Samsung's Flagship Galaxy Phones Go on Sale With Variety of Carrier Promos

Samsung’s Galaxy S9 and S9+ went on sale Friday, with suggested retail prices of $719 and $839 in unlocked and carrier versions. The company focused on the “reimagined” camera features of the flagship smartphones for the “visual and social generation,” said Samsung Electronics North America CEO Tim Baxter. The spotlight is on the cameras’ dual aperture (F1.5-F2.4) lens said to work “just like the human eye to adjust to different lighting conditions.” The cameras capture up to 12 versions of the same photo to create an optimal image with high contrast, and less noise and grain, said Samsung. Carriers pitched various deals. Sprint said it will shave $30 off the price for phones purchased online, and it's hawking a free S9 or S9+ customers who sign up for two 18-month leases with one new line and an upgraded lease required. AT&T Wireless offers an S9 at half off until March 31 to customers who sign up for the AT&T Next plan with credits issued over 30 months. Verizon’s lead offer on its website Friday was for up to 50 percent off the iPhone in a trade-in offer. Its Samsung Galaxy promotion was a buy-one-get-one-free deal (up to $799) for customers who bought a minimum $929 Galaxy phone, no trade-in required, with credits applied over 24 months. T-Mobile is dealing the S9 at 50 percent off with a 24-month contract and a trade-in. C-Spire is giving discounts up to $400 for a limited time for customers who trade in a smartphone and sign up for $29- and $35-per month plans, it said.