Pixel phone trade-in deals now match Samsung’s instant discounts
Google has quietly brought back instant trade-in discounts on the Google Store, and the new approach mirrors Samsung’s long-praised strategy. Instead of paying full price and waiting weeks for a reimbursement, you now see your trade-in value applied immediately at checkout. For the Pixel 10 Pro, Google is offering up to USD 580 (approx. RM2,670) off when you trade in an eligible device like the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, dropping your upfront cost for Google’s latest flagship to a far more palatable level. The process is straightforward: pick the Pixel you want, select your current phone from Google’s menu, and the system instantly applies the quoted amount as a discount. This shift puts Google’s smartphone trade-in program directly in line with Samsung’s, turning older phones into substantial instant savings rather than delayed credits.
Pixel 9 Pro XL sees a massive flagship phone price drop
If you’d rather skip trade-ins and just buy outright, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is delivering one of the biggest flagship phone price drops right now. The phone’s price on Amazon has plunged to USD 699 (approx. RM3,220), down from a retail tag of USD 1,099.99 (approx. RM5,065.99). That’s a USD 400 (approx. RM1,840) discount on a recent-generation flagship with a 6.8-inch Super Actua display, 120Hz refresh rate, and Google’s Tensor G4 chip paired with 16GB of RAM. You still get a triple rear camera with up to 20x Super Res Zoom and features like Video Boost to clean up low-light footage, plus battery life that can stretch beyond 24 hours and up to 100 hours with Extreme Battery Saver. For buyers comfortable stepping back one generation, this kind of price cut can rival or even beat the savings from Pixel phone trade-in deals.
Samsung Galaxy trade-in discounts meet big Amazon price cuts
Samsung’s long-running focus on aggressive trade-in incentives is now complemented by sizable list price cuts on its recent flagships. The Samsung Galaxy S25+ is currently listed at USD 700 (approx. RM3,230) for the 256GB model on Amazon, which is USD 300 (approx. RM1,380) less than its original launch price. The newer Galaxy S26+ has also seen a discount, dropping from USD 1,100 (approx. RM5,060) to USD 925 (approx. RM4,250) for the same 256GB configuration. While Samsung’s own site often layers additional Samsung Galaxy trade-in discounts on top of promos, these Amazon reductions alone make the S25+ particularly compelling. With both models sharing similar performance and software—especially now that the S25+ has One UI 8.5—the cheaper Plus model shows how Samsung uses a mix of price cuts and its smartphone trade-in program to keep its premium line-up competitive.
S26+ limited-time discount shows how fast new flagships get cheaper
The Galaxy S26+ offers another angle on savings: even very new flagships can drop in price quickly. Positioned as the second-tier model in the S26 lineup, this phone already carries a 19% discount on Amazon, bringing its price down to USD 889.99 (approx. RM4,095). That gets you a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a headline camera system, and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, backed by 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Samsung’s premium design is paired with a 4,300mAh battery and fast charging, aimed at heavy users, gamers, and creators who lean on Galaxy AI features. When combined with potential Samsung Galaxy trade-in discounts from Samsung’s own store, deals like this show how quickly the effective cost of “just-launched” flagships can drop below four figures, especially if you’re trading in a recent device.
Trade-in vs. straight discounts: which upgrade path saves more?
With both Google and Samsung pushing aggressive promotions, buyers now face a strategic choice: trade-in incentives or straight price cuts. Google’s instant trade-in model can slash up to USD 580 (approx. RM2,670) from a Pixel 10 Pro on day one, making it ideal if you have a high-value recent phone and want to minimize upfront cost. Samsung, meanwhile, combines its smartphone trade-in program with notable retail drops—like the S25+ at USD 700 (approx. RM3,230) and the S26+ dipping to USD 925 (approx. RM4,250) or even USD 889.99 (approx. RM4,095) in special offers. Outright discounts shine if you plan to sell your old phone privately or keep it as a backup, while trade-ins are simpler and instant. The bottom line: both brands are now competing directly on upgrade affordability, giving you multiple paths to shave hundreds off a new flagship.