Galaxy S26 Preorder Deals: $900 Trade-In, $30 Credit, and What to Do Before Unpacked

February 14, 2026

2 min read

Galaxy S26 Preorder Deals: $900 Trade-In, $30 Credit, and What to Do Before Unpacked

Samsung is already pushing preorder incentives ahead of Galaxy Unpacked on February 25, 2026, including up to $900 in trade-in savings and a $30 preorder credit if you reserve early.

If you want the best value (without falling for hype), here’s what’s actually confirmed, what “up to” really means, and the checklist to use once preorders go live.

What’s confirmed right now (the stuff you can rely on)

1) You can reserve for free to unlock a $30 credit

Samsung’s official reservation page promotes a $30 Samsung credit during the preorder period for people who reserve interest.

Important: this credit typically applies to accessories (cases, chargers, wearables), not the phone price itself—and The Verge notes the same limitation.

2) Samsung is advertising “up to $900” additional savings with trade-in

Samsung’s US Newsroom page and reservation page both highlight up to $900 in trade-in related savings.

3) There’s also a “no trade-in” angle (store credit)

Samsung’s Newsroom promo mentions an option like a $150 credit with no trade-in when you reserve + preorder (language can vary by region and terms).

4) Samsung is pointing people to partners too

Samsung’s US Newsroom copy explicitly mentions reserving through AT&T and Best Buy as additional paths.

What “up to $900 trade-in” really means (so you don’t get disappointed)

“Up to” almost always means:

You’ll need a very recent flagship in excellent condition to hit the top number
Values drop fast after the top tier
Carrier deals may show different numbers than Samsung unlocked deals

Tech coverage repeats the same core expectations: reservations + up to $900 trade-in + alternative store credit paths.

The smart preorder checklist (do this before Feb 25)

Step 1: Reserve early (even if you’re undecided)

Reservation is usually free, and it locks in the preorder credit offer.

Step 2: Decide your route: Samsung direct vs carrier vs retailer

Samsung direct (unlocked): often best for accessory bundles + straightforward trade-ins
Carrier: can be best if you’re okay with bill credits and staying on a plan
Retailer (Best Buy): sometimes stacks gift cards, bundles, or activation promos

Samsung itself is pointing at all three paths this cycle.

Step 3: Prep your trade-in the right way

To avoid a downgraded trade-in value:

Back up your phone
Remove accounts (Google/Samsung/Apple as applicable)
Factory reset properly
Photograph condition (front/back + screen-on) This matters because top trade-in values have condition requirements.

When do preorders likely start?

Samsung’s Unpacked stream begins Feb 25, 2026 (10am PT / 1pm ET), and historically preorder pages go live during or right after the keynote. (This timing expectation is echoed in event coverage.)

What to watch for on launch day (the “deal traps”)

When preorders open, compare these 5 numbers: True trade-in value for your exact model/storage Whether the promo is instant discount or bill credits (big difference) Accessory credit rules (what it can/can’t be used for) Any free storage upgrade promos (common in past launches, not guaranteed) Return window + activation requirements (especially with carrier/retailer)