After offering a massive 5G upgrade promotion last year, Verizon is reviving a version of the deal in 2022 as it tries to get people to switch to its latest unlimited plans and 5G devices.
On Thursday, the carrier announced that it would be offering up to $800 off the new iPhone 13, essentially allowing a free iPhone 13 Mini or 128GB iPhone 13 or a heavily discounted 13 Pro or 13 Pro Max. Various 5G Android phones are also eligible, including Google’s Pixel 6 series and Samsung’s S22 series, Z Flip 3 and Z Fold 3.
As with previous promotions, you’ll need to trade in your phone to get the discount, and the exact value of the credit you get depends on several factors, including the device you’re trading in. Verizon will accept trade-in phones as long as they don’t have any battery damage. The trade-in value will also vary based on the plan you have, with those starting out getting up to $400 in credit, while the more priced Play More/Do More/Get More will be able to get the full $800.
Verizon is offering this deal to new and existing customers as long as they have or upgrade to their Start, Play More, Do More or Get More unlimited plans. Discounts will be issued as bill credits for 36 months, incentivizing you to stick with your carrier. If you leave Verizon before the 36 months expire, you will forfeit the remaining bill credit and will need to pay off the balance owed on the device.
While Verizon did include the cheaper Start plan in the deal, it didn’t change its unlimited plans, and its most affordable unlimited plan still doesn’t have access to its fastest 5G network (which it calls “5G Ultra”). Broadband”) ) even with iPhone 13. To access all of your carrier’s 5G networks, you’ll still need to be on a Play More, Do More or Get More plan.
The new promotion comes just two weeks after Verizon reported losing 292,000 postpaid phone customers in the first quarter of this year. The carrier blamed “competitive dynamics” for the loss, although it clearly hopes a more competitive supply of equipment will help turn those dynamics into its favour and keep people with its network for years to come connect.