Kerry Wan/ZDNET

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Newer phones may be getting larger and larger, but that doesn't mean there aren't smaller options available. The Samsung Galaxy S25 would be a perfect contender if you need a smaller screen, a great camera system, and the latest mobile AI capabilities.

Also: The best Android phones to buy in 2025

T-Mobile is now running an offer where you can get your ludicrously capacious Galaxy S25 for free. All you have to do is trade in a phone in any condition on T-Mobile's Experience Beyond or Go5G Next plan, and you'll receive the phone in return. That's right. You can turn in a broken, eligible smartphone and get a new Galaxy S25 for free. 

As always, there are a few stipulations with this offer. First, this free phone is paid out in credits through a 24-month billing cycle. Therefore, you will be bound by a two-year contract. However, the trade-in policy for any eligible phone in any condition is a great deal, and worth writing home about. 

Most of these free phone offers from cellular carriers require a trade-in device in working condition. For this deal specifically, T-Mobile will accept devices as old as the iPhone 12 or Samsung Galaxy S10 for an eligible trade-in.

Also: How you can get a free iPhone 16 Pro for free from T-Mobile - no trade-in required

The Samsung Galaxy S25 is a great contender for your next smartphone. It's the smallest of Samsung's latest generation of smartphones, joined by the larger Galaxy S25 Plus and Galaxy S25 Ultra models. However, that doesn't mean the device is any less notable.  

The phone's display measures 6.2 inches, so it's a sizeable screen for browsing and general content consumption. Like its siblings, the S25 has a vivid Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, and high enough a resolution to satisfying gamers and movie buffs alike. It's safe to say your scrolling and streaming will have a crisp and colorful image.

Also: I've tested every Samsung Galaxy S25 model - and my favorite isn't the Ultra

ZDNET's resident phone expert, Kerry Wan, tested every S25 model last year and found that the S25 was his sleeper pick. He said he especially appreciated the device's camera system.

"The versatility of the S25's triple camera system, which includes a 10MP telephoto with 3x zoom, is more than enough for most users, including myself," Wan says. "A lot of what makes modern-day smartphone cameras so good has to do with the computational processes that run in the background. And there's not much difference between the S25 and S25 Plus, which is great." 

All in all, the Samsung Galaxy S25 is a great device for your next upgrade. With this T-Mobile deal, you can get yours for free. All you need to turn in is an old phone, and according to T-Mobile's website, you'll need to contact them by phone. To find the best number to reach T-Mobile for this deal, check the specific number on your screen, as numbers may change or vary by region. 

How I rated this deal 

As mentioned above, this deal is a great offer, mainly because your eligible trade-in can be in any condition, a rare occurrence from mobile carriers. Of course, there are some prerequisites. Therefore, we gave this deal a 4/5 Editor's Deal rating. It is a good offer for a good phone, but it's not for everyone. 

Deals are subject to sell out or expire anytime, though ZDNET remains committed to finding, sharing, and updating the best product deals for you to score the best savings. Our team of experts regularly checks in on the deals we share to ensure they are still live and obtainable. We're sorry if you've missed out on this deal, but don't fret -- we're constantly finding new chances to save and sharing them with you at ZDNET.com.

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• An eligible device trade-in in any condition is required. Must be an iPhone 12 or Samsung Galaxy S10 and above for trade-in. 
• Must be an existing or new customer with Experience Beyond or Go5G Next plan.
• $1,000 credit paid out through a 24-month billing cycle. 
• Read the rest of the terms and conditions on T-Mobile's website.

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Also: How we rate deals at ZDNET in 2025

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