Just in time for the holidays, Verizon has announced a limited-time free smartphone promotion, which the wireless provider describes as its “most aggressive offer ever.”
We’re going to tell you right away that not everyone is going to qualify for a free phone.
Read more: The #1 mistake people make when switching cell phone carriers
Verizon’s free smartphone promotion
According to a news release dated December 15, you can get one of the following phones at no cost on device payment when you trade in an eligible device:
- iPhone 7
- iPhone 7 Plus
- Pixel, Phone by Google
- Pixel XL, Phone by Google
- Moto Z Droid
- Moto Z Droid Force
- Samsung S7
- Samsung S7 edge
- LG V20
What’s the catch? There’s a limited list of eligible trade-ins for a free device and it’s made up of new phones, including some that are part of the promotion!
Here’s the fine print:
Eligible trade-ins for free iPhone 7, Pixel, Moto Z Droid or Samsung GS7: iPhone 7, 7 Plus, 6S or 6S Plus, Samsung GS7, GS7 edge, GS6, GS6 edge, GS6 edge+ or Note 5, LG G5 or V10, Motorola Turbo 2 and HTC 10. Eligible trade-ins for free iPhone 7 Plus, Pixel XL, Moto Z Force Droid, Samsung GS7 edge, or LG V20: iPhone 7 Plus and Samsung GS7 edge.
Eligible trade-in phones “must be in good, working and cosmetic condition,” Verizon said.
If you don’t have a device to turn in, Verizon is offering the Google Pixel, Moto Z Droid and iPhone 7 on device payment for $10 per month, a savings of about $20 per month.
Either way, Verizon will give you trade-in/promo credits, which will be applied on your bill over 24 months.
So if a phone normally costs $30 a month, Verizon will give anyone eligible for the free phone promotion a $30 monthly credit until the balance is paid or service is canceled.
Price it out before you switch
Before you switch to Verizon for a free phone, you should know that their data plans are expensive, so it may be cheaper to buy an unlocked phone and bring it to a low-cost carrier for service.
Use our guide to compare the best cell phone plans and deals!