Verizon Announces Free Apple, Android Phones With Unlimited Plan

In the race to become the top cellphone carrier, Verizon made a big announcement this week that just may change the game.

In competition with T-Mobile and Sprint, Verizon unveiled its new offering of an unlimited plan for data. To help sweeten the deal, Verizon is offering big named phones free for a limited time with this unlimited data package. The free phones include the likes of the iPhone 7/Plus, Google Pixel, Moto Z Droid and Samsung Galaxy S7/Edge.

Naturally, there are a few stipulations involved in order to receive both the free phone and unlimited data package. To get this new Verizon combination offering, customers will need to already be on a competitor’s plan and be willing to give up their current smartphone.

Verizon’s website further explains by stating “In order to get one of today’s most coveted phones for free, you need to bring your phone number to Verizon, sign up for the introductory Verizon Unlimited plan, select device payment and trade in one of 15 eligible devices.”

These eligible devices include the following: iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, Samsung Galaxy S6, Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+, Samsung Galaxy S7, Samsung Galaxy S7 edge, Samsung Note 5, LG G5, LG V20, HTC 10.

Details behind what the plan will cost are a reportedly $80 per month for unlimited data, talk and text. For two lines, the price jumps to $140 with an additional $20 per line after that. At this time, Verizon has not made clear when its limited offering of free phones will end.

While this announcement definitely raises the bar for Verizon, it opens up the conversation of how innovative phone developers will be with new technologies. If Apple and Android devices are being offered for free through Verizon, there’s a likelihood that T-Mobile, Sprint and other carriers will follow suit. The combination offering will no doubt increase the demand for the phones offered.