Mint mobile is giving away the Samsung s26, here’s how to get one for $0

At a glance:

• New Mint Mobile customers can get a Samsung Galaxy S26 (or S26+/S26 Ultra) for essentially $0 with a 12‑month Unlimited plan
• Up to $500 off the phone plus another $400 via eligible trade‑ins (iPhone 15, Galaxy S24+, ZFlip/ZFold 6, Pixel 9 or newer)
• A bundled MINTernet 5G home‑internet plan is also available for $45 / month, locking in a $300 discount for a year

What the Mint Mobile offer looks like

Mint Mobile is running a limited‑time promotion that runs through July 8. Anyone who signs up for a 12‑month Unlimited plan on the T‑Mobile 5G network receives an instant $500 discount on any model in the brand‑new Samsung Galaxy S26 family – that includes the base S26, the larger S26+, and the premium S26 Ultra. On top of that, the carrier adds a trade‑in credit of up to $400 if the customer hands over an eligible device such as an iPhone 15 or newer, a Galaxy S24 or newer, a ZFlip/ZFold 6 or newer, or a Google Pixel 9 or newer. Stacked together, the phone’s price can drop to zero before the monthly service fee is applied, meaning the customer pays roughly $15 per month for unlimited 5G talk and data.

The promotion is unusual because the Galaxy S26 line launched only less than two months ago. Its flagship specs include a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, a 6.3‑inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120 Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of up to 2,600 nits, and a triple‑camera system (50 MP main, 12 MP ultrawide, 10 MP 3× telephoto). Samsung also promises seven years of OS and security updates, extending support through 2033. These hardware and software credentials make the phone a premium offering that normally retails for $900 and up.

How the trade‑in works

To qualify for the additional $400 credit, the trade‑in device must meet one of the following criteria:

1. iPhone 15 or later
2. Samsung Galaxy S24 or later
3. Samsung Galaxy ZFlip 6 or ZFold 6 (or later models)
4. Google Pixel 9 or later If the device meets any of these conditions, Mint Mobile applies the full $400 credit on top of the $500 discount. The combined savings bring the effective cost of the phone to $0‑$100, depending on the specific model and the exact trade‑in value assigned during checkout.

The Samsung Galaxy A37 alternative

Mint Mobile isn’t stopping at the flagship line. The carrier also offers $150 off the Samsung Galaxy A37 5G through the same July 8 deadline, plus the same up to $400 trade‑in credit. The A37 is a mid‑range 5G Android with a solid display and decent camera performance, making it an attractive low‑cost alternative for customers who don’t need the top‑tier specs of the S26 series. When the discounts are stacked, the A37 can also be obtained for near‑zero out‑of‑pocket cost, with the only ongoing expense being the $15‑per‑month Unlimited plan.

Bundling with MINTernet home internet

Beyond mobile, Mint Mobile is promoting a MINTernet 5G home‑internet bundle. New customers can add a year of home internet for $45 per month, which is $300 off the regular price and includes a five‑year price lock. The bundle pairs a year of Unlimited mobile service with a year of home internet, effectively consolidating two bills into one predictable payment. An additional $15 per month can be added to bring a second mobile line onto the Unlimited plan, and all of these options can be financed through Affirm if the customer prefers monthly installments over the prepaid model.

Why Mint Mobile can afford such deep discounts

Mint Mobile keeps its operating costs low by eschewing brick‑and‑mortar stores and handling everything online or via phone support. This lean structure allows the carrier to pass savings directly to customers in the form of aggressive device subsidies and bundled services. The company also benefits from the T‑Mobile network wholesale agreement, which gives it access to a nationwide 5G footprint covering roughly 98 % of Americans without the need for its own infrastructure investment. By offering a premium device like the Galaxy S26 for free, Mint Mobile aims to attract higher‑value customers who are likely to stay beyond the initial 12‑month term, thereby boosting long‑term ARPU (average revenue per user).

What to watch next

The promotion ends on July 8, and the supply of discounted S26 units is limited to the amount Mint Mobile can procure from Samsung. Prospective switchers should act quickly, verify the trade‑in eligibility of their current device, and confirm that the $15‑per‑month Unlimited plan meets their usage needs. Observers will also be watching whether other MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) launch comparable offers, which could spark a broader price war in the prepaid segment. For now, Mint Mobile’s combination of a flagship smartphone, a low‑cost unlimited plan, and a bundled home‑internet service makes it one of the most compelling value propositions on the market.