Samsung Trade-In, Explained
Samsung gives instant trade-in credit on a new device at checkout, then gives you 15 days after delivery to ship the old one in working, unlocked condition.
By Olivia HarperContributing writer. Policy checked .
On this page
Store programs change. This is a summary in our own words of Samsung's Trade-In page, its FAQ and its footnoted terms, read on October 27, 2026. The official page is the one that applies; check it before you trade anything in.
How it works
Samsung's trade-in is tied to a purchase on samsung.com. You pick the device you are trading while you buy the new one, and the estimated value comes off as an instant credit at checkout. It applies only to new Samsung devices, and Samsung limits it to one trade-in per qualifying purchase.
The FAQ lists smartphones, watches, earbuds, tablets and PCs as devices it takes, and says many non-Samsung products are accepted. Another FAQ answer also names televisions. Samsung says the eligible types can change at any time, so check the trade-in tool for your exact model.
Trade-in values change with each promotion. The page shows dated offers with their own end dates; the figure you see when you order is the one that counts.
The 15-day rule
You can keep using your old device until the new one arrives. After that, the clock matters:
| Step | What Samsung says |
|---|---|
| New device arrives | You have 15 days to ship the trade-in |
| Not shipped in 15 days | The trade-in credit is charged back to your payment method |
| Shipped, but it fails inspection | The credit is charged back minus $25 |
| Samsung receives it | A condition summary follows in about 5 business days |
| Rejected device | Accept Samsung's offer to return it within 7 days |
Samsung sends a prepaid shipping label by email; you can reprint it from My Orders. Ship one device per label. For a Galaxy Family trade-in, each device needs its own box.
Condition rules
Samsung's terms say a trade-in device must:
- Power on, hold a charge and not shut off unexpectedly.
- Have a working display with no cracks, unless a Cracked Device Offer applies, and no damage beyond normal wear, water damage or corroded contacts.
- Have a battery that is not damaged or swollen.
- Carry an FCC ID label and not be on a banned list.
- Be owned by you. Leased devices do not qualify, unless you buy out a leased phone or tablet from your carrier first.
- Have Reactivation Lock, Google Factory Reset Protection and other locks turned off.
Prepare the device
Back up what you want to keep, then do a factory reset and remove all personal data, passwords and cloud accounts. Take out SIM and memory cards: Samsung says items sent with the device are not returned and it is not responsible for data left on it. Send only the device and essential parts, such as an S Pen or an earbuds charging case.
Things to know
- Samsung's instant credit and a carrier bill credit offer cannot be combined. Carrier bill credits can take 1 to 3 billing periods to appear.
- Once Samsung accepts a device, it is not returned, even if you later return the new purchase.
- A separate Standalone Trade-In lets you trade without buying; Samsung says Likewize runs it independently.
Sources
Trade-In, Samsung, including its FAQ and offer terms. Policy checked October 27, 2026.