Does Verizon Have a Black Friday Sale? (2026 Guide)

Yes, Verizon has a massive Black Friday sale every year, but the ‘free’ phone you’re seeing in ads likely isn’t actually free. Most of the best Verizon holiday promotions come with fine print, often requiring a specific plan or spreading discounts out over several years. We’ll cut through the noise and show you the real story behind the deals so you can actually save money.

Think of Verizon’s sale like a big department store—the deals are broken down into different ‘aisles’ for different products. While the Verizon Black Friday phone deals get most of the attention, you can also find significant savings on the gadgets that work with your phone and even on your home internet service. Understanding these categories is the first step to finding the right offer for you.

Typically, the promotions fall into three main areas, each with its own style of discount:

• New Phones: Expect offers like “$800 off the latest iPhone or Samsung Galaxy,” which usually requires a qualifying trade-in and a specific unlimited plan.
• Accessories: Look for bundle deals, such as “Buy a phone, get 50% off an Apple Watch,” or discounts on cases and chargers.
• Home Internet: The Verizon Fios Black Friday promotion often includes sign-up bonuses, like a free “$200 gift card.”

The Big Catch: Are Deals Different for New vs. Existing Customers?

The most important thing to understand about Verizon’s Black Friday sales is that the deals you see advertised are often not for everyone. This is the biggest source of confusion for shoppers, and knowing the difference between a “new customer” offer and an “upgrade” offer will save you a lot of frustration.

Think of it as a fierce competition. To win your business, carriers like Verizon and AT&T roll out the red carpet for people willing to switch. This is why the most dramatic Verizon new line Black Friday offer—like a “free” iPhone or Samsung—is almost always reserved for customers who are bringing their phone number over from another provider and signing up for a new plan. These are the headline-grabbing deals designed to grow their customer base.

So, what about Verizon deals for existing customers? If you’re already with Verizon, you won’t be left out, but your offers will look different. Instead of a “free phone for switching,” you’re more likely to see “upgrade” deals. These typically require you to trade in your old phone to get a significant discount on a new one. The newer and more valuable your trade-in is, the better your deal will be.

Ultimately, the best offers are tied to the biggest commitments. New customers get huge discounts for switching, while loyal customers get solid deals for upgrading and staying. Both types of deals, however, often rely on a specific payment method that can feel a bit like a catch.

What “Free Phone” Really Means: A Guide to Verizon’s Bill Credits

That “catch” we mentioned almost always comes down to how you pay for the phone. When you see a banner for a “free” device, like one of the Verizon iPhone 15 Black Friday specials, you don’t just walk out of the store with it. Instead, you’re agreeing to a payment plan.

Here is how it typically works: Verizon will have you “buy” the phone on a Device Payment Plan, usually spread over 36 months. So, an $828 phone would add a $23 charge to your bill each month. At the same time, Verizon gives you a matching $23 discount. These are Verizon bill credits. The charge and the credit cancel each other out, making the phone feel free on your monthly statement.

The crucial part of this deal is the time commitment. The phone only becomes fully “free” after you have stayed with Verizon for the entire 36-month period and received all the credits. If you decide to switch carriers after just one year, you’ll lose any future bill credits and will have to pay the remaining balance on the phone—an Early Termination Cost that could be over $500.

You get a massive discount, but in exchange, you’re locked into their service for several years. This is the most common way Verizon offers its biggest phone discounts, but it isn’t the only way to save.

How to Get the Most from a Verizon Trade-In Deal on Black Friday

Beyond bill credits, one of the best ways to save is with a trade-in. Verizon will offer you a discount on a new phone in exchange for your old one, but the value can vary wildly. The amount you get depends on your old phone’s model, its condition, and sometimes its storage size. Think of it like trading in a car: a newer model in pristine condition is worth far more than an older one with a cracked screen. This valuation is a core part of all Verizon trade-in deals for Black Friday.

Here’s the catch that surprises most people: the biggest trade-in offers are tied to your monthly plan. You might see an ad promising “$800 off” a new device, like with the popular Samsung Galaxy deals on Black Friday at Verizon. However, to get that full amount, you almost always need to be on one of Verizon’s more expensive “Premium” Unlimited plans. If you’re on a cheaper or older plan, your upgrade eligibility for the top discount changes, and that same trade-in might only be worth a fraction of the advertised value.

Before the sales begin, do a quick check of your current phone. Does it turn on and function properly? Is the screen free of cracks? While minor scuffs are usually fine, any cracks in the screen or back glass will dramatically lower its value or disqualify it from the best promotions. Knowing your phone’s true condition helps you set realistic expectations for how much you can actually save. Being prepared is half the battle, but when you shop can also make a huge difference.

Verizon Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday: When Are the Best Deals?

Many people stress over whether to shop on Black Friday or wait for Cyber Monday, but for major phone deals, the day often doesn’t matter. Carriers like Verizon now run a week-long sales event, often called “Cyber Week.” Top offers on iPhones and Samsung devices typically launch early in Thanksgiving week and run through Monday, making this Verizon wireless holiday sale guide useful for the entire event.

When comparing Verizon Black Friday vs Cyber Monday for a new smartphone, it’s usually a tie. The big offer you see on Friday is almost always the same one available on Monday. This is why people watch for when does Verizon’s Black Friday ad leak—to see the deals that will last. You won’t miss out on a flagship phone discount by waiting a few days, which can give you more time to be sure of your decision.

The one exception can be online-only specials for accessories on Cyber Monday. While phone deals stay consistent, you might find slightly better discounts on things like smartwatches or chargers as a final push. Now that you know when to look, the next step is knowing exactly what to do.

Your 4-Step Checklist to Get the Best Verizon Deal This Black Friday

Now that you can spot the difference between an instant discount and long-term bill credits, you can look past the flashy headlines to find a genuinely good deal. Use this game plan to prepare for the sale, avoid last-minute surprises, and choose the right offer instead of being sold one.

Follow this simple Verizon Black Friday guide to prepare for the sale and avoid last-minute surprises. This checklist is how to get the best Verizon deals:

1. Know Your Status & Eligibility: Log into your Verizon account this week to confirm if you’re eligible for an upgrade.
2. Research Your Perfect Plan: Decide which monthly plan fits your needs and budget before you shop for a phone to avoid being upsold.
3. Value Your Trade-In Early: Use Verizon’s online tool now to get an estimated value for your current phone. Write it down to use as your baseline.
4. Bookmark the Deals Page: Find and save the link to Verizon’s official deals page so you’re ready the moment the sale begins.

Walking into the sale with this prep work done is the difference between being sold a deal and choosing the right one. That preparation is the real secret to unlocking your Verizon holiday savings.