AT&T vs Verizon vs T-Mobile — which carrier has the strongest Galaxy S26 deal right now?
Are you considering purchasing a new device from the Samsung Galaxy S26 series, but you don’t know which major carrier to choose? It’s definitely a tough choice, as AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile all have great pre-order deals right now.
As someone who advises our readers all year round on the best cell phone deals, I’ve scoured the promotions to find the best one. Unfortunately (but as expected), the best deal depends on the phone and the type of plan you’re looking for.
The best offers from major carriers
Breaking down these deals in more detail
- T-Mobile’s free Galaxy S26 Ultra requires an expensive plan
- Verizon offers more flexible budget options
All of the deals are roughly equivalent, but there are a few minor differences – the most notable being that you have to trade up to get the Galaxy S26 Ultra at AT&T and Verizon, whereas you don’t at T-Mobile.
That said, the “best” deal will depend on the type of plan you’re looking for. For example, the Ultra plan at T-Mobile requires you to sign up for the premium Experience Beyond plan, which costs $100/month for a single line. Equivalent plans on other major carriers cost around $85 per month, so they might be cheaper and a better option if you want to swap.
There are also some great options for the cheaper plan tiers. At Verizon, for example, you can still get a fantastic discount on the Galaxy S26 Plus when you bundle it with the entry-level Welcome Unlimited line. This is a more affordable plan of $55/month for a single line, and the device itself will be discounted to just $10/month. I could see this being a solid budget option for those not looking to trade. Another good “budget” option is the standard Galaxy S26 at T-Mobile, which is free with the carrier’s mid-tier Experience More plan.
With all of the above, you’ll really want to look at the different plan levels and figure out exactly what you need – and what you can get. Note that if you’re not interested in a major carrier plan, I also recommend checking out Samsung’s own offering now. Right now, the official store is offering either a trade-in discount of up to $900 off or a $150 store credit, both of which are perfect for unlocked devices.
Honorable mention
