Top Verizon Black Friday Deals 2023
Is your phone’s battery life a joke or are you tired of staring at a cracked screen? Black Friday is the perfect time to upgrade, and the Black Friday Verizon deals can save you hundreds. The offers are often a confusing maze of fine print, but we’ll decode it all so you can get the right phone without the headache.
Deals are split into two main groups: one for people switching to Verizon and a different set of holiday deals for existing Verizon customers. This guide reveals the real story behind those “free” phone offers and what you’re actually committing to, so you can confidently find the best deal for your situation.
New Customer vs. Existing Customer: Which Deal Can You Actually Get?
Have you seen a jaw-dropping ad for a “free” phone and wondered what the catch is? First, you need to figure out who the deal is for. Verizon, like all carriers, separates its best offers into two main categories: one for new customers and one for current ones.
The most eye-catching discounts are often reserved for customers activating a new line. This means you’re either switching to Verizon from another carrier (like T-Mobile or AT&T) or adding a brand-new number to an account. These aggressive Verizon new line offers are designed to grow their customer base, which is why they are often the most generous.
If you’re already with Verizon, you’re looking for an upgrade. This is when you swap your old device for a new one while keeping your existing phone number and plan. There are absolutely still holiday deals for existing Verizon customers, but these phone upgrade offers might have different requirements, like trading in your old phone or being on a specific Unlimited plan.
Before getting your heart set on a deal, check for the keywords: “new line” or “upgrade.” Knowing which category you fall into is half the battle. The other half is understanding how Verizon pays for that “free” phone.
The “Free Phone” Secret: How Verizon’s Bill Credits Really Work
That promise of a “free” phone isn’t an instant, zero-cost discount. Verizon uses something called promotional bill credits, which functions like a monthly rebate. You still technically buy the phone on a payment plan, but Verizon gives you a credit each month that cancels out the cost, making it feel free over time.
Here’s how it typically plays out: Let’s say a new phone costs $800. Verizon will put you on a 36-month device payment plan, which adds a charge of about $22 to your bill each month. However, the deal gives you a corresponding credit for $22 each month. The charge and the credit wash each other out, so your net cost for the phone is $0.
The catch is that to receive all 36 credits and get the full $800 value, you must keep your line active with Verizon for the entire three-year period. If you decide to cancel your service or switch carriers after just one year, the credits stop, and you become responsible for paying off the remaining balance of the phone.
This 36-month credit system is the foundation for most of Verizon’s biggest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, especially for a free 5G phone with a new plan. It’s a great way to save hundreds, as long as you’re comfortable with the commitment.
How to Get the Best Verizon Trade-In Value for Your Old Phone
Many of Verizon’s biggest Black Friday offers, including the best Verizon iPhone 15 promotions and Samsung Galaxy deals on Verizon, require you to trade in your current phone to get the maximum discount. Learning how to get the best Verizon trade-in value comes down to three key factors: its model, storage size, and, most importantly, its physical condition. A newer, undamaged phone will always be worth significantly more than an older one with a cracked screen or battery issues.
Before you commit to a deal, get a quick estimate using Verizon’s online appraisal tool. This lets you see what your phone is worth in just a few minutes. Be honest about its condition. If the phone you send in doesn’t match the condition you described, your final trade-in credit will be lower than the initial estimate.
Once you’re ready to make the trade, it’s critical to protect your personal data. Follow these three essential steps before sending your old phone away:
- Back up your data, like photos, videos, and contacts, to the cloud or a computer.
- Turn off tracking services like Apple’s “Find My iPhone” or Google’s “Find My Device.”
- Perform a factory reset to completely wipe your personal information from the device.
Unpacking the Best iPhone 15 Promotions on Verizon
Getting one of the best Verizon phone upgrade offers, like a “free” iPhone 15, requires two things. First is a qualifying trade-in. The second is signing up for one of Verizon’s premium unlimited plans, such as Unlimited Plus or Unlimited Ultimate. Cheaper plans like Unlimited Welcome typically won’t qualify for the biggest discounts, so it’s crucial to factor the higher monthly plan cost into your decision.
For these Verizon iPhone 15 promotions, the maximum deal usually offers up to $830 in promotional credits. Since the standard iPhone 15 costs about that much, the credits completely cover its cost over time. If you want a more expensive model like the iPhone 15 Pro, that $830 credit is still applied, but you’ll be responsible for paying the remaining difference on your monthly bill.
Remember, this discount isn’t a lump sum. The credit is applied to your bill monthly over 36 months, making the phone free as long as you stick with Verizon for the full term. This combination of a trade-in and a premium plan is the core formula for most Black Friday Verizon deals. Many of these same principles apply when finding the top Samsung Galaxy deals on Verizon.
Finding the Top Samsung Galaxy Deals on Verizon
If you’re an Android fan, the Samsung Galaxy deals on Verizon are just as aggressive around Black Friday. While you’ll find familiar trade-in offers similar to the iPhone deals, Samsung promotions often feature a popular—but frequently misunderstood—deal: the “Buy One, Get One.”
A “Buy One, Get One” deal means you buy a new Samsung Galaxy, and Verizon gives you a second one “on them,” usually paid out through bill credits. The main catch is that this deal requires you to add a brand-new line of service. This makes it one of the best carrier specials for Black Friday if you’re adding a family member to your plan, but it won’t work for a simple, single-phone upgrade.
If you’re adding a person, the “Buy One, Get One” is a fantastic option, often tied to Verizon new line unlimited plan discounts. If you’re just upgrading your own phone, stick to the trade-in offers. Understanding these different deal types is key when comparing carriers.
Verizon vs. AT&T: A Quick Look at Black Friday Phone Sales
When comparing Verizon vs. AT&T Black Friday phone sales, you’ll notice a surprisingly similar playbook. Both major carriers structure their flagship “free phone” and trade-in deals around a 36-month payment plan, with the discount applied as monthly bill credits. The fundamental “catch” is the same: you have to stick with the carrier for three years to realize the full savings.
The real difference often comes down to the fine print. For example, one carrier might offer a slightly higher trade-in value for your specific phone model, while the other might not require you to be on their most expensive unlimited plan. You can determine how to get the best Verizon trade-in value by seeing if AT&T will beat it. Sometimes the choice comes down to a bundled perk, like a free smartwatch or a discount on a tablet.
This competition is a win for you. If you’re willing to switch carriers, you hold the power. The best carrier specials for Black Friday are designed to lure new customers, so it’s always worth checking both Verizon and AT&T’s final offers before making a decision.
Your Black Friday Action Plan: A 5-Step Checklist to Get the Best Deal
Verizon’s “free phone” ads work through a combination of trade-ins, specific plans, and monthly bill credits. To turn that knowledge into real savings, follow this simple game plan. Verizon’s wireless sale often starts the week before Black Friday, so get ready to act early.
- Check your eligibility: Log into your Verizon account to see if your line can be upgraded.
- Value your trade-in: Use Verizon’s online tool to get an estimate for your current phone.
- Know your goal: Decide if you’re upgrading an existing line or adding a brand new one.
- Find your real price: Look at the deal’s monthly cost after the bill credit is applied.
- Confirm the commitment: Make sure you’re comfortable with the 36-month plan to get the full discount.
Verizon holiday deals are available in-store, but the offers are identical online, which makes navigating Verizon’s online holiday specials much easier. The secret isn’t finding a truly “free” phone; it’s confidently understanding the true monthly cost after all credits are applied. That’s your key to a genuinely good deal.
