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Best ways to get a free smartphone online
Do you know the average individual spends about five and a half hours daily looking at his cell phone? Though you may have not noticed it, you may be spending a lot of time on your phone too.
Internet browsing, business and social media are the major uses for mobile phone.
So, having a good functioning cell phone is a necessity now a days.
Some of the latest Smartphones can be highly priced. If you don’t need all the new upgrades and are on a budget, a free phone may work for you.
Here are some of the ways to get a mobile phone at no cost, including cell phone for seniors, used mobile and new cell phones.
Amazon Giveaways
Are you wondering if Amazon is giving away free phones?
Amazon runs a Giveaway program where it is possible to win mobile phones and other products.
There is no guaranteed that you’ll get a free cell phone from Amazon, but you can participate in the platform’s Giveaways and try your luck.
Download the App to find special giveaways dates. Visit “amazon.com/app” in your mobile. You can also send an email to your smartphone to receive a link to download the app. There is no purchase necessary to participate.
Check out each giveaway rules
Link to giveaways
Important – Make sure you’re dealing directly with Amazon when participating in sweepstakes or Giveways. Don’t answer emails claiming to be from the platform, unless you can verify that it’s from Amazon by logging into your account.
Lifeline Support
Lifeline support is a program sponsored by the government aiming to make phones’ costs affordable for seniors and low income individuals.
There are some requirements to qualify for the program.
The first is that the individual needs to be earning less than 135 percent of the federal poverty amount annually. For the 48 contiguous states, this amount is about 16,862 dollars.
The individual needs to participate in either the SNAP, which was known as food stamps, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Supplemental Security Income, Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit, or Tribal Programs.
If you qualify for this program, you will receive a subsidy of $9.25 dollars monthly, which goes towards your phone bill.
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Craigslist Listings
You’ve heard of craigslist. It is a site where people search for services and goods they need. While most of the stuff on Craiglist is for sale, some sellers actually give out the items they don’t need for free.
Though some of the cell phones that are handed out for free on the site are older versions, there is a likelihood that you might find a decent working phone. You’ll need to respond to the advertisement.
OfferUp
Offerup is similar to an online community listing site. However, on Offerup there is a higher likelihood for you to find a cell phone.
Some of the phones are actually listed at no cost. Just do a search on the site for “free phone” and contact the donor.
Here is an example of a free Smartphone given away on OfferUp.
Nextdoor Neighbor
Nextdoor is a social network that connects individuals who reside in the same or nearby area. It also helps individuals connect, trade, exchange and learn about the events about to happen in the neighborhood.
As with all the other communities bulletin boards, people often post things that they are selling or just giving away. Of the many things that are listed on Nextdoor, you might actually get yourself a working mobile phone.
You have to register for Nextdoor Neighbor to look thru the classifies.
From A Mobile Carrier
The mobile carriers also offer promotions for free phones to their customers as part of contract plans.
They offer camera phones, flip phones and smartphones. If you know what you want out of a phone before choosing a plan, you can avoid the extras. Many free phones come with a contract with a minimum of two years.
Here are two examples of carriers promotions for free Smartphones. These promotions are subject to change and time sensitive, so check the carriers for the latest offers.
- Verizon
When you buy a new Verizon line with a 24-month contract or switch to Verizon, the company will give you a choice between a myriad of phone models, one of which you can have for free. The choices include Samsung Galaxy A10e, Alcatel AVALON V, or Motorola Moto E6.
- T-Mobile
When you commit to T-Mobile for 24 months, you will be eligible to choose between the Samsung Galaxy A10, the REVVLRY, or the Moto G Power.
The phone you chose will be absolutely free. If you already have a phone when you are getting the plan, you can trade it for a discount for the Android or iPhone of your choice.
Through your Employer
If your work responsibilities make it necessary for your employer to buy you a mobile phone, you should take advantage of it.
If your employer expects you to be available for calls from business partners or customers frequently or at odd hours, you can ask for communication subsidy.
Contact the appropriate person at work and determine if the firm has a program for providing cell phones.
Also, some of the major carriers may do promotions for your workplace. These offers often consist of free phones or discounted purchases.
Safelink Wireless
This is the largest and oldest government sponsored mobile phone program. Safelink plans provide up to 1000 text messages and 250 minutes. However, for the first 2 or 3 months, the minutes are doubled to 500.
To be eligible for a free phone, you need to have enrolled in other federal aid programs. Nonetheless, low-income households can be eligible as well, but this varies by state.
The offers that Safelink wireless extend depends on the state in which the individual resides. Also, note that Safelink phones are usually small and hard to use. These phones are good enough for basic services.
Gifts from Friends and Family
Celebrating a birthday or a graduation? Make a wish for a new cell phone as a gift. Amazon is a marketplace where you can create a wish list for any occasion. List your desired Smartphone and you may get it from your friends or family.
Participate in Raffles or Sweepstakes
You can also enter sweepstakes and other contests to get a free phone online and at your employer.
Look out for opportunities to win free phones as prizes online on platform like Facebook.
Your employer may be changing over to new cell phone technology. Very often, these companies offer the old phones for free to employees via raffles.
Other Tips
Although you can get a mobile phone free, you will have to pay for wireless data and services.
If you have a phone, you might be able to trade it in for a new one at no cost.
Make sure to read the small print on cell phone contracts so that you do not get hooked to expensive fees.
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