What happened to the free phones Verizon used to offer?

My 2 year contract with Verizon ends in less then 1 month now and I am looking to upgrade my phone. I have been with Verizon for over about 8 years now. Upon looking into new phones I found out that Verizon has eliminated the 2 year contracts so we no longer have to worry about contracts. But then how does that work for getting a new phone? From what I see my only option is to buy the phone at full price or pay it off in monthly payments for 24 months. But I am not looking to do either of those things because I remember Verizon always had a selection of free smartphones to pick from I know there was a few where you could pay $100- 200 or the older model iPhones that were 99 cents. So is Verizon no longer doing free or cheaper priced phones anymore? How does this work now that the 2 year contracts are no more?

Accepted answers

Verizon_Support

You got it, Johnnyr787. Ann154 provided great details about this as well. To add a bit more clarification, keep in mind that certain plans do provide a discount for being on a Device Payment Plan. Check out this link for additional details.

http://www.verizonwireless.com/support/device-payment-faqs/

NicandroN_VZW
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All comments

Ann154

You always paid full price for the contract phones. Before it was bundled with service plan cost. Now it is separate and the line access fee is lower if your line is out of contract or on the installment payment option. For many the cost of the phone over 24 months is less expensive than purchasing a phone under contract.

johnnyr787

I just want to make sure I have this correctly here. So when the website says I can get a galaxy S7 for $28 a month that means the $28 monthly is for the phone only and then I would pay whatever I normally pay for data talk and text on top of the $28?

Ann154

Yes to a point. If your line access fee is $40 since the line is currently under contract, it will drop to $20 per if you are on the Verizon Plans. If you have a different plan, please post that information so the community members can accurately calculate your numbers.

Verizon_Support

http://www.verizonwireless.com/support/device-payment-faqs/

Weth

Your not looking at the whole picture.

You get a phone for $199. However, Verizon charges you $40 per month for access 2 year contract. Total cost after 2 years $1159.

New way, buy phone for $28/ month for 2 years, but access fee is only $20. Total cost after 2 years $1152.

See, it was all smoke and mirrors. You always paid for the phone, one way or another.

hoopitup2000

Phones were NEVER free. As mentioned earlier, it's just smoke & mirrors.

I talk to people all the time that think they got a free phone from their provider. The most ironic part is that most of them went to college . . . . . .guess they skipped math class

Verizon_Support

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tikibar1

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veryfrustrated0118

Don't forget about the $40 upgrade fee. So that $1159 becomes $1199 on contract.