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expired Posted by omegaultra • Dec 20, 2021
expired Posted by omegaultra • Dec 20, 2021

New/Existing Customers: 128GB Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Unlocked Phone

+ Free S/H (Activation Needed)

$800

$1,200

33% off
Best Buy
737 Comments 240,389 Views
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Deal Details
Best Buy has for New or Existing Members: 128GB Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Unlocked Smartphone when you select "Activate Today" on sale for $799.99 (purchase of this device will require activation). Shipping is free, otherwise, select free curbside pickup as an alternative option.

Additionally, Best Buy Stores (In-Store Only, link for reference) offers Bonus Trade-in Value Up to $600 for Select Smartphones when you apply trade-in value towards cost of Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra Smartphone.
  • Offer Notes:
    • Offer valid on In-Store Trade ins only for phones in good working order
    • Click this link for Eligible Phones and Trade-In Values
    • Existing T-Mobile Customers, if you add New Line or for New T-Mobile Customers w/ New Account, price will be $699.99 + free shipping w/ Activation
Thanks to Community member omegaultra for finding this deal.

Specs (source):
  • 6.8" 3200x1440 120Hz Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Gorilla Glass Victus
  • Samsung Exynos 2100 Octa Core Processor
  • 12GB RAM
  • 128GB Storage
  • Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) + Bluetooth 5.2
  • Fingerprint Sensor (Under-Screen)
  • Android 11
  • Rear Camera:
    • Wide: 108 MP 1/1.33" Sensor (0.8 µm Pixels) with a 26mm f/1.8 Lens
    • Ultra Wide: 12 MP 1/2.6" Sensor (1.4 µm Pixels) with a 13mm f/2.2 Lens
    • Telephoto: 10 MP 1/3.2" Sensor (1.22 µm Pixels) with a 240mm f/4.9 Lens
    • Telephoto: 10 MP 1/3.2" Sensor (1.22 µm Pixels) with a 70mm f/2.4 Lens
  • Front Camera:
    • Wide: 40 MP 1/2.8" Sensor (0.7 µm Pixels) with a 26mm f/2.2 Lens
  • Ports
    • 1x USB Type-C (USB 3.1 / USB 3.2 Gen 1)
    • 1x Nano SIM

Editor's Notes

Written by slickdewmaster | Staff
  • About this deal:
    • This price is $400 lower (33.33% savings) than the list price of $1199.99
  • About this Product:
    • Limited 1-year manufacturer's warranty.
  • About this store::

Original Post

Written by omegaultra
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Best Buy has for New or Existing Members: 128GB Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Unlocked Smartphone when you select "Activate Today" on sale for $799.99 (purchase of this device will require activation). Shipping is free, otherwise, select free curbside pickup as an alternative option.

Additionally, Best Buy Stores (In-Store Only, link for reference) offers Bonus Trade-in Value Up to $600 for Select Smartphones when you apply trade-in value towards cost of Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra Smartphone.
  • Offer Notes:
    • Offer valid on In-Store Trade ins only for phones in good working order
    • Click this link for Eligible Phones and Trade-In Values
    • Existing T-Mobile Customers, if you add New Line or for New T-Mobile Customers w/ New Account, price will be $699.99 + free shipping w/ Activation
Thanks to Community member omegaultra for finding this deal.

Specs (source):
  • 6.8" 3200x1440 120Hz Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Gorilla Glass Victus
  • Samsung Exynos 2100 Octa Core Processor
  • 12GB RAM
  • 128GB Storage
  • Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) + Bluetooth 5.2
  • Fingerprint Sensor (Under-Screen)
  • Android 11
  • Rear Camera:
    • Wide: 108 MP 1/1.33" Sensor (0.8 µm Pixels) with a 26mm f/1.8 Lens
    • Ultra Wide: 12 MP 1/2.6" Sensor (1.4 µm Pixels) with a 13mm f/2.2 Lens
    • Telephoto: 10 MP 1/3.2" Sensor (1.22 µm Pixels) with a 240mm f/4.9 Lens
    • Telephoto: 10 MP 1/3.2" Sensor (1.22 µm Pixels) with a 70mm f/2.4 Lens
  • Front Camera:
    • Wide: 40 MP 1/2.8" Sensor (0.7 µm Pixels) with a 26mm f/2.2 Lens
  • Ports
    • 1x USB Type-C (USB 3.1 / USB 3.2 Gen 1)
    • 1x Nano SIM

Editor's Notes

Written by slickdewmaster | Staff
  • About this deal:
    • This price is $400 lower (33.33% savings) than the list price of $1199.99
  • About this Product:
    • Limited 1-year manufacturer's warranty.
  • About this store::

Original Post

Written by omegaultra

Community Voting

Deal Score
+89
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Top Comments

Here is how to do this successfully...

- Tell them you want to buy unlocked Samsung phone with a trade in
- Show them the page about the extra trade in (in store only value) when purchasing unlocked Samsung latest series smartphones
- Tell them they should do the trade in separate (by itself) from the purchase transaction
- After adding the trade in device info in the system, the lesser value will come up, but at the end on last screen, rep is able to add a promo code, he will add the code there and the extra trade in value will show up and be added (Promo is "SAMSUNG" supposedly, I was told). Rep should look up the code if he doesn't know it so it might take a little bit of time. Most reps don't even know about this deal so try to be nice while they try to get the deal for you.
- At the end, he will add that amount to a BB Gift Card
- Now, purchase the Unlocked phone of your choice (S21, S21 Ultra, Z Fold3, etc.)
- Upgrade/Activate Today to get the reduced price, again need to buy the unlocked version and activate/upgrade to get the $799 (s21 Ultra) or $999 (Z Fold3) or any other phone with discounted price.
- Pay with the gift card and the rest however you want
- Done deal

Sometimes rep doesn't want to do it. In that case, I guess try another store. It might take a little bit of work but show them this receipt as proof (see attached receipt) and that it's advertised on their own website if they refused and then they might do it. Again, always be nice and walk away if you are not getting the deal from that store. No need to be an asshole just because these employees are not aware of deals and don't feel like doing it.

Now, here is some info about the unlocked samsung phone. The phone is unlocked and should work on any carrier, doesn't matter which sim card you use first (not like Bestbuy iPhones that lock to first carrier sim used). Don't believe the rep if he says it will lock to t-mobile if you put that sim in it, not true. You can use the phone with whatever carrier you decide after you have it in hand. Just tell him/her that's fine, no need to discuss about this so I let them say whatever they want and just disregard it.

Good luck everyone.
Damn need at least the 512GB version. The 256GB version is $849 and is a no-brainer $50 price increase for much more usable space for non-upgradeable storage phone for those looking to get the S21 Ultra.
These deals are for unlocked phones. This can be taken advantage of in 2 ways. For someone who is new (like a kid or a immigrant) who has no phone and no service. They can sign up for a service, and get this phone for this price with any carrier. For those of us with a cell phone service already, if you want to keep your current phone, you can buy this phone at the unlocked price and this would be your new phone. You can also trade-in your current phone (value depends on what you are trading in).

There is a third thing you can do. If you want to buy this as a gift. You can buy it. Activate it on your account. Take the sim card out, put it back in your old phone. Then give this phone to someone else. It's always unlocked so it will work on their service. However, the box is of course open but as long as they don't care about that. It's still a new phone.

There is no requirement to sign up for a new cell phone service with these unlocked deals (this is why people like unlocked deals. There are no monthly subsidies that lock you in with the cell phone carrier). However, you have you at least have an existing service. The only caveat with trade-in offers is that the phone you trade-in has to be fully paid off and owned by you.

737 Comments

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Dec 29, 2021
7,504 Posts
Joined Feb 2010
Dec 29, 2021
Mamiww6
Dec 29, 2021
7,504 Posts
Quote from AlexTheMan :
Thanks for the reply. Did the phone come with Android 12 installed? I helped 2 friends buy 1 T-Mobile S21 and 1 unlocked S21. The T-Mobile version auto updated to Android 12. However, the unlocked one still has Android 11 installed and shows no updates available so can't get esim to work on it.
Samsung has paused A12 updates on most phones due to the software bugs. They are some reposts they resumed it again. U can Google for more info.
Dec 29, 2021
143 Posts
Joined Mar 2017
Dec 29, 2021
lh1519
Dec 29, 2021
143 Posts
If I order the unlocked T mobile version online to home address with add a line, will the new line be activated before? I want to port my number before activating.
Dec 29, 2021
200 Posts
Joined Dec 2004
Dec 29, 2021
kyley
Dec 29, 2021
200 Posts
Hi All,
I'm on Google Fi. Is there any way to get this deal (and activate with Google Fi or immediately switch back to Fi if I have to activate with another carrier)? I want to stick with Google Fi. I have a Pixel 3 XL I can trade in (or keep and sell on my own if needed). Thanks,
--Kyle
Dec 29, 2021
599 Posts
Joined Nov 2011
Dec 29, 2021
wakawaka1337
Dec 29, 2021
599 Posts
Any way to get the $400 for a iPhone xr trade in but then get the $399 s21 (unlocked activated on TMobile)
Dec 29, 2021
599 Posts
Joined Nov 2011
Dec 29, 2021
wakawaka1337
Dec 29, 2021
599 Posts
Quote from CyanRose4740 :
Anyone been able to get this deal on an open box in excellent condition with the open box discount added. I went by today and that's all they have in stock and since they won't trade in 2 phones for the one I planned on trying for that and they seemed open to trying to make it work. I'm looking at the fold 512gb open box for $1519 but then you take the $800 off for the unlocked activate today and the $400 off from the trade in for my s10 and it brings the price down to $319 which is unheard of for the fold. I just wasn't able to activate today because my Sprint to tmobile is in the middle of porting over tonight
Wow how do you find out if there is open box deals? I'd love to get the fold for that
Dec 29, 2021
599 Posts
Joined Nov 2011
Dec 29, 2021
wakawaka1337
Dec 29, 2021
599 Posts
Quote from miwo12 :
Just left Best Buy. Did just as the thread suggested. BB employee did a gift card first for my S10E valued at $400. Rang up the S21. Walked out with new S21 for $138 (tx incl).
Which version of the s21 did you do? The TMobile
activated version is $399 no?
Dec 29, 2021
26 Posts
Joined Apr 2012
Dec 29, 2021
miwo12
Dec 29, 2021
26 Posts
Quote from wakawaka1337 :
Which version of the s21 did you do? The TMobile
activated version is $399 no?
Unlocked version

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Dec 29, 2021
7,504 Posts
Joined Feb 2010
Dec 29, 2021
Mamiww6
Dec 29, 2021
7,504 Posts
Quote from wakawaka1337 :
Any way to get the $400 for a iPhone xr trade in but then get the $399 s21 (unlocked activated on TMobile)
Nope..
Dec 29, 2021
1,528 Posts
Joined Nov 2016
Dec 29, 2021
Matthew-Deals-Hunter
Dec 29, 2021
1,528 Posts
Quote from gibsonbass :
Is there any way to trade in two XR phones for one S21 Ultra?
Depends on the rep. My location, they are willing to do
Dec 29, 2021
8 Posts
Joined Dec 2021
Dec 29, 2021
CyanRose4740
Dec 29, 2021
8 Posts
Quote from wakawaka1337 :
Wow how do you find out if there is open box deals? I'd love to get the fold for that
Just look on the BB website, it will tell you if your location has an open box item in stock. It's under buying options when you select the product. They may or may not give you the open box discount on top of the promotions which makes for a really great deal.
Pro
Dec 29, 2021
224 Posts
Joined Sep 2007
Dec 29, 2021
AlexTheMan
Pro
Dec 29, 2021
224 Posts
Quote from Mamiww6 :
Samsung has paused A12 updates on most phones due to the software bugs. They are some reposts they resumed it again. U can Google for more info.
Thanks for the input. The unlocked S21 I got today has Android 11. Will just wait till Samsung pushes the update to it. It is interesting that there is a report here of an unlocked S21 with A12 and eSIM enabled.
Dec 30, 2021
245 Posts
Joined Mar 2015
Dec 30, 2021
s1ckk
Dec 30, 2021
245 Posts
Quote from Genghis_Khan :
anyone who returned their unopened unlocked phone and get a gift card in return? where do you go for returns? the mobile desk or the regular returns counter?
I'd like to know this as well
Dec 30, 2021
8,074 Posts
Joined Jul 2016
Dec 30, 2021
Genghis_Khan
Dec 30, 2021
8,074 Posts
Quote from s1ckk :
I'd like to know this as well
You go to the regular checkout counter, not mobile desk nor store pick .
Dec 30, 2021
159 Posts
Joined Mar 2005
Dec 30, 2021
sygg
Dec 30, 2021
159 Posts
Quote from Genghis_Khan :
You go to the regular checkout counter, not mobile desk nor store pick .
I think I posted this before, unopened: unlocked+activate later, go to checkout, unlocked+activated, go to mobile. Both way can get full refund with gift card. Opened phone possible $45 fee.

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Dec 30, 2021
8,074 Posts
Joined Jul 2016
Dec 30, 2021
Genghis_Khan
Dec 30, 2021
8,074 Posts
Quote from sygg :
I think I posted this before, unopened: unlocked+activate later, go to checkout, unlocked+activated, go to mobile. Both way can get full refund with gift card. Opened phone possible $45 fee.
yes i think so. good deal! repped!

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