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Samsung Galaxy S23 Phone (AT&T): 256GB S23 Ultra $550, 128GB S23 Expired

$300
$799.99
& More w/ Activation (new line or account) + Free Shipping
+66 Deal Score
128,113 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) on sale below for prices starting from $299.99 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) $299.99
  • 256GB Samsung Galaxy S23 (Phantom Black) $359.99
  • 256GB Samsung Galaxy S23+ (Phantom Black) $399.99
  • 256GB Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (Phantom Black) $549.99

Original Post

Written by
Edited March 20, 2024 at 10:38 PM by
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/sams...Id=6530811

S23 for $299
S23+ for $399
S23 ultra for $549

IMO great price for S23U

The VZW S23 is $50 more. 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 get a new number in a best buy store or you can use a tello number and port to ATT to do this all online 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 policy 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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Deal
Score
+66
128,113 Views
$300
$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
440
04/09/24Best Buy$299
1
03/17/24AT&T Wireless$349
28
03/04/24Best Buy$400 frontpage
108
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 24, 2024 at 07:15 PM
S23 for $299
S23+ for $399
S23 ultra for $549

IMO great price for S23U

The VZW S23 is $50 more. 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 get a new number in a best buy store or you can use a tello number and port to ATT to do this all online 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. If the IMEI1 (pSim) of the request comes back with an email saying device not registered etc, use the IMEI2 (eSIM) of S23 in step 5.
7.Confirm the unlock request email and receive the unlock code.
8. 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 policy 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

A heads up: If you abuse buying discounted phones and activating then immediately canceling AT&T service too often, you will eventually be banned by AT&T from activating service anymore.

Believe it or not, that type of gaming is tracked and no one will be able to fix that for you.

Ex-AT&T employee.

PS: If you don't care, that's fine. But If you do, then you should be aware of this and pick your deals carefully.
The Ultra/256gb unlocked is $421, no need to go thru all the cancellation hassle , better deal imo.
they are dropping 50 every two weeks. I would wait, these phones are not selling like hotcakes. I considered s24 ultra during googlefi launch promo and rolled back because the price is too steep to what it has to offer. I expect the s23 to drop in price till they clear the inventory.
Also s24 have similar att offers through best buy for +$100 to $150

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MrFire
03-22-2024 at 02:12 PM.
03-22-2024 at 02:12 PM.
Quote from TenderTent315 :
I'm just afraid of how many times I can request an unlock before they flag the IMEI, do you know?
There are many types of "flagging." What do you mean by that?

If you mean by calling in frequently, every decision is typically noted in the account.

So, if you call and one rep says "no" to an unlock and documents a reason, then chances are every CS rep afterwards will read that decision and uphold it.

So, you can keep calling and see if you get lucky, but I wouldn't get my hopes up.

(Ex-att employee)
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iansp
03-22-2024 at 03:21 PM.
03-22-2024 at 03:21 PM.
As per Wiki :
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.

So as per these guidelines : You register the phone on ATT , then use the ATT sim on another unlocked phone (so that it registers that phone on ATT network ?) and then request an unlock request ?
So basically the new original Samsung phone will be like its not on ATT network ?
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hqh51
03-22-2024 at 04:22 PM.
03-22-2024 at 04:22 PM.
Quote from iansp :
As per Wiki :
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.

So as per these guidelines : You register the phone on ATT , then use the ATT sim on another unlocked phone (so that it registers that phone on ATT network ?) and then request an unlock request ?
So basically the new original Samsung phone will be like its not on ATT network ?
That's the plan.

However, I seem to get stuck on step 4 because using a different phone that is unlocked, I couldn't get ATT to see my Samsung S20 unlocked phone. I did send some text and make calls to try and get the network to register a different device, but nothing has changed on my ATT's online account (I used web, not app). It still shows Samsung S23 on my account's Home dashboard (two places: left and center). Manually changing the device to another device that I have when going under "Refresh my connection" doesn't seem to work either (and actually using the referesh my connection).

Update: I downloaded myAT&T app to my S20 phone and it actually sees S20 and not S23. I'm going to go with that the website is slow to update. Going to continue on with OP's steps to see where I get.
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Last edited by hqh51 March 22, 2024 at 04:37 PM.
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hqh51
03-22-2024 at 04:57 PM.
03-22-2024 at 04:57 PM.
gadgetNerd needs to update the following steps for clarity:
Quote :
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.
#5: Going to https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/ does not have "choose not an ATT customer". It's actually click on "Start an unlock request" button under "Device unlock request" section. Once you click on that button, the question is: "Do you have a mobile number from AT&T" and you are asked to select Yes or No. In the interest of unlocking, you must select "No" to reveal IMEI box. There, you can enter in the IMEI of the S23 (get the IMEI by going into the Settings and search for IMEI) and a checkbox regarding legal info about device unlocking.

#6: After putting in the request, it says up to 24 hours is given to confirm the unlock request in the email they sent that you've entered in for the unlock. I think within 24 hours should be emphasized before the device unlock request expires.

Thanks to gadgetNerd, I successfully unlocked the S23. The unlock request was processed within 1 minute with another email sent with the unlock code.
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gadgetNerd
03-22-2024 at 05:19 PM.
03-22-2024 at 05:19 PM.
Quote from iansp :
As per Wiki :
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.

So as per these guidelines : You register the phone on ATT , then use the ATT sim on another unlocked phone (so that it registers that phone on ATT network ?) and then request an unlock request ?
So basically the new original Samsung phone will be like its not on ATT network ?

Yup and then you cancel the line.
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gadgetNerd
03-22-2024 at 05:24 PM.
03-22-2024 at 05:24 PM.
Quote from hqh51 :
gadgetNerd needs to update the following steps for clarity:
#5: Going to https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/ does not have "choose not an ATT customer". It's actually click on "Start an unlock request" button under "Device unlock request" section. Once you click on that button, the question is: "Do you have a mobile number from AT&T" and you are asked to select Yes or No. In the interest of unlocking, you must select "No" to reveal IMEI box. There, you can enter in the IMEI of the S23 (get the IMEI by going into the Settings and search for IMEI) and a checkbox regarding legal info about device unlocking.

#6: After putting in the request, it says up to 24 hours is given to confirm the unlock request in the email they sent that you've entered in for the unlock. I think within 24 hours should be emphasized before the device unlock request expires.

Thanks to gadgetNerd, I successfully unlocked the S23. The unlock request was processed within 1 minute with another email sent with the unlock code.

Yes that's right. I had those instructions not in the literal sense but for general direction of doing that as someone who does not have ATT number. But feel free to update the wiki with more detailed steps.
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bissli
03-22-2024 at 05:34 PM.
03-22-2024 at 05:34 PM.
Quote from TenderTent315 :
I did follow the wiki/OP, and after following step #4 to the letter (including confirming that my unlocked phone is now showing up in the portal, replacing the S23), I then proceeded to the att/deviceunlock site and entered the IMEI, after choosing "No" for "Do you have a mobile number from AT&T?" (I don't see an option where I can pick "not an ATT customer"). I got the reply immediately saying that the unlock request is rejected due to "The service on your mobile number hasn't been active for at least 60 days."
I went through the same yesterday and it works fine. I would say try to wait a bit after doing the sim switch both times and make a few calls too.
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ileftsomethinginside
03-22-2024 at 07:44 PM.
03-22-2024 at 07:44 PM.
So is it unwise to get the Verizon version for $50 more? (Carrier-locked phones = bad is my understanding but I will admit I don't know that I entirely understand why)

In any case, I've been w/ Verizon forever, have never seriously considered switching companies, but that's mostly out of complacency / lack of consideration for getting a better deal, which I'm now at least considering considering, lol. (I don't even know what the general opinion of Verizon is but I wouldn't be surprised if there's better services out there).

I'm really ignorant to a lot of this stuff so please excuse that.
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Last edited by SkillfulTest1310 March 22, 2024 at 07:50 PM.
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gadgetNerd
03-22-2024 at 07:51 PM.
03-22-2024 at 07:51 PM.
Quote from SkillfulTest1310 :
So is it unwise to get the Verizon version for $50 more? (Carrier-locked phones = bad is my understanding but I will admit I don't know that I entirely understand why)

In any case, I've been w/ Verizon forever, have never seriously considered switching companies, but that's mostly out of complacency / lack of consideration for getting a better deal, which I'm now at least considering considering, lol. (I don't even know what the general opinion of Verizon is but I wouldn't be surprised if there's better services out there).

I'm really ignorant to a lot of this stuff so please excuse that.

If you want to get an readily unlocked phone with low price then not. If you are with VZW and will continue to be then perhaps you can do the VZW but I just checked and I don't think the vzw base S23 is available anymore?
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1453191819231991
03-22-2024 at 08:39 PM.
03-22-2024 at 08:39 PM.
Do you get a hard pull if you dont have Att or Verizon account?

Edit: Am I the only who didnt notice it was for S23 series and not the S24? How is this even popular?
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Last edited by 1453191819231991 March 22, 2024 at 08:46 PM.
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ks1506
03-22-2024 at 09:06 PM.
03-22-2024 at 09:06 PM.
Can I port out the number instead of call AT&T and cancel?
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hqh51
03-22-2024 at 09:46 PM.
03-22-2024 at 09:46 PM.
I'm kind of puzzled on these instructions:
Quote :
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.
Seems like the instructions are referring to Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (SM-S918U1) by the use of "S23U" in step 1. If one were to buy, say Samsung Galaxy S23+ (SM-S916U), one should be flashing S916U1 XAA version, or even a Samsung Galaxy S23 (SM-S911U), one should be flashing S911U1 XAA version. Am I correct on this?
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gadgetNerd
03-22-2024 at 09:50 PM.
03-22-2024 at 09:50 PM.
Quote from 1453191819231991 :
Do you get a hard pull if you dont have Att or Verizon account?

Edit: Am I the only who didnt notice it was for S23 series and not the S24? How is this even popular?
It's a soft pull according to ATT/VZW.
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gadgetNerd
03-22-2024 at 09:50 PM.
03-22-2024 at 09:50 PM.
Quote from ks1506 :
Can I port out the number instead of call AT&T and cancel?
Yes you can but you might need to verify with ATT that the line is indeed cancelled
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gadgetNerd
03-22-2024 at 09:51 PM.
03-22-2024 at 09:51 PM.
Quote from hqh51 :
I'm kind of puzzled on these instructions:


Seems like the instructions are referring to Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (SM-S918U1) by the use of "S23U" in step 1. If one were to buy, say Samsung Galaxy S23+ (SM-S916U), one should be flashing S916U1 XAA version, or even a Samsung Galaxy S23 (SM-S911U), one should be flashing S911U1 XAA version. Am I correct on this?
Yes, that's right.
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