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Article updated on Apr 3, 2026

Skip the $900 Price Tag. Here’s How You Can Get the Latest Samsung Galaxy S26 Free

Trade-ins and carrier deals can make a big dent in the starting price of the entire Samsung Galaxy S26 lineup.

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Samsung's Galaxy S26 phones are sitting at the top of the Android market right now. If an upgrade is on your radar, there are a few solid ways to cut down the cost. The base model is $900 and while outright discounts aren't very common at the moment, trade-in offers and carrier deals can significantly reduce what you pay. In some cases, it can even drop the price to zero.

On top of that, some retailers are bundling in added value. Amazon is currently including gift cards and extra trade-in savings, which can come in handy if you're planning to buy accessories, too. Carrier offers can be even more advantageous. For example, Verizon is offering the phone free when you open a line, making it a strong option right now.

Our team at CNET has rounded up the best Galaxy S26 deals available now, all in one place. We'll keep this page updated as new offers pop up, so check back often to make sure you're getting the best price possible.

Best Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra deals

Trading in your old Samsung phone could knock up to $720 off the new Galaxy S26 Ultra, which brings the starting price down to just $580. Devices from Apple, Google and other brands are also accepted, but won't save you as much.

Those without an old phone to trade in will still get an extra $150 in Samsung credit, which you can use toward other accessories and devices.

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Save up to $720 with trade-in

When you order from Amazon, you can also score a $200 Amazon gift card, but keep in mind, the gift card may ship separately. 

Amazon's trade-in program can save you up to $550 and an additional $300 with a limited-time offer.

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Free gift card

At Best Buy, you can get up to $900 off with an eligible trade-in. Plus, you'll get an extra $100 off if you activate the phone with Verizon or AT&T, bringing the cost down to $1,400. Best Buy is also giving out a $100 gift card for free and you get one month of Xbox Game Pass.

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Save up to $900 with trade-in

If you're on the Infinite Access for Galaxy plan, you can get $800 off the S26 Ultra. This brings your total down to $14 per month for 36 months.

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Save $800

T-Mobile is offering up to $800 off when you open a new line on the Experience More plan. If you have an older device to trade in, you can still score up to $800 off on an Experience Beyond or Experience More plan.

On most other T-Mobile plans, you'll save $600 when you add a new line, or up to $300 with a trade-in.

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Save up to $800 with new line or trade-in

Verizon is offering big discounts to customers on its Unlimited Ultimate plan. Adding a line will save you $1,300, which means you can get the phone potentially for free. You could also trade in your older device and save up to $900 off your purchase. You'll need to open a new line of course and this cannot be with other offers.

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Free with new line

AT&T is offering some massive trade-in savings on the Galaxy S26 Ultra right now. Devices valued at $230 or more, which include the latest Samsung phones in any condition, will save you up to $1,300. That puts the 256GB model in your pocket for zero outlay.

Plus, you'll get up to $1,100 off for devices valued at $95 or more. And those valued at just $35 or more will still save you up to $900.

AT&T also offers an online-only deal of $200 off when you also add a new line on an eligible plan. And you can get up to $800 to break your current contract at another carrier if you're looking to switch.

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Free with trade-in

Best Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus deals

You can save up to $380 when you order the Samsung Galaxy S26 with an eligible trade-in. The amount you get depends on the device you're trading in, with Samsung's latest phones netting you the biggest discount.

If you don't have a device to trade in, you can still get 15% off Buds 4 and Buds Pro 4.

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Save up to $380 with trade-in

When you order from Amazon, you'll also score a free $100 Amazon gift card. Plus, you can get up to $550 off with trade-in. Also, for a limited time, you can get an additional $100 off with a trade-in

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Free gift card

Best Buy is offering up to $700 off an S26 Plus when you trade in an older device. Plus, activating this phone through Verizon or AT&T will save you an additional $100. You can also get a $100 gift card for free, bringing the cost down even more.

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Save up to $700 with trade-in

T-Mobile customers on an Experience More plan can get up to $800 off the S26 Plus. Also, you can save the same amount if you have a device to trade-in. Some of the more recent models from iPhone and Samsung can net you the full discount of $800; brands like OnePlus are also accepted, but for less.

Those on most other plans can still get up to $600 off and up to $300 with trade-in.

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Save up to $800 with a new line or trade-in

If you're on the Infinite Access for Galaxy plan, you can get $800 off. This brings your total down to a little more than $8 per month for 36 months.

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Save $800

When you open a line on an Unlimited Plus or Ultimate plan, you can save $1,100. This nets you a free phone. You'll see the savings in bill credits across 36 months.

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Free with new line

Trading in any device valued at just $95 or more will put the 256GB Galaxy S26 Plus in your pocket for free right now. Plus, old devices valued at just $35 or more can still save you up to $900.

AT&T also offers an online-only deal of $200 off when you also add a line on an eligible plan. And you can get up to $800 to break your current contract at another carrier if you're looking to switch.

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Free with trade-in

Best Samsung Galaxy S26 deals

Trading in your old phone at Samsung could knock up to $380 off the Galaxy S26. The latest Samsung devices will net you the biggest discount, but devices from Apple, Google and other brands are also accepted.

Plus, your order comes with a 15% discount on Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro.

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Save up to $380 with trade-in

When you order from Amazon, you can also score a $100 Amazon gift card. Just select the 512GB gift card bundle for the deal. Keep in mind, the gift card may ship separately. You can also save up to $550 with Amazon's trade-in program to maximize your savings. Also for a limited time, you can get an additional $100 off when you trade-in.

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Free gift card, save with trade-in

Best Buy has its own trade-in program where you can save up to $500 in exchange for your old device. Plus, activating through Verizon or AT&T will save you an extra $100. Best Buy is also offering a $50 gift card when you purchase the phone.

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Save up to $500 with trade-in

If you're on Boost Mobile's $65 per month Infinite Access for Galaxy plan, you can qualify to save $800. That means you'll pay less than $3 per month for the brand-new S26.

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Save $800

T-Mobile customers adding a line on its Experience More plan can save up to $800 off the Galaxy S26 right now. You can also trade in an older device if you have one. Adding a line on most other plans still saves you $600. Plus, you can save up to $300 if you trade-in.

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Save up to $800 with new line or trade-in

Verizon is offering $900 off the Galaxy S26 with a new line on its Unlimited Plus or Ultimate plans. That scores you the basic model free or the 512GB model for less than $6 per month. The discount will be applied as bill credits over 36 months.

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Free with new line

Trading in a Samsung Galaxy S, Note or Z series device in any condition, or any other device valued at just $35 or more, will save you up to $900 on the Galaxy S26. That puts the basic model in your pocket for free and drops the 512GB model to less than $6 per month.

AT&T also offers an online-only deal of $200 off when you also add a line on an eligible plan. And you can get up to $800 to break your current contract at another carrier if you're looking to switch.

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Free with trade-in

What's new about the S26 series?

As revealed during the Samsung Unpacked event, the S26 series consists of the base model, along with the S26 Plus and S26 Ultra. The S26 and S26 Plus have a $100 price hike when compared to their predecessors, but all three phones in the series have top-tier Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chip and Galaxy AI. The base model got a larger display and battery, too. And the Ultra now has a slimmer and lighter build with an aluminum frame, plus it has an improved battery, camera and display. You can read more about these changes in our coverage from CNET's Abrar Al-Heeti and Patrick Holland.

How much does the S26 series cost?

Prices differ depending on the model and the amount of storage you buy.

  • Samsung Galaxy S26: From $900
  • Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus: From $1,100
  • Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: From $1,300

What colors does the S26 series come in?

The S26 series comes in cobalt violet, sky blue, black and white. There are also two online exclusive colors: silver shadow and pink gold, which are only available at Samsung.

Shopping for a previous Samsung Galaxy model? Our roundup of the best S25 deals includes sales on the entire Samsung Galaxy S25 lineup. 

How does S26 series trade-in offers work?

Samsung and carriers often offer trade-in savings, giving existing phone owners a great way to pick up the latest phone at a discounted price. Some of the best trade-in offers can even make the new phone free.

Not a fan of contracts? Some retailers also offer trade-in programs, which could offer gift cards toward future purchases instead. This can be a great way to take advantage of savings without necessarily being locked into a contract. Retail offers may not provide as much of a deal as traditional trade-in offers from carriers, though, so keep that in mind as you shop and more offers come online.