EE is running a Summer Savers promotion on the Samsung Galaxy S23 that bundles a free pair of Galaxy Buds2 Pro with any data plan, according to the carrier's terms. The headline saving is £336 off unlimited data plans compared to EE's standard pricing, with the S23 listed at £53 a month on the flagged unlimited tier with no upfront cost.
For Apple readers wondering why a Samsung story is sitting on an Apple site, the answer is simple: carrier deals reshape the upgrade math for everyone holding a recent iPhone. When a flagship Android drops this hard, the second-hand value of outgoing iPhones moves with it, and trade-in quotes tend to follow.
Key facts
- Free Galaxy Buds2 Pro (Graphite) with any S23 or S23+ plan on EE, worth £219.
- £336 off EE's unlimited data plans versus standard pricing.
- Featured deal: £53 a month, unlimited data, no upfront cost.
- BT broadband households can get a bespoke 245GB data plan.
- Offer runs from 30 June 2023 to 31 July 2023, 23:59.
- Buds ship to the account address within 15 to 30 working days.
- "Good As New" refurbished stock is excluded.
- One pair per qualifying order, while stocks last.
What EE is actually offering
The mechanic is straightforward. Pick any Samsung Galaxy S23 or S23+ plan on EE between 5GB and unlimited, and the carrier adds a Graphite Galaxy Buds2 Pro at no extra charge. The most aggressive line is the unlimited plan, where the monthly price has been trimmed by £336 across the contract term against EE's standard rate.
There is also a custom route for BT broadband customers, who can access a 245GB plan built around the same device. The catch is the usual carrier fine print: the Buds are tied to the account, arrive 15 to 30 working days after purchase, and are forfeited if the account falls 14 days into arrears. Refurbished units sold as "Good As New" do not qualify, and the offer cannot be exchanged for cash.
Who should care
- IPhone upgraders sitting on older hardware**: a cheap Android flagship on contract tightens the market for your trade-in. Expect trade-in quotes to soften through summer.
- IPhone flagship holdouts**: if you were waiting for a deep deal to jump, the S23 at £53 a month with Buds included is the kind of number that makes people compare cameras in a shop.
- IPad-first households**: BT broadband plus a hefty data plan is the route to test mobile tethering for an iPad or iPad mini on the road without burning the cellular data cap.
- Apple Watch + Android phone curious**: the Buds2 Pro work on both sides. Using them with an iPhone today and an S23 tomorrow is a real, if unglamorous, transition plan.
- Resellers and refurbishers**: a wave of S23 trade-ins will hit the second-hand market as new iPhone models arrive.
Our analysis
EE is doing what UK carriers do in summer: leaning on bundled hardware to mask the monthly price. The £219 Buds2 Pro is a genuinely useful accessory, not a throw-in cable, which lifts the perceived value of the deal. The £336 saving on unlimited is the real hook, because it pushes the effective monthly cost of a current-generation flagship below what budget carriers charge for older mid-range handsets.
For iPhone users, the signal is not "switch to Samsung." It is that the floor for flagship smartphone deals has dropped, and that has consequences. The gap between a heavily discounted S23 and a full-price iPhone widens in summer months. That gap is your negotiation lever when you walk into a store asking about iPhone trade-in values.
The BT broadband angle is the under-appreciated piece. A 245GB plan is overkill for a phone, but it is the right size for someone using an EE SIM in a cellular iPad or as a hotspot for a laptop on the road. The S23 becomes a glorified hotspot, and the Buds2 Pro become your daily drivers.
What to watch next
Watch for two things after July 31st. First, whether other UK carriers match the £336-style saving on competing flagships; if rivals undercut, EE may extend. Second, watch how Apple positions trade-in values when new iPhone models arrive. A floor this low on a current-generation Samsung gives iPhone owners a real number to push back with.
The bottom line: this is a good deal for anyone already in the Android camp, and a useful reference price for everyone else. Use it as use, not as a shopping list.
Key takeaways
- The Galaxy S23 deal is real value, but the £336 saving on unlimited is the headline, not the free Buds.
- IPhone readers should treat this as market data, not a switch trigger.
- Expect trade-in values for outgoing iPhones to feel pressure through late summer.
- The BT broadband 245GB plan is worth a look if you tether an iPad or laptop on the move.
- Use deals like this as evidence in iPhone trade-in negotiations.
Frequently asked questions
Does the free Galaxy Buds2 Pro deal apply to the S23 Ultra?
The offer terms cover the Samsung Galaxy S23 and S23+ only; the S23 Ultra is not listed in the qualifying devices.
Are refurbished or "Good As New" Galaxy S23 units included?
No. The terms state that Good As New devices are not part of this promotion.
How long does delivery of the free Buds2 Pro take?
EE says 15 to 30 working days from purchase, excluding weekends, shipped to the account address.
What happens if my EE account goes into arrears?
If the account remains in arrears 14 days after the original dispatch date, the free Buds2 Pro are no longer eligible.
Can I swap the free Buds2 Pro for cash or a different colour?
No. The offer is the Graphite Buds2 Pro only, while stocks last, and cannot be redeemed for cash or exchanged.