Trading in for a Z Fold3 or Z Flip3? What you need to know — and how to get the most for your phones

Samsung’s latest folding telephones is probably not fairly as costly as prior generations, however they’re nonetheless very spendy, with the Z Flip3 beginning at $1,000 and the Z Fold3 at $1,800. The corporate’s been recognized to supply remarkably honest commerce values in recent times, although, and for these telephones particularly, you may ship Samsung a staggering 4 trade-in units, doubtlessly driving the fee manner down. However issues can get a bit difficult. Right here, we get into the nitty-gritty of what each telephone is price to Samsung, and find out how to get the perfect worth in your trades.

You may at present commerce in any of 77 distinct telephone fashions from 5 completely different producers: Samsung itself, Apple, Google, Motorola, and LG. The primary telephone you commerce might be price an “enhanced trade-in credit score” of as much as $750 towards the Fold3 or as much as $700 for the Flip3. The second, third, and fourth units you commerce will typically web you much less credit score — as much as $700 every towards both folding system. (You may commerce in units with cracked screens, too, however they’re going to clearly be price much less.)

“Flipping unbelievable.” Learn our Galaxy Z Flip3 assessment.

Whereas the utmost variety of units you may commerce is 4, Samsung will solely preserve taking trades as much as a “most trade-in credit score worth” of $100 shy of both telephone’s MSRP — that is $1,700 for the Fold3 or $900 for the Flip3. So when you’ve got two or three telephones that hit that ceiling, that is all you may commerce.

This is a desk of the values the corporate is at present providing for each telephone it’s going to settle for. (Eagle-eyed readers might spot some irregularities right here; we’ll get to that in a bit.)

As you may see, whereas regular pricing is constant, the improved costs Samsung affords range relying whether or not you are buying and selling for the Fold3 or Flip3. Some variations make sense: the Samsung Galaxy S21 Extremely will web you $750 in credit score towards a Fold3, however solely $700 towards a Flip3. Contemplating the previous is far more costly, that checks out.

There’s numerous telephones Samsung can pay extra for once you’re getting a Flip versus a Fold.

Different variations are weirder. For instance, at enhanced costs, the first-generation Galaxy Z Fold will get you $650 off a Fold3, however solely $350 off a Flip3. That is fairly the discrepancy. Even weirder, its regular worth — that’s, what Samsung will supply for it when it is your second or later commerce — is $500, which means if you happen to take the “enhanced” worth in your unique Fold when buying and selling for a Flip3, you are getting a significantly worse deal.

There’s additionally numerous telephones Samsung can pay extra for (in enhanced worth) once you’re getting a Flip versus a Fold, regardless of the Flip being inexpensive to start with. Among the largest variations embrace the Galaxy S8 and S8+, that are price $100 and $150 towards a Fold3, respectively, however $350 towards a Flip3 (the S7 Edge, S7 Energetic, S8 Energetic, and common Galaxy S7 are all in the identical boat). Each single Pixel system can be price extra towards a Flip than a Fold. Working example: the smaller Pixel 3a will get you a whopping $350 off as your first commerce towards the Flip3, however solely $150 off a Fold3.

“The primary foldable that I can wholeheartedly advocate… simply to not everybody.” Learn our Galaxy Z Fold3 assessment.

Essentially the most priceless trades are an S21 Extremely or Note20 Extremely towards a Fold3: every is price $750 in enhanced credit score. The least priceless? An LG G8 with a busted display, for which Samsung can pay all of $12 when it is your second, third, or fourth trade-in. Nonetheless, beats recycling it at no cost or conserving it in a drawer ceaselessly.

Samsung can be providing half off a pair of Galaxy Buds2 once you purchase both telephone. Hardly a purpose to plunk down 1000’s of {dollars}, however hey, a bonus is a bonus.

It could even be price reevaluating which folding system you are going to purchase based mostly on which telephones you have already got. In case you’ve obtained a first-generation Fold and a Pixel 3a, buying and selling these two units in (Pixel first!) will get you $850 off a Galaxy Z Flip3, bringing the price of the telephone right down to $150. Essentially the most priceless mixture of these two telephones towards a Galaxy Z Fold3 is $700 off, which nonetheless leaves you with an $1,100 tab.

Left: These two telephones are price a max of $700 towards a Fold3. Proper: $850 towards the Flip3.

Whichever telephone you are planning to get, ensure you mess around with the trade-in instrument and see which permutation of your telephones is price probably the most. Samsung cautions that it is best to “Enter your costlier and/or newer trade-in units first to maximise your trade-in credit score with the improved trade-in worth,” however that is not essentially at all times the case.

Hit both of the hyperlinks beneath to seize one.