Let's face it: new mobile phones are highly expensive, especially if you want to get your hands on one of the most modern phones on the market. However, you don't necessarily have to pay over $1000 to get a new phone — in fact, you can sometimes get a free phone when you switch phone carriers, cell phone plans, or plan providers.
That said, it’s important to pick the right carrier and phone plan for your needs if you want to get the most bang for your buck. Let’s take a look at 11 quality free phone deals from top carriers in detail.
What Are Free Phone Deals?
Simply put, free phone deals are special offerings from phone carriers or cell companies that net you a free phone when you fulfill certain requirements, like signing up for a new phone plan or switching from another carrier.
If you locate the right plan and play your cards right, you can walk away with a brand-new, free handset just for switching your phone carrier company. Of course, you’ll want to study each carrier carefully to make sure that you don’t compromise your cell phone coverage or data connectivity speeds!
For many, free phone deals are great ways to access top new phones from the best manufacturers without breaking the bank. Now let’s take a look at 11 great free phone deals from the top carriers: AT&T, Verizon Wireless, and T-Mobile, plus their smaller partners.
Get a Free iPhone 14 From AT&T
Apple partnered with AT&T last year when it unveiled its new iPhone 14 series. As of this writing, AT&T offers trade-in deals so you can get a new iPhone 14 or 14 Pro for free.
In order to take advantage of this deal, you must:
- Trade in another device in good condition. The device must also have a minimum trade-in value of $130.
- Sign up for a 36-month installment agreement to pay off the phone.
- Sign up for a $75 per month minimum unlimited service plan.
- Pay a $35 activation fee and upgrade fee, plus additional fees and expenses.
If you do all that, you’ll get yourself a free iPhone 14. Of course, keep in mind that you’ll have to stick with AT&T for 36 months or three years while you pay off the contract’s total. Don't forget, as well, that taxes are due at the time of your plan purchase.
AT&T’s Free Samsung Galaxy S23 Offer
Alternatively, you can get a Samsung Galaxy S23 for free through another AT&T deal. As with the above deal, you need to trade in an eligible smartphone that is in good working condition. However, this deal might be better since the trade-in value just has to be $35, so you can trade in a fairly old phone and still qualify.
Alongside that requirement, you’ll also need to:
- Purchase a Samsung Galaxy S23 with a qualifying installment agreement, plus pay a $35 activation and upgrade fee.
- Activate or keep a postpaid eligible unlimited wireless service agreement. If you’re a new customer, the unlimited wireless service plan has to be valued at a minimum of $75 per month.
- Then you need to trade in your eligible smartphone within 30 days of activating your new Samsung device.
Fulfill all these requirements, and you'll get up to $800 in bill credits. That will give you the credit cash you need to pay for your Samsung Galaxy S23 after the fact. So this deal eventually results in a “free” phone, but not immediately.
Verizon Free Smartphone With a New Line Offer
Verizon Wireless also offers a host of great free phone deals when you switch carriers. The first of these is access to over 20 different free smartphones when you activate a new line using one of Verizon's Unlimited plans.
The eligible Unlimited plans start at $60 per month per line, so you can choose from the below plan options:
- 5G Do More
- 5G Play More
- 5G Get More
- One Unlimited for iPhone
On each plan, you’ll get credit on each bill for 36 months, eventually covering the cost of your chosen new device.
Verizon 36-Month Contract-Free Phone Offer
Some of Verizon's best deals don't require you to trade in a new device to take advantage of them. However, they do require you to sign up for a 36-month commitment to one of the brand's unlimited plans using a new phone line.
Eligible free phones include:
- Google Pixel 7a
- Apple iPhone 13 mini
- Apple iPhone 12
- Apple iPhone 13
- Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
- Motorola one 5G UW ace
- Motorola edge 5G UW
- Samsung Galaxy AO3s
- Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G
- Samsung Galaxy A23 5G UW
This could be a great way to get a new free phone, but you will have to stick with Verizon for three years.
Certified Pre-Owned Free Phones From Verizon
Lastly, Verizon offers certified preowned free phones if you sign up for one of their plans as a new customer.
The potential phones you can receive for free include:
- Apple iPhone 11
- Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max
- Apple iPhone 12
- Apple iPhone 12 mini
- Apple iPhone 12 Pro
- Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
- Apple iPhone SE 2020
- Apple iPhone XS
- Apple iPhone 13
- Apple iPhone XR
- Apple iPhone XS Max
Note that these deals do come with some fine print. You pay for the phone upfront, then get credit back on your bill each month over 36 months. Again, this makes each phone free eventually, but not immediately. On the plus side, Verizon’s plans come with 0% APRs.
T-Mobile 24-Month Contract Free Phone Offer
Then there are T-Mobile's free phone offers. Unlike many other carrier companies, T-Mobile offers a free phone with just a 24-month contract requirement. Activate a new line or trade in an eligible device in order to qualify.
Just what phones can you receive by signing up for this arrangement? You can get a:
- Samsung Galaxy A03s
- T-Mobile REVVL 6 5G
- TCL 30 XE 5G
- T-Mobile REVVL 6 PRO 5G
- Motorola moto g 5G
- Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
- OnePlus Nord N300 5G
- TCL STYLUS 5G
- OnePlus Nord N30 5G
- Samsung Galaxy A23 5G
When you sign up for this offer, each phone’s cost is gradually offset on your monthly bill across 24 months. If you end up canceling your contract early, T-Mobile will bill you for the remaining phone balance, so your phone is really only free if you stick with T-Mobile for two years.
Free Phone Deals From MVNOs
MVNOs or mobile virtual network operators as smaller cell service providers. These companies include Boost Mobile, Sprint, and others more known for prepaid plans than long-term contracts.
They don’t own any cell phone towers but have paid partnerships with the big three cell carriers to provide signals to their customers. These companies also offer a variety of free phone deals; let’s take a closer look at several good ones.
Cricket Wireless
Cricket Wireless is a small but worthwhile company offering a free phone when you switch to the service and bring your phone number. If you sign up for a plan that costs $55 per month, you can receive a free TCL 30 Z or Cricket Innovate E 5G.
Meanwhile, if you sign up for a plan that costs $60 per month, you’ll receive a free Samsung Galaxy A13, Motorola moto g stylus, Cricket Icon 4, Motorola moto g stylus 5G, or Motorola moto g 5G.
Metro
Metro is a T-Mobile partner, and it currently allows new customers to pick from a variety of excellent phones for free whenever they switch carriers. Potential devices include:
- OnePlus Nord N200 5G
- T-Mobile REVVL 6 5G
- TCL 30 XE 5G
- T-Mobile REVVL 6 PRO 5G
- Motorola moto g 5G
- OnePlus Nord N300 5G
- Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
- Nokia G400 5G
- TCL STYLUS 5G
- OnePlus Nord N30 5G
- OnePlus Nord N20 5G
- Motorola moto g stylus 5G
- Samsung Galaxy A23 5G
- Google Pixel 6a
Qualifying for the deal is quick and simple. Purchase your phone, then activate it using the $40 Metro by T-Mobile monthly plan. Don't forget that you need to port your old number from your current carrier to Metro. You also have to apply for this offer in-store, not online.
Visible
Last but not least is Visible, a partner with Verizon. When you switch to visible Wireless, you’ll get a new phone whenever you trade in an old device. You must choose between a TCL 30 LE or an Orbic Joy for the new phone, so your options are limited. But signing up with Visible is cheap, as unlimited wireless plans start at just $30 per month per line.
Try Navi Today
Each of the big three phone plan providers offers several free phone deals when you switch plans. Given the numerous offers available, you should be able to find something that’s perfect for your needs, budget, and personal preferences in no time.
But if you’re still having trouble, Navi can assist. In fact, our Phone Navigator service can help you find the perfect mobile device in a matter of seconds. Or you can use our Plan Navigator service to find the perfect carrier and phone plan for your data usage habits and other requirements. Check them out today!
Sources:
Verizon’s phone contracts are all three years now | The Verge
Switching Phone Carriers: Costs, Fees & Deals | Verizon
What is mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) ? | Definition from TechTarget
