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During Samsung’s U.S. Galaxy S22 preorder promotion in February 2022, the trade-in selector reportedly listed Pixel phones through the Pixel 4 XL but omitted the Pixel 5, Pixel 5a, Pixel 6, and Pixel 6 Pro. That was a real omission in the offer reported at the time—not proof that Samsung permanently refused those phones or that they had no resale value. Samsung’s reason was not confirmed, and eligibility can vary by offer, country, and sales channel.
What the February 2022 trade-in list showed
When Samsung opened Galaxy S22, S22+, and S22 Ultra preorders, its trade-in selector reportedly offered older Pixel models, including devices as old as the Pixel 2 XL, but stopped at the Pixel 4 XL. The Pixel 5, Pixel 5a, Pixel 6, and Pixel 6 Pro were not selectable in that reported flow. The Pixel 6 and 6 Pro had launched only a few months earlier, which made their omission especially conspicuous.
This account comes from Android Headlines’ February 9, 2022 report. The available evidence is a report of Samsung’s preorder selector, not a preserved official eligibility table covering every Samsung store, carrier, retailer, or country. In practical terms, the listed device models—not a phone’s age or whether it still worked—determined whether it could be entered in that particular flow.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Which Pixels were excluded, and what was the reported credit?
- Reportedly omitted: Pixel 5, Pixel 5a, Pixel 6, and Pixel 6 Pro.
- Reported cutoff: Pixel 4 XL; the report also said the list went back as far as the Pixel 2 XL.
The report said a Pixel 4 XL could receive up to $150 toward a Galaxy S22 priced at $799.99 at launch—an advertised reduction to $649 before taxes and subject to the offer’s conditions. Those are February 2022 figures, not current prices or quotes. “Up to” also matters: trade-in credits can depend on the model, condition, and terms, and a displayed estimate may be adjusted after inspection.
#1 Best Overall
- 6.1", 1080 x 2340pixels, Infinity-O FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display, 3700mAh Battery, Wireless Powershare
- 128GB ROM, 8GB RAM, No SD Card Slot, Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm), Octa-Core, Adreno 730
- Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.8 + 10MP, f/2.4 + 12MP, f/2.2, Front Camera: 10 MP, f/2.2, Android 12, One UI 4.1
- CDMA 800/1900, 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100, CDMA2000 1xEV-DO, 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/39/40/41/46/48/66/71, 5G: 1/3/5/7/8/20/28/38/41/66/71/260/261SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Single SIM
- Compatible with Most GSM and CDMA Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Sprint.
Why would Samsung leave out newer Pixels?
No confirmed explanation from Samsung or Google was reported. Possible explanations include resale or refurbishment economics, inventory and logistics limits, risk assessments about repairs or parts, differences between markets or sales channels, competitive considerations, or a catalog error. These are hypotheses, not established reasons. There is no evidence here that the omission was deliberate, worldwide, or still in effect in later promotions.
The reported list also does not establish that the Pixel 5 or 6 lacked value. It establishes only that those models were not selectable in that particular Samsung preorder trade-in flow.
Rank #2
- The S22 uses a flat (non‑curved) 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with adaptive 120 Hz refresh that dynamically adjusts between 48 – 120 Hz depending on content — which means smoother scrolling and better battery efficiency when high refresh isn’t needed.
One Samsung offer is not the whole trade-in market
Trade-in programs are separate offers. Samsung’s catalog may differ from a carrier’s, a retailer’s, or a buyback company’s; each can set its own eligible models, condition rules, valuation, and payment terms. A phone excluded by Samsung might still qualify elsewhere—or sell for more privately. Conversely, a quoted trade-in amount is not necessarily cash in hand: some promotions apply credit at checkout, while others distribute it as bill credits over time or require a qualifying plan.
| Option | Potential advantage | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung trade-in | Convenient at checkout and sometimes paired with a promotion. | Exact model, condition rules, quote expiration, shipping deadline, and whether credit is immediate or conditional. |
| Carrier offer | May advertise a substantial promotional credit. | Plan requirements, monthly-credit schedule, service commitment, and what happens if you leave early. |
| Retailer or buyback service | Another catalog and valuation to compare. | Inspection deductions, payment timing, shipping terms, and return options if the offer changes. |
| Private sale | Can produce higher proceeds if there is buyer demand. | Time, scams, payment disputes, shipping risk, and the work of securely preparing the phone. |
Compare the net value, not just the biggest advertised number. Account for any required plan or financing, delayed credits, taxes, condition deductions, shipping, and the value of your time. If convenience matters most, a trade-in may be worthwhile even when a private sale could bring more. If maximizing proceeds matters more, compare cash offers and private-sale prices before accepting a credit.
Rank #3
- This pre-owned product has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon qualified vendors.
- This product is in "Excellent condition". The screen and body show no signs of cosmetic damage visible from 12 inches away.
- This product will have a battery that exceeds 80% capacity relative to new.
How to check a current offer
Do not rely on a 2022 article, an old screenshot, or another seller’s eligibility list to decide what your phone qualifies for today. Start at Samsung’s U.S. trade-in page if you are buying through Samsung in the United States, then enter the exact device and review the terms for that specific purchase. The U.S. page does not establish eligibility in other countries; use the relevant local offer and check carrier or retailer terms separately. The research available for this article does not verify Samsung’s current eligibility for these Pixel models.
Before accepting an offer, verify:
- Exact model and variant—not just “Pixel 6”—plus storage capacity and carrier or unlocked status.
- Whether the phone powers on, charges, and meets the stated screen and body condition requirements.
- Whether the device is financed, reported lost or stolen, or otherwise restricted.
- The estimated credit, when and how it is applied, and whether inspection can reduce it.
- The offer’s expiration, shipping instructions, submission deadline, and what happens if the device is rejected.
- Whether the price or tax calculation is affected by the credit under the seller’s terms and applicable local rules.
Prepare your Pixel before sending or selling it
- Back up your data and make sure you can access the backup from your next phone.
- Document its condition. Photograph the screen, back, sides, and any existing damage before packing it.
- Check the device’s status. Resolve any financing or account restrictions and confirm the exact model and storage details.
- Remove accounts and protection locks, then factory-reset the phone before handing it over. Follow the provider’s instructions; for Google account and device-management help, visit your Google Account.
- Follow the provider’s shipping rules and keep the tracking and submission records until the final credit or payment is confirmed.
If moving data to a Galaxy is part of the switch, Samsung Smart Switch can help with migration. It is a transfer tool, not a trade-in service, and it does not change a phone’s eligibility.
Rank #4
- This pre-owned product has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon qualified vendors.
- This product is in "Excellent condition". The screen and body show no signs of cosmetic damage visible from 12 inches away.
- This product will have a battery that exceeds 80% capacity relative to new.
The launch context—and what it does not tell us
The Galaxy S22 started at $799.99 in the United States in 2022, so a potential trade-in credit mattered to buyers comparing the cost of switching. Samsung’s launch lineup also included the larger S22+ and S22 Ultra. Those are historical launch details; they do not explain the Pixel omission. Nor does a difference between regional S22 hardware establish why a Pixel model was absent from the trade-in selector.
Bottom line: The headline was accurate only as a description of the Galaxy S22 preorder list reported in February 2022. It should not be read as a permanent Samsung rule. Check the live offer for your country and purchase channel, then compare its final terms with carrier, retailer, buyback, and private-sale alternatives before counting on a trade-in to reduce your cost.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 4G bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - 5G bands 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78
- Nano-SIM and eSIM or Dual SIM (2 Physical Nano-SIMs and eSIM, dual stand-by)
- DISPLAY Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) Size 6.1 inches, 90.1 cm2 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio) Resolution 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~425 ppi density) Protection Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ Always-on display
- PLATFORM OS Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5 Chipset Exynos 2200 (4 nm)
- MEMORY Card slot No Internal 128GB 8GB RAM
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.
