[Samsung Galaxy S8 Questions and Answers] FluxionFluff:
Assuming you're not buying an international variant (or waiting until the official unlocked version releases in May) and using it in the US, where's the best place to pre-order your device?

I technically already pre-ordered mine at Best Buy, but if there's a better place listed, I might just cancel my current pre-order and order it elsewhere. For reference, I'm on AT&T.

And I thought this thread could be helpful for those haven't pre-ordered yet. :) I can update this post as needed, so it'll be easier to reference.

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All pre-orders of the S8/S8+ will get a free Gear VR & Controller plus an Oculus game pack, but you can also add on a $99 package to also get a pair of bluetooth AKG over-the-ear headphones and a 256GB microSD card.

Must redeem before 5/21/17 through Samsung Promotions, unless otherwise noted.

Note: You can't actually redeem it UNTIL you receive your device, unless you order directly from Samsung. Seems like the only exception to this.

ADDED 4/3: No more than 350,000 bundle gifts and no more than 50,000 box gifts will be given out during this promotion. Will take 6-8 weeks to receive items.

If they run of of the pre-order bonuses, you'll be gifted a $129 credit. Not sure how this would affect the add-on package you pay for, but maybe a refund for that. (thanks to fcb1 for info on the credit and numbers on the bundle, updated 4/3)

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Places to pre-order:

Will include any notes about anything I'm personally uncertain about, even after looking in the site itself. Will appreciate anyone who can clarify things.

Carrier-specific deals (see list below this section) should be able to be stacked at these locations as well, but ask them, just to be sure.

Unless you buy the device upfront, you only have to pay tax and activation fee (unless you have a corporate discount or other exceptions) when you pick up the device. Depending on the carrier, you may also have to pay additional money upfront, as a down payment.

List Updated: 4/3/2017 @ approx 1:20PM EDT

Thanks to LoliSmith, 954wrecker, eyc, & LoliSmith for contributing to the list thus far~ :)

Best Buy:

(Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint)

Save up to $100 when you pre-order the S8 & S8+

You save $50 on the S8, $100 on the S8+.

NOTE: You MUST choose a payment plan to get this deal as if you buy the device upfront, you will have to pay the full retail price (varies by carrier). The $50 or $100 discount is an overall discount, but you basically save a lil bit every month, over the course of the plan -- S8: save $2.09/mo for 24 months, AT&T Next 30 months - save $1.67/mo | S8+: save $4.17/mo for 24 months, AT&T Next 30 months - save $3.35/mo

Samsung:

(Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile)

By purchasing the phone directly from Samsung, you don't have to wait to get the pre-order bonuses, as they'll get shipped with the device. Won't need to submit the form on Samsung Promotions to redeem it.

Will get the devices a day early, on 4/20

NOTE: If you pre-order from Samsung directly, these are NOT unlocked phones. You will have to wait until May to get the unlocked version.

Walmart:

(Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, US Cellular - in-store ONLY), (Straight Talk - BOTH online & in-store), (Total Wireless - online ONLY)

You can save $150 when pre-ordering the S8/S8+ (uncertain if this is a credit on the device like Best Buy's offer or a Gift Card - needs confirmation)

MUST sign up for the installment plan to get the deal, otherwise you pay full retail. - ONLY valid on Verizon, AT&T, or Sprint

Added 4/6:You MUST do a $50 down payment (OR whatever amount your carrier requires you to put down as a down payment). When you pick up the phone, the amount you put down as a down payment is stacked with the $150 discount. Then from there, that amount is divided into the number of months for your payment plan with your carrier.

NOTE: If you want to pre-order in-store, you can

NOT

go to any Walmart location. It's specific ones and even the ones that do pre-orders, may not have your specific carrier. I found it to be quite hit and miss when I put my location in. Your experience may vary.

Target:

(Verizon, AT&T, Sprint)

You get a $100 Target gift card with purchase and activation of S8 & S8+ (uncertain if you can get the gift card if you buy the phone upfront. I believe you can, but I want to be 100% sure - needs confirmation)

Sam's Club:

(Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, US Cellular)

You get a $150 Sam's Club gift card with purchase and activation of S8 & S8+ (uncertain if you can use the gift card at Walmart, or is Sam's Club specific. Heard that it can also be used at Walmart. - needs confirmation)

Added 4/3:You MUST do a payment plan as you can NOT buy devices outright.

Must pre-order between 3/30/17 and 4/12/17 and have to pick up and activate the device between 4/21 & 4/30

Added 4/3: Seems like you can ONLY pre-order online. (I checked their front page, after discovering the original link I plopped here wasn't working. If anyone has had success pre-ordering in-store, let me know. - needs confirmation)

No activation fee IF you pick up the phone between 4/21 - 4/23

NOTE: You must have a Sam's Club membership to pre-order from them.

Costco:

(Verizon ONLY - If you're on AT&T, T-Mobile, or Sprint, you HAVE to wait until launch to purchase the device)

Pre-order in-store ONLY

You MUST do a payment plan as you can NOT buy devices outright.

Pre-order bonus of a pair of Level U Pro headphones

Includes TYLT Power Essentials pack: TYLT 5200mAh battery pack, 3' micro USB cable, 3' USB-C cable, Dual Port 4.8A Car Charger, Dual Port 4.8A Car Charger, Carrying Case

NOTE: MUST be a Costco member to pre-order here.

NOTE 4/3: I went to Costco to clarify the deal, so this is current to what I was told. I asked about the gift card someone else mentioned, and there will be NO gift cards via pre-order. They will only come AFTER launch, and it's gonna depend on the carrier. Will update this if that changes.

Directly from carriers:

Includes all carrier-specific offers. If you pre-order them elsewhere (list above), the deals other retailers offer should stack, but double check, if you want actually want to take advantage of these offers below.

Unless you buy the device upfront, you only have to pay tax and activation fee (unless you have a corporate discount) when you pick up the device. Depending on the carrier, you may also have to pay additional money upfront, as a down payment.

Verizon:

Full Retail Cost: $720 (S8), $840 (S8+)

Payment Plan for 24 months: $30/mo. (S8), $35/mo. (S8+)

You can lower your monthly payment to as little as $15/mo. with an eligible trade in device AND enrollment in the Verizon Unlimited Plan. There's other restrictions, besides the two big ones I mentioned previously, so be sure to read the fine print before going through with the offer.

Down Payment: $0

AT&T:

Full Retail Cost: $750 (S8), $850 (S8+)

AT&T Next Pricing: 24 months ($31.25/mo. for S8, $35.42/mo. for S8+) or 30 months ($25/mo. for S8, $28.34/mo. for S8+)

Down Payment: $0 (ADDED 4/3: However, you may have to put a down payment of 30%. Optional with good credit. Might be required otherwise.)

There's a BOGO deal, however here's the catch: One of those lines MUST be a new line AND you also MUST be a new or current DIRECTV customer. You can bypass the new line requirement if you simply open a new line and cancel one of your current lines.

Can get a Gear S3 smartwatch for $50 (full retail: $300), but a 2-year contract is required.

Can get a Tab E or Gear S2 smartwatch for $1, but a 2-year contract is required.

T-Mobile:

Full Retail Cost: $750 (S8), $850 (S8+)

Payment Plan for 24 months: Depends on your credit -- Great ($30/mo for S8 & S8+), Average ($7/mo for S8, $8/mo. for S8+)

Down Payment: Depends with credit -- Great ($30 for S8, $130. for S8+), Average ($582 for S8, $658. for S8+)

Requires purchase of a SIM starter kit, $25 (Is this also the case in-store or this only happens online? What about those that already have a nano SIM in their current phone? - needs clarification)

Sprint:

Full Retail Cost: $750 (S8), $850 (S8+)

Payment Plan for 18 months: Varies with credit -- Great ($31.25/mo for S8, $35.42/mo for S8+), Average ($18.75/mo for S8, $21.53/mo for S8+), No credit check (Can't purchase devices)

Payment Plan for 24 months: Varies with credit -- Great ($31.25/mo for S8, $35.42/mo for S8+), Average ($21.88/mo for S8, $25/mo for S8+), No credit check (Can't purchase devices)

Down Payment: Varies with credit -- Great ($0 for S8 & S8+), Average ($220 for S8, $250 for S8+), No credit check (Can't purchase devices)

Free activation if you pre-order online or over the phone.

Galaxy Forever: Upgrade to the next Galaxy phone any time after 12 months with the 18-month plan.

Can enter to win a home entertainment system from Samsung -- "Enter for a chance to take home the grand prize: a 65" Q8C Curved QLED TV and Dolby Atmos sound bar. Or, enter daily to win a Galaxy S8 accessories pack – a $230 value. No purchase necessary. For complete Official Rules, including entry instructions and prize details, go to sprint.com/s8sweeps."

US Cellular:

Full Retail Cost: $674.99 (S8), $784.99 (S8+) (Can you buy the phone outright if you're a current customer? Was a lil confused when I looked on their site... - needs clarification)

Payment Plan for S8: Only 30 months. Can be free with monthly credits, see note below.

Payment Plan for S8+: 20 months - $41.76/mo., 24 months - $34.80/mo., 30 months - $27.84/mo.

Down Payment: $0

NOTE: Trade in an eligible phone (Galaxy S6 or later; iPhone 5s or later) between 3/30 and 4/20 and you can get the S8 for free (via monthly credits), otherwise, you'll get a $100 gift card. You also have to be on their Total Plan or Shared Connect plan and subscribe to the company's Device Protection + program as well.

For

MetroPCS

,

Boost Mobile

,

Virgin Mobile USA

,

Cricket

:

You can't pre-order the devices, so they'll be available upon launch on 4/21. (Can you still get the Gear VR deal at launch with these companies, or is this only available for the carriers that you can do pre-orders for? I assume not, but not 100% sure. - needs clarification)

With MetroPCS, you can pre-register for the device, so upon launch you can get the free Gear VR & Controller after purchase. Unlike the carriers where you can do pre-orders for, to redeem this offer, you have to go through MetroPCS's offer site, not Samsung Promotions. You must use the same email that you used when you pre-registered for the device and upload an image file of your purchase receipt by 5/21/17.