If you have a rule against pre-ordering expensive devices, Samsung wants to test your resolve by offering shockingly high trade-in prices for your old phone when you buy the Galaxy Z Flip 5 or Fold 5. But, according to the terms and conditions, you may not get your old device back if you decide to return the new handset.
Samsung is currently offering $900 for your iPhone 14 Pro Max, Fold 4 and Flip 4. Of course, it would be silly to hand over your 10 month old premium iPhone, and there is no good reason to upgrade your 12 month old foldable outside of a bit FOMO. But your two year old Flip 3 or Fold 3? That’s fair game and Samsung is offering $700 and $800 for them respectively, which is more they currently retail for.
Best Buy is also offering decent prices for your old tech (although not as high), alongside some networks when purchasing a contract. T-Mobile, for example, is offering $999 for your Flip 4 if you sign up to a plan. Check out some of the best prices for your old phone below.
Samsung
- Flip 4 – $900
- Fold 4 – $900
- Flip 3 – $700
- Fold 3 – $800
- S21 – $400
- S21 Ultra – $600
- Pixel 5 – $200
- iPhone 12 – $400
- iPhone 12 Pro Max $600
- iPhone 14 Pro Max – $900
- Motorola Razr 2020 – $200 (only listed at “other Android smartphone” ouch)
Best Buy
- Flip 4 – $700
- Fold 4 – $800
- Flip 3 – $600
- Fold 3 – $500
- S21 – $300
- S21 Ultra – $400
- Pixel 5 – $200
- iPhone 12 – $300
- iPhone 12 Pro Max – $400 (no option to trade in an unlocked device)
- iPhone 14 Pro Max – $800
- Motorola Razr 2020 – $420
Samsung clearly has the best prices for your old phone. $400 for your iPhone 12 is a great discount off of the Flip 5, but that Flip 3 price is unbeatable. Walmart, NewEgg and Target don’t seem to be offering any Flip 5 pre-order deals. You can also pre-order the Flip 5 from Amazon and receive a $150 gift card. I’d say the trade-in deals are better if you have an old device to hand over, though.
If you want to play the game, head over to Ebay and pick up a Flip 3 for under $250 (although some prices appear to have shot up since yesterday), or the S21 for $215. You can then trade those in (providing they are in good condition) for $700 and $400 respectively. Unfortunately, Samsung confirmed to me that these inflated trade-in prices are temporary and will only last for the pre-order period.
But there’s a catch..
You might lose your trade-in device if you decide to request a refund for your new Flip 5 or Fold 5, according to Samsung’s terms and conditions.
“If you return your New Samsung Product after shipping Samsung your Trade-In Device and if your Trade-In Device is accepted and not rejected by Samsung, Samsung will not return your Trade-In Device to you. Further, you will not receive any refund or other value for the Trade-In Device credit that was deducted from the purchase price of your New Samsung Product.”
If your trade-in phone is accepted (passes Samsung’s eligibility criteria), you’re not getting your phone back even if you decide to return your new Flip 5 or Fold 5. The policy also later states that you won’t get any money or store credit for it. You may get your trade-in device back, however, if Samsung rejects it. You have seven days to request a return for old device, after that you won’t get it back.
So there is a scenario where you could be without your old handset, and the cash difference you paid, if you opt to refund your new Flip 5 or Fold 5. This is the pre-order gamble. If you’re happy to take on that risk, you will get a good deal for a brand new phone. If not, hold tight for the reviews (mine included) and wait to see if any issues pop up after the phones launch.