Trade-in...Carrier or Unlocked?

[AspenQn]

Halfway contemplating upgrading from S23 Ultra because of trade-in values:

$750 trade-in for new unlocked from Samsung plus the Sansung credits. Don't need new Buds 3Pro as already have them and cases I buy elsewhere.

TMobile is offering $1000 for each of our phones if we upgrade to Go5G 55+ from Magenta 55+ ($10 mo/$120 annual upgrade cost).

So TMo trade-in value is appealing but I've had an Unlocked phone for years and my husband has been fine with TMo carrier phones.

I HATE carrier bloatware but know I've seen posts by others saying carrier bloatware isn't that hard to remove. Is this true?

Appreciate hearing other folks' thoughts!

 

[bhatech]

They could pay me $1000 but still wouldn't use the carrier version

Unlocked as Samsung originally intended is always the way to go irrespective of whatever carrier deals.

Just my opinion and no one can change it

 

[ffejjj]

I went with Samsung unlocked this year instead of Verizon's ridiculous 3 years work of credits they lock you into.

Samsung giving me $600 up front for my S22 Ultra made it an easy choice. I don't have any plans to leave Verizon but it's my phone and my choice now lol

 

[shook187]

I went with a carrier this time around because they offered me $300 trade in for a device that has zero value... I know they're in Bill credits but I have no plan to change carriers.

 

[mlblack16]

I went with Samsung unlocked this year instead of Verizon's ridiculous 3 years work of credits they lock you into.

Samsung giving me $600 up front for my S22 Ultra made it an easy choice. I don't have any plans to leave Verizon but it's my phone and my choice now lol

^THIS

If you get the itch and like to upgrade every 1-1.5 years, unlocked is the only way to go.

With ATT they have a NextUp program that enables you to upgrade yearly, but you pay for the program and you will owe tax on the upgrade, fees, etc. I'm done allowing them to nickel and dime me for everything and split credits into tiny payments over 3 years.

Samsung gives you the trade credit upfront. If you don't have the cash for the difference, Samsung has ways to make interest-free payments.

 

[al3azim]

Unlocked from Samsung as well. No carrier versions

 

[trucksmoveamerica#AC]

If you're one that keeps phones for several years you can't beat the carrier deals. Phone is free or close to it thru the carriers, downside is the 3 year device payment credits.

With phones getting so expensive and the high cost of living now days, people are transitioning to the carrier deals. Phone sales are going down for a reason, and high cost is one of them. Most in here upgrade yearly because it's an addiction and sickness we have.

 

[1raygin]

I keep my phones between 2 1/2 to 3 years routinely. I have also been with my carrier over 20 years with no plans on leaving. I got my S22+ thru AT&T, and I just ordered S25+ thru AT&T. Carrier plans work just fine for people like me. Yearly upgrades are not in my DNA.

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