more.

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If you're ready to upgrade your old smartphone in 2026, now could be an opportune time to buy a new handset. After spending time looking through all of the phone deals available this Presidents' Day, Verizon's deal for a free iPhone 17 Pro with an eligible phone line stands out as one of the best. But it's not the only one: You can also find the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra for about 20% off, and the Google Pixel 10 Pro for 25% off.  Picking a new phone is surprisingly difficult because there are so many good choices out there.

Maybe you want the latest flagship or a budget model. Or maybe you're considering switching to the Android ecosystem. Don't fret. I've sifted through many different sales, promotions, and limited-time offers to bring you my top picks for the best Presidents' Day phone deals. Kicking off the list is the iPhone 17 Pro, available at no cost with certain carrier plans. Thanks to its A19 Pro chip, it is 40% faster than the previous generation.

Its new vapor chamber helps keep internal components cool, and the device boasts excellent battery life, lasting up to 33 hours on a single charge. Samsung's Galaxy S25 Ultra is arguably one of the best-looking smartphones currently available, boasting a stunning 6.8-inch AMOLED screen. The display is covered in an anti-reflective coating and Corning Gorilla Armor 2 for extra durability. Performance is top-notch thanks to its custom Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset.

If I had to describe the Galaxy Z Fold7 in one word, it would be luxurious. It features a 6.5-inch outer for everyday use, an expansive 8-inch inner screen perfect for watching movies, and flagship performance from its Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. The Z Fold7 even has a 200MP lens in its main rear camera. There are two ways you can buy this phone. You can either purchase the 512GB model unlocked from Samsung's website for $520 off or from AT&T at $27.78 a month.

If you love taking photographs, the Google Pixel 10 Pro has one of the best camera systems. Its triple-lens setup includes a 50MP main lens, 58MP ultrawide, and a 48MP 5x telephoto camera; all of which are enhanced by features like ProRes AI Zoom and Auto Best Take. For a limited time, the Pixel 10 Pro is on sale for $700 through Google Fi Wireless. And you can get $500 back via 24 monthly credits.

ZDNET's Editor-in-chief, Kerry Wan, says the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL offers up a useful camera system with impeccable zoom capabilities. Gemini AI powers the phone, and it's durably built with aluminum and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for scratch and drop resistance. The OnePlus 13 isn't the most recent model from the brand, but it's still a great smartphone. Dollar for dollar, it is one of the best mobile devices you can buy, thanks to its high-performing Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, 6,000 mAh battery, and 6.8-inch display.

Also: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. OnePlus 13: I compared the best Android phones, and it was very close Motorola's Razr Ultra is an aesthetically striking foldable, sporting PANTONE-validated finishes. Beyond its looks, the model offers great functionality, with a 4-inch outer display that lets you read messages, use widgets, and control media. Inside is an eight-inch AMOLED inner screen that's bright and features a less noticeable crease.

During this sales event, you'll also receive a pair of Moto Buds for free if you purchase the 1TB model. Although it's no longer the flagship model, the iPhone 15 remains a solid smartphone years after its launch. Performance is smooth and reliable, photo and video quality remain industry-leading, and the contoured design feels very comfortable to hold. The base model doesn't support the generative AI features that the iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max models do.

If you don't mind missing out on that tech, the iPhone 15 is a great smartphone. Google's Pixel 9a is a very compelling midrange smartphone. Its Tensor G4 chipset ensures solid everyday performance, as well as gives access to the company's robust AI tech like Gemini and Best Take. Its OLED screen is one of the brightest ever on an A-series Pixel phone at up to 2,700 nits. When it first came out, the Moto G Stylus was easily the best in its series, offering a surprisingly premium experience.

It comes with a 6.7-inch Super HD AMOLED display running at 120Hz, dual Dolby Atmos speakers, and a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chip that excels at multitasking. Motorola is sweetening the deal by also bundling a free four-pack of Moto Tags with the purchase and a trade-in bonus. If you trade in an eligible device, you can drop the price of the Moto G Stylus by up to $120. Rounding out the list is the OnePlus Nord N30 5G, another budget-friendly phone.

At under $200, it packs features you don't often see at this price, including a 120Hz adaptive display, a 3.5mm headphone jack, microSD card support, and a 5,000mAh battery. Presidents' Day is observed on the third Monday of February. This year, the holiday lands on February 16. ZDNET only writes about deals that genuinely capture our attention. These are products that we'd want ourselves and would confidently recommend to our readers, friends, and family alike.

For this roundup, our experts actively searched for smartphones with meaningful discounts, new promotions, and limited-time offers, such as mobile devices bundled with accessories. Beyond pricing, we evaluated key features of the phone, prioritizing models with solid hardware, strong performance, long battery lives, and high-quality displays. In addition to our own hands-on experience, we also took customer reviews into consideration to see what matters to real people who already own and use the products we're recommending.

Our goal is simple: it is to highlight worthwhile deals and great savings so you can shop smarter.

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