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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 Tab S7 (128GB, cellular)

From: Amazon

Was: £719

Now: £599  (£120 off)

View Deal

This 4G LTE 11in Tab S7 is an absolute powerhouse, despite being on the lower rung of Samsung's 2020 Tab S ladder. Best of all, it's available with a sizeable-£120 discount, courtesy of Amazon.

2. Bitdefender Total Security - 1 Year, 5 Devices

From: Bitdefender

Was: £69.99

Now: £34.99  (£35 off)

View Deal

Bitdefender is consistently rated as one of the best options for protecting your Windows, macOS, iOS and Android devices, and this deal allows you to use your subscription on five computers, phones or tablets.

It's rated Advanced+ (the top score) by AV-Comparatives and gives you excellent anti-malware protection against the latest threats.

Get Bitdefender Total Security

3. Samsung Galaxy S20 FE (128GB, SIM-Free)

From: Amazon

Was: £599

Now: £499  (£100 off)

View Deal

Save £100 on the Galaxy S20 FE from Amazon. There's also £100 off the 5G variant.

4. Apple iPhone 12 mini (64GB)

From: Amazon

Was: £699

Now: £599  (£100 off)

View Deal

£659 was previously the lowest the 12 mini had ever been - but now there's a whopping £100 off from Amazon. If it sells out, there's also £75 off from AO, Very and John Lewis. It's a solid discount on a top-end handset which is still less than six months old.

Read our guide to the best iPhone 12 deals for more buying advice.

5. Apple iPhone 12 (128GB)

From: Amazon

Was: £849

Now: £762.97  (£86.03 off)

View Deal

The iPhone 12 has £40 off from a few retailers, in the biggest discount since its launch – but Amazon now has up to £86 off.

6. Samsung Galaxy S21+ (8GB RAM, 128GB)

From: Amazon

Was: £949

Now: £745  (£204 off)

View Deal

The larger of Samsung's new S21 flagship phones is already available with a sizeable discount on Amazon. This deal is for the 6.7in display-toting Galaxy S21+, with 128GB of storage.

7. OnePlus 8T (8GB RAM, 128GB)

From: John Lewis

Was: £549

Now: £449  (£100 off)

View Deal

The OnePlus 8T with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage is now £100 cheaper from John Lewis. John Lewis also has £100 off the model with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. Also available from Amazon.

8. Samsung Galaxy A12 with Nintendo Switch

From: Virgin

Now: From £20 per month, no upfront cost

View Deal

The Galaxy A12 may not be the nippiest phone on the market, but Virgin's sweetening the pot with a free Nintendo Switch worth £279.

9. Oppo Find X3 Pro

From: Carphone Warehouse

Was: £1,099

Now: Free Oppo Smart Watch, wireless charger, & protective case  (worth £395)

View Deal

If you buy the new Oppo Find X3 Pro by April 13, you can claim a gift bundle that includes the Oppo Smartwatch (46mm, Wi-Fi) and other accessories. The Oppo Find X3 Neo and Lite also come with additional gear. Here's everything you need to know.

10. Voxi Unlimited 5G data SIM for jobseekers

From: Voxi

Was: £35

Now: £10 per month  (for six months)

View Deal

To make the pandemic easier for jobseekers, VOXI has brought back its offer that includes unlimited data for just £10 per month for six months, reduced from £35 per month. You can cancel anytime. Ends 30 September 2021.

11. Voxi 12GB data with Endless Social Media (SIM-Only)

From: Voxi

Now: £12 per month

View Deal

We’ve checked, and it’s a very good deal with unlimited social media use and no apparent catches.

12. Microsoft Surface Pro 7 (i5, 8GB, 128GB)

From: Amazon

Was: £899

Now: £678  (£221 off)

View Deal

The i5 Surface Pro 7 with 8GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD is now down to £678 on Amazon, saving an impressive £221 on the RRP. The same model is available from the Microsoft Store for £679.

13. HTC Vive Cosmos

From: Currys PC World

Was: £699

Now: £579  (£120 off)

View Deal

You can save an incredible £120 on the HTC Vive Cosmos from select retailers at the moment. The headset is still PC-powered, unlike the Oculus Quest, but offers an upgraded experience when compared to the original HTC Vive. 

14. Nuraphone + Gaming Mic

From: Amazon

Was: £369.99

Now: £269.99  (£100 off)

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Nura's Nuraphone + gaming mic combines the personalised audio experience of the high-end cans with a great quality boom mic, bringing an unparalleled audio experience to your gaming sessions. Find out more in our full Nuraphone review. 

15. Google Nest Mini (2nd generation)

From: 365Games

Was: £49

Now: £22.89  (£26.11 off)

View Deal

Google's Easter sale slashes prices across its devices, including the Nest Mini, now with £15 off from major retailers like Currys PC World; but 365 Games has the cheapest price around right now at £22.89.

16. Google Nest Hub

From: AO.com

Was: £79

Now: £59  (£20 off)

View Deal

This deal from AO slashes £20 off the 7in Google smart display. Read our full Google Nest Hub review.

17. Xiaomi Mi 11 with free Mi Electric Scooter Essential

From: Vodafone

Now: From £53 per month, £29 up front  (£399 off e-Scooter)

View Deal

Order the supremely powerful Xiaomi Mi 11 from Vodafone and get a free electric scooter. Here's what you need to know.

18. OnePlus 8 Pro (12GB RAM and 256GB storage)

From: Amazon

Was: £899

Now: £649  (£250 off)

View Deal

You can save £250 on the OnePlus 8 Pro in Amazon's Spring Sale – this includes the model with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. See the best OnePlus 8 deals here.

19. OnePlus 8T (8GB RAM, 128GB)

From: Amazon

Was: £549

Now: £449  (£100 off)

View Deal

With the OnePlus 9 now available, you can save £100 on last year's OnePlus 8T on Amazon. See the best OnePlus 8T deals right here.

20. Amazon Echo Dot 4

From: Amazon

Was: £49.99

Now: £39.99  (£10 off)

View Deal

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