T-Mobile Cuts Galaxy Z Flip 8 to $100 From $1,200 on 24-Month Plan Credits

Q: Is T-Mobile's $100 Z Flip 8 a real bargain or a costly two-year commitment in disguise?

It is a real bargain only for customers who were already planning to stay with T-Mobile on a premium plan for two years; for everyone else, it can be an expensive commitment dressed up as a $100 phone. The headline price is misleading because the $1,100 discount is not given upfront. T-Mobile applies it as monthly bill credits over 24 months. That means you are effectively financing the full $1,200 Galaxy Z Flip 8 and earning the discount back over time. If you cancel service, switch carriers, or pay off the phone early, the credits stop and the remaining balance becomes due. The required service also matters. To qualify, customers must add a new line or trade in an eligible device and subscribe to either the Experience More plan starting at $85 a month or the Experience Beyond plan starting at $100 a month, both with AutoPay. There is also a $35 activation fee, and taxes are typically based on the full retail price. If you would otherwise choose a cheaper plan, the extra monthly cost can eat into the phone savings. That said, the offer is strong by carrier-deal standards. ZDNET rated it 4 out of 5, and T-Mobile’s trade-in rules are relatively flexible, with reports that even cracked devices may qualify. For buyers committed to T-Mobile and interested in Samsung’s new, thinner foldable, the deal is attractive. For shoppers who value flexibility, it is less a $100 phone than a two-year contract with conditions.

3 articles · Updated · ZDNet · Jul 22

$100 gets new and existing T-Mobile customers a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 if they activate a line or trade in an eligible device on Experience More or Experience Beyond.
The discount is delivered through 24 months of bill credits, not an upfront price cut, and buyers still face a $35 activation fee plus any remaining balance if they cancel or pay off early.
Experience More starts at $85 a month with AutoPay, while Experience Beyond starts at $100 and adds perks including streaming subscriptions.
Samsung unveiled the Flip 8 at its London Unpacked event, pricing the foldable at $1,200 and touting a 6.9-inch 120Hz display, 50MP camera and faster 45W charging.