Verizon free phone deals for existing customers

Verizon is sending free 4G flip phones to customers who are still using the company's older 3G network, which it plans to retire by the end of 2022, according to the company's support page.

Verizon's issuing the devices to people who haven't yet upgraded to a 4G LTE phone. Anyone on the older network won't be able to place or receive phone calls after Verizon shuts it down. According to its website, customers will receive an Orbic Journey V, a TCL FLIP Pro or a Nokia 2720 V Flip. Those devices are priced at about $80 and have one or two-star customer reviews.

Verizon free phone deals for existing customers

While most folks who have a simple 3G phone may want to take the offer, some people may already have a 4G device from a family member or friend who has since moved on to an even newer 5G phone. Customers who don't want Verizon to send them the new phones can call customer support and ask to "decline the free phone for CDMA Sunset." Existing plans and contracts will stay the same.

Verizon will automatically activate the sent devices if a customer doesn't do so.

AT&T and T-Mobile have already retired their 3G networks and both also offered eligible customers new phones at no cost.

After offering a big 5G upgrade promotion last year, Verizon is bringing back a version of the deal for 2022 as it tries to get people to move onto its latest unlimited plans and 5G devices. 

On Thursday the carrier announced that it will be offering up to $800 off a new iPhone 13, in essence allowing for a free iPhone 13 Mini or 128GB iPhone 13 or a heavily discounted 13 Pro or 13 Pro Max. A variety of 5G Android phones are also eligible, including Google's Pixel 6 line and Samsung's S22 line, Z Flip 3 and Z Fold 3

As with prior promotions, you will need to trade in a phone to get the discount, with the exact value of the credit you get depending on a few factors, including which device you are trading in. Verizon will accept trade-ins of broken phones, so long as they don't have any battery damage. The value of the trade-in will also vary based on the plan you have, with those on Start getting a maximum credit of $400, while those on the pricier Play More/Do More/Get More will be able to get up to the full $800.  

Verizon is making the deal available to both new and existing users so long as they have or upgrade to its Start, Play More, Do More or Get More unlimited plans. The discount will be doled out as bill credits over the course of 36 months, incentivizing you to stick with the carrier. If you leave Verizon before the 36 months are up, you will forfeit the remaining bill credits and need to pay off the balance of what's owed on the device. 

While Verizon does include the cheaper Start plan in this deal, it is not changing up its unlimited plans, and those on its most affordable unlimited option will still not be able to tap into its fastest 5G networks (what it calls "5G Ultra Wideband") even with an iPhone 13. To get access to all of the carrier's 5G networks, you will still need to be on a Play More, Do More or Get More plan. 

The new promotion comes just two weeks after Verizon reported losing 292,000 postpaid phone customers in the first quarter of the year. The carrier blamed the losses on "competitive dynamics," though it is clearly hoping that more competitive device offers will help shift those dynamics in its favor and keep people tied to its network for years to come. 

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Best Verizon phone deals

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Verizon phone deals have never been better. Whether you're after a flagship from Apple or one of the best cheap phones available, Verizon has great promotions, freebies, and trade-in schemes to sink your teeth into this month.

That's not to say it's always the cheapest or most deal-friendly carrier. In fact, while it is a premium brand with a lot to offer, Verizon is often one of the pricier options around — that's why we're crawling the Internet in search of the best Verizon phone deals you can get right now. (Also, make sure to check out our list of the best unlimited data plans).

Verizon is rated as one of the best phone carriers in the US and for good reason. Not only is it a great option for the best cell phone plans, but it also has the best customer service rating and it's the fastest network in many speed tests.

The carrier offers plans on all of the key handsets you'd be after. That means the new iPhone 14, Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, Google Pixel 7, and plenty other popular devices.

There are plenty of solid discounts on the latest phones for new and current subscribers as well as anyone who wants to switch to a new network. From iPhone deals to the latest Samsung Galaxy S22 deals, here are the best Verizon phone deals you can get right now. 

Plus, make sure to read our guide to this week's best Verizon promo codes for more ways to save on your next purchase. Or you can check out our guide to the best Visible deals. The Verizon-owned network offers unlimited 5G plans for $30/month and $45/month. 

Verizon phone deals and Black Friday

The first Black Friday deals of the season are here. Sure, the holiday technically falls on November 25, but carriers like Verizon are offering plenty of Black Friday discounts you can shop right now. Some of the best deals knock our favorite phones to $0 (with trade-in and/or eligible data plans). Make sure to follow our holiday coverage for the best Verizon phone sales of the season. Also, check out our Black Friday deals live blog for the best sales each day. 

The best Verizon iPhone deals

The best Verizon Android phone deals

Accessories

Is Verizon a good carrier for phone deals?

Yes — in fact, Verizon ranks as No. 2 right now in our best phone carriers guide. This position comes down to a couple of key factors but mostly, it's due to its speed and coverage.

When we've done tests on the LTE speeds, Verizon has been the highest performer. Its 5G reaches more than 70 cities and we've seen it easily offer 1Gbps download speeds.

Combine Verizon's expanding 5G service with its extensive LTE network, and that's pretty comprehensive coverage. Verizon's overall 5G speeds don't quite match those of its rivals — the carrier's nationwide network isn't nearly as fast as Ultra Wideband — but performance is strong on the carrier.

However, Verizon is by no means an affordable carrier and is frequently one of the most expensive options. You will likely find cheaper prices from T-Mobile or maybe even AT&T but its high performance makes up for this cost.

Verizon phone deals

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What kind of promotions does Verizon offer?

Trade-in scheme: Verizon has a number of great offers when it comes to phone deals but the main one is its trade-in scheme. Verizon can offer you up to $700 off when you trade in on a large number of its phones.

However, this is a maximum amount, reserved for high value (that is, newer and more expensive) devices. But even if you're trading in a budget handset, you should see a pretty significant reduction in price on your new device.

Verizon recently extended its trade-in scheme to also cover old or or damaged phones (as long as they are free of battery damage). This obviously won't get you as much but its nice to know if you have a damaged phone.

Upgrades:
If you're an existing Verizon customer, you will have the option to upgrade. This is going to give you a number of pretty big discounts across a load of handsets when you log in. This is limited to unlimited plans and Verizon doesn't always offer this kind of discount so it is worth checking when you upgrade.

Free plans: On a number of cheaper devices like the iPhone SE or Moto G Stylus, you can often get the phone for free. You do have to take out an unlimited plan, and the "free" part of the deal comes in the form of monthly bill credits, but this is a great promotion for those who know they'll be investing in a budget handset.

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Philip Michaels is a Managing Editor at Tom's Guide. He's been covering personal technology since 1999 and was in the building when Steve Jobs showed off the iPhone for the first time. He's been evaluating smartphones since that first iPhone debuted in 2007, and he's been following phone carriers and smartphone plans since 2015. He has strong opinions about Apple, the Oakland Athletics, old movies and proper butchery techniques. Follow him at @PhilipMichaels.

Is Verizon giving away free phones to existing customers?

Verizon is sending free 4G flip phones to customers who are still using the company's older 3G network, which it plans to retire by the end of 2022, according to the company's support page. Verizon's issuing the devices to people who haven't yet upgraded to a 4G LTE phone.

Is Verizon still upgrading phones for free?

Upgrade fee, order status and billing We charge a one-time $35 fee per device activated or upgraded on the Verizon network.

Why is Verizon giving away free phones?

The phone giveaway is aimed at reviving Verizon's subscriber gains, as well as being a way to lure customers into higher-priced 5G unlimited plans. The more customer traffic Verizon can move onto its new, largely empty 5G networks, the less congested its 4G and 3G systems will be.

How does Verizon free phone work?

Under the latest Verizon offer, the new 5G phone will be free, but customers must sign up for a 24-month payment plan. The carrier then issues a credit for each payment. If customers depart Verizon before the plan is finished, they would owe any outstanding payments.