Samsung Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 Edge Available With Upgrade Programme

Samsung's new Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge smartphones are all set to go on sale in 60 countries on March 11. The South Korean company ahead of the availability of the handsets is running a Samsung Upgrade Programme in the UK which provides consumers the option to exchange their existing handset and upgrade to the latest Samsung Galaxy handset for a limited period before and after the release of that handset.

The new move by Samsung is said to drive demand for the new Galaxy phones. It's worth mentioning that Apple last year had announced a program that allowed users to finance unlocked versions of the new iPhones through monthly instalments starting at $32 (roughly Rs. 2,128), regardless of carrier.

Under this scheme, if a consumer buys the Samsung Galaxy S7 or Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge with 24 monthly payments, they can opt to upgrade to the next flagship in 12 months.

Samsung in its official Upgrade Programme document explains, "On placing your order for a new handset, you may, if you choose to do so by ticking the relevant box on our website, and if you are successful in passing any relevant credit checks by our chosen credit providers, be able to take part in the Upgrade Programme."

The company however clears that for participating in the Upgrade Programme, consumers must purchase the Galaxy handset by monthly instalments, which will spread the payments over a period of 24 months.

(Also see: Samsung Galaxy S7, S7 Edge First Look)

Samsung has also fixed limits for the Upgrade Programme and notes that it only applies to the handsets for now.

Detailing further the scheme, the document adds, "At the end of the first year of your finance agreement, subject to 3.6, you may, if you choose and are eligible to do so, upgrade to the latest Samsung Galaxy handset. If you choose to do this, and you meet the conditions set out in these terms regarding the new finance agreement and your existing handset, we will settle the outstanding balance on your original finance agreement provided you are not in arrears and are up to date with payments under the agreement. You will be required to enter into a new 24 month finance agreement relating to the purchase of the new (upgraded) handset. We will notify you if the Upgrade Programme is available to you in any given year."

(Also see: Samsung Galaxy S7, S7 Edge Top 7 Features: Always-On Display, Dual Pixel Camera, and More)

To recall, some of the biggest additions in the new Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge is the hybrid dual SIM (available in some regions). Both the phones support expandable storage via microSD card (up to 200GB).