Free and Cheap Phones: Your Complete Buyer’s Guide

Shopping for a new phone or tablet doesn’t have to be expensive or confusing.

In this buyer’s guide, you’ll find real, reputable places to get a free or low-cost device, how to compare used vs. new, and a ranked path from the absolute cheapest options to full-price flagships—plus links to live offer pages so you can verify deals before you buy.

Quick take: Cheapest-to-priciest paths today (ranked)

If your goal is the lowest out-of-pocket cost today, start here. The options below are ordered from truly free (for eligible households) to premium, full-price devices with fewer strings attached.

Pricing and availability change constantly; always check the linked offer hubs before you decide.

These are the best places to verify what’s live right now and to lock in promotions before they end.

Remember to look beyond sticker price. A "$0 New Smartphone" often means bill credits over 24–36 months tied to a specific plan, and early cancellation usually requires you to repay remaining credits.

• Free Phone and Plan (income-eligible): Through the FCC Lifeline program, eligible households—including many seniors—can get a no-cost talk/text plan and a device from providers like Assurance Wireless and SafeLink Wireless. Verify eligibility and coverage in your ZIP before applying.
• Free Phones for New Customers (port-in promos): Prepaid brands frequently run in-store promos that make entry-level Android phones free when you switch your number and pay for the first month. Check current deal pages at Metro by T‑Mobile and Cricket Wireless. Terms vary by market.
• Order New Phone and Plan ($0 New Smartphone): Major carriers often advertise flagship or midrange phones for "$0" via trade‑in + monthly bill credits: see Verizon deals, AT&T deals, and T‑Mobile deals. Read the fine print: required plan tiers and credit approval usually apply.
• Free Cell Phone, no money down, no credit check? Truly free phones without credit checks are rare outside assistance programs. A practical route is BYOD + prepaid (no credit check) or third‑party 0% financing with a soft check. See live promos at Visible by Verizon and Google Fi, and retailer financing options on prepaid brands.
• Certified refurbished (save 15–40%): Get a like‑new device with warranty for less at Apple Certified Refurbished, Samsung Certified Re‑Newed, or Amazon Renewed, then pair with any plan you want.
• Full-price new: Pay upfront for the latest flagship to keep your plan and upgrade timing flexible. Compare carrier and manufacturer stores to see if the same device is discounted via instant rebates or gift cards.

Legit “Free Phone and Plan” options for seniors and low‑income households

When you see “Free Phones for Seniors,” the legitimate pathway is typically through Lifeline. Lifeline offers a monthly phone or internet discount and, with participating providers, a free device. Coverage, device models, and plan sizes vary by state and carrier, so compare providers in your ZIP before enrolling.

Two long-running Lifeline carriers to check: Assurance Wireless (T‑Mobile network) and SafeLink Wireless (varies by region). If you need help finding a provider or determining eligibility (including for seniors on qualifying benefits), start at the FCC’s consumer page linked above.

Note: The separate Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) that once expanded discounts for internet and some device offers ended in 2024 due to lack of funding (FCC ACP status). Be cautious with sites still advertising “ACP tablets” unless they clearly state current, lawful alternatives.

About the “Tablet Assistance Program Through Medicare” claim

There is no official Tablet Assistance Program Through Medicare. If you encounter ads promising “free Medicare tablets,” proceed with caution—this language is commonly used in scams. To understand what Medicare actually covers, consult Medicare.gov coverage directly.

Legitimate tablet savings today come from: (1) Lifeline/charitable refurbishers for eligible households; (2) carrier tablet promos tied to adding a tablet line; and (3) buying certified refurbished from reputable brands. See carrier deal hubs—Verizon, AT&T, T‑Mobile—for tablet offers attached to data plans.

If you need a low-cost computer or tablet for work or school, check nonprofits like PCs for People and EveryoneOn, which connect eligible households to affordable devices and internet.

Phones: used vs. new—what’s the Best Deal on Phones for you?

When new (or $0 with bill credits) makes sense

Choose new if you want the latest cameras, longest software support, and strong warranties. New can still be the best value when you stack a solid trade‑in with a carrier promo advertised as “$0 New Smartphone.” Check the live hubs at Verizon, AT&T, and T‑Mobile, and confirm the plan tier requirement, bill‑credit term (24 vs. 36 months), and early‑payoff rules.

When refurbished/used wins

A certified refurbished flagship is often a better buy than a brand‑new budget phone. Expect 15–40% savings, plus a fresh battery and warranty, from the brand’s official refurb stores: Apple and Samsung. If you prefer marketplace deals, stick to sellers that disclose battery health and include returns.

Before you buy used, run the IMEI through your carrier’s BYOD checker to confirm network compatibility and that the device isn’t carrier‑locked or reported lost/stolen.

Tablets: cheapest to premium options

• Assistance/nonprofit routes: For eligible households, check PCs for People for low-cost tablets and laptops, and local refurbishers listed on EveryoneOn.
• Carrier promos with a tablet line: Carriers frequently discount tablets when you add a tablet data line; verify current promos on Verizon, AT&T, and T‑Mobile.
• Certified refurbished: Apple iPad and Samsung Galaxy Tab through their official refurb stores provide near‑new condition and full warranty support.
• Full-price new: Best when you need maximum storage, cellular models, or specific accessories for work/school.

Cell Phone and Internet Bundle: when bundling saves real money

If your household needs both mobile service and home internet, bundling with the same provider can meaningfully cut the total bill. Examples include Verizon’s 5G Home + mobile bundle (Verizon Home + mobile deals), T‑Mobile Home Internet + Go5G plans (T‑Mobile Home Internet), and AT&T Internet + Wireless (AT&T Internet + deals). Check each carrier’s bundle page for eligibility (address, plan tier) and autopay requirements.

How to verify a deal is real (and avoid gotchas)

• Find the official source: Always click through to the carrier’s or manufacturer’s own URL (linked above). Avoid third‑party sites that won’t list full terms.
• Scan the fine print: Look for required plan tier, trade‑in conditions, bill‑credit term length, activation fees, and whether taxes/fees are due upfront.
• Check upgrade math: If a $0 phone requires 36 months of credits, calculate your total cost of ownership versus buying refurbished + a cheaper plan.
• No‑credit‑check reality check: Outside of Lifeline, “Free Cell Phone no Money Down no Credit Check” is usually marketing shorthand for BYOD with a prepaid plan (the plan isn’t free, but there’s no hard credit pull). If a store promises a free device without eligibility or a port‑in, be wary.
• IMEI and lock status: For used phones, verify IMEI status and carrier unlock before paying. Ask for a written return window.
• Spot red flags: Pressure to “sign today,” requests for unusual gift‑card payments, or promises of a “Tablet Assistance Program Through Medicare” are warning signs. See the FTC’s guidance on avoiding phone/internet scams: FTC phone scams.

Sample buying paths (practical picks)

Lowest cost with eligibility

• Apply for Lifeline → choose a provider like Assurance Wireless → receive a free phone and plan if available in your area.

Cheapest without eligibility or credit

• Bring your own compatible phone to a prepaid plan (Visible, Google Fi, or a local prepaid carrier). Watch for introductory discounts on the first three months on each provider’s deals page: Visible deals, Google Fi deals.

Value flagship

• Trade in your current phone during a carrier promo advertised as “$0 New Smartphone” via bill credits. Confirm that the credits equal the full device price and that your trade‑in is eligible at full value.

Tablet on a budget

• Buy a certified refurbished iPad or Galaxy Tab from the brand’s refurb store, then pair with Wi‑Fi or add a discounted tablet line if a carrier promo makes sense.

Key takeaways

• There’s no official Medicare tablet program; verify benefits at Medicare.gov.
• For truly free service/devices, start with Lifeline—the most reliable path for eligible seniors and low‑income households.
• For the “Best Deal on Phones,” compare total 24–36 month cost of $0 bill‑credit offers versus certified refurbished + a cheaper plan.
• Bundle home internet + mobile only if the combined price beats what you’d pay by mixing providers; verify at the carriers’ bundle pages.