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2020 is finally winding down, and while we're all relieved to see the back of it, those of us still looking to nab a deal before the year ends still have Boxing Day and January sales to look forward to. In fact, a few retailers have already started Boxing Day offers!

While Black Friday and Cyber Monday have overshadowed Boxing Day's glory in recent years, it's still an excellent opportunity to pick up a discounted smartphone, laptop, TV, Fitbit or gaming console. It's also a great time to exchange gifts that didn't really light you up with joy on Christmas morning – just as long as you have the gift receipt.

Here we're taking a look at where to get the best Boxing Day deals on your favourite tech along with how to deal with returns and refunds after Christmas.

When is Boxing Day?

Boxing Day arrives a day after Christmas, which means this year it's on Sunday 26 December. It's likely that sales might arrive before the day itself, given how Black Friday sales start earlier and earlier every year.

What is Boxing Day?

Boxing Day is a 19th-century English tradition, where the rich would offer gifts in boxes to the poor, typically to servants who would have the day after Christmas off.

While that might be the origin, the event is now wholly a commercial one. Now retailers worldwide participate in Boxing Day, particularly in Commonwealth countries like Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. 

Best Boxing Day 2020 tech deals and January sales

We'll be updating this section with more deals as we head closer to the day itself, but in the meantime, check out some of the best Christmas tech offers we're seeing in the UK below:

1. Samsung Galaxy S21: Where to Pre-Order

From: Tech Advisor Reads

Now: Free Galaxy Buds Pro and SmartTag tracker  (worth £249)

View Deal

The latest set of Samsung's top-tier flagships, the Galaxy S21 range, have arrived. Here's where you can pre-order one on contract or SIM-free at the best price.

2. Nintendo Switch Mario Red & Blue Edition + Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury Pack

From: Nintendo Store

Was: £349.97

Now: £329.99  (£19.98 off)

View Deal

Nintendo's bundle price on the Mario Red & Blue Edition with Super Mario 3D World and Bowser's Fury Pack works out cheaper than buying each separately. The bundle also includes a steelbook, sticker sheet, and Super Mario Nintendo Switch analogue stick caps.

3. Vodafone 100GB data (SIM-Only)

From: Mobiles.co.uk

Was: £20 per month

Now: £13 per month  (£84 off with cashback)

View Deal

This SIM-O deal from Vodafone includes 100GB of data for £13 per month. Just remember to claim the cashback! Not sure how cashback phone and SIM deals work? See our full guide.

4. Smarty 14GB data SIM-Only

From: Smarty

Now: £8 per month  (price of 10GB)

View Deal

Bag 14GB of data per month for under £10 from Smarty.

5. Apple 2020 M1 Mac mini (512GB)

From: BT Shop

Was: £899

Now: £833.98  (£65.02 off)

View Deal

The BT Shop has £65 off the M1 Mac mini with 512GB storage - that's the £899 model.

They also have £38.28 off the entry-level 256GB M1 Mac mini - get that deal from BT here.

6. Apple 13in MacBook Pro, M1, 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 512GB (2020)

From: KRCS

Was: £1,499

Now: £1,349.10  (£149.90 off)

View Deal

KRCS has the biggest discount on the brand new M1 MacBook Pro.

They also have money off the entry-level M1 MacBook Pro that normally costs £1,299 - you can get it from them for £1,169.10 - £129.90 off here!

7. OnePlus 8 Pro (12GB RAM, 256GB)

From: Amazon

Was: £899

Now: £793.99  (£105.01 off)

View Deal

Our Phone of the Year 2020 - the OnePlus 8 Pro - boasts top-tier specs, including 12GB of RAM, and comes with a nice discount, courtesy of Amazon.

8. Bose QuietComfort 35 II

From: Amazon

Was: £299.95

Now: £195.99  (£104.95 off)

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These Bose headphones had an RRP £329.95, though that's come down to £299, this deal from Amazon still saves you £100 on one of the best noise-cancelling headphones on the market. They come complete with Alexa built-in. Read our QuietComfort 35 II review.

9. RecovaPro: New Year Sale

From: RecovaPro

Now: Up to £130 off

View Deal

Theragun competitor RecovaPro now has £130 off as a part of its New Years Sale. 

10. NordVPN 2 Years

From: NordVPN

Was: £220.80

Now: £68.53 (£2.86 per month)  (£152.27 off)

View Deal

Browse in complete privacy on your Mac/PC. NordVPN protects your connection with next-generation encryption, automatic detection of malicious sites, a kill-switch, and more. Stay safe online — anywhere, any time. Get 68% off now.

11. Fitbit Sense

From: Amazon

Was: £299.99

Now: £248.99  (£51 off)

View Deal

Save £51 on the new, top-end Fitbit Sense. 

12. O2 100GB (SIM-Only)

From: O2

Was: £20 per month

Now: £10 per month for six months  (with 6 months of Disney+)

View Deal

This deal from O2's Winter Sale includes 100GB of data for £10 per month for the first six months over the 18-month term. You also get six months of Disney+ for free.

13. Microsoft Surface Book 3 13.5in (i7, 16GB, 256GB)

From: Currys

Was: £1,999

Now: £1,679  (£320 off)

View Deal

If you're looking for a high-end model, there are even steeper savings to be had on an i7 Book 3 with 16GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. Currys is also offering £20 off Microsoft 365 Family with this deal.

14. Apple MacBook Air, M1, 8-core CPU, 7-core GPU, 256GB (2020)

From: KRCS

Was: £999

Now: £949.06  (£49.94 off)

View Deal

KRCS has money off the entry-level M1 MacBook Air. You can buy it from them for £949.06 - which is almost £50 off.

15. Fitbit Charge 4

From: Amazon

Was: £129.99

Now: £99  (£30.99 off)

View Deal

£31 off one of our favourite-ever Fitbits means you can get the Charge 4 at Christmas sale prices right now. Pick up the same discount from the BT Shop and John Lewis.

16. Samsung Galaxy S20 FE (5G) with 10GB data

From: EE

Now: £47 per month, £100 upfront  (includes Galaxy Watch Active)

View Deal

EE's January sale includes a free Galaxy Watch Active worth £199 with the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G.

17. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 (128GB, cellular)

From: Amazon

Was: £719

Now: £637  (£82 off)

View Deal

The 4G LTE 11in Tab S7 is still an absolute powerhouse, despite being on the lower rung of Samsung's 2020 Tab S ladder. Best of all, it's available with a decent £82 discount, courtesy of Amazon.

18. MusicMagpie Winter Sale

From: MusicMagpie

Now: Up to £100 off iPhone  (Refurbished)

View Deal

musicMagpie's Winter sale has up to £100 off smartphones, including every iPhone 11 model. The offer outdoes its Black Friday sale!

19. Microsoft 365 Family (12 months)

From: Amazon

Was: £79.99

Now: £49.99  (£30 off)

View Deal

Save £30 on Microsoft 365 for Family, which allows up to 6 different users access for one year.

20. O2 100GB SIM

From: O2

Was: £20 p/m

Now: £10 p/m for first six months  (Free Disney+ or Amazon Prime Video)

View Deal

O2 kicked off its Winter Sale on Boxing Day. Grab this SIM Only deal with 100GB of data on an 18-month term. The first six months will only cost you £10 per month. Ends 10 February.

Where to find best Boxing Day tech deals - best sales on now

Here are best tech and software sales on right now ahead of January:

Can you get a refund on Boxing Day?

If your purchase is within the refund policy window then you're in luck! Make sure you have your receipt, which shouldn't be too difficult if you've ordered online.

In the past, some UK retailers have refrained from processing refunds in-store on Boxing Day due to high in-store traffic, but given the restrictions around gathering in masses this year, it's unlikely to be an issue this year.

Instead, most retailers are extending their returns policies up to late January, giving you plenty of time to get your money back. In fact, Currys PC World will even pick up the item you want to return from your doorstep!

Which retailers have extended holiday returns over Christmas and Boxing Day 2020?

Boxing Day also gives you an opportunity to return gifts that you received over Christmas or bought over the end of year sales season. You might also want to return an item you bought on Black Friday for instance, if you spot a better deal on the same item on 26 December.

Whatever the case, this year, with so many physical store locations closing down due to COVID, many retailers are offering extended holiday returns well into January 2021. In most cases, the extended holiday return policies apply to purchases made in November up until Christmas Eve.

We've outlined the extended Christmas returns for major retailers and brands below:

  • Argos - Purchases made between 18 October 2020 can be returned up to 24 January 2021.
  • Amazon -  Purchases that are eligible for return and are shipped between 1 October and 31 December can be returned until 31 January 2021. The standard 30-day period applies to items delivered after 31 December, 2020. Head to Your Orders on your account to make a return.
  • AO.com- AO offers a free 100-day return policy
  • Asos - Purchases made between 1 November 2020 to 24 December 2020 can be returned until 31 January 2021, for a full refund. Returns after 31 January 2021 within 29-45 days of it being delivered qualifies for a refund via gift voucher
  • Apple - Purchases that are received between 10 November and 25 December can be returned until 8 January 2021. The standard 14-day return request policy applies to purchases made after 25 December.
  • Currys PC World - Purchases made between 29 October and 24 December can be returned up to 14 January 2021. Online orders from Currys can be collected from your home or returned at selected stores.
  • Fitbit - Purchases made in November and December can be returned up until 31 January 2021, or within 45 days of shipment (whichever is longer).
  • GAME - No cash refunds or exchanges, but purchases made on or after Sunday 1 November can be returned by Sunday 3 January 2021 for an equivalent credit note or gift voucher. 
  • John Lewis - Purchases made after 8 October can be returned until 28 January 2021
  • Microsoft - Purchases made until 31 December 2020 can be returned until 31 January 2021

Further reading - Our guides on how to get refunds