Black Friday 2020 Verizon Deals: Best Offers, Phones, Plans, and How to Save

Seen Verizon’s ads promising a ‘free’ iPhone 12 this Black Friday and wondered about the catch? You’re right to be skeptical. While the deals are legitimate, saving money requires navigating confusing terms tied to specific unlimited plans, trade-ins, or adding a new line. The biggest point of confusion is the word “free.” A “free” phone from Verizon means the cost is credited to your bill monthly over 24 or even 36 months, locking you into their service. This guide breaks it all down, helping you decode the ads and find the best Verizon Black Friday 2020 deal.

The #1 Rule of Verizon Deals: What “Monthly Bill Credits” Actually Mean for Your Wallet

You’ve seen the ads promising a “free” iPhone or a huge discount on the latest Samsung Galaxy. It’s the most exciting Black Friday offer, but also the most confusing. The secret to how these deals work lies in a term you’ll see everywhere in the fine print: monthly bill credits. Instead of just handing you a free phone, Verizon uses these credits to give you the discount over time.

Think of it like a store rebate that you get in small pieces every month. Here’s the simple, three-step breakdown of how it works for a “free” phone:

1. You buy the phone on a monthly device payment plan, typically for 24 or 36 months. You’ll see this charge on your bill.
2. Verizon adds a credit to your bill each month that cancels out the phone’s payment, making its net cost zero.
3. If you leave Verizon early, you must pay the remaining balance of the phone. The credits stop the moment you cancel service.

So, what’s the catch? That “free” phone is Verizon’s way of ensuring you stay a customer for two or three years. It’s not an upfront gift; it’s a commitment. If your phone costs $840 over 24 months ($35/mo) and you leave after one year, you’ll owe the remaining $420 balance.

This one rule is the key to grabbing a fantastic deal without any bill shock later. Now that you know how monthly credits work, let’s look at how you can apply this knowledge to get the best iPhone 12 and BOGO deals.

How to Get the Best iPhone 12 and BOGO Deals on Verizon

Now that you understand how monthly credits work, let’s talk about who gets those amazing Verizon iPhone 12 Black Friday 2020 deals. The biggest discounts are almost always reserved for adding a new line of service to your account. This means either you’re a brand new customer switching to Verizon, or you’re an existing customer adding another person to your plan.

You’ll see many Verizon BOGO phone deals Black Friday weekend, often advertised as “Buy an iPhone 12, Get one on us.” This sounds like a simple two-for-one, but it has a specific meaning in the carrier world. You get the second phone “free” (via those monthly bill credits) only when you activate it on a brand new phone line. This makes it a fantastic offer for a couple switching carriers or a family adding a phone for a teenager, but not for two existing customers just looking to upgrade their current phones.

On top of the new line requirement, the best Verizon new customer Black Friday offers for 2020 almost always require you to sign up for one of their “Premium” Unlimited plans. These are the more expensive tiers (like “Do More” or “Get More”) that include perks like subscriptions to Disney+ or more high-speed data. The cheaper, entry-level unlimited plan usually won’t qualify you for the biggest phone discounts.

The formula for the absolute best deals is clear: combine a new line with a premium plan to get a heavily discounted phone via monthly credits. But what if you’re a loyal Verizon customer who just wants to upgrade your current phone? Don’t worry, there are still excellent ways for you to save.

The Best Deals for Current Customers: How to Save on Your Upgrade

If you’re already with Verizon and not looking to add a new line, you might feel left out by all the “new customer” promotions. Don’t worry. While you might not get a “buy one, get one” deal, you still have a powerful way to get a significant discount on that shiny new phone you’ve been eyeing.

For existing customers, the best Verizon upgrade deals for existing customers in 2020 almost always involve trading in your current phone. Think of it like trading in your old car at a dealership; Verizon gives you a credit for your old device that lowers the total cost of your new one. This discount is also paid out over 24 or 36 months as a monthly bill credit, just like the other deals we’ve discussed.

The amount you save depends entirely on what phone you have and its condition. A newer model like an iPhone 11 will fetch a much higher Verizon Wireless trade-in value on Black Friday than a four-year-old phone with a cracked screen. You can find out exactly what your phone is worth by visiting Verizon’s website. They have an online tool where you enter your device model to get an instant quote.

While these trade-in offers provide solid savings, the discounts are rarely as high as the “free phone” deals offered for new lines. Verizon’s main goal is to attract new subscribers, but they still value your business. Now, these same trade-in and new-line principles apply to more than just iPhones.

Samsung and Google Deals: Are the Galaxy S20 & Pixel 5 Sales Any Good?

Apple doesn’t get to have all the Black Friday fun. If you’re an Android fan, you’ll find that Verizon’s deals for the latest Samsung and Google phones follow the exact same playbook as the iPhone offers. Whether you’re looking at a Samsung Galaxy S20 Verizon Black Friday sale or a deal on the new Pixel 5, the big discounts are tied to adding a new line or trading in an older phone. The offers are structured with the same monthly bill credits over a 24 or 36-month period.

For loyal customers looking to upgrade, your trade-in is once again your golden ticket. The value you get for your old Samsung or Google phone will directly determine your discount on a new one. Historically, iPhones have held their trade-in value slightly better than many Android devices, so you may see a difference in the maximum savings offered. However, trading in a recent high-end Android, like a Galaxy S10, will still knock a very respectable amount off your monthly payments.

Ultimately, whether you’re eyeing an iPhone 12, a Galaxy S20, or taking advantage of a Google Pixel 5 Verizon Black Friday promotion, the strategy Verizon is using is clear. The best deals are reserved for those who add lines, while upgrades depend on your trade-in’s worth. But Verizon isn’t the only carrier running sales this week. When comparing Verizon vs AT&T Black Friday 2020 phone deals, you’ll find similar structures but often with different plan requirements and trade-in values.

Verizon vs. AT&T: Which Carrier Has the Better Black Friday Deal?

So, when you stack up Verizon vs AT&T Black Friday 2020 phone deals, who comes out on top? At first glance, they can look almost identical. Both carriers offer huge discounts on the same popular phones, and both use monthly bill credits to deliver those savings. You might see an ad for a “free” iPhone 12 from both carriers, and in both cases, it will likely require adding a new line and signing up for a premium unlimited plan. This strategy is designed to make direct comparisons tricky.

The secret to finding the true best deal is to look beyond the phone price and at your total monthly bill. For example, one carrier might require a different (and potentially more expensive) unlimited plan than the other to get the same phone discount. To figure it out, ask yourself: “What is the phone payment PLUS the required monthly plan cost?” One carrier’s “free” phone might end up costing you more over 24 months if it’s tied to their most expensive service plan. This is the most important question when comparing Verizon new customer Black Friday offers 2020 against the competition.

If the math works out to be a near-tie, your decision should come down to the network itself. A great phone deal isn’t so great if you have poor service in your home or office. Verizon is famous for its network coverage, but AT&T might be stronger where you live. This is where asking friends and neighbors about their experience can be more valuable than any ad. Figuring out what are the best Verizon phone deals for Black Friday is only half the battle; ensuring the service works for you is the other.

Your 3-Step Action Plan to Win Black Friday at Verizon

You’re now ready to shop the Verizon Black Friday deals smarter than almost anyone else. Where you once saw confusing ads, you can now see the real mechanics: bill credits, plan requirements, and the difference between upgrading and adding a line. Use this final checklist to turn that knowledge into the best possible deal for your situation.

1. Know Your Status & Goal: Are you a new or existing customer? Are you looking to upgrade your phone or add a completely new line to your account?
2. Do Your Homework: Check your current phone’s trade-in value on Verizon’s website before you shop. This number is your starting point for negotiations.
3. Read the Fine Print: Ask one simple question: “Which monthly plan is required, and for how many months?” Confirm if the credits are for 24 or 36 months.

This simple preparation is the difference between getting a good deal and getting the right deal. You’re no longer a passive customer but an informed buyer who can ask the right questions and walk away with a new device you love—with no surprises on your bill.