Free phones are special offers from carriers that offer you a new phone when you sign up for a plan or switch. These deals happen all year and are often on the latest devices.
Get a New Service Plan
Consider purchasing a new phone if your old one has run out of battery or is no longer functional. When you sign up for a plan, many carriers give you a free phone with new service. Other smaller carriers also offer to get a new phone for free. To learn more about these offers, visit reputable websites on cell phone plans and carriers.
Before signing up for a new plan, determine the included features and cost of additional services. For example, some plans have data throttling thresholds, international service charges, and hot spot usage fees. You can save money by paying for a basic plan without these extras.
Some companies also partner with Lifeline and ACP to provide free phones and services to low-income households.
If you are still deciding which phone to choose or need more money to pay for a premium plan, you can find out if you qualify for a government program that subsidizes your phone and plan costs. Some programs are Lifeline, which provides free smartphones and services to eligible households, and the ACP program, which gives a free government phone and 10GB of high-speed data.
Trade in Your Old Phone
If you have an old phone you no longer use, there are a few options for offloading it. The easiest is to hold a yard or garage sale, but this can be time-consuming and only sometimes worth the effort. Another option is to sell your device on an online marketplace. These online sellers have competitive trade-in prices and a straightforward process. You can find out the value of your device by answering a few questions about its condition. After agreeing on a price, they will pay via PayPal, Zelle, or paper check.
If the device you’re trading in is relatively new, some carriers offer a discount when you switch plans that will offset part of the cost of the new device. But there’s a catch: These discounts are spread over 36 months, meaning you will pay more than your old phone was worth if you cancel or switch plans early.
That makes finding a plan that suits your needs, budget, and personal preferences essential. Researching these offers is important because while some may seem too good to be true, they can be.
In addition to these phone-swapping deals, some carriers offer a free phone when you buy one of their new devices.
The downside of these deals is that you’ll have to pay for part of the new phone’s cost in bill credits over 24 months or two years. But this is a small price to pay for the ability to get the device you want without breaking the bank.
Upgrade to a New Device
Cellular service providers know that upgrading to a new phone is something many consumers desire. After all, it’s often difficult to resist the latest phone model. They also understand that, by offering phone upgrades, they can get customers to sign a two-year contract and stay on their network.
It is a precious tool for them, and it’s why you can sometimes get a free device by swapping your older one in. Of course, it’s essential to remember that you’ll likely have to pay for the latest and greatest model to get a free phone when trading in an old one.
Depending on how much you value the device, this may or may not be worth it. It’s also important to consider the cost of a new device and how it will add up over time. An easy and reliable way to calculate potential savings when upgrading your phone is by using WalletHub’s cellphone savings calculator.
If you do decide to make the switch from your current carrier, be sure to read all of the stipulations closely. It’s common for providers to use deceptive language, and the last thing you want is to be stuck with a plan that has unpleasant details because you signed a contract without carefully reading it.
Of course, there are other options for getting a free phone, including government programs that offer subsidies for phones and services. These are an excellent resource for individuals and families who can’t afford to pay the total price out-of-pocket but still need a reliable way to stay in touch.
Add a Line
Generally speaking, tacking an additional line onto your account isn’t that hard. Pick a device, select a plan, and log in to your account. Things get a little more complicated when you get a new phone, but the process is still reasonably straightforward.
You can add a new device through the BYOD program, which allows you to bring your phone to the network and save on monthly fees.
Another way to get a free phone is by taking advantage of government programs that offer cell phones or mobile services for low-income households. These programs can provide you with a free phone, bill credits, and other significant savings, so be sure to take the time to learn about what’s available in your area.
