Why You Can Trust CNET These are the best Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra deals
Here's how to make Samsung's new flagship phones more affordable -- or even free.
Before you spend $1,000 or more for a Galaxy Note 20, read this.
As my colleague Jessica Dolcourt noted in her review of the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra this week, now may not be the time to spend $1,000 or more on a new phone. Alas, that's the price tag on Samsung's Galaxy Note 20 , and the Note 20 Ultra starts at $1,300.
We've already gathered all the ways you can buy the new Galaxy phones, but what about ways to save money on them? Are there deals to be had?
Yes, and there's one that's especially good (see below). Even so, I want to reiterate my suggestion from a few weeks ago: Forget the Note 20 and look for deals on the Note 10. At this writing, for example, you can get a refurbished Note 10 in mint condition for $550 -- a price that includes a 1-year warranty. That's close to half what you'd pay for the Note 20, while sacrificing very little. Plus, that version is unlocked and compatible with all AT&T and T-Mobile networks.
Just gotta have the latest and greatest? Let's take a look at your options.
The best Galaxy Note 20 deals right now
AT&T , T-Mobile and Verizon are all offering the usual financing options: You pay the phone off over the course of 24 or 30 months. You'll also pay for service, of course, meaning you could be on the hook for as much as $100 monthly (or more) for at least two years.
However, AT&T appears to have the best option of the three: If you have a phone with a trade-in value of at least $60 (Think: iPhone 7 and later, Galaxy S8 and later, etc.), you'll get bill credit worth $1,000 -- the entire cost of the Note 20. That's over 30 months, however, and of course you'll have to stay with AT&T that entire time. But this does effectively net you the phone for free.
If you're already an AT&T customer (or intend to be) and you have a Sam's Club membership, it appears you can get the same trade-in deal plus a $200 Sam's Club e-gift card.
(No membership? Here's how you can sign up for Sam's Club for $40 and get $45 in gift cards.)
At T-Mobile and Verizon, it's a BOGO affair: You can get a Note 20 free with the purchase of a second Note 20 (or a Note 20 Ultra). Just be sure to pay attention to the various requirements, such as activating one or more new lines of service and choosing from certain unlimited plans. Also be aware that these "free" phones come in the form of bill credit across the term of your financing plan, same as with AT&T.
These are the best deals I've spotted right now. I'll be adding others as I find them. In the meantime, if you've found a cheaper way to land Samsung's latest, tell me about it in the comments!
Read more: Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra review
CNET's Cheapskate scours the web for great deals on tech products and much more. For the latest deals and updates, follow the Cheapskate on Facebook and Twitter. Find more great buys on the CNET Deals page and check out our CNET Coupons page for the latest promo codes from Best Buy, Walmart, Amazon and more. Questions about the Cheapskate blog? Find the answers on our FAQ page.