If you are under budget constraints, you can save a tremendous amount of cash through cell phone plans with free phones. The big three carriers, including Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T, and some renowned mobile virtual network operators, usually offer cell phone plans along with free phones if you meet the set eligibility requirements. This guideline will teach you how to get your next phone for free.
Additionally, there are other ways to receive a free phone for eligible low-income consumers. You can obtain a free phone by qualifying for the government’s Lifeline program. On the other hand, there are deals from carriers that provide free cell phones to new customers switching from their current wireless providers. AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile also offer trade-in deals that can assist you in receiving a free flagship device or a purchase-one-get-one-free deal.
Most importantly, one of the easiest ways to receive a new free or highly discounted phone is by hunting for offers, deals, and promotions from mobile carriers. Many companies offer free phones if you subscribe to an unlimited cell phone plan over a specified time. Others offer you a free phone when you switch, or if you purchase another eligible phone within the same brand with select unlimited plans on BOGO offers (buy one get one Free).
Phone Carriers That Offer Free Cell Phone With Plans
1) Metro by T-Mobile
If you want a free cell phone without a 24-month commitment, Metro by T-Mobile is one of your best choices right now. The carrier is offering five free 5G phones when you switch. The current selection of free devices includes:
- Samsung Galaxy A13 5G
- Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G
- TCL 30 XE 5G
- OnePlus N10 5G
- OnePlus Nord N200 5G
- Nokia X100
However, to get this deal, you’ll require to buy the cell phone and activate it on the $60 Metro by T-Mobile unlimited monthly plan. The offer is available in-store, and it’s a limited time. Besides, the selection and availability of these phones vary by location, and a $20 per line activation fee may apply.
2) Cricket Wireless
Cricket Wireless provides a selection of free phones when you switch to the service or bring your phone number. If you enroll in a plan that costs at least $55 per month, you can receive the following cell phones for free:
- Cricket Debut
- Cricket Icon 3
- Motorola Moto G Power
Additionally, if you sign up for a plan that costs at least $60 per month, you can get free devices such as the Cricket Dream 5G and Samsung Galaxy A02s. The $60 plan features unlimited text, talk, and high-speed data plus 15GB of mobile hotspot per month.
3) AT&T
AT&T has the most exciting free phone offer. You can own the new Samsung Galaxy S22 at no charge with AT&T. This deal requires the trade-in of an eligible smartphone within 30 days of activation in perfect working condition with a value of at least $35.
You will have to purchase an eligible smartphone on a qualifying installment agreement to get this deal, including taxes on the total retail price upfront and a $30 activation or upgrade fee. Then, activate a postpaid eligible unlimited wireless service minimum of $75 for new unlimited customers before discounts.
4) Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless has several free cell phones with a 36-month installment payment to an unlimited plan on a new phone line. The available phones include:
- Google Pixel 6
- Motorola Edge 5G UW
- Apple iPhone 12
- Apple iPhone 12 mini
- Samsung Galaxy A02s
In this case, you will have to purchase on a device payment plan or retail price and sign up for a new line on the Unlimited plan. The promo credit gets applied to the account over 36 months at 0% APR, and the promo credit terminates if eligibility requirements are no longer met.
5) T-Mobile
T-Mobile is offering the following free cell phone options with a 24-month commitment on a new line. These phones are free only if you remain with T-Mobile for the duration of the deal:
- Samsung Galaxy A12
- Motorola Moto G Pure
- Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G
- OnePlus Nord N200 5G
- REVVL V+ 5G
- TCL 30 XE 5G
However, the cost of these phones gets offset by a credit on your monthly bill for 24 months. If you don’t maintain your service for the entire two years, T-Mobile will bill you for the balance on the phone. Interestingly, there is no trade-in required to receive these phones except for the OnePlus Nord N200 5G.
Available Free Cell Phone Deals You Can Get
i) iPhone SE 2022 – free with unlimited + new line at Verizon
New and existing Verizon subscribers can acquire a new iPhone SE 2022 for free when you sign up for a new unlimited line with no trade-in required for this deal.
ii) Google Pixel 6 – free with trade-in and Unlimited plan at Verizon
For a limited time, Verizon is giving a Google Pixel 6 for free when you enroll for a new line with an unlimited plan. In this case, you’ll have to purchase your device through monthly installments to receive this cell phone deal.
iii) Apple iPhone 12 – free with new line + unlimited at Verizon
For iPhone 13; lovers under a tight budget, you can save big on the iPhone 12 at Verizon. Verizon offers the phone free when you sign up for a new line and enroll in an unlimited plan. This deal is one of the best cell phone deals on iPhones if you’re searching for a powerful phone sans the high price.
iv) Galaxy S22 – free with trade-in at AT&T
For a limited time, new and existing AT&T subscribers can trade in any Samsung Galaxy cell phone in any condition and receive a new Samsung Galaxy S22 for free. This is one of the best cell phone deals of all time.
v) iPhone 12 mini – free with trade-in + new line at AT&T
New and existing subscribers can receive the iPhone 12 mini purple for free with a trade-in of an old cell phone and upon enrolling for a new Unlimited plan.
Wrap Up
Free cell phones with cell plans are readily available through major carriers like Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, and AT&T. In most cases, such deals are valid when customers choose one of the provider’s specified wireless phone plans, especially the unlimited plans.
However, the 24- or 36-month contracts offered by the carriers subsidize the cell phone price. This payment plan allows you to get a phone for $0 down, then pay off in installments over 12 or 24 months to cover the device’s total cost.