The Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ have taken over MWC
today, and for good reasons. If you've already glanced upon our hands-on
report, perhaps you're interested in exactly when you can order either one in
the US and how much cash you'll have to pay.
In the States the phones will be sold by AT&T,
Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular, Verizon, Xfinity mobile, Cricket, MetroPCS,
Boost Mobile, Best Buy, Amazon, Costco, Sam's Club, Target, and Walmart. They
will be available in Lilac Purple, Midnight Black, and Coral Blue at all the
aforementioned places except Cricket and MetroPCS which for some reason will
only have the black versions. Note that the Enterprise Edition is just black
too.
Pre-orders start on March 2, and the handsets will be
released on March 16. Now let's take a look at the pricing and promotions.
Unlocked
Samsung.com and the Shop Samsung app will have the
S9 unlocked for US$ 719.99, or US$ 30/month for two years. The S9+ will cost US$ 839.99
or US$ 35/month for two years.
You can save up to US$ 350 with a qualifying trade-in,
for a limited time. That sum will only be yours if you give up an S8/S8+ or
iPhone X/8/8 Plus though.
AT&T
The S9 is US$ 790.20 or US$ 26.34/month for 30 months; the
S9 Plus is 915 or US$ 30.50/month for 30 months.
Verizon
S9: US$ 799.99 or US$ 33.33/month for two years; S9+: US$ 929.99 or US$ 38.74/month for two years. You can save up to US$ 350 with trade-in,
and this is available to everyone (but a device payment purchase is required).
The value will be provided as monthly credits. Like with buying unlocked, to
receive the maximum amount you're going to have to trade-in an iPhone X, 8, 8
Plus, Galaxy S8, S8+, or Note8.
Note that Big Red will also give you a US$ 150 prepaid
MasterCard when you port in a new line of service. You can save 50% on select
Samsung tablets with a two-year agreement when you buy one alongside the S9,
and US$ 100 off a Gear S3 smartwatch with the same conditions. Finally, a Samsung
Fast Charge Power Bundle can be yours for US$ 99.99.
T-Mobile
S9: US$ 720 or US$ 30 per month for two years with the
Equipment Installment Plan (EIP) or US$ 32 per month for Jump On Demand (JOD);
S9+: US$ 840 or US$ 120 down then US$ 30 per month for two years on EIP or US$ 120 down and US$ 31 per month with JOD.
You can get up to US$ 360 with a qualifying trade-in,
and you'll receive the maximum amount for any flagship that's an iPhone 6s,
Galaxy S7, or newer. Bill credits are applied here too, so you'll need to
purchase the S9 on the installment plan.
Sprint
S9: US$ 792 or US$ 33 per month with $0 down on Flex
lease; S9+: US$ 912 or US$ 38 per month with US$ 0 down on Flex lease.
Best Buy
The retailer will give you US$ 100 off if you go with a
Verizon, AT&T, or Sprint model, but only on March 2, the day the pre-orders
begin. After that the discount turns into "up to US$ 100", so it might
be less for some carriers. Here too you can trade-in an older smartphone and
get up to US$ 350 off.
