Can I Get A Free Phone From Att

You may have seen the advertisements about free cell phones from Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile. Money expert Clark Howard says you probably should let these offers laissez passer you lot by.

Clark loves free things, but as the onetime adage goes, the devil's in the details.

Gratuitous Phone Offer? Read the Fine Print

Clark says AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile are all fighting for your cell phone dollar.

"These three are so fighting each other for market share that it'due south nuts," Clark says.

The latest mode these carriers are doing that is by enticing customers with the word "free." "What they now say is 'Free iPhone! You tin can get a costless iPhone 13 on us!' That seems to be the biggest lure," Clark says. "Or information technology's a credit toward a new telephone for X number of dollars," he says.

"That complimentary phone is and then expensive you tin't believe information technology. How can a free phone be expensive?" Clark says. "Considering what it does is it ties you to them, considering they don't requite you a free phone straight out. Yous have to exist with them for a period of time and earn out that free telephone."

Let'due south see if we can discover the very big catches that come with the "free" phones sold past AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile.

The Truth Most the AT&T Deal

Free phone from AT&T — *Screenshot via Att.com*

AT&T'due south offer stipulates that you have to merchandise in your quondam telephone. Here's what it says about the "free" Galaxy Z Flip4.

"Purchase an eligible smartphone on a qualifying installment agreement, including taxes on full retail price (up front) and $30 activation/upgrade fee. Activate/continue postpaid eligible unlimited wireless service (min. $75/mo. for new unlimited customers earlier discounts). AT&T may temporarily slow data speeds if the network is decorated," it says.

The Truth About the Verizon Deal

Free phones at Verizon — *Screenshot via Verizon.com*

Verizon'south gratis telephone offers are displayed prominently on the carrier's website, which features some of the latest iPhone models.

In the instance of the Apple iPhone 13 Mini, the details of the promotion read as follows:

"$999.99 purchase on device payment or at retail price required. New line required. Less $699.99 promo credit applied to account over 36 mos; promo credit ends if eligibility requirements are no longer met; 0% APR. Specific plans required. Taxes & fees may apply."

The Truth About the T-Mobile Deal

REVVL Series 6 free phone from T-Mobile — *Screenshot via Tmobile.com*

Every bit nosotros mentioned, fifty-fifty T-Mobile is getting in on the "free" telephone fanfare. In the case of the REVVL vi Series, T-Mobile is offering a BOGO, purchase one, go i free deal. Or is it?

The deal is applicable "via 24 monthly bill credits. If yous cancel before 24 credits, credits finish & balance on required finance understanding may be due; contact united states. For well-qualified customers; plus taxation."

It goes on to say: "Tax on pre-credit price due at sale. Limited-time offer; field of study to change. Qualifying credit & service required. If y'all've cancelled lines in past xc days you may need to reactivate them first. In stores & on customer service calls, $35 assisted or upgrade back up charge may be required. Upwardly to $219.99 via beak credits; must be agile and in skilful standing to receive credits, allow 2 bill cycles. Max 12/account. May non be combinable with some offers or discounts."

Here'due south the Catch With 'Costless' AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile Phones

AT&T: This complimentary offer is good only when y'all merchandise in a Galaxy phone. If you lot abolish your service, yous'll owe the remaining balance of the telephone.
Verizon: The visitor's "complimentary" offer is paired with a "promo credit" applied over 36 months. Plus, a new line is required.
T-Mobile:To get a free phone with your new line, the visitor binds you to a 24-month neb credit understanding.

Clark says what these "free" offers are actually doing is "obligating you nigh like the quondam-fashioned contracts: handcuffing you to them with supposedly free phones that but go free if you stay with them for the two- or 3-year menstruation."

Lesser Line

Clark says when it comes to no-price offers from the major wireless phone providers, "The free is not really free. The gratuitous is a tease to obligate you lot to them."

Clark knows that some customers are loyal to certain brands to a fault — fifty-fifty to the detriment of their wallets. In that example, here's his advice.

"Perchance yous love Verizon or AT&T, and you couldn't imagine switching. In that case, aye, take the free phone, just know that that phone has a very, very high cost."

Looking for a phone for less? Read our guide on the all-time cell phone plans and deals.