New T-Mobile deal gets you the latest Samsung phone for FREE with "most plans" — here's what we know

Samsung Galaxy A17 5G render with Circle to Search
(Image credit: Samsung)

The new Samsung Galaxy A17 5G literally just hit store shelves on January 7th, but surprise, surprise: you can already grab the budget smartphone for free with this new T-Mobile deal. Simply add a line with "most data plans" and the carrier will give you enough promo credits over 24 months to make the device completely free, no trade-in required. 

With this T-Mobile deal, "most data plans" means that even the carrier's entry-level Essentials plan will land you the free phone, in addition to the more-comprehensive Experience More and Experience Beyond plans. The catch is that you'll still need to pay the $35 activation fee and any applicable taxes on the phone, but that's it!

Samsung Galaxy A17 5G 128GB:$229.99 FREE with most data plans at T-Mobile
No trade-in required

Samsung Galaxy A17 5G 128GB: $229.99 FREE with most data plans at T-Mobile

Head to T-Mobile and add a line with almost any of the carrier's unlimited plans and you'll get enough promo credits to make the Galaxy A17 5G totally free! Not too shabby for a Samsung phone that was just released earlier this month.

✅Recommended if: you're planning to switch to T-Mobile on the Essentials plan; you want a reliable Samsung phone with a great display and battery life, but you don't want to pay an arm and a leg. 

❌Skip this deal if: you're interested in one of T-Mobile's more comprehensive unlimited plans; you need a phone with more than 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.

Generally priced around 200 bucks, the Galaxy A17 5G is the latest in Samsung's A series of affordable smartphones. What this device lacks in innovation it makes up in overall value, boasting a gorgeous 6.7-inch AMOLED 90Hz display with a reliable 5,000mAh battery and fast 25W wired charging. Unlike most cheap Android phones, the A17 5G also guarantees six years of OS and security upgrades.

All in all, it's a reliable device to pair with your new T-Mobile plan. The catch is that I would only recommend grabbing the Galaxy A17 5G if you plan to sign up for the affordable Essentials plan. If you're interested in the Experience More or Experience Beyond plan, I'd skip this deal altogether and grab one of the offers below. 

Other T-Mobile deals to check out this week

Samsung Galaxy S25 128GB:$799.99FREE with qualified unlimited plans at T-Mobile

Samsung Galaxy S25 128GB: $799.99 FREE with qualified unlimited plans at T-Mobile

Add a line with the Experience More or Experience Beyond plans and T-Mobile will hook you up with enough promo credits to make the Samsung Galaxy S25 completely free. This 2025 flagship is better than the aforementioned A17 5G by just about every metric, from the Snapdragon processor to the Galaxy AI software features.

Google Pixel 10 Pro 128GB: $999.99FREE with qualified Unlimited plans at T-Mobile

Google Pixel 10 Pro 128GB: $999.99 FREE with qualified Unlimited plans at T-Mobile

If you're interested in switching to a Google phone, it's also worth mentioning that T-Mobile is running a deal that will get you a free Pixel 10 Pro when you add a line with the Experience More or Experience Beyond plan. This super-powered flagship boasts a stunning design with AI-boosted camera tech and a Tensor G5 chipset with 16GB of RAM.

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Patrick Farmer
eCommerce Editor

After almost a decade of working in the e-commerce space, Patrick Farmer (he/him) began his career at Android Central as a Deals and Commerce Writer before moving into a new role as AC's eCommerce Editor in 2023. When he's not hunting down the best deals and offering shopping advice for our readers, you'll often find him listening to music, camping out at a brewery, or treating his cat like a human child. 

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