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Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Samsung’s May 17, 2024 Galaxy S24 Ultra promotion was real, but it was not an $870 price cut for every shopper. The maximum combined value came from up to $750 in instant trade-in credit plus a free upgrade from 256GB to 512GB, valued at about $120 at the time. The promotion should now be treated as historical; Samsung’s current pages do not confirm that the same S24 Ultra terms remain available.
The $870 offer in one minute
| Benefit | Maximum reported value |
|---|---|
| Instant trade-in credit | Up to $750 |
| Storage upgrade | About $120 value: 256GB phone for the 512GB price |
| Advertised combined value | Up to $870 |
The original report said the offer worked with unlocked and carrier configurations. Your actual checkout total still depended on the model and condition of the phone you traded, the configuration selected, taxes, and any financing or accessories.
Read the contemporaneous report at Droid Life.
How Samsung reached $870
The headline combined two different forms of value. A qualifying trade-in reduced the purchase calculation immediately, while the storage promotion let you select the 512GB Galaxy S24 Ultra at the 256GB price. You did not receive two phones or an $870 cash rebate.
Trade-in portion
The May 17, 2024 report listed the Galaxy S23 Ultra at up to $750 and described other eligible devices as roughly $550–$650, depending on model. Those were reported values for that promotion, not current Samsung quotes.
#1 Best Overall
- 6.8″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with a 1–120 Hz adaptive refresh rate and up to ~2600 nits peak brightness — delivering a bright, sharp screen with smooth scrolling and great outdoor visibility.
Storage portion
The approximately $120 figure reflected Samsung’s listed price difference at the time. Samsung’s storage-promotion FAQ explains that the upgrade means choosing the larger-capacity model for the lower-tier price: Samsung storage-upgrade terms.
Who could get the maximum?
The full advertised amount required both a high-value qualifying trade-in and the storage upgrade. An S23 Ultra owner in acceptable condition was the clearest route to the reported $750 credit. Older phones generally received less, and an ineligible phone received no trade-in credit.
Rank #2
- 6.8″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with a 1–120 Hz adaptive refresh rate and up to ~2600 nits peak brightness — delivering a bright, sharp screen with smooth scrolling and great outdoor visibility.
Under Samsung’s applicable trade-in terms, devices generally must power on, hold a charge, have a functioning display without prohibited black spots or pixelation, and be free of disqualifying damage or liquid exposure. The device must not be blacklisted or leased, and personal accounts, locks, and data must be removed. Exact rules vary by promotion; review the Samsung trade-in FAQ before ordering.
“Instant” credit versus carrier bill credits
Samsung.com presented the trade-in amount as an immediate reduction in the purchase calculation. A carrier may advertise a larger total but distribute it as monthly bill credits over an installment term. Those offers can require a specific plan, activation, a new line, or continued service; leaving early can forfeit remaining credits.
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- 6.8″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with a 1–120 Hz adaptive refresh rate and up to ~2600 nits peak brightness — delivering a bright, sharp screen with smooth scrolling and great outdoor visibility.
- Samsung instant credit: lowers the amount due at checkout, subject to later inspection.
- Carrier bill credit: reduces future bills over time and remains tied to the carrier’s eligibility rules.
Compare the total device and service cost, not just the largest advertised number. Samsung describes the distinction on its current trade-in page.
What the Galaxy S24 Ultra delivered
The U.S. Galaxy S24 Ultra paired a 6.8-inch display with an integrated S Pen, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy, a 200MP main camera, 3x and 5x telephoto cameras, a 5,000mAh battery, and a titanium frame. It was available with storage options up to 1TB. Samsung’s launch materials also described seven generations of Android OS upgrades and seven years of security updates. See the official S24 introduction.
Rank #4
- 6.8″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with a 1–120 Hz adaptive refresh rate and up to ~2600 nits peak brightness — delivering a bright, sharp screen with smooth scrolling and great outdoor visibility.
The camera system combines optical telephoto cameras with digitally assisted zoom at other magnifications; not every zoom level is optical. The large screen, integrated pen, and substantial battery are strengths, while the Ultra’s size and weight make it a poor fit for shoppers wanting a compact phone.
What the deal meant for different buyers
| Buyer | Likely result | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| S23 Ultra owner | Closest to the reported maximum trade-in value, if condition qualified | Current quote, damage rules, and whether giving up the old phone makes financial sense |
| Older Galaxy or iPhone owner | Lower trade-in credit than $750 was likely | Exact model, storage, carrier status, and condition |
| No trade-in | Could still benefit from the 512GB-for-256GB storage offer, but not the headline savings | Whether 512GB is useful enough to justify buying during the promotion |
| Carrier customer or switcher | May find a larger nominal subsidy, paid over time | Plan price, activation, installment length, and forfeiture rules |
Your real savings are the reduction in total out-of-pocket cost after valuing the phone you surrender. Trading in an S23 Ultra for $750 is not the same as receiving $750 for free, and a storage upgrade has little monetary value if you will never use the additional capacity.
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Best Value
- 6.8″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with a 1–120 Hz adaptive refresh rate and up to ~2600 nits peak brightness — delivering a bright, sharp screen with smooth scrolling and great outdoor visibility.
Trade-in steps that reduce surprises
- Back up the old phone and record its condition.
- Remove Google and Samsung accounts, disable device-finding and activation locks, and factory-reset it.
- Confirm that it powers on, charges, and has no condition issue that conflicts with the selected trade-in tier.
- Save the quoted value and condition selection. Photograph the screen, body, cameras, IMEI, and powered-on state; this is practical documentation, not a guarantee of acceptance.
- Ship the device using Samsung’s instructions and retain the receipt and tracking number.
Samsung’s current terms say the trade-in must generally be shipped within 15 days of receiving the qualifying purchase. If it is late or fails inspection, Samsung can charge back the applied credit under the applicable terms. The current program generally allows one trade-in per qualifying purchase. These are current rules and may not be identical to every 2024 promotion.
Is the S24 Ultra still worth buying?
It can be a strong value when
- The phone is substantially cheaper than newer Ultra models.
- You will use the S Pen, large display, camera system, and long software-support commitment.
- Your trade-in is worth enough to reduce the net purchase cost without creating an expensive carrier obligation.
Look elsewhere when
- The discount is small or a newer Ultra model is close in price.
- You want a smaller, lighter handset.
- You do not need 512GB storage or the S Pen.
- A verified open-box or refurbished S24 Ultra has a lower total cost with a credible warranty and return policy.
By 2026, the S24 Ultra is an older generation rather than Samsung’s current flagship; Samsung’s current promotional pages reference newer Galaxy products such as the S26 Ultra. Check Samsung’s current offers and the live trade-in quote before treating any historical comparison as a present deal.
Bottom line
The $870 figure was a conditional maximum, not a universal markdown. The May 17, 2024 offer combined up to $750 in instant trade-in credit with roughly $120 of storage value. To judge whether it was—and whether a similar offer would be—worth taking, calculate the net cost after your own trade-in, verify inspection and shipping rules, and compare Samsung’s direct purchase with the full cost of any carrier-credit alternative.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
