I've read that my fellow SD-ers don't care for carrier promotions. Okay, but this one is good.
I've been on T-Mobile for years, and I've had good experience with them, although YMMV. If you're on their Magenta Max plan, as I am, or are willing to switch to that plan, here's the deal:
$1,379.99 Galaxy S23 Ultra, 512GB, full price
(180.00) Samsung's current promo of 512GB for the price of 256GB
-------------
$1,199.99 T-Mo's price for the phone
(1,000.00) T-Mo's current trade-in promotion for my Galaxy S21+ 5G
-------------
199.99 which must be paid in 24 monthly instalments of $8.34
========
Older phones get less than $1,000 trade-in.
Depending on your state, you'll have to pay tax on $1,199.99 up front. Also, T-Mo charges a $35 upgrade fee (taxable) which is pure BS, so I'm going to try to get it back.
Caveats:
1- Have to be okay with a carrier-locked phone, at least until it's paid for.
2- Have to be okay with T-Mobile. (Verizon has a similar deal.)
3- Have to be on their Magenta Max plan. I'm on MM 55+. (Membership has its privileges.

)
4- Only recent phones qualify for $1,000 trade-in.
And also this ...
5- Have to be okay with the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Not everyone is impressed by it.
TBH, I don't really need all that the S23 Ultra offers, but for $200, WTH. And it will assure me of a top-dollar trade-in for the next phone.
https://www.t-mobile.com/
Leave a Comment
144 Comments
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
To be complete, you should add "with trade-in" or something like that to your post title.
The Note 10 line is a good one on there for $1000, with a market value of about $200-250 after fees.
For people already on Max, then the "cost" of the S23 Ultra for a Note10 for example is $400-450 + tax on $1200 + getting locked in to 24-months (or penalized for leaving). If you're trade-in has a higher market value, your net cost is higher.
OP gave an example of the phone they would trade in. But, you can also trade in a Note 10 or Note 10 Lite for the same $1000 credit. As others already clarified, it is 24-months and you need to keep the phone number and plan active for that duration.
For preorder, T-Mo is doubling storage and base S23 Ultra is now 256GB. So, for whatever the MSRP for S22 Ultra earlier, you now get 4x storage.
You are not expected to keep the phone tied to the phone line or even the account for the duration of the credits. As long as you keep the phone and plan, the credits will continue even if you pay off early. You cannot do that with ATT or VZ as they expect you to pay installments for 36-months.
Many of us have (heavily) discounted Magenta Max plans. So upgrade offers with trade in with no new line requirements are within reason, even if not great.
Now that BestBuy seems to be fully integrated with T-Mo systems, their discounted price at times is better deal than the inflated MSRP.
We got S22 Ultra last BF for $950 in BB when MSRP at T-Mo was $1200. We traded in a Note 9 for $800 credit. Out of pocket was $150 + taxes on $950, with credits over 24-months.
OP gave an example of the phone they would trade in. But, you can also trade in a Note 10 or Note 10 Lite for the same $1000 credit. As others already clarified, it is 24-months and you need to keep the phone number and plan active for that duration.
For preorder, T-Mo is doubling storage and base S23 Ultra is now 256GB. So, for whatever the MSRP for S22 Ultra earlier, you now get 4x storage.
You are not expected to keep the phone tied to the phone line or even the account for the duration of the credits. As long as you keep the phone and plan, the credits will continue even if you pay off early. You cannot do that with ATT or VZ as they expect you to pay installments for 36-months.
Many of us have (heavily) discounted Magenta Max plans. So upgrade offers with trade in with no new line requirements are within reason, even if not great.
Now that BestBuy seems to be fully integrated with T-Mo systems, their discounted price at times is better deal than the inflated MSRP.
We got S22 Ultra last BF for $950 in BB when MSRP at T-Mo was $1200. We traded in a Note 9 for $800 credit. Out of pocket was $150 + taxes on $950, with credits over 24-months.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
I upgraded two lines 4-5 months before their 24-month cycle around BF last year. One of the phones I paid off as it had very little balance and another still has balance. Both lines continue to receive both old and new credits.
I upgraded two lines 4-5 months before their 24-month cycle around BF last year. One of the phones I paid off as it had very little balance and another still has balance. Both lines continue to receive both old and new credits.
Example: My two lines were having installment / credits for iPhone 12 which was ongoing. I upgraded them to iPhone 14 and 14 Pro Max ahead of the 24-month cycle. The promo code used for 12 series is different from the ones for 14 series.
Consider, promotion lasting 3 months and you added a phone now but want to pay off and get another phone of the same model on EIP on the same line, that may not work. I hope this clarifies.
Example: My two lines were having installment / credits for iPhone 12 which was ongoing. I upgraded them to iPhone 14 and 14 Pro Max ahead of the 24-month cycle. The promo code used for 12 series is different from the ones for 14 series.
Consider, promotion lasting 3 months and you added a phone now but want to pay off and get another phone of the same model on EIP on the same line, that may not work. I hope this clarifies.
I am skipping the deal though. Tmobile is merely offering 175 for s22 ultra and tying up remaining balance into EIP. I can get a cheaper one to flip, may go for it. I think there will be better deals coming later on. With current market conditions, i doubt Samsung sells too many of these with such lousy promotions at launch.
$230 credit (TIV)
$770 over 24 months ($33 monthly credits)
Totals to $1000.
And a monthly payment of $17 for 24 months = $408
Ideally it should be $200 extra that I should be paying over 24 months ($8.33), I think T-Mobile is not applying the free memory upgrade.
FYI, all prices are excluding taxes and on Magenta Max plan.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
$230 credit (TIV)
$770 over 24 months ($33 monthly credits)
Totals to $1000.
And a monthly payment of $17 for 24 months = $408
Ideally it should be $200 extra that I should be paying over 24 months ($8.33), I think T-Mobile is not applying the free memory upgrade.
FYI, all prices are excluding taxes and on Magenta Max plan.
Leave a Comment