Verizon‘s Add a Line Free Phone Promo 2023: How It Works + Exclusive Analysis
Verizon is kicking off 2023 with an appealing free phone offer for new and existing customers adding smartphone lines. I‘ve analyzed the details and breakdown exactly how the promotion works below, including plan requirements, free phone options, costs, eligibility and more.
Key Highlights
- Add a line to qualifying Unlimited plans, get select phones free
- Requires new line and 36 month installment billing
- Monthly bill credits cover cost of phone
- Upgrade and switcher deals available
- Must enroll online
What Phones Can You Get Free in 2024?
Verizon is offering over a dozen free phone models in 2024 with the promotion, although selection varies month to month. As of January 2023, eligible devices include:
Apple
- iPhone 11
- iPhone SE
Samsung
- Galaxy S20 FE
- Galaxy A53
- Pixel 6a
See Verizon‘s latest free phone list here
I estimate Verizon adds 2-4 new free devices every 1-2 months. Supply and eligibility can change weekly though, so check their deals page for real-time phone availability.
Unlimited Plan Requirements
To get a phone for free, you‘ll need to add the new line to any Unlimited plan. Interestingly, Verizon does allow the Start Unlimited plan to qualify when adding the line yourself online (this cheap plan is often excluded from BYOD deals).
Unlimited Plan Options
| Plan | Monthly Price (1 line) | Line Access Fees | Eligible for Free Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start Unlimited | $80 | $35 | Yes |
| Do More | $90 | $20-$40 | Yes |
| Play More | $90 | $20-$40 | Yes |
| Get More | $100 | $20-$40 | Yes |
Pricing for 1 smartphone line on a Mix & Match Verizon Plan. Taxes & fees extra.
The Start plan gives you unlimited talk, text and data on your smartphone but streaming video quality and mobile hotspot data are restricted. The Do, Play and Get More plans offer premium unlimited features and perks like Disney+, Apple Music, 50GB mobile hotspot data, HD streaming and more.
I suggest going with the Start Unlimited plan if you just want the basics for the new line. But if you‘ll use the premium extras, upgrade to Do More, Play More or Get More for those perks plus 5G Ultra Wideband access.
How Does The Free Phone Offer Work?
First, you‘ll add a new line for the eligibility requirements. Next, you can choose either an upgrade option if you‘re an existing customer or switcher offer if you‘re porting your number over to Verizon.
Device Payment Plan + Bill Credits
- With either route, you‘ll purchase the phone on a 36 month 0% APR device payment plan
- The phone‘s retail price gets divided into bill credits over 36 months
- Each month Verizon applies a bill credit equal to 1/36th of the phone‘s price
- After 36 months, credits will have covered the full phone cost
This essentially makes your phone payments $0/month when you factor in the bill credits. You still pay monthly line access charges, activation fees and any taxes though.
Let‘s break down two examples:
New Upgrader Example
- Retail price: $599 iPhone 11
- Term: 36 months
- Credits: $16.64 per month ($599 / 36 months)
- Offset: $16.64 iPhone payment due every month
New Customer Switcher Example
- Retail price: $449 Galaxy A53 5G UW
- Term: 36 months
- Credits: $12.47 per month ($449 / 36 months)
- Offset: $12.47 Galaxy payment due every month
So you pay $0/month for the device after the credit but still cover plan charges.
How To Get The Deal
- Existing Customers – Upgrade through your account online
- New Customers – Open a new line with unlimited & port your number
You must enroll through the Verizon website. In-store and telesales often have more limited or excluded phone offers.
Who Is Eligible For The Free Phone?
Verizon extends the add a line free phone deal to both new customers porting numbers over and existing subscribers adding new lines. The primary eligibility requirements are:
New Customers
- Bring your phone number to Verizon
- Activate service with Unlimited
- Purchase online
Existing Customers
- Currently have postpaid service
- Online orders
- Unlimited plans only
- Additional line required
Business accounts may also qualify depending on the plan. Prepaid and Wireless Home Phone lines are ineligible.
You can add up to a total of 10 phone lines per account. Data devices like tablets and Jetpacks also count towards your allowed 20 device limit.
Verdict: How Does This Deal Stack Up?
I think the add a line get a free phone promotion is one of Verizon‘s best offers of 2023 so far for a few reasons:
Pros
- Zero down payment
- No financing/interest fees
- Most free phones from deals
- Works with cheaper plans
Cons
- Must keep active 3 years
- Credits could fall off
- Extra line charges
Considering most flagship phones now cost $800-$1,300, a free device is quite appealing. Plus you aren‘t stuck financing it at full price.
Just keep in mind added smartphone lines bump your monthly fees $20+ for line access. So if you won‘t use the extra line actively, I‘d pass. But for extra family lines or consolidating plans, it can yield hundreds in long term savings.
Overall I rank this as one of Verizon‘s best add a line promos thanks to the sheer number of free phones across multiple price points. Be sure to crunch the numbers with plan rates and line fees first though!
I hope this guide has provided the information you need to decide if Verizon‘s add a line free phone deal is worth it for you! Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions.
