The buzz that AT&T is rolling out a “free” smartphone option has been circulating for the past couple of days, stirring up a serious wave of nostalgia.
Recall when we treated smartphones with skepticism, and wireless carriers actually had to tempt us into contracts by including the handset at no cost (or at least at a steep discount)?
Remember when that flipped, and crowds began camping out at 3 a.m. in freezing temperatures to drop $650 on the latest release?
Those days of carriers wooing customers with contract incentives and complimentary devices seem to have faded — nowadays, it’s uncommon to find someone using anything other than an iPhone or Android phone for calls and browsing.
Although carriers have made it simpler for many people to own the newest phones via installment plans, nothing quite matches the old-school free-phone promotion.
Wait — a Free Phone?
Could we be slipping back into a time of complimentary smartphones?
Well, it’s a step in that direction: AT&T is now promoting a buy one, get one arrangement on phones when paired with an eligible service plan.
But hold on — is a free handset really as good as it sounds?
Kind Of
In its release, AT&T says customers can pick from “three popular smartphones” — among them the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus.
To use this offer, you must add a new line (or upgrade an existing one) and purchase both devices through AT&T’s Next or Next Every Year financing plan. A minimum service plan of $70 per month is required for eligibility.
AT&T will apply bill credits up to $695 over either 24 or 30 months (based on the plan selected), but you’ll be required to pay the first three installments on the “free” handset before credits begin. Additionally, you must cover all applicable taxes on the device up front.
So, while the promotion could appeal to someone approaching the end of a contract or considering switching carriers, it’s not the wildly generous “free iPhone” promotion it might appear to be at first glance.
That said, if you’re out of contract and wouldn’t face a hefty buyout fee to leave your current service, then taking AT&T up on this could be sensible.
It’s a decent deal, but probably not a fantastic one — unless you already meet every requirement the offer demands. If you do, this may well be a worthwhile option.
Your Turn: Would you move to AT&T to get a (mostly) free smartphone?
Alex Moreno is a staff writer at Savinly.
For more details on managing your account or checking eligibility, see att access.
