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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
1,739 Comments 310,093 Views
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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

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.
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.
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.

1,739 Comments

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Apr 19, 2023
24 Posts
Joined Nov 2015
Apr 19, 2023
rohitjadhav
Apr 19, 2023
24 Posts
After lots of attempts on call, with ATT they gave unlock code and now it works only with physical sim. eSIM does not work. I don't see sim card manager in the connections under settings. Does not mean its not fully unlocked? Not sure. I can seem be able to use eSIM with it. Should I try with different carrier eSIM? I tried with Tmobile.

Check the Why is SIM Card Manager not appearing on my Samsung device? https://shorturl.at/jQV09
Apr 19, 2023
6,966 Posts
Joined Jul 2007
Apr 19, 2023
lou2004
Apr 19, 2023
6,966 Posts
Quote from rohitjadhav :
After lots of attempts on call, with ATT they gave unlock code and now it works only with physical sim. eSIM does not work. I don't see sim card manager in the connections under settings. Does not mean its not fully unlocked? Not sure. I can seem be able to use eSIM with it. Should I try with different carrier eSIM? I tried with Tmobile.

Check the Why is SIM Card Manager not appearing on my Samsung device? https://shorturl.at/jQV09
update software then you will see it.
Apr 19, 2023
24 Posts
Joined Nov 2015
Apr 19, 2023
rohitjadhav
Apr 19, 2023
24 Posts
Quote from lou2004 :
update software then you will see it.
I dont see update software option. Phone says 'already updated'. Any ideas?
Apr 19, 2023
24 Posts
Joined Nov 2015
Apr 19, 2023
rohitjadhav
Apr 19, 2023
24 Posts
Quote from gadgetNerd :
esim (and the SIM manager) is only available on Android 13 for z fold 3. So you will have to update it to A13. If OTA update, Samsung smart switch etc does not work then you can flash it. I posted the instructions earlier.
Can you please point me to the instructions? My phone says already updated software so no way for me to update it actually.
Apr 19, 2023
24 Posts
Joined Nov 2015
Apr 19, 2023
rohitjadhav
Apr 19, 2023
24 Posts
Quote from lou2004 :
update software then you will see it.
it says software is up to date. Weird !
Pro
Apr 19, 2023
2,630 Posts
Joined Nov 2012
Apr 19, 2023
gadgetNerd
Pro
Apr 19, 2023
2,630 Posts
Quote from rohitjadhav :
it says software is up to date. Weird !
Yup, you have to force update it using Samsung smart switch PC software or flash it. People have got it working with normal OTA update by resetting the phone and selecting ATT software in the initial config but I'm not sure if thats going to work.
Apr 19, 2023
24 Posts
Joined Nov 2015
Apr 19, 2023
rohitjadhav
Apr 19, 2023
24 Posts
Quote from gadgetNerd :
Yup, you have to force update it using Samsung smart switch PC software or flash it. People have got it working with normal OTA update by resetting the phone and selecting ATT software in the initial config but I'm not sure if thats going to work.
I am new to andriod. Been apple user over last 10 years. haha So please let me know how to flash it or I can start with Samsung smart switch. If you have steps / instructions anywhere that will be awesome Smilie Thanks @gadgetNerd

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Pro
Apr 19, 2023
2,630 Posts
Joined Nov 2012
Apr 19, 2023
gadgetNerd
Pro
Apr 19, 2023
2,630 Posts
Quote from rohitjadhav :
I am new to andriod. Been apple user over last 10 years. haha So please let me know how to flash it or I can start with Samsung smart switch. If you have steps / instructions anywhere that will be awesome Thanks @gadgetNerd
The Samsung smart switch route is easier but it didn't work for me on a windows PC that I was trying. People have better luck doing it on Mac. You just connect the phone and run samsung smart switch. At the bottom on the screen there should be an option to download the update. If that does not work, here are the flashing instructions

"I was getting the same error. I went via the flash. It's pretty easy to do and the unlocked AND uncarrier ROM that I flashed with (the one that's available) is actually the Thome Brown edition so you get a premium version of z fold 3 SW on top of Android 13 with eSIM goodness! So here are the steps if you are feeling adventurous.

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.

Someone was saying the Mac smart switch might get it to update but I've not tried it as I wanted to get rid of ATT bloat."
Last edited by gadgetNerd April 20, 2023 at 09:30 AM.
1
Apr 19, 2023
24 Posts
Joined Nov 2015
Apr 19, 2023
rohitjadhav
Apr 19, 2023
24 Posts
Quote from gadgetNerd :
The Samsung smart switch route is easier but it didn't work for me on a windows PC that I was trying. People have better luck doing it on Mac. You just connect the phone and run samsung smart switch. At the bottom on the screen there should be an option to download the update. If that does not work, here are the flashing instructions

"I was getting the same error. I went via the flash. It's pretty easy to do and the unlocked AND uncarrier ROM that I flashed with (the one that's available) is actually the Thome Brown edition so you get a premium version of z fold 3 SW on top of Android 13 with eSIM goodness! So here are the steps if you are feeling adventurous.

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...OYZ2FWB3/. 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.

Someone was saying the Mac smart switch might get it to update but I've not tried it as I wanted to get rid of ATT bloat."
You are awesome. Thank you.
Apr 20, 2023
24 Posts
Joined Nov 2015
Apr 20, 2023
rohitjadhav
Apr 20, 2023
24 Posts
Quote from gadgetNerd :
The Samsung smart switch route is easier but it didn't work for me on a windows PC that I was trying. People have better luck doing it on Mac. You just connect the phone and run samsung smart switch. At the bottom on the screen there should be an option to download the update. If that does not work, here are the flashing instructions

"I was getting the same error. I went via the flash. It's pretty easy to do and the unlocked AND uncarrier ROM that I flashed with (the one that's available) is actually the Thome Brown edition so you get a premium version of z fold 3 SW on top of Android 13 with eSIM goodness! So here are the steps if you are feeling adventurous.

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...OYZ2FWB3/. 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.

Someone was saying the Mac smart switch might get it to update but I've not tried it as I wanted to get rid of ATT bloat."
Links to v3.14.1_3B_PatchedD.zip and firmware version not working. Patch on says 403 forbidden and firmware 404Not not found. Can you help?
Apr 20, 2023
24 Posts
Joined Nov 2015
Apr 20, 2023
rohitjadhav
Apr 20, 2023
24 Posts
Quote from rohitjadhav :
Links to v3.14.1_3B_PatchedD.zip and firmware version not working. Patch on says 403 forbidden and firmware 404Not not found. Can you help?
Also I am using smart switch to update it and it shows latest software version available as 12 (Not 13) We need 13 to get SIM card Manager to work right? How do get 13?
Apr 20, 2023
24 Posts
Joined Nov 2015
Apr 20, 2023
rohitjadhav
Apr 20, 2023
24 Posts
Quote from gibsonbass :
Take a chance, go for the FCC. Thats how I managed to unlock mine.
What is FCC? Trying to get mine fully unlocked.
Apr 20, 2023
24 Posts
Joined Nov 2015
Apr 20, 2023
rohitjadhav
Apr 20, 2023
24 Posts
Quote from SeriousKitten2924 :
Have a talk this morning that my number was still with Google Voice and they finished port-in. Now I'm able to call/receive.

Once again did these:

1) Put ATT sim into Fold. Made calls, used data, the phone showed in account.

2) Removed sim and inserted into unlocked Iphone Xr. Made calls, data, after an hour iphone appeared in account.

3) Tried to unlock via ATT.com/unlock and got error again: The device you want to unlock is active on another AT&T account. The account owner needs to remove the device from their account first. For assistance, call 800.331.0500.

Damn ATT. Looks like sim swam doesn't work anymore?

Tried to unlock with ATT sim in Fold as current customer via myAtt. Error: you have to be on active service for 60 days until unlock.

I had to reorder my Fold, because first time Best buy or ATT ruined port-in completely. Reordered on 28th March, the date when they changed they policy.

Am I still eligible to get unlock with FCC help?
Talked to Facebook ATT support, chat support,
frightened them that I have to have to file complaint with FCC and they calmly agreed that I can do whatever I want and they don't care.
Can you help file FCC ?
Apr 20, 2023
47 Posts
Joined Mar 2020
Apr 20, 2023
Mongooste
Apr 20, 2023
47 Posts
My screen film started pilling off on the 1st week and finally grew into a big end-to-end vertical stipe a couple of days ago. Best buy is ready to accept the return (even after 14 days) but doesn't have them in stock to replace it. What to do ??

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Apr 20, 2023
24 Posts
Joined Nov 2015
Apr 20, 2023
rohitjadhav
Apr 20, 2023
24 Posts
Quote from gadgetNerd :
The Samsung smart switch route is easier but it didn't work for me on a windows PC that I was trying. People have better luck doing it on Mac. You just connect the phone and run samsung smart switch. At the bottom on the screen there should be an option to download the update. If that does not work, here are the flashing instructions

"I was getting the same error. I went via the flash. It's pretty easy to do and the unlocked AND uncarrier ROM that I flashed with (the one that's available) is actually the Thome Brown edition so you get a premium version of z fold 3 SW on top of Android 13 with eSIM goodness! So here are the steps if you are feeling adventurous.

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...OYZ2FWB3/. 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.

Someone was saying the Mac smart switch might get it to update but I've not tried it as I wanted to get rid of ATT bloat."
Hello @gadgetNerd, Links to v3.14.1_3B_PatchedD.zip and firmware version not working. Patch on says 403 forbidden and firmware 404Not not found.
But I was able to use update the software to 13 using Samsung smart switch and now I see SIM CARD MANAGER. Do I still need flash it?
Or I am all good to go? I am already using Tello sim in physical sim slot which is unlocked.

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