I don’t know about you, but I’m eagerly awaiting news of Google’s new Pixel 10 phones today at its Made by Google event, including the expected Pixel 10 Pro Fold. But while we all wait, there are still plenty of good deals to be had on what’s about to be the last-gen of Pixel phones. They’re still excellent devices too, so if you’re looking for a new phone while saving some money, this could be the best way to do that.

Best Buy has a deal available right now that’ll get you the excellent Pixel 9 Pro Fold for a new-low price of just $1,099. This is the lowest I’ve ever seen the device with no strings attached. If you are looking to sign up with a carrier too though, you can save an extra $100 on it by doing so as you buy it.

In our review of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, mobile expert Lisa Eadicicco said the device is «more polished and practical» in terms of design than its predecessor, feeling like «a big leap» forward. As well as the improved physical form, she praised its larger screens and the substantial seven-year software update commitment Google has made for this model. One major issue was the price, but this massive $700 discount goes a long way toward addressing that.

Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.

This 2024 foldable features a durable 6.3-inch Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 cover screen and a stunning 8-inch Super Actua Flex interior display. You can even run two apps side-by-side, making it great for multitasking. On the inside, the basic model comes with 256GB of storage and 16GB of RAM, and is equipped with Google’s advanced G4 Tensor chip. All of this in a phone that weighs in at just 9.1 ounces and is just 0.2 inches thick when open (or 0.4 inches when closed).

Why this deal matters

Google’s foldable phone is the most expensive in the lineup, meaning tech fans have to pay a premium to get one. With this deal, the price is cut substantially, dropping it down to a new record-low. The price reduction here makes this one of the best Google Pixel deals around for anyone not looking to trade an old phone in or get a new line. It’s a solid discount.

Just don’t forget that we’re expecting Google to release the Pixel 10 Pro Fold alongside its other devices at an event today.

Travel patterns are changing, with more people in the US venturing outside the country and needing to stay connected. To accommodate this surge, Verizon is boosting the international options in its prepaid Simple Mobile and Total Wireless phone brands starting Aug. 28.

Most phone plans include options to call and text people in Canada and Mexico, along with some roaming options for US travelers. Depending on the plan, those options are extended to many other countries around the globe. But you often end up paying for a more expensive plan than you need in order to get the travel benefits.

Now, the Simple Mobile and Total Wireless brands are expanding their international options and increasing data allotments so you can travel using the plan you carry every day without the stress of finding local coverage.

See also: Make sure you have a good phone for traveling.

Simple Mobile changes

The Simple Mobile prepaid plans include an allotment of high-speed data before downshifting to slower unlimited data. Be sure to check the details for specific countries on the site. Here’s how they break down:

• The $25 Unlimited plan includes 15GB of high-speed data (up from 3GB) and unlimited calling to more than 100 countries.

• The $30 Unlimited plan includes 20GB of high-speed data (up from 5GB) and unlimited calling to more than 125 countries (up from 100 countries).

• The $40 Unlimited plan includes 30GB of high-speed data (up from 15GB) and unlimited calling to more than 125 countries (up from 100 countries).

• The $50 Unlimited World plan, formerly named the Truly Unlimited plan, includes unlimited high-speed data and unlimited calling to more than 200 countries (a doubling of the number of countries from before).

• The $60 Unlimited World Plus plan, formerly the Truly Unlimited Plus plan, includes unlimited access to Verizon’s fastest network, 5G Ultra Wideband (where available) and unlimited high-speed data. It also doubles the number of countries with unlimited calling to over 200, and offers international roaming in more than 140 countries.

Total Wireless Plans

The top two Total Wireless plans, Total 5G Unlimited ($50 a month) and Total 5G Unlimited Plus ($60 a month), feature unlimited high-speed data, including 5G Ultra Wideband speeds.

As of Aug. 28, roaming coverage for those plans doubles to more than 30 countries and international calling to 180 countries.

The Total Base 5G Unlimited plan stays the same with unlimited high-speed data (but not 5G Ultra Wideband), international calling to more than 85 countries and texting to over 200 destinations and roaming in Canada and Mexico.

Looking for the most recent Strands answer? Click here for our daily Strands hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Today’s NYT Strands puzzle is a tough one. It helps to know a little something about different currencies, but there was one on there that was completely new to me. If you need hints and answers for today’s Strands puzzle, read on.

I go into depth about the rules for Strands in this story. 

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections and Mini Crossword answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: NYT Connections Turns 1: These Are the 5 Toughest Puzzles So Far

Hint for today’s Strands puzzle

Today’s Strands theme is: Mint condition

If that doesn’t help you, here’s a clue: We’re in the money!

Clue words to unlock in-game hints

Your goal is to find hidden words that fit the puzzle’s theme. If you’re stuck, find any words you can. Every time you find three words of four letters or more, Strands will reveal one of the theme words. These are the words I used to get those hints but any words of four or more letters that you find will work:

• GULP, GLOB, LORE, DOLL, DOLE, DOLED, ROPE, ROPER, WALL

Answers for today’s Strands puzzle

These are the answers that tie into the theme. The goal of the puzzle is to find them all, including the spangram, a theme word that reaches from one side of the puzzle to the other. When you have all of them (I originally thought there were always eight but learned that the number can vary), every letter on the board will be used. Here are the nonspangram answers:

• EURO, PESO, DOLLAR, POUND, RAND, RUPEE, KWANZA

Today’s Strands spangram

Today’s Strands spangram is  GLOBALCURRENCY. To find it, look for the G that’s four letters to the right on the very top row, and wind down.