Top Verizon Black Friday Deals 2023
Verizon’s Black Friday ads often promise a “free” iPhone 15 or Samsung Galaxy S24. But what’s the real price? If you’ve ever been confused by the fine print, you’re not alone. The secret behind almost every major phone deal is a system called monthly bill credits.
Think of these credits like a rebate from Verizon that’s paid out to you over three years. In practice, this means the “free” phone is really a long-term commitment. Understanding this system is key to deciding if a Black Friday phone upgrade is right for you.
Here’s the simple, three-step breakdown:
- You “buy” the phone: Verizon puts an $800 phone on a 36-month payment plan, costing about $22 per month.
- Verizon applies a credit: Each month, Verizon adds a matching $22 credit to your bill for that phone.
- The costs cancel out: The payment and the credit erase each other, so the phone’s net cost to you is $0.
The catch is simple: you must stay with Verizon for all 36 months to receive the full discount. If you leave early, you forfeit the remaining credits and must pay off the phone’s remaining balance.
Best Deals for New Customers: Switching to Verizon or Adding a Line
Carriers like Verizon always roll out the red carpet for new customers during Black Friday, and their “new line” specials are the most aggressive offers you’ll find. But what counts as a “new line”? It’s simple: you either need to be switching to Verizon from another provider (like T-Mobile or AT&T), a process known as a “port-in,” or be an existing Verizon customer adding a brand-new line of service for someone. Both situations make you eligible for these top-tier promotions.
A classic example is the “BOGO,” or Buy One, Get One free, promotion. This is where your understanding of monthly bill credits comes in handy. With a BOGO deal, you buy one flagship phone—like the latest Samsung Galaxy—and get a second one “free.” That free device isn’t an instant discount; its cost is covered by Verizon via bill credits over 36 months. Crucially, these deals almost always require activating both phones on new lines to qualify for the Verizon new line Black Friday special.
This means if you and a partner were both planning to move your numbers over, you could get two new top-tier phones for the price of one. The value of a Samsung Galaxy Verizon Black Friday promo like this is huge, but remember the commitment. You’re agreeing to keep both lines of service active for three years to get the full discount, which is how Verizon makes the deal worthwhile for them, too.
Verizon Upgrade Deals for Existing Customers: What You Need to Know
But what if you’re already a happy Verizon customer? The good news is you don’t have to switch carriers to save. The Verizon upgrade deals for existing customers work differently, though. Instead of focusing on adding new lines, your discount is primarily determined by two things: the phone you trade in and the monthly plan you’re on.
The biggest factor is your trade-in. Promotions promise “up to $1,000 off,” but this value is tiered. A recent, high-end phone in great condition gets the full discount. An older model will still earn you a solid credit from the Verizon trade-in value Black Friday event, just not the maximum amount.
The second piece of the puzzle is your monthly service plan. To qualify for these top-tier upgrade deals, like the big discounts on the newest phones, Verizon almost always requires you to be on one of their premium unlimited plans—typically “Unlimited Plus” or “Unlimited Ultimate.”
So, to get a top iPhone 15 Black Friday Verizon offer as a current customer, you need both a valuable trade-in and the right plan. If you’re on a more basic plan, you’ll likely need to upgrade it to qualify, which can affect your monthly bill.
Which ‘Unlimited’ Plan Do You Need for the Best Deals?
Think of Verizon’s plans as different keys to a treasure chest of deals. While all are technically “unlimited,” only the premium plans unlock the best Verizon unlimited plan deals on flagship phones. If you’re chasing that “free” iPhone or a huge trade-in credit, your monthly service plan is the gatekeeper.
So which plan is the right key? For the biggest discounts, Verizon requires you to be on one of its premium tiers. Here’s how they generally stack up for deal eligibility:
- Verizon Unlimited Welcome: The no-frills option. It covers the basics but usually won’t qualify you for the biggest phone discounts.
- Verizon Unlimited Plus: The sweet spot for most people. This plan is your ticket to nearly all the major phone promotions.
- Unlimited Ultimate: The “everything” plan. It gets you all the same deals plus more perks like data for international travel and a bigger hotspot.
For many, upgrading to Unlimited Plus is worth it, as the monthly savings on the new phone can easily outweigh the small price difference in the plan itself.
Beyond Phones: Finding Savings on Verizon Fios and Accessories
Verizon’s Black Friday deals extend beyond phones to include home internet and accessories. Many of these offers, from smartwatches to Verizon Fios, also use the monthly credit system you’ve learned about. By understanding how these credits work, you can look past the flashy ads and find real value in these other categories.
For example, check if your current wireless plan qualifies you for a Verizon Fios Black Friday offer. Bundling services can often lead to significant monthly savings. With this same approach, you can confidently evaluate all of Verizon’s promotions—including accessories and future Cyber Monday offers—to build the best value for your entire digital life, not just a single device.
