If Samsung didn't offer Pre-Order Bonuses, Trade-in Credit, Vouchers, etc. Would you still buy it?

[edubfromktown]

Carrier bloatware is still going on?

Up here, one of my carriers, Telus only loads their repair/service app which is easily disabled.

Even in the past, it wasn't so bad so I have no problems being "locked in" especially being in a business/corporate plans. Take last year, in November I upgraded to the Pixel 9 Pro XL paying only $25 a month for it and $45 100GB/Unlimited Canada/US plan. The cherry on top was I also got $360 worth of in-store credit that I used to buy another Samsung Galaxy Buds3 and various accessories.


The only phone I bought outright is from Samsung. My Flip6. LOL

Extraneous garbage still lurks (to a somewhat lesser extent, on unlocked MVNO devices).

Carrier-specific debloating cleanup is easily accomplished on all of them these days...

 

[Trail Boss]

To get a new phone every year at full price of approx. $1300? Most likely not! To trade up at a cost of around $500 yes, since I have done it. This time, the price of the phone after trade in, veterans discount, etc, i get a new phone for under $400....hell yes.

However, I usually purchase a new truck every two years (last time after seven months) so a phone purchase is really a drop in the proverbial bucket.

 

[mogelijk]

Without the trade in deals, I would not have upgraded this year. There just aren't enough improvements on phones each year to justify the $1000+ to buy a newer phone with just a few improvements, particularly with how long Samsung is now guaranteeing Android updates (which gives you many of the improvements of the new phones).

 

[mykey2k]

My S10+ blew it's mobo a few months back so I was using an iPhone 8... until I found my S7.... then my S8+, so yea, at this point I'd do it regardless. I don't even care if the S-Pen was "nerfed" since the last time I had a pen was with the Notes 1 through 5, and at the end only used it with that Draw with Friends game

I don't upgrade every year anymore, so it comes out to about "$200-300 per year" since it's been 6 years since the S10+.

Still PO'ed about no SD card slot though.

 

[trucksmoveamerica#AC]

No

 

[kide#WN]

Nope.

 

[Caidly Really]

Although I think this round's "bonuses" are crap compared to the past, I still pre-ordered to get the extras. I actually went with 256 on AZ to get the $200 gift card.

 

[bembol]

I wonder how sales will compare.

How much is Samsung US giving for mint Pixel 8 128GB. Up here it's $550.

Waiting to see if I can get an iPhone XR, $350.

 

[buzzy3970]

I wonder how sales will compare.

How much is Samsung US giving for mint Pixel 8 128GB. Up here it's $550.

Waiting to see if I can get an iPhone XR, $350.

In Korea their reporting very strong sales with the Ultra model making up 50%-65% of pre-orders volume.

Sent from my SM-S918U1 using AC Forums mobile app

 

[sulla1965]

Nah I'd never pay over $800 for any phone. But $399 (before tax) is a no brainer IMO.

 

[LuckiestLiz]

The trade in value is a huge incentive counteracting the leasing option carriers used to give that allowed annual upgrades to be affordable. Without it, I'd honestly probably start being more frugal and go at least two years.