Verizon has free phones - even the iPhone 17 Pro - and I've tried them all, here's what to buy and what to skip

1. Seasonal Sales

Verizon has free phones - even the iPhone 17 Pro - and I've tried them all, here's what to buy and what to skip Deals By Philip Berne published 20 November 2025

Getting the Best Deal on a Phone with Verizon

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If you want a new smartphone at the lowest possible price for a Black Friday deal, signing up for a long-term agreement with a wireless carrier like Verizon, is often the best way to save money. Whether you're looking for the newest model, like the iPhone 17 Pro, or a top-tier Android phone, you can often get the device for free or heavily discounted when you commit to a device payment plan.

• Shop Verizon's full Black Friday sale

How Verizon’s device payments and credits work

Verizon separates your phone’s payment plan from your monthly cellular plan. The full discount for your new phone is split over a period of three years (36 months) as a monthly promotional credit. Every month, Verizon gives you an equal portion of that total discount toward your device payment.

For instance, in 2024 I got an iPhone 15 Pro Max for its retail price of $1,200, dividing the cost into 36 monthly payments of $33.34. I then got a $27.78 promo credit each month, meaning I only paid $5.56 per month for the phone. After the full 36-month term, I will have paid only $200 for the device.

What's the catch?

The essential catch is that you must remain a Verizon customer for the entire term. If you leave Verizon before the 36-month agreement is complete, the monthly promotional credits immediately stop, and you are required to pay the full, remaining balance of the device in one lump sum. If you leave after 18 months, for example, you still owe half of the original price of the phone.

Also, you have to choose a qualifying monthly plan, and those plans start around $65 per month. It's a good deal if you use a lot of data - especially if you use your phone as a personal hotspot. If you're looking for a cheap plan, though, you won't qualify for the best device discounts.

Verizon's free phone for Black Friday deals

• Apple iPhone 17 Pro
• Apple iPhone Air
• Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus
• Google Pixel 10 Pro
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7

Today's best Verizon free phone for Black Friday deals

Apple iPhone 17 Pro: was US$30.55 now US$1.50 at VerizonRead moreRead less▼

Now: free with a new unlimited line at VerizonYou can get the latest iPhone 17 Pro for free with a three-year agreement on Verizon, and that’s the best iPhone to buy unless you desperately want a better color. Verizon doesn’t offer the latest iPhone 17 Pro Max for free, but if you want to splurge a bit, it would only add $2.77 to your monthly bill.

View DealApple iPhone Air: was US$30.55 now US$1 at VerizonRead moreRead less▼

Now: free with a new unlimited line at VerizonVerizon is the only carrier offering the Apple iPhone Air for free with a contract agreement. If you haven’t tried Apple’s thin phone, you should check it out in a store. It feels like nothing else.

View DealSamsung Galaxy S25 Plus: was US$27.77 at VerizonRead moreRead less▼

Now: free with a new unlimited line at VerizonI tested every Galaxy S25 device this year, and the Galaxy S25 Plus is the sleeper hit with the best battery and the sharpest display. The Ultra is worth a splurge, but the Plus will satisfy almost every user with its great cameras and professional-strength software and performance.

View DealGoogle Pixel 10 Pro: was US$27.77 at VerizonRead moreRead less▼

Now: free with a new unlimited line at VerizonThe Google Pixel 10 Pro is Google's best ever, with a refined yet durable design and a fantastic display that might be the best I've ever tested. It takes great photos, but even better helps you to become a better photographer with an AI camera coach.

View DealSamsung Galaxy Z Flip 7: was US$27.77 at VerizonRead moreRead less▼

Now: free with a new unlimited line at VerizonThe Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 isn't just a great foldable phone, it's one of the most powerful business phones you can buy, with a wealth of software tools that let help you to be productive, while still having fun on the external cover display. This is the durable flip to buy for free on Verizon right now.

View Deal

If you're shopping for a phone this season, there are more deals to be found at Verizon, and plenty of early Black Friday phone deals at our favorite retailers.

Today's best Black Friday deals – quick links

• Amazon: 45% off TVs, AirPods, air fryers & vacuums
• Apple: iPads, AirPods & MacBooks from $119
• Best Buy: $1,000 off TVs, laptops & headphones
• Dell: laptop deals from $249.99
• Home Depot: 40% off appliances, furniture, grills & tools
• Lenovo: 45% off laptops & tablets
• Lowe's: up to 30% off appliances, holiday decor & tools
• Samsung: up to $2,000 off appliances, TVs & phones
• Target: 40% off Christmas decor, clothing & furniture
• T-Mobile: up to $1,100 off latest iPhone 17
• Walmart: furniture, cheap TVs & vacs from $69
• Wayfair: 54% off Christmas, furniture & decor

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Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. TOPICS Black Friday Philip BerneSocial Links NavigationSenior Editor, Mobile Reviews & Buying Guides

Starting more than 20 years ago at eTown.com. Philip Berne has written for Engadget, The Verge, PC Mag, Digital Trends, Slashgear, TechRadar, AndroidCentral, and was Editor-in-Chief of the sadly-defunct infoSync. Phil holds an entirely useful M.A. in Cultural Theory from Carnegie Mellon University. He sang in numerous college a cappella groups.

Phil did a stint at Samsung Mobile, leading reviews for the PR team and writing crisis communications until he left in 2017. He worked at an Apple Store near Boston, MA, at the height of iPod popularity. Phil is certified in Google AI Essentials. His passion is the democratizing power of mobile technology. Before AI came along he was totally sure the next big thing would be something we wear on our faces.

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