Memorial Day was May 29, 2023. In the final days before the holiday, the strongest documented U.S. offers were the Samsung Galaxy S23 at $699.99 unlocked at Best Buy, the Galaxy A54 at $374.99 at Amazon, the Pixel 7 at $499 with six months of Mint Mobile service plus six additional months free, a free Pixel 7a with an eligible new Verizon line, and the Pixel 7 Pro at $10 per month for 36 months through AT&T. These were historical promotions available around May 26, 2023—not current prices.
The deals used different mechanisms: unlocked markdowns, activation discounts, new-line subsidies, trade-in credits, financing and prepaid-service bundles. A free phone was not automatically cheaper than an unlocked phone once plan costs, taxes, fees and credit terms were included.
Quick answers: the best documented offers
| Phone | Observed price | Offer type | Key requirement | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy S23 128GB | $699.99 (from $799.99) | Retailer discount | Best Buy; reported with or without activation | Clean unlocked flagship purchase |
| Samsung Galaxy A54 128GB | $374.99 (from $449.99) | Unlocked discount | Amazon; no trade-in or carrier eligibility stated | Simple midrange buy |
| Google Pixel 7 128GB | $499 (from $599) | Phone plus prepaid service | Qualifying six-month Mint Mobile plan; six additional months free | Pixel buyers who want Mint service |
| Google Pixel 7a 128GB | Free | Carrier subsidy | Verizon eligible new line and qualifying plan | Someone already switching to Verizon |
| Google Pixel 7 Pro 128GB | $10/month for 36 months | Carrier financing and credits | Eligible AT&T line and plan; no trade-in stated | Buyers comfortable with a 36-month account |
| OnePlus 11 256GB | $599.99 (from $799.99) | Activation discount | Best Buy activation | Performance-focused shoppers |
Historical prices and conditions in this table were reported in the contemporary roundup at Android Central. AT&T separately announced its Pixel financing terms at AT&T.
Best Google Pixel deals
Pixel 7a: the lowest headline price, with strings attached
The Pixel 7a launched May 10, 2023, so it was a major focus of the holiday promotions. Best Buy listed the 128GB model at $449 with activation, down from $499, and reporting also described a $50 gift card available with purchases regardless of activation. Verizon offered the phone free with an eligible new line and qualifying plan. Contemporary AT&T coverage reported a payment as low as $2 per month for qualified customers with an eligible unlimited plan; the official announcement contains the plan conditions.
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#1 Best Overall
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Buy it if: you were opening a Verizon or AT&T line and already wanted the required plan. Skip it if: you wanted an unlocked phone or would pay materially more for the carrier service over the financing period. “Free” described the device promotion, not the total wireless bill.
Additional launch-period comparisons appeared at Android Authority and Tom’s Guide.
Pixel 7: $499 with a year of Mint service
Mint Mobile listed the 128GB Pixel 7 at $499, reduced from $599, when purchased with a qualifying six-month plan. The bundle supplied six additional months of service, effectively making a year of service available for the price of six months. It was not a $499 phone with no service purchase.
This was strongest for someone satisfied with Mint’s prepaid billing and T-Mobile-based coverage. Check local coverage, the promotional service start date, the phone’s lock policy and the renewal price after the included period before ordering.
Rank #2
- Blazing-fast Qualcomm performance. Get the speed you need for great entertainment with a Snapdragon 680 processor and 4GB**** of RAM.
- Fluid display + immersive stereo sound. Bring your entertainment to life with an ultrawide 6.5" 90Hz* HD+ display plus stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, and Hi-Res Audio**.
- 50MP*** Quad Pixel camera. Capture sharper, more vibrant photos day or night with 4x the light sensitivity.
- 64GB**** built-in storage. Get plenty of room for photos, movies, songs, and apps—and add up to 1TB more with a microSD card*****.
- Unbelievable battery life. Work and play nonstop with a long-lasting 5000mAh battery.*****
Pixel 7 Pro: calculate the complete AT&T commitment
AT&T announced the 128GB Pixel 7 Pro at $10 per month for 36 months beginning May 12, 2023, for new and existing customers, with no trade-in required under the stated offer. The device payments total $360 before wireless-service charges, taxes, activation fees and any bill-credit conditions. The same announcement listed the Pixel 7 at $5 per month under its eligible-plan structure: AT&T’s May 2023 announcement.
Leaving early, changing plans or failing another promotion condition could stop remaining credits. Treat the $10 figure as a device-payment component, not as the cost of AT&T service.
Pixel 6a and Pixel 6 Pro: clearance value, but older hardware
Amazon listed the Pixel 6a at $329.99 after a $100 reduction and an additional temporary discount. The Pixel 6 Pro 128GB was listed at $487.98, down from $899.99. The 6a was the lower-cost camera-focused option; the 6 Pro offered the larger, more premium form factor.
Because both were older than the Pixel 7a, compare remaining software-support life, battery aging, modem behavior and seller condition. Amazon marketplace listings can differ in seller, fulfillment, warranty and return terms. A large percentage discount did not make either model automatically better than the newer 7a.
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Rank #3
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
Best Samsung Galaxy deals
Galaxy S23: the cleanest flagship markdown
Best Buy listed the 128GB Galaxy S23 at $699.99, reduced from $799.99, with the offer reported as available with or without carrier activation. Four free months of Amazon Music Unlimited were a secondary perk. This was the strongest straightforward flagship discount for a buyer who wanted to avoid trade-in valuations and long-term bill credits.
Confirm that the exact storage tier and activation path match the advertised price; retailer inventory and colors could change quickly.
Galaxy A54: best uncomplicated midrange option
Amazon listed the 128GB Galaxy A54 at $374.99, down from $449.99. Contemporary coverage stated that no trade-in or carrier eligibility was required. For a buyer seeking a modern Samsung phone with a one-time unlocked purchase, this was more transparent than a carrier “free phone” promotion.
Galaxy S23 Ultra: high potential value only with the right trade-in
Samsung offered a free upgrade to 512GB on the green Galaxy S23 Ultra and advertised up to $700 in trade-in credit, including certain old or broken devices. “Up to” was not a guaranteed discount: the amount depended on the submitted model, condition, eligibility rules and Samsung’s valuation. Inspect the exact credit at checkout and determine whether it is delivered immediately or through credits.
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Rank #4
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with Verizon, Spectrum, AT&T, Total Wireless, other CDMA carriers, it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- 4G LTE Bands: B1/B3/B5/B7/B8/B20/B28/B38/B40/B41
- Display: Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM) | 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density)
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)
Galaxy Z Fold 4: good last-minute foldable price, not a record
Amazon listed the 256GB Galaxy Z Fold 4 at $1,495, down from $1,799.99—a direct reduction of $304.99. Contemporary coverage noted that an earlier promotion had cut $450, so this was a good holiday price rather than the lowest observed price. Verify seller, condition, warranty and return terms.
Galaxy Z Flip 4: $699.99 required activation
Best Buy listed the 128GB Galaxy Z Flip 4 at $699.99, down from $999.99, with Verizon activation required. The apparent $300 saving could involve account setup, a qualifying plan and carrier lock rules. It should not be compared directly with an unlocked $300 markdown.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Best OnePlus deals
OnePlus 11: flagship performance for $599.99 with activation
Best Buy listed the 256GB OnePlus 11 at $599.99, down from $799.99, with activation required. The promotion included three months of YouTube Premium. It was a strong performance-oriented alternative to the Galaxy S23 if you were willing to complete the carrier activation.
Buyers who prioritize broad carrier compatibility, resale value or the most established U.S. repair network should compare Samsung, Google and Apple before choosing OnePlus.
Best Value
- GSM Unlocked: Enjoy seamless connectivity with your preferred GSM carrier. Compatible with T-Mobile, Metro PCS, AT&T, Cricket, Mint Mobile and other GSM networks. SIM card not included. For network compatibility, please check with your carrier. Note: Not compatible with CDMA networks like Verizon (Visible, Spectrum Mobile, US Mobile, Total Wireless, Straight Talk Wireless)
- Boundless Views: Enjoy immersive viewing on the spacious 6.5” HD+ display. Whether you're watching videos, browsing, or gaming, every detail comes through with stunning clarity.
- Smooth Performance, All Day: Powered by an efficient octa-core processor, the G35 ensures smooth performance for your everyday tasks. Enjoy faster app launches, seamless multitasking, and reliable speed.
- Snap, Share, Repeat: The G35 features a dual rear camera setup for sharp, detailed shots, and a front-facing camera that’s perfect for selfies and video calls. Capture every moment with ease and clarity.
- Effortless Access: Keep your phone secure with A.I. Face ID technology. Instantly unlock your G35 with just a glance. It's fast, easy, and secure.
OnePlus Nord N20 5G: a sub-$300 older budget phone
Amazon listed the Nord N20 5G at $285.07, described as an additional 5% reduction from $299.99. It was primarily a low-cost purchase, not a discount that automatically outweighed newer budget hardware. Check the exact seller, warranty and software-support expectations.
Unlocked discounts versus carrier promotions
| Question | Unlocked or retailer discount | Carrier promotion |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Usually higher, but visible | Can be very low or $0 |
| Flexibility | Generally higher | May involve locking or credit conditions |
| Trade-in | Often optional | Frequently central to the offer |
| Device commitment | Usually none | Often 24 or 36 months |
| Best fit | Existing-plan customers and switchers wanting freedom | New lines or customers already committed to that carrier |
Before treating a carrier deal as cheaper, compare the phone price with the required plan, taxes, activation or upgrade fees, financing term, trade-in value, lock status and the cost of leaving before credits finish. A new-line requirement can exclude an existing customer upgrading on the same line.
Checkout checklist for a historical deal—or any similar promotion
- Confirm the exact model, storage capacity and color; several offers applied to only one configuration.
- Identify whether the price requires activation, a new line, an eligible unlimited plan, a trade-in or a prepaid service purchase.
- Multiply the monthly device payment by the full term and separate that total from wireless-service costs.
- Check coverage, roaming, lock status and what happens to credits if you change plans or cancel.
- Verify taxes due at purchase, activation or upgrade fees, return rules and the seller’s identity.
- For trade-ins, photograph the device, save the quoted value and keep shipping or inspection records.
- Save the promotion terms and checkout screen because last-minute inventory, colors and eligibility can change.
What these 2023 offers do—and do not—tell you now
The listed promotions were U.S.-market offers available around May 26, 2023 and have expired. Current Verizon, AT&T and Best Buy pages now show newer inventory and promotions, so they cannot validate the 2023 prices: Verizon, AT&T and Best Buy. The documented roundup was heavily Android-focused and should not be read as a complete survey of iPhone promotions.
For the cleanest 2023 purchases, the Galaxy S23 at Best Buy and Galaxy A54 at Amazon avoided the main carrier complications. The Pixel 7 bundle made sense when Mint service fit the buyer; the free Pixel 7a and $10-per-month Pixel 7 Pro were potentially valuable only when the required carrier relationship and long-term costs were acceptable.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
