Retailers slash prices and toss in surprise bonuses, including a free Galaxy A9 tablet, to boost S25 Ultra demand amid fierce phone market competition
Samsung’s flashy S25 Ultra isn’t just drawing headlines for its AI smarts or high-performance specs — it’s turning heads for what comes with it. And for a limited time, that might include a free tablet. Yep, free. No catch — well, almost.
Mobiles.co.uk is leading the charge, tossing in a complimentary Galaxy A9 tablet and even six months of Google One AI Premium with select S25 Ultra purchases. And with the base phone itself already getting markdowns across retailers, Samsung fans are scrambling to grab what’s become one of the most compelling deals of the season.
It’s not just a phone anymore — it’s a full-blown ecosystem-in-a-box.
What’s the Deal? A Tablet, Google AI Premium, and Trade-in Bonuses
At the heart of this sudden surge in interest is a classic shopper trigger: the word free. Mobiles.co.uk is bundling the Galaxy A9 tablet — normally sold separately — with S25 Ultra devices, depending on the contract and model configuration.
There’s more. Shoppers also walk away with:
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Six months of Google One AI Premium (a value-add for those eager to try the latest productivity tools)
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Enhanced trade-in offers, with bumped-up values for older phones
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Flexible contract options, including major UK carriers like Vodafone and iD Mobile
For consumers already eyeing a new phone, this combo makes the decision a lot easier.
Samsung’s Premium Phone Push: Why the Freebies Matter
Samsung’s strategy with the S25 Ultra goes beyond just selling hardware. They’re doubling down on ecosystem loyalty, and this bundle drop proves it.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra boasts all the premium specs you’d expect — crisp AMOLED display, camera tech that rivals DSLRs, and custom-tuned AI features like real-time translation and advanced photography modes. But the real magic lies in how Samsung is pairing it with other devices to deepen consumer buy-in.
The A9 tablet, while not flagship-level, complements the S25 Ultra for everyday tasks like streaming, productivity, and remote work. Meanwhile, the Google One AI Premium trial offers a taste of cloud-based productivity tools powered by Google’s newest AI stack.
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Add to that the current wave of discounting on the S25 Ultra itself, and it’s clear Samsung is pulling out all the stops to maintain momentum as competitors (especially from China) chip away at global market share.
Who’s Offering What? A Quick Retail Rundown
Deals vary slightly depending on the retailer, contract plan, and mobile carrier. Here’s a snapshot of current offers from top retailers:
| Retailer | Free Tablet Offer | Google AI Trial | Enhanced Trade-in | Price Cut |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mobiles.co.uk | Yes (A9 Tablet) | Yes (6 months) | Yes | Yes |
| Carphone Warehouse | Varies by plan | No | No | Yes |
| EE | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Vodafone | No | Yes (3 months) | Yes | Yes |
It’s worth noting: Mobiles.co.uk’s deals are time-sensitive. The tablet bonus, in particular, is only available while stocks last or until their promo window ends. So if you’ve been putting off an upgrade, now’s a pretty good time to pounce.
Shoppers React: “It Was a No-Brainer”
For many, the deal was too good to ignore.
“I was going to upgrade anyway,” said Liam Fraser, a 32-year-old IT technician from Manchester. “Then I saw the tablet was free — and I figured why not? It was a no-brainer.”
Social media chatter reflects the same sentiment. Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) users have shared screenshots of their orders, with comments like “Didn’t expect to get this much for my old phone” and “Finally a phone deal that makes sense.”
There’s also growing interest in the AI premium perks, which include features like:
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Gmail smart suggestions and priority sorting
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Google Drive advanced summarization tools
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Photo auto-enhance via AI editing
Even if users don’t stick with the service post-trial, the six-month runway gives them enough time to test-drive its usefulness.
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For Samsung, this emotional buy-in — excitement, curiosity, and perceived value — may be just as valuable as raw unit sales.
What Comes Next for Samsung — and Shoppers?
This promo won’t last forever, but it could mark a turning point in how premium phones are marketed.
Samsung has increasingly faced pressure from Apple and Chinese players like Xiaomi and Honor, who continue to push top-tier features at lower price points. By sweetening the pot with extras, Samsung isn’t just selling hardware — it’s bundling experiences, content, and services.
Consumers, meanwhile, are learning to expect more. A £1,000+ phone should probably come with something extra. Tablets. AI. Trade-in bonuses. That’s the new baseline.
Maybe we’ll see Samsung throw in Galaxy Buds or a Watch6 in the next round. Or maybe competitors will strike back with bundles of their own.
For now though, the S25 Ultra offer stands tall — and shoppers seem more than happy to cash in.
