Black Friday History
Origins & Evolution
The phrase “Black Friday” wasn’t originally about shopping. It was used in the U.S. in the 19th century to refer to a financial disaster: on September 24 1869, speculators tried to corner the U.S. gold market and triggered a big crash.
More recently, the modern “shopping” meaning of Black Friday originates in the 1950s/60s in Philadelphia, where the day after Thanksgiving was chaotic: heavy traffic, crowds, police workloads. Locals dubbed it “Black Friday.”
Retailers later re-interpreted “black” as “in the black” (i.e., profitable) vs “in the red” (i.e., loss). By the late-1980s the term was widely used in the U.S. retail trade.
Over time it grew from being a U.S. phenomenon into a global sales event, with earlier kicks, extended runs, and cross-channel (in-store + online) activity. For example, many retailers now launch “early Black Friday” deals weeks ahead.
Key points to remember
Originally about a traffic/crowd issue; then rebranded by retailers.
It marks the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season in many markets.
Over recent years, the “Black Friday” label has stretched earlier (e.g., November) and later (through Cyber Monday and beyond).
Important for tech, home appliances and gift shopping, retailers often drop significant deals.
Black Friday Dates in the US, UK, Mexico & Spain
Here are the typical observances for Black Friday, and what they look like in these countries:
United States: Black Friday is the Friday immediately after Thanksgiving (which is the 4th Thursday of November). In 2025, Thanksgiving falls on Nov 27, so Black Friday would be Friday, Nov 28, 2025.
United Kingdom: Although the UK does not observe Thanksgiving, many UK retailers adopt the U.S. date/timeframe. For 2025, the UK “Black Friday” sales are aligned with late November (e.g., Nov 28) and many UK shops are already running “early Black Friday” promotions from early November.
Mexico: Mexico traditionally adopts “Buen Fin” (similar to Black Friday) the weekend of late November; many retailers also adopt Black Friday-style deals around the U.S. date. Exact date varies but often aligned to U.S. Black Friday.
Spain: Spanish retailers also adopt Black Friday in late November; many promotions start the week or two ahead and run through into December.
So for you, expect major deals around late November 2025 (around Nov 28) with many pre-sales already live.
Tech Deals That Are Currently Going On for Black Friday
Good news: tech deals are already live in many places. Retailers in the UK are pushing early Black Friday technology offers across smartphones, tablets, PCs, accessories and more.
According to EE, they’ve launched huge early Black Friday deals on SIM-free smartphones, wearables, TVs and gaming – e.g., latest models from Apple, Samsung, Sony with notable discounts.
TechRadar says UK retailers like Amazon, AO, Argos, Currys are offering deep discounts: “up to 66% off tech & essentials” etc.
Retailers like Samsung in the UK have published their Black Friday sale pages, indicating runs that stretch until early December.
What this means for you
If you’re looking to buy tech (mobile phone, tablet, laptop, audio gear) now is a good time to watch and act, since some deals are already live and stock may go quickly.
Be prepared: some deals may be “door-buster” limited stock, or “early bird”.
Consider buying now if you see the device you want at a strong discount waiting for the “exact date” sometimes means it’s gone.
Make sure you check returns, warranty and compare pricing (just because it’s labelled “Black Friday” doesn’t guarantee it’s the best ever price). For instance, one site warns: “Black Friday deals can sound pretty tempting, but they’re often not the lowest prices of the year.”
Best to List All of the Mobile, Tablet and Other Tech That Currently Have Deals
Here are some recommended tech items (mobiles + tablets + general tech) you can look into now. Note: these are examples of good options; you should check current prices/availability in your region (UK) and whether the deal is live.
Mobile Phones
Google Pixel 9 - £599.00
Amazon.co.uk + others
Samsung Galaxy S25 FE - £499.00
Currys + others
Apple iPhone 15 - £599.00
Amazon.co.uk + others
Google Pixel 9a - £349.00
Argos + others
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE 5G - £384.00
Amazon.co.uk - Amazon.co.uk-Seller + others
Samsung Galaxy A17 5G - £139.00
Currys + others
Motorola Moto G86 5G - £199.99
John Lewis & Partners + others
Motorola Moto G15 - £100.00
Motorola - United Kingdom + others
Here’s a quick breakdown:
Google Pixel 9: A top-tier flagship, strong camera, clean Android experience good if you want “best of breed”.
Samsung Galaxy S25 FE: A feature rich phone at a relatively lower cost vs ultra premium.
Apple iPhone 15: For iOS fans; deals may bring flagship Apple into more affordable range.
Google Pixel 9a: More budget friendly while still strong performance.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE 5G: Upper mid range good value in a Black Friday context.
Samsung Galaxy A17 5G: Entry mid range 5G a smart buy if you don’t need ultra premium specs.
Motorola Moto G86 5G: Budget 5G option, making 5G accessible.
Motorola Moto G15: Ultra budget pick great for second device or less intensive use.
Tablets & Related Tech
Apple iPad - £299.00
John Lewis & Partners + others
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra - £799.00
John Lewis & Partners + others
Honor Pad X8a Tablet - £98.99
John Lewis & Partners + others
Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablet - £99.99
Amazon.co.uk + others
TCL Tab 10L Gen 4 10.1″ - £99.99
Argos + others
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ - £149.99
Tech Market + others
Lenovo Idea Tab 11″ - £189.99
John Lewis & Partners + others
Honor Pad 9 12.1″ - £199.99
Argos + others
Here’s a breakdown:
Apple iPad: The mainstream Apple tablet - great ecosystem and long software support.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra: Premium Android tablet - large screen, top specs.
Honor Pad X8a Tablet - Mid range value pick.
Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablet - Budget tablet ideal for reading, videos, kids.
TCL Tab 10L Gen 4 10.1″ - Another budget Android tablet.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ - Upper mid tablet good balance of specs/price.
Lenovo Idea Tab 11″ - A stylus friendly mid tablet for work and creativity.
Honor Pad 9 12.1″ - Large screen large value possibly for media or office use.
Notes & Tips for choosing
For mobiles, decide your budget (e.g., < £200, £200-£500, £500+). Then match features (camera, battery, 5G, software support). Deals like those listed by TechAdvisor highlight e.g., the Xiaomi 15, Pixel 9, Galaxy S25 Ultra.
For tablets/tech, check: screen size, ecosystem (iOS vs Android), accessories (stylus/keyboard), refresh support.
Always check that the “deal” is real: compare historical pricing, read return/warranty terms. Some retailers inflate the “before” price to make discount appear larger. (As noted by Back Market).
Act quickly if you see something: stock for best deals often limited.
Check your region (UK) for compatibility (esp. mobiles) and shipping/returns terms.
Final Thoughts on Black Friday
Yes, Black Friday is a very good occasion to score tech deals, we’re already seeing strong offers in the UK.
But be cautious: Not everything labelled “Black Friday” is the best possible deal of the year. Retailers know you’re looking, and some deals may be pre priced or stock limited.
Plan ahead: Know what you want (mobile, tablet, laptop etc), set a budget, compare prices now vs before, and decide whether to buy now or wait for a “deeper discount”.
Act smart: Given the deals start early and run across many weeks, you don’t necessarily need to wait until the “official date”. If you find a good price now and it fits your needs, it may be worth pulling the trigger.
Mind the extras: For big tech purchases, consider warranty, return policy, accessories (charger, stylus, keyboard). Also check whether it’s “new” or “refurbished” (especially if savings are huge).
Global vs local: Since you’re in the UK, make sure you’re looking at UK-spec deals (voltage, plug type, network compatibility if mobile) and that shipping and returns are UK friendly.
Enjoy the moment: As much as chasing deals is fun, it’s better to buy something you’ll use and appreciate, not just grabbing “because it’s cheap”.
Budget & gift friendly: Black Friday is also a good time for gift purchases (laptops for kids, tablets for family etc). With many using this for Christmas shopping, you might find great value.
Black Friday is officially heating up, from flagship smartphones to smart home kits, everyone’s got their eye on something.
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