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Don’t compare the advertised monthly phone price. Compare what each offer costs you over the same stretch of time, say 36 months, after you add the upfront payment, taxes and fees, device installments and any extra service cost, then subtract only the credits you will actually receive. Then check two things that don’t show up in that math: how strict the trade-in terms are, and what happens if you return the phone or leave the carrier early. This guide covers U.S. offers and uses current AT&T, Verizon and Samsung terms as examples (pages accessed October 7, 2026). Offers change often, so confirm the live terms for the exact phone you are buying.
Step 1: Put every offer on the same time horizon
A deal that looks cheap per month may spread its savings over 36 months, while a rival deal front-loads savings. Pick one holding period, such as how long you realistically keep the phone, and price every offer over it. Build one row per offer with these fields:
- Seller and exact model (including storage size).
- Unconditional retail price and the amount financed.
- Upfront payment, taxes, activation or upgrade fees, and any other mandatory charge shown at checkout.
- Monthly device payment and number of installments.
- Required service plan and its monthly price, plus whether it costs more than the plan you would otherwise keep.
- Promotional credit: amount, start date, duration, and the plan, line, trade-in or tenure conditions attached.
- Exit terms: what happens to credits and the remaining balance if you cancel, change plans or pay the phone off early.
- Trade-in rules: eligible devices, condition criteria, value adjustments, deadline, and whether you can get the old phone back.
- Return terms: window, condition requirements, restocking or shipping costs, and what happens to the trade-in if you return the new phone.
Step 2: Use a total-cost formula
Total cost over your horizon = upfront device amount + taxes and required fees + device installments paid in the horizon + the extra cost of the required plan in the horizon − promotional credits you will actually receive.
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Three rules keep the formula honest:
- Write down the horizon and your assumptions next to the result.
- Don’t subtract a credit that depends on a plan or account condition you don’t plan to keep.
- Count only the incremental plan cost. If a deal requires a $100/month plan and your current plan is $70, the difference is what the deal costs you. Service charges are not device financing, so keep them on a separate line.
Worked example with made-up numbers
These figures are illustrative, not a real offer. Phone A: $0 upfront, $33.33/month installments for 36 months on a $1,200 phone, a $1,200 credit spread over 36 months, and a required plan that costs $30/month more than your current one. Over 36 months you pay $1,200 in installments, receive $1,200 in credits, and pay $1,080 extra for the plan, plus fees. The “free” phone costs about $1,080 plus fees, and the real question is whether that plan upgrade is something you wanted anyway. Phone B: an unlocked phone at $1,000 with no plan change costs $1,000 over the same horizon. Phone A may still win if you value the extra plan features, but the comparison now shows what you are paying for.
#1 Best Overall
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Is a “free” phone really free?
Usually it is a discount delivered in monthly bill credits, and the credits come with conditions. AT&T’s offer page describes an example discount on the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max of up to $1,200 after 36 monthly bill credits, with a qualifying trade-in and an eligible Premium 2.0 plan. It lists a minimum single-line plan price of $100/month before taxes and fees for that offer. Credits start within three bills, can be reduced or stopped if you lower the plan, and stop if you cancel service, at which point the remaining device balance is due. The same page lists tax on the full retail price, a $35 activation/upgrade fee and a return window of 14 days. See AT&T’s offer terms; these are live terms and may change.
Two things follow. First, the lack of an upfront price doesn’t remove the tax, which is charged on the full retail price. Second, the credit is effectively a 36-month commitment to the qualifying plan.
Rank #2
- Blazing-fast Qualcomm performance. Get the speed you need for great entertainment with a Snapdragon 680 processor and 4GB**** of RAM.
- Fluid display + immersive stereo sound. Bring your entertainment to life with an ultrawide 6.5" 90Hz* HD+ display plus stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, and Hi-Res Audio**.
- 50MP*** Quad Pixel camera. Capture sharper, more vibrant photos day or night with 4x the light sensitivity.
- 64GB**** built-in storage. Get plenty of room for photos, movies, songs, and apps—and add up to 1TB more with a microSD card*****.
- Unbelievable battery life. Work and play nonstop with a long-lasting 5000mAh battery.*****
Device financing and service are separate costs
Installments and wireless service are different obligations. AT&T’s installment agreement states: “This is a 0% APR installment transaction. We do not impose any finance charge, interest, origination fee, or other cost in connection with this Agreement, and the Total of Payments equals the Amount Financed.” (AT&T installment agreement). That sentence covers the installment agreement only. It doesn’t make the required wireless service free, so a 0% phone can still come attached to an expensive plan.
Verizon’s support FAQ draws the same line: a device-payment purchase involves a device installment agreement and a separate customer/service agreement (Verizon device payment FAQs).
Rank #3
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
What happens to bill credits if I switch carriers or pay off early?
You generally lose the credits and owe the rest of the phone. Examples from the official pages:
| Event | AT&T (current offer terms) | Verizon (support FAQ) |
|---|---|---|
| Cancel service | Credits end; remaining device balance is due | Disconnecting the associated line can make the remaining balance billable |
| Lower the plan | Credits can be reduced or stopped | Not stated in the FAQ reviewed |
| Pay off the device early | Not stated on the offer page reviewed | Monthly promotional credits stop |
Sources: AT&T offers and Verizon device payment FAQs. For any offer, calculate your exit cost: the remaining balance plus the credits you would forgo. That is the real price of leaving mid-term, and it is the number to compare against any switching incentive a rival carrier offers.
Rank #4
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with Verizon, Spectrum, AT&T, Total Wireless, other CDMA carriers, it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- 4G LTE Bands: B1/B3/B5/B7/B8/B20/B28/B38/B40/B41
- Display: Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM) | 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density)
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)
Is it better to trade in my phone or sell it?
Compare the trade-in’s certain value, not its headline value. A trade-in credit is conditional, and a sale to a private buyer is not subject to a final inspection by the seller of your new phone. Samsung’s U.S. terms show how conditions work (Samsung US trade-in terms):
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- Eligibility covers power and charge, a working display, condition, ownership, removal of anti-theft locks, a factory reset and the device’s FCC ID.
- If the device is late, Samsung may charge back the trade-in value. If it fails eligibility, the standard terms describe a $25 valuation and a charge for the remainder of the applied trade-in amount.
- Promotions can have different requirements, so read the terms for the exact offer.
Treat a trade-in as risky if your phone has a cracked screen, a lock still enabled or a battery that won’t hold a charge. If you would sell the old phone for a similar price, selling keeps you in control, and the new phone’s deal then doesn’t depend on an inspection. If the trade-in is the only way to unlock a large credit, check the condition rules before you order, and set a calendar reminder for the shipping deadline.
Best Value
- GSM Unlocked: Enjoy seamless connectivity with your preferred GSM carrier. Compatible with T-Mobile, Metro PCS, AT&T, Cricket, Mint Mobile and other GSM networks. SIM card not included. For network compatibility, please check with your carrier. Note: Not compatible with CDMA networks like Verizon (Visible, Spectrum Mobile, US Mobile, Total Wireless, Straight Talk Wireless)
- Boundless Views: Enjoy immersive viewing on the spacious 6.5” HD+ display. Whether you're watching videos, browsing, or gaming, every detail comes through with stunning clarity.
- Smooth Performance, All Day: Powered by an efficient octa-core processor, the G35 ensures smooth performance for your everyday tasks. Enjoy faster app launches, seamless multitasking, and reliable speed.
- Snap, Share, Repeat: The G35 features a dual rear camera setup for sharp, detailed shots, and a front-facing camera that’s perfect for selfies and video calls. Capture every moment with ease and clarity.
- Effortless Access: Keep your phone secure with A.I. Face ID technology. Instantly unlock your G35 with just a glance. It's fast, easy, and secure.
Can I return a phone after trading in my old one?
Often you can return the new phone but not get the old one back. Samsung says the traded-in device cannot be sent back, including when the new device is returned. Before ordering, ask what happens to the trade-in credit if you return the new phone, and treat the old phone as gone once you ship it.
Return windows and fees
AT&T’s current offer page states a 14-day return window and a restocking fee of up to $55 (AT&T offers). Return terms are seller- and offer-specific, so check the window, condition requirements, fees and return channel for each retailer you compare. I did not confirm Apple’s return policy, so look it up on Apple’s own site if you are weighing it.
Turn-in programs are not return rights
AT&T’s Next Up Anytime turn-in is an early-upgrade feature, not a general return right. It requires the account to be in good standing, an active feature and at least one required payment. The phone must be turned in on time and in good physical and functional condition. According to the agreement, late return can leave an accelerated balance due, condition problems can lead to an assessed value and a remaining balance, and a turn-in cannot be reversed (AT&T turn-in terms).
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Quick Recap
Comparison table to fill in for each offer
| Axis | What to compare |
|---|---|
| Total expected outlay | Same horizon; device amount, required service, taxes and fees, minus credits likely to be earned |
| Credit dependency | Credit length, qualifying plan, line status, and the effect of cancellation, plan change, payoff or upgrade |
| Trade-in certainty | Eligibility, condition, timing, valuation changes, and consequences if rejected or adjusted |
| Return flexibility | Return period, condition, restocking fee, channel, and whether a surrendered trade-in is recoverable |
| Exit cost | Remaining device balance plus lost credits if you leave early |
| Upfront cash | Down payment, tax on full retail price, and fees due at sale |
Pre-purchase checklist
- Choose your horizon and write it at the top of the sheet.
- Screenshot or save each offer’s terms page, since promotions change.
- Fill in one row per offer, using the exact model and plan.
- Calculate total cost with the formula, leaving out credits you won’t keep.
- Calculate exit cost at month 12 and month 24.
- Read the trade-in condition and deadline rules, and confirm your old phone passes.
- Confirm the return window and fees, and what happens to the trade-in on a return.
- For outright purchases, price an unlocked phone as a baseline. It has no credits or lock-in, but you pay more upfront and keep your current plan.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
