Black Friday 2020 Verizon iPhone Deals: Best Offers, Trade-Ins, and How to Save
Thinking about grabbing a new iPhone this Black Friday? The deals look amazing, but the fine print on “bill credits” and “new lines” is often designed to be confusing, leaving you wondering if you’re actually saving money or just signing up for a headache. We’ve done the hard work for you.
While exact offers change, a look at historical Verizon iPhone Black Friday pricing is the best way to predict what’s coming. In 2020, most Verizon holiday phone deals fell into three main types: huge trade-in values, “buy one, get one” promotions, or deep discounts for adding a new line to your plan. The key to understanding all of them is demystifying the single most important term: “monthly bill credits.”
Summary
Verizon’s 2020 Black Friday iPhone deals centered on three offer types—BOGO, trade-in, and new-line/switcher—delivered mostly via monthly bill credits over 24–36 months. New lines saw the largest discounts (often up to $800–$1000), while existing customers could approach similar savings by combining upgrade promos with high-value trade-ins, all paid out as monthly credits. Headline offers focused on the iPhone 12 lineup (including BOGO and “free” options on new lines), Black Friday/Cyber Monday pricing was largely identical, and holiday returns were extended. To maximize savings, confirm your line status, estimate your trade-in value, pick an eligible Unlimited plan, and remember that leaving early cancels future credits and triggers the remaining device balance.
The 3 Flavors of Deals: What Verizon Actually Offered in 2020
Verizon’s 2020 Black Friday ads sorted deals into three buckets, each designed for a different customer. The most popular options were BOGO and trade-in deals. BOGO, which stands for Buy One, Get One, was perfect for couples or families needing two new iPhones at once. You’d buy the first phone and get the second one free or deeply discounted.
For solo upgraders, Verizon iPhone upgrade deals in 2020 almost always involved a trade-in. This worked just like at a car dealership: you give Verizon your old phone, and its value gets applied as a discount on your new one.
Finally, the biggest discounts were often reserved for New Line or Switcher promotions, designed to attract new customers from other carriers like AT&T or T-Mobile. To qualify, you had to be a brand-new customer or an existing one adding a new line of service. No matter the deal, nearly all required a premium Unlimited plan. However, the most important detail wasn’t the plan, but how Verizon delivered the discount.
The ‘Free’ iPhone Catch: How Monthly Bill Credits Really Work
When Verizon’s ads promised a “free” iPhone, they didn’t just hand you a box. Instead, they placed you on a Device Payment Plan for the phone’s full retail price. You are still technically financing the entire cost of the phone over time.
The “free” part comes from Verizon bill credits. Think of it as a store rebate you get in monthly installments. Each month, Verizon adds a credit to your bill that exactly cancels out that month’s phone payment. For an $800 phone on a 24-month plan, that’s a $33 payment followed by a $33 credit, making your net cost for the phone $0 each month.
Here’s the catch: you only receive those credits as long as you stick with Verizon for the entire 24 or 36-month term. This structure is the backbone of nearly all major carrier promotions. If you leave Verizon early, the credits stop, and you must pay the full remaining balance on your phone—the Early Termination Payoff. Suddenly, that “free” phone could cost you hundreds. This commitment is the true cost of any Black Friday deal.
New Line vs. Upgrade: Why New Customers Got the Best 2020 Deals
Whether you were starting a “new line” or just “upgrading” in 2020 determined which deals you were eligible for, often meaning a difference of hundreds of dollars in savings. Verizon, like all carriers, separates its customers into these two groups:
- New Line: This meant you were either brand new to Verizon or an existing customer adding another phone number. These deals were the most generous, often offering up to $800 or even $1000 off a new iPhone.
- Upgrade: This is for current customers simply replacing an old phone with a new one on their existing phone number. The 2020 Verizon iPhone upgrade deals typically offered a maximum of $440 off.
Why the huge difference? Carriers reserve their most aggressive discounts to attract new customers away from competitors. For existing customers, the path to big savings took a different route. While initial upgrade discounts were smaller, the real value came from combining that offer with a valuable trade-in.
Cashing in Your Old Phone: How Verizon’s 2020 Trade-In Deals Worked
Verizon offered a powerful way for existing customers to save: trading in their old phone. Like trading in a car, your phone’s value depended on its model and condition. Verizon’s system assessed your old device to determine its trade-in value tier, which directly impacted your total savings.
The difference was substantial. For example, during Black Friday sales, the iPhone 11 trade-in value Verizon offered could often unlock the maximum promotional credit of $440. An older phone, however, might only qualify for a $100 or $200 credit. This system allowed customers with recent, well-kept phones to get a top-tier discount that rivaled what new customers received.
Crucially, this trade-in value wasn’t an instant discount. Instead, it was typically combined with your promotional offer and paid out as monthly bill credits. So, a $440 value for your old phone would translate to an $18.33 credit on your bill each month for 24 months.
A Look at the Top 2020 Offers: iPhone 12 Pro Max, BOGO, and More
These mechanics of trade-ins and bill credits applied directly to Verizon’s biggest Black Friday deals in 2020. The most eye-catching promotions almost always involved adding a new line or trading in a high-value phone on an unlimited plan. Here’s a snapshot of the major offers:
- BOGO: Buy an iPhone 12 series, get up to $1000 off a second one (new line required).
- Trade-In: Get up to $550 off an iPhone 12 with a trade-in of a premium phone (for upgrades).
- New Customer: Get a “free” iPhone 12 mini with a new line (no trade-in needed).
- iPhone SE: The popular iPhone SE 2020 was often available for $0/month with a new unlimited line.
The path to the best iPhone 12 Pro Max Verizon Black Friday price depended entirely on your situation. For a family adding a line, the BOGO deals were fantastic. For an existing customer, savings were tied to the value of the phone being traded in.
This deal structure wasn’t unique to Verizon. When comparing Verizon vs AT&T holiday phone sales 2020, you’d find a similar playbook: the best deals required new lines, long-term payment plans, and bill credits spread out over 24 or even 36 months.
Your Pre-Sale Questions Answered
The age-old question for shoppers is always, were iPhones cheaper on Black Friday or Cyber Monday? In 2020, there was virtually no difference. Verizon, like most retailers, extended its main Black Friday promotions through the entire holiday weekend and into Cyber Monday.
Deciding whether you should buy an iPhone from Verizon or Apple boiled down to a clear trade-off. Buying from Verizon was the only path to the massive bill credit discounts. In contrast, buying from Apple typically meant getting an “unlocked” phone, giving you the freedom to switch carriers later.
Worried about buyer’s remorse? Thankfully, Verizon’s 2020 holiday return policy offered some peace of mind. Purchases made during the Black Friday window had an extended return period, usually until mid-January, giving shoppers extra time to be sure they loved their new iPhone.
Your Action Plan for the Next Big iPhone Sale
The world of Black Friday phone deals can be a confusing maze, but armed with the right information, you can navigate it with confidence. Use this simple checklist to prepare for the next sales event and know exactly where you stand.
Your Pre-Sale Checklist:
- Check Your Status: Are you eligible for an upgrade? Log into the My Verizon app to find out.
- Know Your Phone’s Value: Look up your phone’s estimated trade-in value online to set a baseline.
- Decide Your Need: Are you upgrading or adding a line? The best Verizon holiday phone deals for families depend on this.
You’re no longer just chasing a discount—you’re building a strategy. Knowing that finding the best Verizon unlimited plan for your iPhone is as crucial as the device price is how you save on an iPhone with confidence, ensuring the deal you choose is the right one for you.