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Samsung Galaxy S23 Phone (AT&T or Verizon): 256GB S23 Ultra $700, 128GB S23 Expired

$400
$799.99
& More w/ Activation (new line or account) + Free Shipping
+34 Deal Score
62,510 Views
Note: Our links may go to a product variant that is out of stock or not included in this deal. Please use the available sorting options on the product page to select the available items on sale.

Best Buy has Select Samsung Galaxy S23 Phone (Phantom Black, AT&T or Verizon) on sale below for prices starting from $399.99 with Activation (new line or account). Shipping is free.
  • Note: Choose "(Activate Today) with new line or account"
Thanks to community member gadgetNerd for finding this deal.

Available:
  • 128GB Samsung Galaxy S23 (Phantom Black) $399.99
  • 256GB Samsung Galaxy S23 (Phantom Black) $559.99
  • 256GB Samsung Galaxy S23 (Phantom Black) Ultra $699.99
  • 256GB Samsung Galaxy S23+ (Phantom Black) $499.99

Original Post

Written by
Edited March 4, 2024 at 11:40 AM by
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/sams...Id=6530811

S23 for $399
S23+ for 499
S23U for $699

You can choose ATT or Verizon version. VZW one unlocks after 60 days even if you cancel the account. For ATT read below for instant unlock.

1. There are two timelines for the cancellation. If you cancel a line before 3 days it was active then the activation fee is waived. If you cancel it within 14 days from activation under buyers remorse then no bill is charged but activation fees need to be paid. The line activates on right when you place the order not the day you receive the phone on hand so you might have to pay the activation fee of $35.
2. You can use a tello number and port to ATT but you would have to make sure porting is successful by going to https://www.att.com/portstatus/.
3. You can use SIM swap method method to unlock the device.
4. When you receive the phone activate it on ATT with the SIM provided. Make sure it shows up on myATT app/in the web so ATT knows and registers the IMEI in the network. Then put the SIM in another unlocked phone, reboot, make some calls and make sure this unlocked phone is now showing under the line in app/web portal.
5. Now go to ATT unlock portal https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/ and then choose not an ATT customer and use the IMEI of s23 and submit an unlock request.
6.Confirm the unlock request email and receive the unlock code.
7. Only cancel the line after you have unlocked the phone.

Then after unlocking if you are feeling adventurous and want to flash the phone to an unlocked firmware to get rid of ATT bloat you can follow these steps. It's actually very easy to do with Odin.

1. There are many models of s23U but in US two models are imp. S918U is carrier locked version and S918U1 is the unlocked US version. The firmware for these versions are interchangeable so you can flash the ATT model with S918U1 firmware.
2. Download patched odin v3.14.1_3B_PatchedD.zip from https://xdaforums.com/t/patched-o...1.3762572/ as regular odin does not allow flashing mismatched firmware.
3. Download the firmware from S918U1 XAA version from https://samfrew.com/firmware/mode.../Desc/0/10 Extract as there will be multiple files.
4. Connect S23U to the windows PC. Make sure developer mode is turned on in the phone.
5 .Put s23u 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.
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Deal
Score
+34
62,510 Views
$400
$799.99

Price Intelligence

Model: Samsung - Galaxy S23 128GB - Phantom Black (AT&T)

Deal History 

Sort: Most Recent
Post Date Sold By Sale Price Activity
04/14/24Best Buy$250 frontpage
446
04/09/24Best Buy$299
1
03/20/24Best Buy$300 frontpage
392
03/17/24AT&T Wireless$349
28
02/23/24Best Buy$449.99
1
02/23/24Best Buy$449.99
52
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Community Wiki

Last Edited by gadgetNerd March 9, 2024 at 02:07 PM
You can choose ATT or Verizon version. VZW one unlocks after 60 days even if you cancel the account. For ATT read below for instant unlock.

1. There are two timelines for the cancellation. If you cancel a line before 3 days it was active then the activation fee is waived. If you cancel it within 14 days from activation under buyers remorse then no bill is charged but activation fees need to be paid. The line activates on right when you place the order not the day you receive the phone on hand so you might have to pay the activation fee of $35.
2. You can use a tello number and port to ATT but you would have to make sure porting is successful by going to https://www.att.com/portstatus/.
3. You can use SIM swap method method to unlock the device.
4. When you receive the phone activate it on ATT with the SIM provided. Make sure it shows up on myATT app/in the web so ATT knows and registers the IMEI in the network. Then put the SIM in another unlocked phone, reboot, make some calls and make sure this unlocked phone is now showing under the line in app/web portal.
5. Now go to ATT unlock portal https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/ and then choose not an ATT customer and use the IMEI of s23 and submit an unlock request.
6.Confirm the unlock request email and receive the unlock code.
7. Only cancel the line after you have unlocked the phone.

Then after unlocking if you are feeling adventurous and want to flash the phone to an unlocked firmware to get rid of ATT bloat you can follow these steps. It's actually very easy to do with Odin.

1. There are many models of s23U but in US two models are imp. S918U is carrier locked version and S918U1 is the unlocked US version. The firmware for these versions are interchangeable so you can flash the ATT model with S918U1 firmware.
2. Download patched odin v3.14.1_3B_PatchedD.zip from https://xdaforums.com/t/patched-o...1.3762572/ as regular odin does not allow flashing mismatched firmware.
3. Download the firmware from S918U1 XAA version from https://samfrew.com/firmware/mode.../Desc/0/10 Extract as there will be multiple files.
4. Connect S23U to the windows PC. Make sure developer mode is turned on in the phone.
5 .Put s23u 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.


Cancellation of the ATT account and bill thereafter

== Will ATT send me a bill after the account is cancelled?

Firstly, keep the ATT buyers remorse policy handy when you talk to them. See https://www.att.com/wireless/return-policy/ click on "Consumer and Signature Customer Program Devices and Accessories" and here are the policy terms

"Service Cancellations within 14 Days. You may call us at 800-331-0500 to cancel wireless service. You are responsible for all applicable fees, prorated access charges, taxes, surcharges, or other charges through the termination date. AT&T will refund your activation fee, if any, if service is terminated within 3 days of activation. The charges for service used on the account before the service termination date may be applied against any down payment."

ATT will send you a bill with the full amount even after you cancel your account so you have to do couple of things to get rid of charges.

1. When you open the bill in myATT app/att website there will be something called "Don't recognize this fee" under the activation. You can click on it to get rid of a activation fee. This is an instant and automatic credit. Also this works even if you cancelled the account after 3 days.

2. Chat with CS to get rid of rest of the charges. Make sure to not fall for credit in the next bill/adjusted in the next bill, Be polite but persistent that you want charges to be credited now. Bring up the polict if you have to.

See https://slickdeals.net/f/17327499-oneplus-nord-n30-5g-128gb-unlocked-chromatic-gray-cph2513-best-buy-0 recent interactions with ATT CS.

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Featured Comments

if they don't already have an att or verizon account, getting one takes a hard pull (credit check) which has a moderate impact on credit (which is very important in the US). It's a nuissance.
It may also take time to figure out why the order doesn't go through and/or it gets canceled, etc. In other words, don't make a friend or relative do it for you.
$300 savings over the S24 ultra. Not much of a deal.

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Joined Nov 2012
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gadgetNerd
03-05-2024 at 11:30 PM.
03-05-2024 at 11:30 PM.
Quote from frogger538 :
I'm tempted by this offer but just have a few questions I'm hoping you guys can help with.

1. Can anyone confirm that creating a new ATT account results in a soft pull and not a hard pull?
2. Why does BB want to setup an appointment if you want to get a new number? I assume this is why the port-in is mentioned?
3. Is it easy to cancel the account/line after unlocking? I guess ATT can't do anything to the phone at that point? Is the phone plan that you signed up for charged entirely or pro rated when you cancel?
4. If for whatever reason the unlock fails, can you return the phone to BB?

Thanks in advance!

1. Soft pull as per ATT and confirmed by some in https://slickdeals.net/share/android_app/t/17327499

2. For a new number you have to setup an appointment with them but it's quick and yes that's why port in is better to do it all online

3. Yes, cancellation is easy via chat, again, refer to the thread above. The activatation charge is waived if cancelled within 3 days. You have to pay prorated charges for the days line was active.

4. Yes, but a restocking fee might apply.
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Ted.
03-06-2024 at 09:41 PM.
03-06-2024 at 09:41 PM.
If I go to best buy in person tomorrow and buy the S24U + create a brand new line with ATT to get the lower price, will the following steps work to unlock the phone immediately without paying for any Months of Service + avoid the activation fee? OR do I HAVE to port in from Tello/Google Voice?

I do not want to find myself being stuck with 60 Days of ATT service before I can use the phone with T-mobile.
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adis24
03-06-2024 at 10:39 PM.
03-06-2024 at 10:39 PM.
Quote from gadgetNerd :
Yes, you will get all regular updates. Flashed couple of galaxy phones already and then are receiving updates normally.
Without an AT&T SIM card?
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gadgetNerd
03-06-2024 at 10:57 PM.
03-06-2024 at 10:57 PM.
Quote from adis24 :
Without an AT&T SIM card?

Yes. On the timeline of unlocked software updates, not the carrier versions.
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gadgetNerd
03-06-2024 at 11:32 PM.
03-06-2024 at 11:32 PM.
Quote from Ted. :
If I go to best buy in person tomorrow and buy the S24U + create a brand new line with ATT to get the lower price, will the following steps work to unlock the phone immediately without paying for any Months of Service + avoid the activation fee? OR do I HAVE to port in from Tello/Google Voice?

I do not want to find myself being stuck with 60 Days of ATT service before I can use the phone with T-mobile.

You can go to BB and get a new number. You don't need to port, that's only needed if you want to do this all online. Couple of pages ago somebody reported the SIM swap to be working. I'm guessing from the upvotes it worked for many others? but there's a risk of it not working if you dont do it right in which you might to return the phone with a restocking fee.
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modemraj
03-07-2024 at 03:06 PM.
03-07-2024 at 03:06 PM.
Followed all the steps and everything worked well. Thanks for sharing the deal op
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Joeggernaut
03-07-2024 at 05:38 PM.
03-07-2024 at 05:38 PM.
what if I want to stay on ATT network (I am in the process of currently porting out from my old employer who used ATT) but want to go ATT pre-paid option? Is this possible? What steps would I do?
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Last edited by Joeggernaut March 7, 2024 at 05:40 PM.

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03-07-2024 at 06:58 PM.
03-07-2024 at 06:58 PM.
Quote from Joeggernaut :
what if I want to stay on ATT network (I am in the process of currently porting out from my old employer who used ATT) but want to go ATT pre-paid option? Is this possible? What steps would I do?

The you don't need to unlock the phone. Just cancel the ATT account once you get the phone.
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Joeggernaut
03-07-2024 at 07:22 PM.
03-07-2024 at 07:22 PM.
Quote from gadgetNerd :
The you don't need to unlock the phone. Just cancel the ATT account once you get the phone.
How do I make sure I don't lose my number when cancelling the post paid and activating the pre-paid?
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03-07-2024 at 09:59 PM.
03-07-2024 at 09:59 PM.
Quote from Joeggernaut :
How do I make sure I don't lose my number when cancelling the post paid and activating the pre-paid?
Are you porting your number for this? I suggest you get a throwaway google voice/tello number and use that for porting if you have to. Otherwise you can a new number from BB but you have to go to the store.
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Joeggernaut
03-08-2024 at 03:27 AM.
03-08-2024 at 03:27 AM.
Quote from gadgetNerd :
Are you porting your number for this? I suggest you get a throwaway google voice/tello number and use that for porting if you have to. Otherwise you can a new number from BB but you have to go to the store.
My real number sits with my current employer who I am leaving shortly. They currently have a business ATT account and said I could port that number to wherever. I also have another android phone with active ATT prepaid on it and it is an unlocked phone.

I think my plan would be to go to bestbuy, get the phone and new number. Try the sim swap method (not sure it will work with my unlocked android phone that is on the ATT prepaid plan currently because the IMEI is already registered with ATT currently). Then unlock new phone and cancel service. Activate a new prepaid plan on the ATT with a sim kit on the new now unlocked phone. Then contact my employer to port my real number in.

I know you said "The you don't need to unlock the phone. Just cancel the ATT account once you get the phone". Maybe I can bypass all the sim swap stuff. Will ATT unlock the phone eventually or will it remained locked.
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Last edited by Joeggernaut March 8, 2024 at 03:34 AM.
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gadgetNerd
03-08-2024 at 07:10 AM.
03-08-2024 at 07:10 AM.
Quote from Joeggernaut :
My real number sits with my current employer who I am leaving shortly. They currently have a business ATT account and said I could port that number to wherever. I also have another android phone with active ATT prepaid on it and it is an unlocked phone.

I think my plan would be to go to bestbuy, get the phone and new number. Try the sim swap method (not sure it will work with my unlocked android phone that is on the ATT prepaid plan currently because the IMEI is already registered with ATT currently). Then unlock new phone and cancel service. Activate a new prepaid plan on the ATT with a sim kit on the new now unlocked phone. Then contact my employer to port my real number in.

I know you said "The you don't need to unlock the phone. Just cancel the ATT account once you get the phone". Maybe I can bypass all the sim swap stuff. Will ATT unlock the phone eventually or will it remained locked.

As per ATT policy you can request unlock after 60 days https://www.att.com/support/artic...KM1262649/. The SIM swap method should work with your current unlocked phone.
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gadgetNerd
03-09-2024 at 02:08 PM.
03-09-2024 at 02:08 PM.
I updated the wiki with information about cancellation and the bill that comes from ATT. Hope that helps as many of you doing this might get a bill afterwards.
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monkeybiz
03-09-2024 at 02:15 PM.
03-09-2024 at 02:15 PM.
Impulse buy last week with eBay 20% coupon.. Like New open box S23FE but I prefer my slim S20+. Maybe I'll keep it for $400 but it's heavy and bulky.
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Myanter
03-10-2024 at 06:04 AM.
03-10-2024 at 06:04 AM.
@gadgetnerd . For me shipping taking one week time to deliver so I can't cancel in 3 days right in that case and will go under 14 days process ?
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