I'm a phone expert and these Memorial Day mobile deals are too good to skip -- don't wait

• Current price: $1,099
• Original price: $1,319

Samsung's latest smartphone pitch features a large 6.7-inch screen but is super-thin and weighs just 163 grams. For reference, the iPhone 16 Plus, with a similar-sized screen, weighs 199 grams. This sleek, ultra-thin design makes the new Galaxy S25 Edge a standout in a crowded smartphone market, and I expect other manufacturers to release something similar soon.

Review: Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

At a regular price of $1,319 (with the $50 Amazon gift card priced in), you can buy the new Samsung phone at a $170 discount ahead of Memorial Day weekend. That gets you 512GB of storage, the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, 12GB of RAM, and a 200MP wide lens similar to Samsung's more expensive S25 Ultra model.

• Current price: $799
• Original price: $999

While the Motorola Razr Plus (2024) is no longer the latest model -- there's even a $1,300 Razr Ultra that exists now -- it's one of my favorite flip phones from last year. In fact, for most of 2024, I had the Razr Plus listed above its closest competitor, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6, for its well-roundedness, from the larger external and internal displays to the flagship Qualcomm processor, to the fashionable back covers.

Review: Motorola Razr Plus (2024)

It's even better that you can now buy the phone at a $200 discount, bringing it closer to the standard slab phone pricing, but with a more innovative form factor. At the time of writing, Motorola's four colorways for the Razr Plus are on sale. I'd recommend the Hot Pink, which has a textured backing that gives the phone some much-needed grip.

• Current price: Free with Unlimited Ultimate plan
• Original price: $799

Carriers ramp up their trade-in/installation promotions as we end the school year and head into the summer. Case in point: Verizon is currently running its Red Hot Deal Days event, which covers most smartphones it offers, including the iPhone 16 series. Right now, when you trade in a qualifying phone and agree to a 36-month installment plan with Unlimited Ultimate, the carrier will cover the cost of the iPhone.

Review: Apple iPhone 16

Of course, this means you'll have to commit to Verizon for at least three years. But on the bright side, you'll be using a reasonably reliable and long-lasting iPhone 16, which features a handy 6.1-inch display, the latest A18 chipset to power Apple Intelligence features, and more.

• Current price: Free
• Original price: $999

T-Mobile is running an even more aggressive iPhone deal on its website. The carrier offers the Pro model "On Us" when you agree to a 24-month installment plan under an Experience Beyond or Go5G Next data plan. There's no qualifying trade-in required here, meaning you can keep your existing device as a backup, and the commitment time is just two years instead of three. (You're also signing up to T-Mobile for this deal, for better or worse.)

Review: Apple iPhone 16 Pro

I tested the iPhone 16 Pro when it was released last year and have used it as my secondary phone since then. If photo and video capture are near the top of your phone features tier list, the flagship iPhone model is worth the money.

• Current price: $349
• Original price: $429

Of all the phone brands I've tested in recent years, Nothing stands out for its design-forward approach to hardware and software. The brand's Phone 2a Plus model, which I tested last year, proved an exceptional midrange offering, besting Google, Samsung, and Apple's offerings in the sub-$500 category. Right now, for just $349, you're getting a 6.7-inch AMOLED display, a 5,000mAh battery with 50W wired charging, Nothing's signature Glyph Lights for notifications, and more.

Review: Nothing Phone 2a Plus 

As for the limitations, remember that Nothing phones perform best when connected to a GSM network, meaning AT&T and T-Mobile users will benefit the most. If you're on Verizon or Visible, I'd highly advise checking with your carrier regarding network support before committing.

Also, be sure to act fast, because at the time of this writing, there are only a few unit left.

• Current price: $1,149
• Original price: $1,449

If you're looking for a new flagship with a forgiving camera system, you won't find a better device than Google's Pixel 9 Pro. Its camera system is supported by a suite of AI-powered features that enhance the photographs it takes. Images come out highly detailed "and beautiful in contrast". For editing, Add Me lets you splice two photos together, and Magic Editor lets you add or remove objects in the shot

Review: Google Pixel 9 Pro

For a limited time, you can purchase a 1TB Google Pixel 9 Pro in Obsidian (black) at Amazon for $1,149. That is a $300 discount. Other storage size options are on sale, too. The 512GB model is also $300 off.