Recently, there have been rumors circulating that Verizon is giving away free phones to customers. This claim has sparked interest and questions around whether America’s largest wireless network is really handing out free devices. In this article, we’ll explore the origins of this rumor, look at the validity of the free phone assertion, and provide clarity around Verizon’s phone promotions.
According to various online discussions, some customers believe Verizon is providing free smartphones to switchers and current subscribers. However, Verizon has not made any official announcement confirming this promotion. As an influential wireless carrier, Verizon offers various deals on devices and service plans, but handing out free phones would be uncharacteristic.
Background on Verizon
Verizon Communications is one of the largest wireless carriers and telecommunications companies in the United States. Verizon was created in 2000 after Bell Atlantic merged with GTE to form a new telecommunications company valued at over $65 billion dollars. The merger created one of the largest wireless providers in America, with over 100 million subscribers as of 2021 (Verizon company history).
Verizon offers wireless and home internet services, digital media, telematics, and other services to consumers, businesses, and government customers. The company operates over 4,700 retail locations and call centers throughout the U.S. Verizon Wireless provides service to around 135 million subscribers, making it the largest wireless carrier in the country.
Verizon’s Current Phone Promotions
According to Verizon’s website at https://www.verizon.com/deals/, the company is currently offering several promotions on new smartphones for both new and existing customers.
For new customers, Verizon is advertising up to $1000 off a new smartphone with a qualified trade-in and unlimited plan. Specific phone deals include up to $700 off the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max with trade-in and new line, up to $800 off the Samsung Galaxy S22 series with trade-in and new line, and up to $700 off the Google Pixel 6 series with trade-in and new line.
For existing customers, Verizon is offering up to $1000 off a new smartphone with a qualified trade-in on an unlimited plan. Deals include up to $700 off the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max with trade-in, up to $400 off the iPhone SE with trade-in, and up to $550 off the Samsung Galaxy S22 series with eligible trade-in.
Verizon is also advertising several accessories bundles that include headphones, smartwatches, tablets, and other devices for free or discounted pricing when added to a new smartphone purchase.
Origins of the Free Phone Rumor
The rumor that Verizon is giving away free phones seems to have originated primarily from customers misunderstanding Verizon’s current phone promotion offers. On Reddit and Verizon’s own community forums, there are many posts from customers recounting how Verizon offered them new phones for free or at heavily discounted prices when upgrading devices or switching to new plans.
For example, one Reddit user shared that after trading in their old phone, Verizon gave them $1000 off a new phone, making it feel like the new phone was free (Source). Another Verizon customer posted on the Verizon forums that a sales representative told them they could get new iPhones for free if they combined lines onto a shared family plan, which led them to believe Verizon was offering free phones (Source).
In reality, Verizon does not provide free phones to customers outright. However, the heavy discounts, rebates, and promotions they offer when customers upgrade or switch plans seems to be the root of claims that Verizon is giving out free phones.
Validity of the Free Phone Claim
There is some truth to the rumor that Verizon offers free phones, but the details are more nuanced. Verizon does offer free smartphones to new and existing customers who trade-in an eligible device and sign up for a qualifying unlimited plan. However, Verizon does not give away phones for free without any strings attached.
The free phone deals typically require a device trade-in and plan commitment. For example, in 2022, Verizon offered the iPhone 13 for free with an eligible trade-in and unlimited plan. They also offered up to $800 off the latest Samsung phones with trade-in [1]. While these offers allow customers to get a new phone for free or at a heavily discounted price, customers do need to give up their old device and sign up for a long-term service contract.
So in summary, Verizon does not give away brand new free phones without any requirements, but they do offer competitive phone deals and discounts that can effectively result in a free new device for customers who trade-in and commit to a plan. The free phone rumor contains truth, but lacks nuance on the exact terms and conditions.
Reasons Verizon Would Not Give Away Phones
Verizon, like other major wireless carriers, has largely moved away from offering free phones in recent years. There are a few key reasons why Verizon is unlikely to give phones away for free (ZDNet):
First and foremost, giving away phones for free is incredibly expensive for Verizon. Top-of-the-line smartphones like iPhones can cost $800 or more wholesale from manufacturers. Even mid-range Android phones cost several hundred dollars. Outright giving phones away cuts deeply into Verizon’s profits on new subscribers.
Second, free phones usually require a long-term service contract, typically 2 years. With today’s competitive wireless market, carriers have moved away from service contracts and prefer flexibility with subscription plans. Requiring a 2-year contract locks customers in but also builds frustration if they want to switch carriers later.
For these reasons, it is very unlikely that Verizon is simply giving away phones for free without requiring a hefty long-term service contract. The costs involved make it unsustainable as a general offer. Specific promotions may exist, but free phones usually require trade-offs like plan limitations, finance agreements, or service commitments.
Circumstances Verizon Could Give Away Phones
While Verizon does not currently offer completely free phones to all customers, there are some limited promotions and deals where select customers can get free devices when switching to Verizon.
For example, Verizon occasionally offers switcher promotions where new customers porting their number over from another carrier can get certain devices for free with the purchase of an eligible unlimited plan. These deals are usually limited to select phones models and require a qualifying trade-in and new line activation.1
Verizon also sometimes offers BOGO (buy one get one free) deals around the holidays or other promotional periods, where new and existing customers can buy one phone and get a second phone for free. There may be additional requirements like adding a new line or being on an unlimited data plan.2
Additionally, Verizon occasionally provides free phone offers to first responders, military members, nurses, and teachers as part of promotional giveaways. These types of offers are not available to all customers but target certain groups as a goodwill effort.3
So while Verizon does not provide completely free phones to all customers, there are select promotions, switcher deals, and giveaways where some new and existing customers can get free devices under certain qualifying circumstances.
Verizon’s Response
Verizon has not made any official statements directly addressing the free phone rumors. However, Verizon community forum moderators and customer service representatives have repeatedly stated that Verizon is not currently offering free phones without a plan upgrade.
On the Verizon community forums, a moderator posted “We called Verizon (dialing 611) and spoke to a sales rep that said there was no code showing that the cost of the new iPhones was being waived.” This indicates that customer service is not aware of any free phone promotion.
Additionally, Verizon store employees have told customers inquiring about free phones that no such promotion exists. While not an official statement, the consistent responses from Verizon representatives suggest the company is not offering free phones at this time.
Without an official announcement or press release, Verizon has not directly addressed the validity of the free phone rumors. However, their responses indicate that customers should not expect to receive a free phone upgrade from Verizon without a plan change or new activation.
Alternatives for Getting a Free or Cheap Phone
There are several options to get discounted or free cell phones besides Verizon. Here are some alternatives:
- Lifeline Program – This government assistance program provides free cell phones and service to low-income individuals. You can qualify if you participate in programs like SNAP or Medicaid. See the Lifeline website for eligibility details (https://www.reviews.org/mobile/how-to-get-free-government-cell-phones/).
- Carriers’ device promos – Major carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint sometimes offer free or heavily discounted phones when you switch to their network or add a new line. Check carrier websites regularly for the latest deals.
- Used/refurbished phones – Buying a used or refurbished previous-model smartphone can save hundreds compared to new. Check sites like eBay, Swappa, and Amazon for deals.
- Bring your own device – Choose a no-contract carrier like Cricket or Boost Mobile and bring your current phone. This avoids paying monthly device fees.
While Verizon may not directly offer free phones, consumers have various options to get discounted or free devices from other sources.
Conclusion
In summary, the idea that Verizon is giving away free phones to all customers is likely false. Verizon occasionally offers promotional deals where select new customers can get free or discounted phones when signing up for service. However, they do not provide free phones to all existing customers. The free phone rumor stemmed from misleading advertisements and misunderstandings of Verizon’s real promotions. After examining Verizon’s current offers, there is no evidence that they are freely handing out phones to every customer. While getting a free phone would be a great perk, the logistics and costs make it highly unlikely that Verizon would give away phones without caveats. Unless you meet specific promotion criteria as a new subscriber, you will need to pay to obtain a phone from Verizon. However, there are ways to get affordable phone options through Verizon or other carriers. With a judicious eye for deals, you can potentially find significant savings on phones, even if Verizon isn’t simply giving them away to everyone.
