Best Buy outshines Amazon to make Google's Pixel 9 cheaper than I ever expected

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By Adrian Diaconescu

Published: Nov 30, 2025, 3:39 AM

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Even after... more years than I'm willing to admit of covering Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals at major US retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart, I can still be surprised by a last-minute holiday discount I never anticipated in my wildest dreams.

Case in point, the Pixel 9's hot new $325 price cut. This improves on an early $300 Black Friday markdown from a little over a week ago that I expected to lead to the 6.3-inch handset going out of stock for good before dropping any lower than $499.

$474

$799

$325 off (41%)

5G, Unlocked, 128GB Storage, 12GB RAM, Android 16, Google Tensor G4 Processor, 6.3-Inch OLED Display with 2424 x 1080 Pixel Resolution and 120Hz Refresh Rate Technology, 50 + 48MP Dual Rear-Facing Camera System, 10.5MP Front-Facing Camera, Gemini Integration, 4,700mAh Battery, Obsidian Color

Buy at BestBuy

Many of Amazon's best Black Friday 2025 phone deals are now available for Cyber Monday.

But here we now are, looking at the compact Google Tensor G4 powerhouse costing $474 in a single Obsidian (read black) colorway and wondering if this is the best phone many Android purists can get for Cyber Monday. The answer, I believe, is a clear and resounding yes... for folks who can't afford the likes of the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro and who don't appreciate the gargantuan bodies of the Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel 10 Pro XL.

Of course, there's also the "vanilla" Pixel 10 to consider, but in terms of value for money, I strongly believe the "regular" Pixel 9 is a smarter choice right now. At a new record low price of $474 (that I really don't expect to go any lower before the device is permanently discontinued), this feels like a wiser Christmas "investment" than the significantly costlier Samsung Galaxy S25 as well.

That's definitely not a bad screen for such an affordable Android high-ender. | Image Credit -- PhoneArena

Granted, the aforementioned Tensor G4 chip is... not ideal, but the 4,700mAh battery is pretty much impossible to beat (at that price and for that screen size), and the same seems to go for the 50 + 48MP dual rear-facing camera system. Don't get me started on Google's long-term software support either, which basically guarantees that your Pixel 9 will be just as smooth and stable as the best Android phones... of 2031... in exchange for only $474... if you hurry.

Don't forget to explore all your options in our full Black Friday Google Pixel phone deals guide before making your final buying decision!

$180

$360

$180 off (50%)

Mint Mobile is also offering an incredible bargain for those seeking unlimited data! The carrier's latest deal lets you grab any unlimited plan for just $15/mo, bringing the 12-month Unlimited plan to $180 instead of $360.

Buy at Mint Mobile

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Adrian, a mobile technology enthusiast since the Nokia 3310 era, has been a dynamic presence in the tech journalism field, contributing to Android Authority, Digital Trends, and Pocketnow before joining PhoneArena in 2018. His expertise spans across various platforms, with a particular fondness for the diversity of the Android ecosystem. Despite the challenges of balancing full-time parenthood with his work, Adrian's passion for tech trends, running, and movies keeps him energized. His commitment to mid-range smartphones has led to an eclectic collection of devices, saved from personal bankruptcy by his preference for 'adequate' over 'overpriced'.

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