A free iPhone is like a dream come true. You get the best phone on the market without any money coming out of your pocket. For the most part, there’s no such thing as a free lunch. You’ll end up paying somewhere down the line.
That’s why we’re here to help you navigate the deals, scams, and discounts associated with getting a free iPhone. In the end, we’ll also give you some tips on how to get a highly discounted phone. It’s not totally free, but still a great way to save big on your iPhone purchase.
Keep reading as we break down how to get a free iPhone.
Carrier Deals for Free iPhones
Let’s start by discussing carrier deals for free iPhones. AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile often have free iPhone promotions. These devices aren’t really free, though.
You don’t pay anything for your phone when you agree to a contract, usually one that lasts for a minimum of 24 months. The telecom company provides a phone as an incentive for you to sign up for a lengthy contract. In some cases, you’re still paying for the phone with these deals in monthly installments.
That doesn’t always mean these are bad options. They’re great if you don’t want to pay any money upfront or you’d prefer to spread your phone purchase out over a couple of years. Generally, you’ll only have to pay a device activation fee of between $30-50—and this is sometimes waived during promotional periods.
Do a little research and see if there are plans that fit your budget. These deals are best structured for people who are loyal to carriers and like upgrading their phones every two years.
You can also find great deals when you switch carriers. Carriers often offer great deals to attract new customers and will often offer a free iPhone when you start a new contract. You may need to be patient, as the deals can change throughout the year. Do your research to make sure you find the best deal.
You’ll also find many promotions like “Buy One iPhone, Get One Free,” or something similar. If you want to get the most out of these, find a family member or friend who will go in on a plan with you. With each additional person you sign up, you’ll be able to get a cheaper monthly fee and other perks.
Be aware that aside from contracts, your phone will also be carrier locked. This means you can only use it on your respective carrier until your contract concludes.
Store Discounts and Other Deals
Best Buy, Target, and other big-box retailers frequently have iPhone promotions going on. These will depend on the time of year—usually before and after the holiday season, back to school, and a few other times. Check around and see what’s currently offered. Many of these stores also offer price matching.
You’ll sometimes find similar deals that are tied to carriers. For example, Best Buy often offers discounts tied into AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint with a qualified trade-in.
Trade-in Deals
Two methods of genuinely getting free iPhones come from telecom carriers. You either get a free iPhone with a new plan or some form of a trade-in deal. Either way, you will be going through a carrier. Whether you can get a free iPhone will depend on the value of your trade-in and the phone model you’re selecting.
Each carrier is different. For example, back in the Fall of 2019, Sprint offered a generous free iPhone 11 with a trade-in of an iPhone 8 or newer. They also offered a discount for older iPhones.
You’ll need to check individually with the carrier. Generally, you’ll get a free iPhone based on what tier of iPhone you currently have. For example, if you still have an iPhone X, you might be able to trade it in for an iPhone 14 if you can find the right carrier deal.
Buying Refurbished: Almost Free and a Viable Option
Other options give you greater flexibility. You won’t get a free phone, but it will be highly discounted. Not only that, but you’ll get an unlocked phone that’s compatible with all SIM cards and carriers.
The best way to do this is by taking advantage of deals on Swappa, Gazelle, or even Amazon. Sometimes, you can find established sellers who are marketing refurbished iPhones at significant discounts. It will be challenging to find great deals on an iPhone 14, but you will find amazing discounts on older models.
If you combine this discount with the high-value Buyback Boss offers for used iPhones, you can see some serious savings. For example, you can sell your old iPhone 12 Pro or sell your iPhone 13 to fund an upgrade to the latest model (either new or refurbished).
Your phone won’t exactly be free, but you’ll save a ton of cash and not have to worry about an expensive, lengthy cellular contract.
Avoiding Free iPhone Scams
Some people are lucky. They might win an actual promotion and receive a free iPhone. They might be fortunate enough to receive one as a gift.
For the rest of us, though, there’s no such thing as a free iPhone. Nearly all online giveaways are scams designed to steal your personal information.
If you search for “free iPhone” on Google, you’ll see what looks like plenty of opportunities for free phones. Some of these are legitimate online giveaways.
Most, however, are thinly veiled scams designed to get you to reveal your address, date of birth, and other sensitive personal information. These sites then sell your data to advertisers or steal your identity.
Before giving even your email address to any site, verify that it’s legitimate. There are some iPhone giveaways online from sites like Cult of Mac, Republic Lab, and a few others.
But, even with legit sites, you don’t have a high chance of winning. Instead, focus on the better ways to get a free or discounted iPhone that we mentioned earlier. If you find the right carrier and plan, you can take advantage of “free” iPhones from big telecom providers.
If you want a little more flexibility and to save in the long term, you can also purchase a refurbished iPhone and find some incredible deals. Whichever way you go, make sure to sell your old iPhone to the highest bidder. That’s the best way for you to save some serious cash on your new device. Click here to see how much your iPhone is worth right now!
You can also find out about iPhone deals, tips and tricks, and more on the Buyback Boss Blog. You can learn about the best iPhone for the money. Get your phone ready to sell or give away. Discover the best places to buy used iPhones. We have all the information you need to make buying, selling, using, and fixing iPhones a breeze.
