T-Mobile is giving away the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 for free — how to claim

TL;DR: Pre-order the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 for free when you trade in an eligible device on an Experience Beyond plan with T-Mobile.

Samsung Unpacked has officially unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold 8, and while it’s thinner and wider than its predecessor, it carries a hefty $1,899.99 retail price tag. Buying it outright is a massive investment, but there is a crafty hack you should know about.

Carrier pre-order windows are traditionally the single best time to bypass upfront hardware costs. T-Mobile’s opening promotion offers up to $1,900 in bill credits over 24 months. If you have an eligible flagship to trade in, this completely cancels out the phone’s sticker price — making it the most aggressive launch offer we’ve seen for a book-style foldable to date.

How to get the Galaxy Z Fold 8 for free

Getting the maximum trade-in value on the Fold 8 requires a few specific steps:

• Trade in: To unlock the full $1,900 credit ceiling, you must trade in an eligible high-end device (such as a Galaxy Z Fold 6/7, S25 Ultra, or recent iPhone Pro Max) in good condition.

• Select a plan: You must be on, or switch to, T-Mobile’s Experience Beyond plan (or the equivalent Go5G Plus/Next tiers).

You will still need to pay local state sales tax on the full $1,899.99 retail price upfront at checkout, plus T-Mobile’s standard $35 connection charge.

Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

If you are already on (or planning to switch to) T-Mobile’s top-tier unlimited plans, taking advantage of a $1,900 trade-in credit to get a brand-new $1,899 flagship for free is an absolute no-brainer. Just remember that you are locking into a 24-month service commitment. If you cancel your line early, the remaining unpaid hardware balance becomes due immediately.