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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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Apr 4, 2023
382 Posts
Joined Oct 2007
Apr 4, 2023
perdesi
Apr 4, 2023
382 Posts
Quote from NFS851 :
Mine bubbled up and competely detached through the entire middle of the screen top to bottom after one day of regular use. I had it replaced 2 days ago through ubreakifix( under warranty)and its been perfect since. Mine is also a manufactured date of December 2021.
With so many people having issues with the Fold, is it event worth the $300?
Apr 4, 2023
152 Posts
Joined Sep 2017
Apr 4, 2023
m.rokerya
Apr 4, 2023
152 Posts
I have not received the phone nor I have activated the line, but I received bill of $114. what should I do?
Apr 4, 2023
1,478 Posts
Joined Dec 2011
Apr 4, 2023
garymeter48
Apr 4, 2023
1,478 Posts
Quote from Anhsirk78 :
I submitted on 3/30/23 evening. FCC served ATT on 3/31 morning which a Friday. Today is Tuesday I got the call.
Thanks. My timeline is the same as yours...lol. No call yet, hopefully soon.
Apr 4, 2023
212 Posts
Joined Dec 2005
Apr 4, 2023
AJolly
Apr 4, 2023
212 Posts
Quote from ScarletPolice7780 :
Did you activated your line with ATT? I got the same email and then it disappeared after activating my phone and number with AT&T.
Hm. Works just fine with the SIM in my iphone, but does not like my one plus 9 pro
Apr 4, 2023
334 Posts
Joined Nov 2014
Apr 4, 2023
Anhsirk78
Apr 4, 2023
334 Posts
Quote from garymeter48 :
Thanks. My timeline is the same as yours...lol. No call yet, hopefully soon.
Good luck.
Apr 4, 2023
6,976 Posts
Joined Jul 2007
Apr 4, 2023
lou2004
Apr 4, 2023
6,976 Posts
Quote from m.rokerya :
I have not received the phone nor I have activated the line, but I received bill of $114. what should I do?
go pickup the phone then unlock it and cancelled.
Apr 4, 2023
7 Posts
Joined Mar 2023
Apr 4, 2023
OliveCrow4837
Apr 4, 2023
7 Posts
Quote from garymeter48 :
I also submitted a FCC complaint. How many days passed, from the day you submitted the complaint before AT&T got in touch with you?
did someone called or you got the unlocked code

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Apr 4, 2023
1,478 Posts
Joined Dec 2011
Apr 4, 2023
garymeter48
Apr 4, 2023
1,478 Posts
Quote from OliveCrow4837 :
did someone called or you got the unlocked code
I received an email from the Office of The President at AT&T. They wanted a copy of my BestBuy receipt. I'm waiting to hear back regarding the unlocking.
Apr 4, 2023
3,546 Posts
Joined Jan 2005
Apr 4, 2023
zettler
Apr 4, 2023
3,546 Posts
Sorry to be a pest but I need a little hand holding as i am not sure what files to download in order to get rid of the ATT crap and make sure its a VERIZON recognized cell - can you assist?

I did try restoring/rebooting the FOLD3 with my VERIZON SIM but the ATT stuff was still there...

I tried sending you a message but not sure it went through.

Thank you!
Pro
Apr 4, 2023
3,109 Posts
Joined Nov 2012
Apr 4, 2023
gadgetNerd
Pro
Apr 4, 2023
3,109 Posts
Quote from zettler :
Sorry to be a pest but I need a little hand holding as i am not sure what files to download in order to get rid of the ATT crap and make sure its a VERIZON recognized cell - can you assist?

I did try restoring/rebooting the FOLD3 with my VERIZON SIM but the ATT stuff was still there...

I tried sending you a message but not sure it went through.

Thank you!
So you have to flash the z fold3 with an unlocked OS image to get rid AT bloatware. Here are the steps I listed before.

1. There are many models of z fold 3 but in US two models are imp. F926U is carrier locked version and F926U1 is the unlocked US version. The firmware for these versions are interchangeable so you can flash the ATT model with F926U1 firmware.
2. Download patched odin v3.14.1_3B_PatchedD.zip from https://forum.xda-developers.com/...1.3762572/ as regular odin does not allow flashing mismatched firmware.
3. Download the firmware from F96U1 XAA version from https://samfrew.com/download/Gala...1OYZ2FWB3/. Extract as there will be multiple files.
4. Connect z fold 3 to the windows PC.
5 .Put z fold 3 in download/recovery/odin mode. Power down. Press Volume up and down together and then press Volume up to go into recovery (a green screen would appear).
6. Start odin and then select different files for different categories and then start.
7, It should be now the US unlocked version.

If you want to flash the verizon specific firmware instead you can do the step 3 with this image https://samfrew.com/download/Gala...UOYN3FWC1/
Last edited by gadgetNerd April 4, 2023 at 04:20 PM.
Apr 4, 2023
981 Posts
Joined Dec 2011
Apr 4, 2023
xjimmyx
Apr 4, 2023
981 Posts
Thanks to all for your contributions out here, especially gadgetNerd whose Odin tutorial is gold.

I used the sim-swap to unlock (easy peasy), and Odin to install the US unlocked software (a little trickier but worthwhile for certain.) I thought I was home free but for some reason other carrier sims were not working on the Fold- it recognized the network but would not complete calls or send texts. I persevered and kept swapping sims (between Mint, US Mobile, and Cricket) and after about a half hour and 4-5 sim swaps and restarts, the Mint sim worked perfectly....as did all of them then when I popped them in.

That was great fun- now to cancel my service and figure out if I am going to keep this really cool screen-problem-waiting-to-happen.
Apr 5, 2023
259 Posts
Joined Jul 2006
Apr 5, 2023
sbc06
Apr 5, 2023
259 Posts
I put my sim in a pixel today, made two calls, saw the portal updated my active device. Filed for unlock based on IMEI and got approved in 2 minutes.

I put an "unreal mobile" sim in my fold to try to get the prompt to show up to unlock, but nothing is happening. Is there an alternative way to get the prompt to show up? I don't have any other SIM cards, all of my other are e-sims
Apr 5, 2023
59 Posts
Joined Mar 2021
Apr 5, 2023
CrimsonWren899
Apr 5, 2023
59 Posts
Quote from skyteak :
Have you tried updating the phone via OTA, then odin an unlocked firmware?
Yes correct I used Samsung switch and updated to andriod 13 and now I'm try to use Odin.
Apr 5, 2023
3,546 Posts
Joined Jan 2005
Apr 5, 2023
zettler
Apr 5, 2023
3,546 Posts
Quote from gadgetNerd :
So you have to flash the z fold3 with an unlocked OS image to get rid AT bloatware. Here are the steps I listed before.

1. There are many models of z fold 3 but in US two models are imp. F926U is carrier locked version and F926U1 is the unlocked US version. The firmware for these versions are interchangeable so you can flash the ATT model with F926U1 firmware.
2. Download patched odin v3.14.1_3B_PatchedD.zip from https://forum.xda-developers.com/...1.3762572/ as regular odin does not allow flashing mismatched firmware.
3. Download the firmware from F96U1 XAA version from https://samfrew.com/download/Gala...1OYZ2FWB3/. Extract as there will be multiple files.
4. Connect z fold 3 to the windows PC.
5 .Put z fold 3 in download/recovery/odin mode. Power down. Press Volume up and down together and then press Volume up to go into recovery (a green screen would appear).
6. Start odin and then select different files for different categories and then start.
7, It should be now the US unlocked version.

If you want to flash the verizon specific firmware instead you can do the step 3 with this image https://samfrew.com/download/Gala...UOYN3FWC1/
Sorry, one more question (for now) and that is do I download ALL the files at the link in #3 above AND extract them all???

That was really my primary question as I might not read any directions that come with a purchase, I get anal about not missing a step or the like with something like this that has the potential to brick a $322 purchase....LOL

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Pro
Apr 5, 2023
3,109 Posts
Joined Nov 2012
Apr 5, 2023
gadgetNerd
Pro
Apr 5, 2023
3,109 Posts
Quote from zettler :
Sorry, one more question (for now) and that is do I download ALL the files at the link in #3 above AND extract them all???

That was really my primary question as I might not read any directions that come with a purchase, I get anal about not missing a step or the like with something like this that has the potential to brick a $322 purchase....LOL
There should be one zip file (XAA unlocked version) in the link? It extracts various different files for BL, CS, AP etc. In the Odin tool you select them correspondingly. If you are asking about the links in xda forum download the latest patched Odin so like 3.14.1_patched or something similar.

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