Top Deals from Verizon’s Black Friday Sale

Black Friday is one of the best times to get a new phone, but Verizon’s “free phone” deals can feel confusing. Are they worth it when it feels like there’s always a catch?

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In practice, getting the best price depends on just three things: whether you’re a new or existing customer, your old phone, and the payment plan. This guide to Verizon’s holiday shopping event provides simple answers on how each part works.

Are You a ‘New Line’ or an ‘Upgrade’? Why It Decides Your Discount

Your discount on a Verizon deal depends on one key thing: are you getting a “new line” or doing an “upgrade”? A new line is for new customers switching to Verizon or for current customers adding a brand new number. An upgrade is for an existing customer who is simply replacing their current phone.

The biggest Black Friday deals are typically for new lines. Companies save their best offers, like a free phone, to attract people from other carriers. While upgrade offers for existing customers still provide good savings, the discounts are usually smaller because you are already with the company.

If you are moving your phone number from a company like AT&T or T-Mobile, you can hunt for those top-tier new customer deals. Knowing your status is the first step to understanding how these discounts work.

The “Catch” to Big Discounts: How ‘Bill Credits’ and ‘Trade-Ins’ Really Work

So, how does Verizon give you a “free” phone or an $800 discount? Instead of an instant markdown, the savings come as promotional bill credits applied over a 36-month financing term. For an $800 deal, this means you’ll see a credit of about $22 on your bill each month for three years.

Getting the absolute best phone deals often requires a trade-in—giving Verizon your old phone for credit. The newer your phone and the better its condition, the higher your Verizon trade-in value will be. It’s smart to use Verizon’s online tool to estimate your current phone’s worth before you shop.

You finance the new phone for 36 months while Verizon applies a monthly credit to offset the cost. If you switch carriers early, those credits stop, and you’ll owe the remaining balance on your phone. Sticking with Verizon for the full term is the key to getting the total savings.