After giving away free subscriptions, and a free tablet to Galaxy S25 Ultra buyers, Samsung is now bundling the Galaxy S25 with select TV purchases.
Predictably, shoppers need to buy a reasonably expensive TV to qualify for the free Galaxy S25 (just the base model, not the Plus or Ultra). On the U.K. deal page, Samsung is pushing buyers towards TVs that cost thousands, but it's possible to qualify for the free phone by purchasing a TV for as low as £1,199 ($1,623.93).
The £1,199 set is the 43" Neo QLED QN93F. The next cheapest model that comes with a free handset is the £1,349 ($1,827.09) 85" U8000F, after that it's the 55" Neo QLED QN85F for £1,499 ($2,030.25).
To get the free Samsung Galaxy S25 shoppers have to use the code "AITV." Samsung has combined this code with a "SPRING" voucher that knocks 20% off the the TV, alongside up to £1000 ($1,354.40) cashback.
The NEO QLED QN85F, for example, qualifies for £200 ($270.88) of cashback. There's a lengthy, awkward, process to get your money back, which includes submitting a claim and waiting for approval. This could take up to 45 days for the money to eventually reach your account.
Rather than directly discounting the TV by £200, Samsung is likely hoping that some people will be put off by the rigmarole of going through the claims process. But it is absolutely worth taking the time to do.
For more savvy shoppers, a new and unopened Galaxy S25 can be sold on eBay for roughly £600 ($812.64). Combined with the 20% off SPRING code and £200 cashback, the QN85F's price effectively drops down to £549 ($743.57). A solid price for a yet-to-be-released 2025 TV.
Samsung has made a habit of giving away free hardware in recent promotions. The company has bundled a free Chromebook, earbuds and Galaxy Watches with Galaxy phone purchases in the last year. The latest deal bundles a free Galaxy Tab A9 Plus with purchases of the Galaxy S25 Ultra, alongside knocking 20% off wearables if bought together.
Free high-end hardware obviously grabs shoppers' attention. Samsung's aim is partly to draw as many individuals as it can into the Galaxy ecosystem." The clue is in the discount code's name "AITV." The Korean company has imbued AI into almost all of its devices, including its cheaper smartphones through it's "awesome intelligence" suite of tools that offers a pared down experience compared to the mainstream Galaxy AI.
This strategy might pay off because Samsung has always been unclear about its Galaxy AI pricing plans. When the company launched its AI tools with the Galaxy S24 last year, it stated that Galaxy AI would be free until the end of 2025. The company has remained silent on its subscription plans since.
What Samsung has done is roll out AI to old Galaxy phones, TVs, wearables, Chromebooks, TVs, ovens and other home appliances. If the company does launch a subscription one day that paywalls important features on several devices, these hardware freebies will be a small price to pay for tying millions of people to a monthly charge.