Black Friday Tech Deal Roundup: Flagship Smartphones and Refurbished Options
As the Black Friday sales event nears its conclusion, prospective buyers are encouraged to finalize their purchasing decisions. While Cyber Monday offers may still be forthcoming, time is of the essence for those seeking holiday gifts or personal tech upgrades. This report provides a comparative analysis of key flagship devices and refurbished options available.
Flagship Devices
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra continues to distinguish itself as a productivity-focused device, integrating the S Pen stylus and offering DeX support. Connectivity options include wired video output via USB-C and wireless screen casting, enhancing its versatility. The device incorporates a large 200MP 1/1.3” main sensor, complemented by a 50MP 5x/111mm periscope telephoto camera and a 10MP 3x/67mm medium-range telephoto camera.
Google Pixel 10 Pro XL: The Google Pixel 10 Pro XL showcases Google’s advancements in user interface design, messaging, and artificial intelligence. However, its performance is constrained by the Tensor G5 chipset, which does not match the performance of the Galaxy’s Snapdragon 8 Elite. Google is collaborating with Samsung on the development of Android 16’s native desktop experience. The Pixel 10 Pro XL’s camera system includes a 50MP 1/1.31” main sensor, a 48MP 5x/113mm periscope, and a 48MP ultra-wide lens. Initial testing indicates that the Pixel 10 Pro XL features a brighter display, achieving 2,340 nits compared to the S25 Ultra’s 1,417 nits. However, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra demonstrates superior battery life (14:49h active use score vs. 12:29h) and faster charging (0:59h vs. 1:22h).
Google Pixel 10 Pro: The Google Pixel 10 Pro shares the chipset and camera specifications with the XL model, and features a 6.3” display. Its battery performance is somewhat limited, with an active use score of 12:06h.
Google Pixel 10: The Google Pixel 10 offers a similar form factor to the 10 Pro, but with a lower-resolution display (1080p+ vs. 1280p+) and slightly reduced brightness.
Foldable Devices
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7: The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 presents dimensions of 158.4 x 72.8 x 8.9mm and a weight of 215g, offering a relatively compact form factor.
OnePlus 13: While the OnePlus 15 has not yet been released, the OnePlus 13 offers a compelling alternative. Available configurations include a base model with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage and a higher-end option with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage. The device is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and features a 6.82” 1440p+ LTPO OLED display. The camera system includes three 50MP lenses on the rear, including a main sensor with a 1/1.43” sensor and a 3x/73mm periscope. Battery life is rated at 15:28h.
Nothing Phone (3): The Nothing Phone (3) provides an alternative to the primary manufacturers, positioned as a cost-effective option. The device employs the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor and features a 6.67” 1260p+ non-LTPO OLED display. Its camera system incorporates three 50MP lenses, including a large 1/1.3” sensor in the main camera and a 3x periscope. The Nothing Phone (3) demonstrated a 12:56h active use battery life and slower charging capabilities. Both the OnePlus and Nothing phones run Android 16 and promise a total of 5 OS updates.
Refurbished iPhones
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max: The refurbished iPhone 16 Pro Max offers a more economical option compared to the latest model. Key enhancements include a titanium frame and similar battery performance to the previous generation, with improvements in charging speed. The 16 Pro Max features a 12MP 5x/120mm telephoto camera, while the 17 Pro Max incorporates an upgraded 48MP 4x/100mm module. The 2025 phone also features an 18MP selfie camera with a wider 20mm lens.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max: The iPhone 15 Pro Max represents a further cost-effective choice. It features a 6.7” display and a lower-resolution 12MP ultra-wide camera. Active use battery life is reported to be 16:01h.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro: The iPhone 15 Pro presents a scaled-down 6.1” variant of the Pro Max, with a 12MP telephoto camera equipped with a shorter 3x/77mm lens.
Apple iPhone 16e: The iPhone 16e, a relatively recent model, is beginning to appear in the refurbished market. It is equipped with the Apple A18 chipset and features a 48MP rear camera with a 1/2.55” sensor. The device measures 6.1” and weighs 167g.
