The Best Black Friday Verizon Wireless Deals (2020)
Thinking about that ‘free’ iPhone 12 from Verizon this Black Friday? It’s one of the most eye-catching deals, but it isn’t actually free. Instead, think of it as a loan that Verizon agrees to pay off for you, but only as long as you remain a customer. This distinction is the key to navigating the sales event and saving hundreds without any surprises.
So, what’s the catch? That “$800 off the new iPhone” offer you saw is a real deal, but it’s not a simple price cut. Getting the full discount usually requires you to trade in a very recent phone to get the maximum Verizon trade-in value Black Friday special. Carriers use these promotions to attract loyal customers, which means the best offers are tied to long-term commitments and specific actions on your part.
Across nearly all of Verizon’s top-tier offers, you’ll find three common requirements. Whether you’re considering a Verizon unlimited plan Black Friday special or a new device, you’ll almost always need to meet these conditions:
- Signing up for a Premium Unlimited Plan
- Adding a New Line or providing an Eligible Trade-In
- Receiving the discount as monthly Bill Credits over 24-30 months
Summary
Verizon’s Black Friday deals are built on monthly bill credits applied to device payment plans over 24–30 months, and those credits stop if you cancel early. To unlock top offers, you usually need a premium unlimited plan plus either a new line or an eligible trade-in. New customers often score the biggest savings via BOGO promos, while existing customers benefit most from boosted trade-in values; iPhone deals tend to be BOGO-focused, whereas Samsung frequently adds accessory bundles. Follow the 3-step plan—assess status/trade-in, choose your target deal and plan, and be ready to act—to capture the best 2020 savings.
“Free Phone” Math: How Verizon’s Monthly Bill Credits Actually Work
You’ve seen the exciting Black Friday ads: “Get an iPhone 12 on us!” or “Buy a Galaxy, Get One Free!” It sounds too good to be true, which naturally leads to the question: is it really free? The short answer is yes, eventually—but it depends on how Verizon structures the deal.
Instead of just handing you a phone, Verizon first places it on a Device Payment Plan. Think of this as an interest-free loan for the phone’s full retail price, spread over 24 or 30 months. For example, a $960 phone on a 24-month plan would add a $40 charge to your bill every month.
To make the phone “free,” Verizon then applies a matching monthly bill credit to your account. This is like a slow-motion rebate. In our example, you’d see the $40 charge for the phone, immediately followed by a -$40 credit from Verizon. The two cancel each other out, so your net cost for the phone each month is $0.
The crucial detail is that you only get the full discount if you stick with Verizon for the entire 24 or 30-month term. If you cancel your service early, the monthly credits stop, and you become responsible for paying off the remaining balance of the phone. It’s the primary way carriers ensure you’ll remain a customer long enough to make the deal worthwhile for them, too.
Which Verizon Unlimited Plan Do You Need for Black Friday Deals?
Now that you know how bill credits work, there’s one more major requirement for landing Verizon’s best Black Friday offers: you need the right kind of unlimited plan. Not all of Verizon’s “unlimited” plans are treated equally when it comes to promotions. While there is a basic “Start Unlimited” option, it typically won’t qualify you for the biggest phone discounts. To get that “free” iPhone or “buy one, get one” Android, you’ll almost always need to sign up for one of their three premium-tier plans.
Choosing the right premium plan is less about the deal and more about how you use your phone. The good news is that each one is built for a different type of person, and you can even mix and match them on a family account to meet everyone’s needs. To secure a great Verizon unlimited plan Black Friday special, you’ll need to pick from one of these:
- Play More Unlimited: Best for streamers and entertainment lovers. This plan includes the full Disney+ Bundle (Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+) and ensures your video streams are in crisp HD.
- Do More Unlimited: Best for getting work done. It gives you a much larger monthly allowance of high-speed hotspot data for connecting your laptop or tablet on the go.
- Get More Unlimited: The “everything” plan. It combines the perks of both Play More and Do More, giving you the streaming bundle and the massive hotspot allowance.
As long as you choose Play More, Do More, or Get More, you’ll be eligible for the best phone deals Verizon has to offer.
Best Verizon Deals for New Customers: How to Score a BOGO or “Free” Phone
You’ve seen the giant “Get a phone on us!” banners. So, what’s the real story? The absolute best Verizon new line Black Friday promotions are reserved for customers who add a new line of service. This simply means you’re either switching your number over from another carrier (like T-Mobile or AT&T) or you’re an existing customer adding a new person to your family plan. Carriers save their biggest discounts for these situations because it helps them grow their customer base, making this the ideal time to make a switch.
Among the most common offers are the Verizon BOGO deals Black Friday is famous for. “Buy One, Get One” works a bit differently for phones than it does at the grocery store. Here’s the process: you agree to buy two new smartphones, both on monthly payment plans. You must activate at least one of them on a new line with a qualifying unlimited plan. Then, over the next 24 or 30 months, Verizon applies bill credits that cancel out the monthly payment for the second, “free” device.
These deals are tailor-made for couples or families ready to move to a new network together. If you’re figuring out how to switch to Verizon on Black Friday, a BOGO deal is the most powerful way to get two top-tier phones for the price of one. But what if you’re already a loyal Verizon customer who just wants to upgrade your current phone? Don’t worry, there are specific deals waiting for you, too.
What About Upgrades? Finding the Best Verizon Deals for Existing Customers in 2020
Being a loyal customer has its perks, but the deals often look a little different. Instead of offering a “Buy One, Get One” that requires a new phone number, Verizon’s promotions for current customers focus on making your next phone more affordable. This means the path to saving money is less about adding lines to your account and more about the phone you already have in your pocket.
The single most important factor for an upgrade discount is your trade-in. During this time of year, Verizon often boosts its Verizon trade-in value Black Friday promotions, giving you far more for your old device than it might normally be worth. For example, a two or three-year-old phone that might typically fetch $150 could suddenly qualify for a credit of $400 or more toward a new model.
To unlock these top-tier offers, you’ll usually need to meet two conditions. First is the valuable trade-in we just mentioned. Second, you often must be on—or switch to—one of Verizon’s premium unlimited plans (like the Play More or Do More tiers). These are the best Verizon upgrade deals for existing customers 2020 because they reward your loyalty by maximizing the value of your old hardware.
So, while you may not see “free phone” advertised for a simple upgrade, the savings are still substantial. Combining a great trade-in offer with the right plan can easily cut the price of a brand-new flagship phone in half, making it a fantastic time to get the latest tech without breaking the bank. But which phone should you choose?
iPhone 12 vs. Samsung S20: Which Verizon Black Friday Deal is Better?
When choosing between the year’s two biggest phones, it helps to know that their deals often follow different patterns. The Verizon iPhone 12 Black Friday sale typically revolves around a powerful “Buy One, Get One” (BOGO) structure. This means if you add a new line of service and buy an iPhone 12, you can get a second one “free” through bill credits. This approach delivers massive value, but it’s best suited for families adding a member or for couples switching to Verizon together.
Samsung, on the other hand, often gets more creative. While you’ll also find BOGOs, Samsung Galaxy S20 Verizon deals frequently sweeten the pot with bundled items. To stand out in the fierce competition of Verizon vs AT&T Black Friday phone deals, Samsung and Verizon might offer a new Galaxy phone along with a heavily discounted or even free pair of Galaxy Buds or a smartwatch. This strategy provides a ton of upfront value and can be especially great for an individual who isn’t adding a second line.
The “better” deal depends entirely on your situation. If your family is ready to add a line, the iPhone BOGO is a clean and simple way to save big. But if you’re upgrading on your own and love the idea of getting extra tech, Samsung’s bundled offers often provide more overall value.
Your 3-Step Action Plan for Black Friday Success at Verizon
Now that you understand bill credits, trade-ins, and plan requirements, you’re ready to find the Black Friday offer that’s genuinely right for you.
To ensure you get the best deal without last-minute stress, here is your three-step action plan for how to prepare for Verizon’s holiday sales:
- Assess Your Situation Now: Check your customer status—new vs. existing—and find your current phone’s trade-in value on Verizon’s website.
- Pick Your Target Deal & Plan: Decide on the phone you want and the required unlimited plan before the sale starts.
- Be Ready to Act: Have your account and payment details ready. The best Verizon Black Friday 2020 deals are time-sensitive, and being prepared lets you confidently judge what Verizon’s Cyber Monday deals are offering.