Samsung Cuts Galaxy S24 Price Ahead of iPhone 16

As of August 29th, Samsung has once again slashed the price of its Galaxy S24, just weeks before the anticipated release of Apple’s iPhone 16. This strategic move follows a similar pricing adjustment earlier this month, when Samsung reduced the Galaxy S24 price in anticipation of Google’s Pixel 9 launch. The latest discount is notable for its magnitude, offering a direct $200 reduction off the original price, bringing the Galaxy S24’s new price down to $1,219.99.

Historically, such significant price cuts are reserved for major shopping events like Black Friday. However, in a competitive market, Samsung, alongside Google and Apple, has been aggressively adjusting prices throughout the year to attract and retain customers. This latest offer from Samsung is available until September 2nd and is applicable only for customers not trading in a device. For those looking to trade in an old phone, Samsung has increased its trade-in values for several models, providing substantial savings on the Galaxy S24 Ultra.

For the trade-in program, Samsung is offering:

• $650 for the Galaxy S22 Ultra
• $600 for the Galaxy S21 Ultra
• $500 for the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
• $400 for the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max

In contrast, trade-in values for Google’s Pixel phones do not match Samsung’s offers. Samsung will provide only $300 for the Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 8 Pro, which is relatively low considering the Pixel 8 Pro’s recent release. Google, on the other hand, is running a promotional trade-in program for its Pixel devices, valuing the Pixel 8 Pro at $699 and the Pixel 7 Pro at $540—higher figures compared to what Samsung offers.

The variation in trade-in values between companies highlights the competitive nature of the smartphone market. Google’s higher trade-in values for Pixel phones are part of a broader strategy to boost pre-orders for its upcoming Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Google’s pre-order deal includes $350 in store credit, one year of Gemini Advanced, and 2TB of cloud storage. This offer is comparable to promotions for Pixel 9 buyers, with the addition of significant store credit being a new feature.

Samsung is also running a similar promotion for its foldable phones. The Galaxy Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 pre-order deals, revived at the end of July, have been extended until September 9th. Customers purchasing these foldable phones can receive double storage for free, an enhanced trade-in value for their old phones, and a $300 store credit towards a wearable device. Additionally, Samsung is including a free year of Samsung Care + in the bundle. Samsung advertises these deals as providing a total value of $1,500, though reaching this amount requires trading in a Galaxy Z Fold 5 for $1,200, which may not be practical given the phone’s recent release.

The ongoing competition among smartphone manufacturers raises the question of whether Apple will enter the fray with its own enticing pre-order deals. Traditionally, Apple has relied on carriers to offer promotions for iPhone pre-orders. However, recent developments suggest that Apple may be shifting its approach to hardware discounts. In May, Apple launched an unusual promotion with enhanced trade-in prices for old smartphones, which were notably competitive with Samsung’s offers. Additionally, Apple reduced prices in China to counteract competition from Huawei, marking a rare instance of Apple engaging in price adjustments.

As the release of the iPhone 16 approaches, the competitive landscape in the smartphone market is likely to continue evolving. With Samsung’s aggressive pricing and trade-in promotions, Google’s appealing pre-order deals, and potential moves from Apple, consumers can expect a dynamic period of smartphone deals and discounts in the coming weeks.