(Image credit: Getty Images)
If your phone is ready for an upgrade, but your wallet’s still exhausted from all that holiday shopping, Metro by T-Mobile has a free phone deal that could solve both of your problems. For a limited time, you can get up to four free Samsung Galaxy A16s with some of the most affordable mobile plans on the market right now.
Plans eligible for the free phone deal start at just $40 per month with each additional line costing as little as $25. If you’re currently with a major provider like Verizon or T-Mobile, a free phone with such a low-cost plan might sound almost too good to be true.
Here’s how the deal works and what you can expect from the budget-friendly plans offered at Metro by T-Mobile.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
CLICK FOR FREE ISSUE
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more – straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice – straight to your e-mail.
Get up to four free Samsung Galaxy A16s from Metro by T-Mobile
For a limited time, new customers can get the Samsung Galaxy A16 for free when they sign up for any eligible Metro by T-Mobile phone plan. When you add a line to your plan, each added line (up to four new lines) can qualify for the same free phone deal. Eligible plans depend on whether you want to keep your current phone number or get a new one when you sign up.
If you bring your current phone number, you may qualify for the free phone on Metro’s lower-cost plans, though availability can depend on the device and promotion at checkout.
The entry-level plan at Metro already includes unlimited talk, text and data and a five year price guarantee that kicks in when you sign up. You’ll pay $45 for your first month and then $40 per month after that if you set up AutoPay. You can also get a free phone and keep your number on their upgraded plans.
If you want to get a new number when you switch, you’ll qualify for the free phone deal on the $50 per month plan (or the higher plan). This next-tier plan includes all the same perks as the cheaper plan as well as eight gigabytes of hotspot data and a complimentary Google One membership that comes with 100 gigabytes of backup storage.
Higher-tier Metro plans also include upgrade benefits, making it easier to take advantage of future phone deals as they become available.
There are restrictions on which phone deals you’re eligible for, but the longer you wait to upgrade, the more deals you’ll be able to choose from. When you sign up, you’ll pay $55 for the first month and $50 each month thereafter if you set up autopay.
The deal will automatically be applied at checkout online. Just add the phone to your cart, choose an eligible phone and you’re good to go. At checkout, expect to pay the first month of your plan plus any applicable sales tax on the phone. Even though the phone is free, you’ll still have to pay tax.
What’s the catch?
Metro by T-Mobile is known for being pretty transparent about pricing and terms. So there shouldn’t be any surprises when you try to claim this deal. With that said, there are some details in the fine print worth considering before you ditch your current provider:
- The phone is mostly free. As mentioned earlier, the phone is free, but you’ll still have to pay sales tax. So, technically, the phone will cost you a few bucks.
- Data speeds are capped. Yes, every eligible plan for this deal offers unlimited data. But, if you use more than a certain amount in a given month, your speeds will be slowed down for the rest of that month. On the cheaper $40 per month plan, the slow speeds kick in after 35 gigabytes. On the $50 per month, you can go up to 50 gigabytes before speeds slow down.
- Autopay is required for the advertised price. The prices advertised on the plans include an Autopay discount. Without autopay, add an extra $5 to your monthly bill.
Is it worth switching to Metro by T-Mobile for a free phone?
This free Samsung Galaxy A16 offer is a good deal with few strings attached. You don’t have to lock yourself into long contracts like you do with other carriers. You also don’t have to opt into the carrier’s most expensive plans to qualify.
Overall, switching to a smaller mobile provider is a great way to cut your phone bill and you’ll get a free phone to boot. Just beware of the monthly data caps if you rely on your phone for browsing and streaming.
