You can get a free Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra without a trade-in at T-Mobile today — here's how

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra on purple background with don't miss text overlay — (Image credit: Future)

Preorders for the Samsung Galaxy S26 series are officially live at T-Mobile, and the carrier is kicking things off with an impressive lineup of launch deals. Whether you’re eyeing the flagship Galaxy S26 Ultra or the more affordable standard Galaxy S26, there are multiple ways to score a major discount - and in some cases, you won’t even need a trade-in to qualify.

The headline offer is on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, which is currently free when you sign up for one of T-Mobile’s premium Experience Beyond or Go5G Next plans. Notably, this deal doesn’t require handing over an old device, making it an appealing option for upgraders who’d rather keep their current phone as a backup. If you’re looking to keep your monthly bill a little lower, T-Mobile is also offering solid incentives on the standard Galaxy S26 with its Experience More or Go5G Plus plans - again, with no trade-in necessary.

There’s even an extra perk for those building out a broader tech setup: T-Mobile is bundling a Galaxy Tab A11+ for free when you add a qualifying tablet line. Altogether, it’s a compelling set of preorder offers that make T-Mobile one of the most attractive places to pick up a Galaxy S26 device right now.

T-Mobile's opening Galaxy S26 preorder deal

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: free with a new unlimited line, plus free tablet at T-Mobile
T-Mobile's strongest opening offer has to be the carrier's deal on the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Impressively, you don't even need to trade-in to be eligible for here, although you do need a line on the higher-end Experience Beyond or Go5G Next plans. If you're looking for a cheaper line, then you can instead get the standard Galaxy S26 on the Experience More or Go5G Plus plans without having to trade. And, as a side note, you can also bundle in a Galaxy Tab A11+ for free if you take out an additional tablet cellular line.

See more: check out all of today's deals at T-Mobile

What's new with the Galaxy S26 series?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 family, including the S26 Plus and and S26 Ultra — (Image credit: Samsung)

The Samsung Galaxy S26 series refines the Galaxy S25 formula with a slimmer, slightly more rounded design and subtle display enhancements, including improved ProScaler upscaling and more precise color processing on the Ultra model.

Performance sees a more meaningful jump, with the standard models powered by the new 2nm Exynos 2600 chip and the S26 Ultra featuring the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy. RAM now starts at 12GB across the lineup (with 16GB on the 1TB Ultra), and a redesigned vapor chamber improves sustained performance. Other hardware upgrades include speedier charging.

Beyond raw specs, the biggest advances are in AI and imaging. The S26 Ultra’s cameras are brighter for better low-light results, with new video features and stabilization improvements. Samsung has also significantly expanded its AI ecosystem, with smarter on-device search, improved Photo Assist tools, upgraded Bixby, and deeper personalization through its 'Personal Data Engine'. The Ultra further stands out with a new pixel-level privacy display, adding a hardware-based security feature not seen on the S25 series.

Alex is TechRadar's retail editor, specializing in buying advice and general tips on how to save our readers as much cash as possible. He's covered major retail events in some capacity for over seven years now; both in editorial and other ecommerce adjacent roles on TechRadar, T3, GamesRadar, and other Future PLC sites. Alex's expertise touches on most areas, but he has a particular love for phones, laptops, and cameras, being an avid photographer.