Verizon Holiday Promo: Free iPhone 17, S25, or Pixel 10

To combat stalling upgrade rates and attract switchers from AT&T and T-Mobile, the carrier has announced one of its most aggressive holiday lineups in years—removing the dreaded "trade-in" requirement for its flagship devices.

Right now, Verizon is offering the iPhone 17, Samsung Galaxy S25, and Google Pixel 10 for free to customers who add a new line on any myPlan account.

This move signals a shift in strategy. Typically, carriers reserve their best "free phone" offers for customers trading in high-value devices or signing up for the most expensive tier of unlimited data. By opening these deals to any myPlan tier without a trade-in, Verizon is clearly looking to lower the barrier to entry.

The "Ecosystem" Bundle

Verizon isn’t just giving away phones; they are aggressively bundling accessories to lock users into their ecosystem. According to the press release, the offers include:

• Apple Users: Get a free iPhone 17, plus an Apple Watch Series 11 and iPad (A16) when you add a connected device plan.
• Samsung Users: Get a free Galaxy S25, plus a Galaxy Watch8 and Galaxy Tab S10 FE 5G with a connected device plan.
• Google Users: Get a free Pixel 10, plus a Pixel Watch 4 and Galaxy Tab S10 FE 5G with a connected device plan.

For those seeking the foldable form factor, customers adding a line on the premium Unlimited Ultimate plan can also snag a free Motorola Razr.

Why Verizon is doing this

The timing of these "no trade-in" deals is deliberate. Data suggests that Americans are becoming increasingly stubborn about upgrading their devices as prices for premium phones creep over the $1,000 mark.

A recent report from Reviews.org highlights the disconnect between what consumers pay and what new phones actually cost:

• The Sticker Shock: The average American pays only $634.35 for their phone, far below the $1,000+ starting price of today’s flagships.
• Holding On: The average upgrade cycle has stretched to two years and five months.
• Reluctance: Only 29% of consumers plan to upgrade in the next 6 to 12 months, and surprisingly, only 6% say a standard trade-in deal is enough to motivate them.

By removing the trade-in requirement, Verizon directly addresses the 94% of customers who feel their old phone isn't worth enough to hassle with a trade-in.

Home Internet and Accessories

Beyond mobile, Verizon is sweetening the pot for its home internet service. New customers can choose one of three gifts with select home internet plans:

• A Samsung 43" Crystal UHD TV
• A Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE 5G
• A Nintendo Switch

The holiday push also includes deep discounts on audio gear, including $100 off Beats Studio Pro and $80 off the JBL Charge 6.

Verizon is explicitly inviting AT&T and T-Mobile customers to bring their bills into stores to compare savings, a classic "challenger" tactic designed to capture market share before the quarter ends.