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expired Posted by treo • Mar 23, 2023
expired Posted by treo • Mar 23, 2023

256GB Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G 2-in-1 Smartphone (Various Carriers)

(Activation Required) + Free Shipping

from $300

$1,800

Best Buy
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Deal Details
Best Buy has 256GB Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G 2-in-1 Foldable Smartphone Tablet (AT&T or Verizon) on sale from $299.99. Shipping is free or select free store pickup where available.

Thanks to Community Member treo for finding this deal.

Note: Activation on cellular carrier is required. Be sure to select your carrier and select 'Activate Today' to see pricing. Availability for store pickup may vary by location.

Available Carriers:Available Colors:
  • Phantom Black
  • Phantom Green
  • Phantom Silver
Specs:
  • Screens:
    • Main: 7.6" Infinity Flex display - Cover: 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED
    • 120Hz AMOLED 2X Screen
  • Memory: 12GB
  • Storage: 256GB
  • Main Camera: 12MP Wide, 12MP UW, 12MP Tele + 2x optical zoom, 10x digital zoom, 10MP Front
  • Battery: 4,400mAh / 25W Super Fast Charge
  • S Pen Support
  • IPX8 rating

Editor's Notes

Written by powerfuldoppler | Staff
  • About this deal:
    • Activation on a cellular carrier is required for from $299.99 pricing. Activation fees may apply and vary by carrier.
  • About this product:
    • Rating of 4.4 from over 140 Best Buy customer reviews.
  • Additional Note:

Original Post

Written by treo
Product Info
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Product Info
Community Notes
About the Poster
Best Buy has 256GB Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G 2-in-1 Foldable Smartphone Tablet (AT&T or Verizon) on sale from $299.99. Shipping is free or select free store pickup where available.

Thanks to Community Member treo for finding this deal.

Note: Activation on cellular carrier is required. Be sure to select your carrier and select 'Activate Today' to see pricing. Availability for store pickup may vary by location.

Available Carriers:Available Colors:
  • Phantom Black
  • Phantom Green
  • Phantom Silver
Specs:
  • Screens:
    • Main: 7.6" Infinity Flex display - Cover: 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED
    • 120Hz AMOLED 2X Screen
  • Memory: 12GB
  • Storage: 256GB
  • Main Camera: 12MP Wide, 12MP UW, 12MP Tele + 2x optical zoom, 10x digital zoom, 10MP Front
  • Battery: 4,400mAh / 25W Super Fast Charge
  • S Pen Support
  • IPX8 rating

Editor's Notes

Written by powerfuldoppler | Staff
  • About this deal:
    • Activation on a cellular carrier is required for from $299.99 pricing. Activation fees may apply and vary by carrier.
  • About this product:
    • Rating of 4.4 from over 140 Best Buy customer reviews.
  • Additional Note:

Original Post

Written by treo

Community Voting

Deal Score
+132
Good Deal
Visit Best Buy

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Top Comments

stealth805
136 Posts
95 Reputation
Want this phone for $299 and not have to pay the monthly fee and be able to use another carrier??
Let me save y'all about 4 hours, which is how long it took me to finally get to the right people to make this happen. Here is how I got this handled
I ordered a $5 Tello number, selected e-sim, received number within a few minutes. Make sure to register the pin they give you in the email, it gives you all the port out info access. Theres a code there that is needed to enter in Best Buy portal when you port it over to ATT.
Ported that number in to ATT via Best Buy portal
Picked up phone
Powered on Phone with ATT sim
Finished ALL account creation, including pin number creation etc via ATT email
Spent 3 hours getting tossed around 10 different reps and departments and supervisors via online chat, disconnected multiple times, told no multiple times, etc etc etc.
Don't bother submitting request online for unlock, it will be denied.
Just call technical support, JUST CALL!!! 1800-288-2020. Call from a phone other that the Z Fold 3. Reason you call from other phone is you will want to pop your sim in from other provider to get to the sim unlock prompt while you are on the phone with them. Tell them you need technical support, you may get tossed around one more time, but you WILL get someone that can help you.
Have your link ready that states phones paid in full at purchase can be unlocked without waiting 60 days. I had to legit provide not just the wording, but the exact link. The rep will literally navigate to it and will be super surprised and state that this is the first they've ever heard of this policy and that they always get hassled by the unlock team and ultimately never get the unlock code for the customer.
Have your receipt from Best Buy ready ready to go (I had to legit take pics with my phone and text them to a number they gave me).
After about 10 minutes with the rep, they provided the unlock code.
Make sure to input the unlock code prior to getting transferred over to cancellation department.
Get sent over to cancellation department and submit for cancellation under buyer's remorse policy.
Done and done. Save yourself a lot of time and just call them. I paid $299 plus tax and have a fully unlocked phone on T-mobile with no issues at all. ATT service is shut down, I didn't care about the Tello number, much easier to pay the $5 for a Tello than mess with a number you actually care about keeping. Just cancel the service and it is over and done with.
I obviously can't promise this is gonna work for every single person. I suppose a non-cooperative rep might not wanna go the extra mile for you, but my telephone rep was super helpful and patient. She admitted I had done my diligence with researching the terms and pushed the "unlock team" to help her with the code. YMMV of course, but this worked for me. Just be patient and courteous to the rep. I was frustrated with how long it was taking but you need to acknowledge that each new person you talk to, it is their first interaction with you, they have no idea how long you've been dealing with people. You can avoid a lot of frustration by just calling to start out instead of trying to manage the situation via online chat.
Questions, feel free to ask, perhaps I wasn't completely thorough, but that was basically what I went through. Good luck all.
quantecipher
2786 Posts
1616 Reputation
As soon as yo have the phone in hand.

Port out the line to cancel. Line automatically cancels as soon as the number it ported out (5-10 mins). You can port to Tello for $2.50.
https://slickdeals.net/f/16531969-tello-50-off-selected-plans

These phones are subsidized by the carriers and hoping people would switch or add more lines and stay with them, etc; therefore different carrier may offer different prices.

You can request unlock right away because it's paid in full with no money owed; i.e., no monthly installment,

Yes.

Port out the number to cancel right away (5-10 min, as soon as the number is ported) so that you don't have to deal with rep that doesn't allow you to cancel. You can port to Tello for $2.50.
https://slickdeals.net/f/16531969-tello-50-off-selected-plans

Yes, but you can cancel right away.
snoopykul
26 Posts
18 Reputation
Option 1 worked for me

I picked up my Fold 3 this morning from bestbuy. ATT variant.
Ordered online with the porting in option as it wouldn't let me order otherwise. Used a random boost mobile number I had and have no intention of porting in a number.
BB didn't ask for anything in store, just gave me the phone and i walked out.

Received att emails after pickup, created account, created ATT PIN, jotted down account number, and saw $60 plan but $0 due.

unboxed and booted with t-mobile sim card, asked for unlock code.

tried to unlock from my att portal, but denied.
tried to unlock using the request unlock website for non att members, but denied via email

Started a chat with att to cancel service and request unlock.
I mentioned having bad service reception in my area and wanted to cancel and wanted to unlock phone to use it for work which was a different provider.
They wanted me to reset the network, but i said not interested just want to cancel.

They also mentioned that i lose my port in number if i cancelled. which was wierd since i never actually ported in the number yet.

Eventually, they said, "Since the total due balance if $0.00 there will be no charges now. Your services with AT&T will be completely shut off."

Then i asked about the network unlock, which they said they sent directly to my phone. Didn't work even though she said it was unlocked on their system. Eventually they provided the unlock code which worked.

Now my fold 3 is cancelled with att service with 0 payments or fees and unlocked so i can use my Tmobile sim.

hope that helps some of ya.

1,738 Comments

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Mar 26, 2023
1,777 Posts
Joined Jul 2019
Mar 26, 2023
Milk4Ever
Mar 26, 2023
1,777 Posts
Quote from Samosa23 :
Hello,
Will there be a screen protector pre-installed for both the inner and outer screens for this mobile?
Inner has a special preinstalled protector which ,according to owners, degrades in less than a year and has to be changed professionally periodically.
Outer doesn't come with a protector. It should be pretty cheap to get one if you so wish.
Last edited by Milk4Ever March 26, 2023 at 01:40 PM.
Mar 26, 2023
9 Posts
Joined Aug 2018
Mar 26, 2023
donutboi88
Mar 26, 2023
9 Posts
Quote from evets88 :
Finally got mine unlocked. Took about an 1 and half on the phone yesterday. Went through 5 reps/supervisors. Asked each supervisor the specific requirements to unlock the phone in which they would point me to the ATT link. Then would ask for my phone to be unlock as I meet all the requirements. Each of them would make up something about why they can't unlock (Best Buy has to unlock or wait 60 days or a case needs to be open). I then pointed them to the FCC requirements requiring ATT to provide a discloser that is clear, concise, and readily accessible (as stated in the FCC guideline). They would then again point me to the same ATT link about the 60 days, in which I confirmed with them that it specifically states "Was paid in full when you bought it (not on an installment plan). You don't have to wait 60 days to unlock it". Then ask for their name and employee number and that I will be recording the conversion if I need to do a FCC complaint. Each supervisor would then "attempt" to override the system by contacting the "back office" and come back saying they tried but there is nothing they can further do in which I then asked to speak to some above them. Finally reached a supervisor that could successfully request unlock from the back office.

Each rep will try to get you off of the phone to make you start the process over again and make up excuses. Also reps will put you on hold for a long time when requesting a supervisor but if you start talking to them and asking questions during "hold time", the hold time mysteriously shortens. I would as the details about what happens with a FCC complaint, or if they can email me the link to the specific disclosure or email me the specific reason why my paid phone cannot be unlocked for my documentation or where they are from just to keep them talking on hold time and all of the sudden, "My supervisor is here".

In the beginning the reps/supervisor were from philippines and the last two reps were from US. Each rep did "try" to unlock.
Update on this saga (TLDR they unlocked it without too much resistance this time)
So yesterday when I posted that I cancelled my service and tried to unlock it said that they cant unlock because it was disconnected within the 14 day period. So I immediately called ATT and got on the loyalty department to get my account back which they helped me do. Today I read on the comments about trying to call and mention the FCC and I did and this time they were not as resistant on getting my phone unlocked and they requested I send the receipt from bestbuy to their "manager" and got my unlock code... I guess enough of y'all called threatening FCC intervention that they relented.
Thanks again to those that responded with tips on what to say!
Mar 26, 2023
6,173 Posts
Joined Oct 2010
Mar 26, 2023
IamPro
Mar 26, 2023
6,173 Posts
Quote from Milk4Ever :
Inner has a special preinstalled protector which ,according to owners, degrade in less than a year and has to be changed professionally periodically.
Outer doesn't come with a protector. It should be pretty cheap to get one if you so wish.
You don't need the inside screen protector but if the pre-installed one does start to lift then you will want to remove it immediately (or it will eventually push on the screen and then GG).

Also don't open/fold in cold temps, wait for phone to warm up to room temp.

Got the Fold 3 at launch, removed inside screen protector after it started lifting and reading the horror stories. I don't use the Spen so YMMV. Rocking the Spigen Thin Fit (no pen) and a camera lens protector (does tint lighted photos). Also blowout the hinges and make sure no hair/dust when I fold it back.

Also keep your nails cut and avoid pressing with your nails into screen.
Mar 26, 2023
2 Posts
Joined Oct 2017
Mar 26, 2023
hamja2009
Mar 26, 2023
2 Posts
Quote from quantecipher :
It allows me to order online by porting in a number. You can get a Tello (T-Mobile) number for $2.50 from below to port.
https://slickdeals.net/f/16531969-tello-50-off-selected-plans
Is that still available
Mar 26, 2023
359 Posts
Joined Dec 2021
Mar 26, 2023
SeriousKitten2924
Mar 26, 2023
359 Posts
I ordered two days ago. Shows the phone gonna
be delivered next Wednesday. When ordered I was transferred to ATT portal twice. Twice I entered my information, including SSN. Twice received email from ATT to confirm my email. Did this twice) And ATT system shows that I don't have any account with them, nothing.

Today I got a call from Best buy geek squad support regarding they had some malfunction between their system and ATT system, and my port out didn't work out. And that BB needs some 4 digits PIN from "my" ATT account to be able to activate the phone. They asked my last 4 digits of my SSN so they could contact ATT customer service to create an account for me and get that 4 digits PIN so they (BB) were able to activate the phone. Because without this they will not ship it to me. I provided my last 4 digits, hoping they will do the rest.

In half an hour I got a ring again from BB. She told me that ATT CS refused to create account for me even she was BB employee. They insisted that I have to call them and create that account by phone. So they will provide me that PIN number personally. I tried to create an account online, but it's impossible because I don't have a phone number associated with ATT.
Honestly I'm not comfortable I have to call ATT CS and provide my information, including complete SSN number by phone!

Any suggestions guys?
Mar 26, 2023
177 Posts
Joined Oct 2021
Mar 26, 2023
LonelyWolves
Mar 26, 2023
177 Posts
Is this a conclusion for all these jeopardy with Att device?

1.Port in a number or make a new line in store.

2.After activating device with a Sim, put the sim into another unlocked device you have.(device activation needed for unlock and not-in-use state for getting unlock code from unlock website) Device may or should have been registered paid-in-full device in the system innately.

3.Unlock your device.

4.Cancel your service within 14 days for getting back activation fee and first month fee.

I think this is the easiest way not being hasseled by Reps.
Last edited by LonelyWolves March 26, 2023 at 03:38 PM.
Mar 26, 2023
446 Posts
Joined Nov 2014
Mar 26, 2023
linshaodong
Mar 26, 2023
446 Posts
Ok, my phone Got unlocked finally after kicking out from the att retail store , what a joke,

Overall if you are good to spend over 10 hours to get it unlock, you could do it , otherwise you stay lock,

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Mar 26, 2023
161 Posts
Joined Apr 2011
Mar 26, 2023
USMCSGT
Mar 26, 2023
161 Posts
I called and they could not unlock, the rep said she will create a case and in 2-3 days the phone should be unlocked. All I need to do is in three days put in a different sim and follow the prompt to use a different sim. lol
Mar 26, 2023
1,479 Posts
Joined Dec 2011
Mar 26, 2023
garymeter48
Mar 26, 2023
1,479 Posts
Quote from LonelyWolves :
Is this a conclusion for all these jeopardy with Att device?

1.Port in a number or make a new line in store.

2.After activating device with a Sim, put the sim into another unlocked device you have.(device activation needed for unlock and not-in-use state for getting unlock code from unlock website) Device may or should have been registered paid-in-full device in the system innately.

3.Unlock your device.

4.Cancel your service within 14 days for getting back activation fee and first month fee.

I think this is the easiest way not being hasseled by Reps.
Have you tried this yourself?
Mar 26, 2023
12 Posts
Joined Mar 2018
Mar 26, 2023
JG9
Mar 26, 2023
12 Posts
I received my phone yesterday and it is beautiful. Unfortunately, I may have received a defective one as it is unable to register on the ATT network. I spent about 1.5 hours between the ATT online support and speaking with 2 ATT support representatives. Finally, they said that it was probably a defective phone and that they would try one more thing on their end over the next 24 hours, but that I should contact BestBuy to get a replacement. I used the BestBuy chat and again had to go through 2 reps, but the last one was extremely helpful. After I explained that I didn't want a refund, but a replacement, he ordered me a replacement with no charge and sent me a prepaid return label to ship the defective one back once I get the new unit working. The good news is that he said that a new shipment is coming on 3/29, so there should be additional units available in 3 days.
Mar 26, 2023
5 Posts
Joined Mar 2014
Mar 26, 2023
dvtrinh
Mar 26, 2023
5 Posts
Has anyone tried purchasing an unlock code from a 3rd party?
Mar 26, 2023
2,786 Posts
Joined Jul 2017
Mar 26, 2023
quantecipher
Mar 26, 2023
2,786 Posts
Quote from SeriousKitten2924 :
I ordered two days ago. Shows the phone gonna
be delivered next Wednesday. When ordered I was transferred to ATT portal twice. Twice I entered my information, including SSN. Twice received email from ATT to confirm my email. Did this twice) And ATT system shows that I don't have any account with them, nothing.

Today I got a call from Best buy geek squad support regarding they had some malfunction between their system and ATT system, and my port out didn't work out. And that BB needs some 4 digits PIN from "my" ATT account to be able to activate the phone. They asked my last 4 digits of my SSN so they could contact ATT customer service to create an account for me and get that 4 digits PIN so they (BB) were able to activate the phone. Because without this they will not ship it to me. I provided my last 4 digits, hoping they will do the rest.

In half an hour I got a ring again from BB. She told me that ATT CS refused to create account for me even she was BB employee. They insisted that I have to call them and create that account by phone. So they will provide me that PIN number personally. I tried to create an account online, but it's impossible because I don't have a phone number associated with ATT.
Honestly I'm not comfortable I have to call ATT CS and provide my information, including complete SSN number by phone!

Any suggestions guys?
The problem is not the number porting fail. Your account has been automatically flagged by the AT&T security system for suspicious activity due to the glitch that made you enter your info twice. Call AT&T and ask for the fraud team, they will ask you to verify your identify (full name, address, SSN, etc.) and will sort it out for you.

Quote from hamja2009 :
Is that still available
No, the 50% off has expired. The cheapest plan is now $5. You can try the code 15OFFAFF or 15OFFFOF for 15% off.
Quote from Nitrohamster :
I think the people who got unlocked easy were the early adopters who picked up in store. was not an option for me as there was no pickup within 100 miles so I had to have it mailed. by the time that I called in even the managers were already aware of the slickdeals effect. Took like 10 phone calls and 7 managers before one guy was guy like yeah the webpage is right an unlocked. Burned that midnight oil to get this done. I can see why on poster said the juice just wasn't worth squeezing. Thought about buying a couple more for resale of nice gifts, but this was just too much trouble to be honest. Will just be happy with the one. Now to get that esim working...
I think most people that successfully unlocked knew what they were doing, used the portal, and quietly ported out their number to cancel. Also, most of them do this quietly behind the scene and don't post here. It's always recommended to not call AT&T on "deal" like this because shit will hit the fan when you get clueless reps and waste countless hours. This happens on every AT&T deal threads. Search on past threads for failed unlocks, and you will see the same pattern every single time. The reason is most people are inexperience, and there are a few approaches to unlock, depending on your situations, (i.e., what works for one person may not work for another), which create the confusions, contractions, etc, on every thread.

Quote from faw88 :
The AT&T deal is dead (No longer available for shipping). Does anyone know the policy for Verizon? 400 is not a bad price either tbf. But will they allow unlock before 60 days? and will we be able to close the account immediately?
Just have to wait 60 days after activated. You can cancel the line right after activation as the phone does not have to stay active on the line for the full 60 days.

Quote from garymeter48 :
Here's a thought. I've read comments where there has been success when the phone is removed from the account. One possibility could be to activate the account and put the AT&T sim in another phone, to associate the account with a different IMEI. Then, order the unlock code via the portal using the Fold 3 IMEI number. If it works, cancel the account after you receive the unlock code. Would this work?
Yes, that would work and choose the you don't have a mobile number from AT&T option on the portal.
Last edited by quantecipher March 26, 2023 at 04:55 PM.
Mar 26, 2023
3,550 Posts
Joined Jan 2005
Mar 26, 2023
zettler
Mar 26, 2023
3,550 Posts
You all are making this old guy nervous!

I tried to jump on this deal as soon as it popped up BUT since I am a Verizon customer ordering an ATT cell, the Best Buy website wouldn't let me complete my order. It stated that I needed to go into store.

That too was an experience as the lead employee said she could not order it even though I am showing it in my cart. We went back and forth until I saw she was trying to order a Flip not the zFold...duh!

Again, I rushed into BB to get this done well before most of you all had commented, so I didn't have any experience or background with what I was doing...

What I mean by that was I let them open an ATT account, got the opportunity to choose my ATT number, paid for just the Fold 3 and expect delivery tomorrow.

I knew nothing about TELOS or other work-arounds AND HOPE I am not too late to simply have an unlocked, paid for cell AND NO ATT commitment!!!

After filtering through 40+ pages of comments, I remain confused and concerned.

Can I get some counsel advice or hand-holding so I don't get screwed and save a few dollars??

1. As the cell is not here yet, but I have (I believe) an account with ATT now after Best Buy completed the order in store yesterday, HOW CAN I complete this "deal" where the Fold3 is unlocked AND I DO NOT HAVE an ATT account that I certainly do not need after all is said and done???

2 Also, I see several mentions about TELOS throughout this thread BUT I have no idea on what to look for on fheir website. And, again, I am a longtime Verizon customer and have no need for an additional and costly ATT line when I have myself and three other family members I am paying for now on Verizon.

So i think the two issues (at least) I have before me are:

1. I want to end up with an unlocked Fold3 that I can use on my Verizon account some day that isn't blacklisted, etc

2. I DO NOT want to pay ATT for service, etc.,now or in the future.

Does that make sense?

Are there any SD'ers out there who can assist??

Thank you in advsnce.
Mar 26, 2023
2,786 Posts
Joined Jul 2017
Mar 26, 2023
quantecipher
Mar 26, 2023
2,786 Posts
Quote from LonelyWolves :
4.Cancel your service within 14 days for getting back activation fee and first month fee.
Where did you see this?

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Mar 27, 2023
7 Posts
Joined Nov 2014
Mar 27, 2023
fredytom
Mar 27, 2023
7 Posts
This worked for me. Thanks much. Killer deal

Quote from LonelyWolves :
Is this a conclusion for all these jeopardy with Att device?

1.Port in a number or make a new line in store.

2.After activating device with a Sim, put the sim into another unlocked device you have.(device activation needed for unlock and not-in-use state for getting unlock code from unlock website) Device may or should have been registered paid-in-full device in the system innately.

3.Unlock your device.

4.Cancel your service within 14 days for getting back activation fee and first month fee.

I think this is the easiest way not being hasseled by Reps.

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