Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Free Offers Complete Guide To Bundles And Promotions

Samsung's Galaxy Note 8, released in 2017, came with several attractive freebies and promotional offers for early adopters. This article provides a comprehensive overview of all the free items available to customers who purchased the device, including details on Samsung's official offers, Sam's Club promotions, and the bundled AKG earphones.

Samsung's Official Freebie Options

Samsung offered customers who purchased the Galaxy Note 8 between August 24 and September 24, 2017, a choice between two main free bundles:

1. Samsung Gear 360 camera (valued at approximately $229.99)
2. 128GB Samsung EVO+ microSD card and Samsung Fast Wireless Charging Convertible pad (valued at approximately $199.99)

Customers were required to enter their information on samsungpromotions.com to claim these items by October 14, 2017, at 11:59 PM ET. The second-generation Gear 360 camera, announced in May 2017, retailed for around $229. The bundle containing the 128GB microSD card and convertible fast wireless charging pad was noted as particularly practical for everyday use, especially for keeping next to a bed or on a desk at home.

Sam's Club Exclusive Offers

Sam's Club members who purchased and activated the Galaxy Note 8 received additional freebies beyond Samsung's official offers:

• A $200 Sam's Club gift card for purchases and activations by September 24, 2017
• A waiver of up to $40 in activation fees for those who activated by September 17, 2017

These offers were available to AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon customers who activated the Note 8 on an installment plan, and US Cellular customers who got the device on a two-year contract. Sam's Club included Samsung's own offers in its total value claim of $469.99 worth of extras.

Bundled AKG Earphones

All Galaxy Note 8 units came with a pair of wired AKG premium headphones in the box. These earphones featured:

• Pure sound by AKG
• Hybrid canal type
• 2-way Dynamic Unit
• 11Φ woofers and 8Φ tweeters

The earphones were tuned by Harman Kardon and valued at $99. Samsung had previously announced AKG buds with its S8 duo, though it was unclear if the Note 8 earphones were exactly the same or had undergone improvements. Additionally, Samsung included 3 months of free Google Play Music with access to over 40 million songs to complement the new earphones.

Conflicting Details and Clarifications

There are some conflicting details in the source materials regarding the exact specifications of the free bundles:

• Some sources mention a 256GB microSD card in the bundle, while others specify 128GB
• One source refers to a "Gear 360 4K VR Camera" valued at approximately $180, while others mention a standard Gear 360 valued at $229.99

These discrepancies may be due to regional variations or changes to the promotion over time. The most reliable information comes directly from Samsung's promotions site, which specified the 128GB microSD card option. According to one source, customers had the choice between:

1. 256GB microSDXC card (street price of around $90) + Samsung Qi Wireless Charger (street price of around $22)
2. Samsung Gear 360 4K VR Camera (street price of around $180)

However, another source later corrected this information to clarify that the options were actually:

1. 256GB card + wireless charger
2. 360 camera

The exact specifications and values varied across different reports, creating some confusion among potential customers.

Eligibility and Activation Requirements

To be eligible for the free offers, customers needed to:

1. Purchase a Galaxy Note 8 between August 24 and September 24, 2017
2. Activate the device on a qualifying carrier plan
3. Submit the required information on samsungpromotions.com by October 14, 2017

For Sam's Club members, additional deadlines applied: - September 17 to qualify for the activation fee waiver - September 24 to qualify for the $200 gift card

Customers who missed these deadlines would not be eligible for the corresponding offers. The documentation emphasizes that Samsung realized their phones were on the expensive side, prompting the company to offer these substantial freebies to make the purchase more attractive.

Value of the Free Offers

Combined, the various free offers provided substantial value to Galaxy Note 8 purchasers:

• Samsung's official bundle: $199.99 - $229.99
• Sam's Club gift card: $200
• Activation fee waiver: Up to $40
• Bundled AKG earphones: $99
• Three months of Google Play Music: $9.99 (approximately)

Total potential value: $508.97 - $578.97

This substantial value helped offset the Galaxy Note 8's high retail price of around $950, making it a more appealing purchase for consumers despite its premium positioning in the market.

Regional Variations

The source materials indicate that Samsung offered different promotions in different regions. While US customers received the Gear 360 or microSD card and wireless charger bundle, European customers reportedly received a free Samsung DeX dock instead. This accessory, which allows users to connect their phone to a monitor, keyboard, and mouse to create a desktop-like experience, was not mentioned as part of the US promotion.

The DeX dock had launched around the time of the Galaxy S8 earlier in 2017 and was compatible with the Note 8. While some customers had hoped to see this accessory included in the US freebie offers, it appears that Samsung chose different incentives for different markets.

Claim Process and Documentation

To claim their free items, customers needed to follow these steps:

1. Purchase a Galaxy Note 8 between August 24 and September 24, 2017
2. Activate the device on a qualifying carrier plan
3. Visit samsungpromotions.com
4. Enter the required information, including proof of purchase
5. Submit the form by October 14, 2017, at 11:59 PM ET

The documentation from Samsung's promotions site contained the official terms and conditions for these offers. For Sam's Club members, additional steps were required to claim the gift card and activation fee waiver, with separate deadlines for each offer.

Comparison with Previous Samsung Offers

Free offers for new smartphone launches were not new for Samsung. The company had previously included accessories like the Gear VR headset with previous flagship models. The Note 8's freebies followed this tradition but offered customers a choice between different bundles rather than a single accessory.

The inclusion of AKG earphones also continued a pattern from the Galaxy S8 launch. Samsung had previously bundled AKG earbuds with the S8 duo, though the exact specifications and potential improvements for the Note 8 version remained unclear.

Consumer Considerations

When deciding which free bundle to choose, consumers had several factors to consider:

1. Practicality: The microSD card and wireless charger bundle offered everyday utility for most users
2. Resale value: The Gear 360 camera might have held more resale value for those looking to monetize their freebies
3. Future needs: Customers with existing wireless chargers or ample storage might prefer the camera
4. Photography interests: Those interested in 360-degree photography would find the camera more appealing

The bundled AKG earphones, while valuable, were included with all units and not subject to choice, making them a guaranteed addition to the purchase package.

Conclusion

Samsung's promotional offers for the Galaxy Note 8 in 2017 provided significant value to early adopters. The combination of Samsung's official free bundle, Sam's Club exclusive offers, and the bundled AKG earphones created a compelling package for potential customers. While the exact specifications of some items varied slightly, the total value of these free offers was substantial, helping to offset the high retail price of the Galaxy Note 8 device.

The promotion demonstrated Samsung's understanding of the premium nature of its products and the company's willingness to incentivize early adoption through valuable free accessories. For consumers who acted quickly and met all eligibility requirements, these offers represented considerable savings and added functionality with their new device.

Sources

1. Sam's Club Offering Up to $470 in Free Stuff with Note 8 Purchase
2. You'll Get a Free Gear 360 or 128GB MicroSD Card and Wireless Charging Pad with Your Note 8
3. Free Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Mockup
4. Galaxy Note 8 AKG Earphones
5. Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Freebies Awaiting Preorder Customers
6. Galaxy Note 8 Preorder Bonuses
7. Galaxy Note 8 Pre-Order Freebies