The “free cellphone” deal is nothing new within the shopper area, and in case you’ve clicked into this text with a little bit of skepticism, that is regular. Such provides are virtually all the time too good to be true, whether or not promoted by AT&T, T-Mobile, or Best Buy. For the correct buyer, nonetheless, they’re the proper alternative to personal a brand new cellphone for lower than retail.
The newest variation of the “free cellphone” comes by way of Boost Mobile, which beforehand bought the iPhone 15 sequence for a penny, and has now moved on to the newer iPhone 16 sequence. With this Cyber Monday deal, you’ll be able to rating the newest iPhone mannequin — the usual 16, particularly — for one cent. So, what is the take care of this deal? Let me break down the advantageous print for you.
Also: The finest Cyber Monday offers: Live updates
Buying one of many finest iPhones available on the market for nearly no cash is a no brainer for anybody, however digging into the supply particulars reveals that you will need to meet three different {qualifications} to reap the advantages:
- You should enroll in a 36-month installment plan underneath Boost Mobile.
- A Boost Infinite wi-fi plan is required and begins at $65 per thirty days.
- The iPhone shall be locked to the Boost Mobile community and shall be unusable by different carriers.
Basically, the one-cent iPhone is Boost Mobile’s manner of reeling you right into a three-year settlement. The wi-fi plan that you’ve to enroll in is how the provider makes its a reimbursement.
Also: Why I’m recommending the usual iPhone 16 over the Pro this yr (and I’m not alone)
If you ever choose out of the contract, you may should repay the remainder of the iPhone. Conversely, when you get via the three-year time period, you’ll be able to all the time resell the iPhone and get some a reimbursement.
These {qualifications} should not shock you, particularly in case you’ve bought a cellphone from a provider earlier than. In reality, in case you’re already underneath a month-to-month information plan that prices roughly the identical (if no more), your present handset has been paid off, and also you’re able to attempt a brand new (and presumably higher) cell service, this deal just isn’t as unhealthy because it appears. Best of all, you do not have to commerce in any qualifying gadgets.
Before you take the supply, listed below are the important thing variations between each iPhone 16 mannequin that can assist you determine which is finest for you:
- iPhone 16: Most normal iPhone 16 expertise, with a 6.1-inch show and a slew of daring colorways
- iPhone 16 Plus: A protracted-lasting iPhone with a giant 6.7-inch display, however has a 60Hz refresh charge panel
- iPhone 16 Pro: Similar function set because the Pro Max however with a smaller kind issue and battery measurement
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: The largest show and battery on an iPhone, with all of the fix-ins, together with Camera Control
|
Model |
Battery life |
Typical worth |
Camera |
|
iPhone 16 (6.1 inches) |
22 hours of video playback, 80 hours of audio playback |
$800 |
12-megapixel ultrawide digicam, 2X optical zoom |
|
iPhone 16 Plus (6.7 inches) |
27 hours of video playback, 100 hours of audio playback |
$900 |
12-megapixel ultrawide digicam, 2X optical zoom |
|
iPhone 16 Pro (6.3 inches) |
27 hours of video playback, 85 hours of audio playback |
$1,000 |
48-megapixel ultrawide digicam, 5X optical zoom |
|
iPhone 16 Pro Max (6.8 inches) |
33 hours of video playback, 105 hours of audio playback |
$1,200 |
48-megapixel ultrawide digicam, 5X optical zoom |
Looking to broaden your scope? Check out our roundup of the finest Black Friday cellphone offers out there now.
Deals are topic to promote out or expire at any time, although ZDNET stays dedicated to discovering, sharing, and updating the perfect product offers so that you can rating the perfect financial savings. Our crew of consultants often checks in on the offers we share to make sure they’re nonetheless dwell and obtainable. We’re sorry in case you’ve missed out on this deal, however do not fret — we’re always discovering new possibilities to save lots of and sharing them with you at ZDNET.com.
Cyber Monday falls on Dec. 2, 2024, the primary Monday following the Thanksgiving vacation within the U.S. However, count on retailers to start early reductions and gross sales weeks earlier than.
