Handset Insight Group
Carrier Offer TrackerWeek 40 · 5 October 2026
Carrier Offer Tracker · US national carriersData to 4 October 2026
Trade in credits climb three weeks into the new phone season
All three national carriers have raised their top trade in credit on the new flagship since launch week. Carrier B now pays its full amount only on its most expensive plan
1Where credits stand
The new flagship went on sale on 18 September. Since launch week, Carrier A has raised its top trade in credit by $170, and Carriers B and C by $100 each. Carrier C still pays the same credit on its top and middle plans.
| Carrier | Top plan | Middle plan | Entry plan | Since launch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrier A | $1,000 | $830 | $415 | +$170 |
| Carrier B | $1,100 | $550 | $0 | +$100 |
| Carrier C | $800 | $800 | $400 | +$100 |
Source: carrier promotion pages and offer terms, retail store checks, Handset Insight Group records
Source: carrier promotion pages and offer terms, retail store checks, Handset Insight Group records
2Changes logged this week
We logged five offer changes in the week to 4 October, against nine in launch week. Carrier B raised its top plan credit and cut its middle plan credit by $100 on the same day, the first time this season a carrier has moved credit up the plan ladder rather than adding to it.1
| Carrier | Model | Offer | Before | After |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrier A | Current flagship | Trade in, top plan | $830 | $1,000 |
| Carrier B | Current flagship | Trade in, top plan | $1,000 | $1,100 |
| Carrier B | Current flagship | Trade in, middle plan | $650 | $550 |
| Carrier C | Leading Android flagship | New line credit | $500 | $700 |
| Carrier A | Foldable | New line credit | $800 | $1,000 |
Source: carrier promotion pages and offer terms, 28 September to 4 October 2026
3What the top credit costs
The top credit requires the top plan on every carrier. Over the 36 month credit period, the plan step up costs more than the extra credit it unlocks. The gap is widest on Carrier B, where the step up costs $1,620 against $1,100 of extra credit.
Source: carrier promotion pages and offer terms, retail store checks, Handset Insight Group records
4Against our Phone Buyer Survey
5What to watch next week
Whether Carrier C answers this week's increases, the first holiday offers expected in early November, and whether Carrier B extends its top plan requirement to the foldable.
How this tracker is built
- Credits are the advertised maximum for an eligible working phone in good condition, before tax, on the stated plan
- Every offer is captured with its terms page, start date and end date, and each revision is kept
- Credits paid in monthly installments are shown at their full value over the stated credit period
Approved for subscribersMarcus HaleHead of Mobile Research · 5 October 2026
1 A change is any revision to amount, plan requirement, credit period or eligible trade in device for a tracked model.