Samsung’s latest phones come with premium prices, but you can save money and get some perks by shopping around
By Melanie Pinola
Samsung’s new Galaxy S22 phones are now available for preorder. If you’re thinking of upgrading, this is a great time to take action, since the manufacturer and wireless providers are offering things like gift cards and double the storage for free to earn your business.
The basic versions of the Galaxy S22 and S22+, which include 128 gigabytes of storage, cost $800 and $1,000, respectively. The S22 Ultra—outfitted with Samsung’s popular S Pen stylus—starts at $1,200.
Though still on the high end, those figures match the introductory offers for last year’s models and they’re $200 cheaper than the prices in 2020 for the Galaxy S20 phones.
As far as features go, the Galaxy S22, S22+, and S22 Ultra boast new camera tricks, a more powerful processor, and a promise of faster battery charging. You also get OLED displays, 5G connectivity, and the multi-camera setups we’ve come to expect on a flagship phone.
To get you to preorder before the phones reach stores on Feb. 25, Samsung and the carriers have assembled discounts, trade-in deals, and other incentives. Be prepared to move fast because these options tend to be short-lived.
Before you pounce, be sure to read the fine print. Many offers come with a catch or two.
To start, you typically need a good credit history and a trade-in phone in good working order.
Samsung
If you preorder any of the S22 models on Samsung’s website, you get a Samsung gift card worth up to $200, the option to double the memory on the phone at no extra charge, and up to $700 off the phone’s regular price for an eligible trade-in.
You receive $100 in Samsung credit when you preorder the S22, $150 for the S22+, or $200 for the S22 Ultra. The gift card can be applied to headphones or a wall charger (neither of which is included with the phone) or other accessories in Samsung’s online store.
For the S22 or S22+, the free memory upgrade takes you from 128GB to 256GB. For the S22 Ultra, you get the option of 256GB of memory for the price of 128GB or 512GB for the price of 256GB.
You can trade in up to two devices (including a smartwatch or tablet) and finance the purchase through Samsung over 36 months or four bi-weekly installments. An online tool offered during the preorder process helps you determine the full trade-in value.
AT&T
This carrier is offering unlimited plan members up to $800 off the price of each of the three new phones with an eligible trade-in. The list of options includes Samsung Galaxy Note, S, or Z series phones from any year and, the company says, in any condition.
In theory, this means you can snag the S22 for free, the Galaxy S22+ for $200, and the Galaxy S22 Ultra for $400 when you trade in a Galaxy phone. AT&T’s fine print specifies that to get the $800 credit, the trade-in value of the device needs to be at least $35 as evaluated by the company. There’s an online tool to help you estimate the figure.
You need to qualify for a 36-month installment plan—and be on one of AT&T’s three unlimited plans. The discount comes in the form of monthly credits. As with other wireless providers, if you cancel early, you lose all remaining credits, which means you have to pay off the phone immediately.
T-Mobile
T-Mobile is offering the Galaxy S22 or S22+ for free and the S22 Ultra at up to $1,000 off to all Magenta MAX plan members with a qualifying trade-in. Certain Sprint plan members are eligible, too; you’ll need to log in to your account to confirm eligibility.
When you trade in a phone, you get a onetime bill credit. The remaining balance gets spread over 24 months.
Those who aren’t on a Magenta MAX or eligible Sprint plan can get up to $500 off with an eligible trade-in.
To determine the trade-in value, click on the model you wish to order, then the phrase Get one free with trade on Magenta Max, and then that same phrase yet again. A list will pop up with figures for the eligible models.
As with the other plans, if you cancel your T-Mobile service early, you’re on the hook for the remaining balance.
Verizon
This carrier will give you up to $1,000 off a new Galaxy S22, S22+, or S22 Ultra with a qualifying trade-in, but you must be a new customer or an existing customer willing to add a new line. The deal applies only to select 5G plans.
Verizon says old or broken phones qualify, too. Once you select the S22 model that you want, click on See Details under Ways to Save to confirm that you own an eligible trade-in. To get the value, you have to sign into an account.
The discounts come in the form of monthly credits spread over 36 months. Cancel your Verizon service early and you lose the remaining credits and owe the remaining balance.
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