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Archive notice: This is a historical roundup of U.S. phone deals published February 18, 2024. The prices and promotions below are expired unless a carrier or retailer separately confirms them. Do not treat the $0 iPhone 15 Pro as a free, unlocked phone.
The original headline promised seven deals, but its quick links listed eight. This corrected archive covers all eight and separates carrier promotions from unlocked retail discounts—the distinction that matters most to your total cost.
The short answer
The headline “free iPhone 15 Pro” referred to a phone promotion requiring activation and financing through Boost Infinite at Amazon. The article stated that the associated unlimited plan cost $60 per month. It did not establish that the phone was immediately free, unlocked, or free of taxes, fees, financing obligations, or early-cancellation consequences. Laptop Mag’s February 2024 article is the source for those historical terms.
For a shopper who wanted flexibility, the unlocked Best Buy discounts were easier to evaluate: pay the advertised sale price and avoid promotional bill credits. For someone already switching carriers and willing to remain eligible for the required plan, a carrier deal could reduce the upfront device cost—but the $0 phone payment was not the same as a $0 wireless bill.
#1 Best Overall
- 6.1inch Super Retina XDR display. ProMotion technology. Always-On display. Titanium with textured matte glass back. Action button
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A17 Pro chip with 6-core GPU
- Pro camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide| Telephoto. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. Up to 10x optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 29 hours video playback. USB-C, Supports USB 3 for up to 20x faster transfers. Face ID
Historical deal comparison
| Phone or bundle | Advertised February 2024 price | Type | Main requirement or catch |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 15 Pro | $0 device price | Boost Infinite carrier promotion | Activation, financing and a stated $60/month unlimited plan |
| Galaxy S24 Plus bundle | $1,549 value advertised as free | Verizon bundle | Samsung trade-in, new line and Unlimited plan; included watch and tablet |
| Galaxy Z Fold 5 | $1,499, down from $1,799 | Unlocked retail discount | $300 historical reduction; expensive foldable remains expensive to repair or replace |
| Pixel 8 | $549, down from $699 | Unlocked retail discount | $150 historical reduction |
| Pixel Fold | $1,399, down from $1,799 | Unlocked retail discount | $400 historical reduction; high remaining purchase price |
| OnePlus 12, 512GB | $799, down from $899 | Unlocked retail discount | $100 historical reduction |
| Galaxy A54 5G | $349, down from $449 | Retail discount through Best Buy | $100 historical reduction |
| OnePlus Open | $1,499, down from $1,699 | Unlocked retail discount | $200 historical reduction; listed in the original quick links but not developed equally in its body |
What “free iPhone 15 Pro” meant
The historical offer was a $0 advertised device price, not a no-strings-attached phone giveaway. The reported arrangement required:
- Activation through Boost Infinite at Amazon.
- Financing for the device.
- A stated $60-per-month unlimited service plan.
The visible article copy did not fully specify the financing duration, taxes, activation fees, shipping, device-lock policy, eligibility for new versus existing customers, or the precise consequence of canceling or upgrading early. Those missing terms are material. A promotion should not be described as “free” unless the buyer verifies how monthly payments and credits work for the exact transaction.
In general, a carrier “free phone” means the carrier offsets financed device payments with conditional monthly credits while the customer maintains qualifying service. If service is canceled or the plan becomes ineligible, remaining credits may stop while the unpaid device balance remains due. Current carrier pages show why this matters: T-Mobile’s current iPhone disclosures describe 24 monthly credits and warn that cancellation can stop credits and leave the financed balance due.
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- How many months of financing or service were required?
- Would canceling early trigger the remaining device balance?
- Was the phone locked, and when could it be unlocked?
- Were taxes and activation or other fees charged separately?
- Could existing Boost customers qualify, or was a new line required?
Those uncertainties are why the offer should be read as “$0 device price with required service and financing,” not “free unlocked iPhone 15 Pro.”
The Verizon Galaxy S24 Plus bundle
The article advertised a Galaxy S24 Plus, Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Tab bundle with a stated value of $1,549. According to the historical article, qualification required a Samsung trade-in in any condition, a new Verizon line and an Unlimited plan. Both new and existing customers were described as potentially eligible.
Rank #2
- 6.1inch Super Retina XDR display. ProMotion technology. Always-On display. Titanium with textured matte glass back. Action button
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A17 Pro chip with 6-core GPU
- Pro camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide| Telephoto. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. Up to 10x optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 29 hours video playback. USB-C, Supports USB 3 for up to 20x faster transfers. Face ID
This was not a phone-only comparison. A watch or tablet may require its own connected-device line, taxes, activation charges or other recurring costs. Before comparing the bundle with an unlocked phone, calculate whether you actually need all three devices and whether any additional service is required.
“Any condition” also needs verification in the original promotion’s terms. Ask whether cracked, water-damaged or nonfunctional phones qualify, whether the device must be paid off, and whether the value is delivered immediately or through monthly credits.
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Galaxy Z Fold 5: $1,499
Best Buy advertised the unlocked Galaxy Z Fold 5 at $1,499, down from $1,799. The discount reduced the upfront price by $300 without the carrier-credit structure described for the iPhone and Verizon bundle. Laptop Mag also offered favorable hands-on commentary; that assessment should be understood as the publication’s editorial conclusion, not independent laboratory testing.
Google Pixel 8: $549
The unlocked Pixel 8 was listed at $549, down from $699. Its $150 reduction made it the most approachable flagship-style option in the roundup. The article highlighted Google’s AI features, but the price was a February 2024 historical price and is not a current offer.
Google Pixel Fold: $1,399
The unlocked Pixel Fold was listed at $1,399, down from $1,799—a $400 reduction. The discount was substantial, but the remaining price was still high. Foldable buyers should also consider repair exposure, warranty terms and how long they expect to keep the device.
Rank #3
- 6.1" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1179x2556px, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM), 19.5:9 ratio, 3274mAh Battery
- 256GB 8GB RAM, Apple A17 Pro (3 nm), Hexa-core (2x3.78 GHz + 4x2.11 GHz), Apple GPU (6-core graphics), iOS 17, upgradable to iOS 17.6.1, planned upgrade to iOS 18
- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 12MP, f/2.8 (telephoto) 3x optical zoom + 12MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide), Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9 (wide)
- 2G: 850/900/1800/1900, 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100, 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/32/34/38/39/40/41/42/46/48/53/66/71, 5G: 1/2/3/5/7/8/12/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/40/41/48/53/66/70/71/77/78/79/258/260/261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Dual eSIM
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint., Etc.
OnePlus 12, 512GB: $799
The 512GB unlocked OnePlus 12 was listed at $799, down from $899. The article emphasized its large display, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, cameras and battery. The key financial advantage was clarity: the buyer paid a known retail price rather than relying on a carrier to deliver credits over time.
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Best Buy listed the Galaxy A54 5G at $349, down from $449. The phone offered a 6.4-inch 120Hz AMOLED display, 128GB storage, a 5,000mAh battery, expandable storage and IP67 water resistance, according to the article. For a budget buyer, a $349 unlocked phone could be more practical than a “free” flagship tied to a costly plan.
OnePlus Open: $1,499
The original quick links listed the unlocked OnePlus Open at $1,499, down from $1,699. Because the article did not develop this offer to the same extent as the others, treat the price and details as an archival listing rather than a complete buying recommendation.
Carrier deal or unlocked phone?
Carrier promotions and unlocked discounts solve different problems.
| Choose a carrier promotion if… | Choose an unlocked discount if… |
|---|---|
| You are already changing carriers or need a new line. | You want to keep your existing plan. |
| You can remain on the qualifying plan for the full credit period. | You may switch carriers, travel or resell the phone soon. |
| You have an eligible trade-in and understand its valuation. | You do not want to risk trade-in rejection or delayed credits. |
| The plan cost is competitive even without the promotion. | You prefer a known upfront cost and simpler ownership. |
A carrier’s $0 monthly device payment can be worse value than an unlocked purchase if the required plan costs more than your current service, requires an extra line, or forfeits credits when you leave.
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- 6.1" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1179x2556px, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM), 19.5:9 ratio, 3274mAh Battery
- 256GB 8GB RAM, Apple A17 Pro (3 nm), Hexa-core (2x3.78 GHz + 4x2.11 GHz), Apple GPU (6-core graphics), iOS 17, upgradable to iOS 17.6.1, planned upgrade to iOS 18
- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 12MP, f/2.8 (telephoto) 3x optical zoom + 12MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide), Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9 (wide)
- 2G: 850/900/1800/1900, 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100, 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/32/34/38/39/40/41/42/46/48/53/66/71, 5G: 1/2/3/5/7/8/12/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/40/41/48/53/66/70/71/77/78/79/258/260/261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Dual eSIM
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint., Etc.
Calculate the real cost
Use this formula instead of ranking offers by the phone payment alone:
Total cost = upfront taxes and fees + device payments + required service-plan cost + required add-on lines − promotional credits − trade-in value − rebates or gift cards.
Calculate at least three scenarios:
- 12-month cost: useful if you may move or upgrade within a year.
- Full promotional-term cost: include every required month of service and all add-on lines.
- Early-cancellation cost: model leaving at month 6, 12 and 24, including any unpaid device balance and lost credits.
For a buyer who already has service, compare the carrier’s required plan with the plan you would otherwise keep. For a switcher, include activation fees, taxes and any cost of paying off an existing phone.
Why trade-in terms matter
Read the eligibility rules before shipping a phone. Confirm:
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- Exact model and storage capacity accepted.
- Whether damage, water exposure or failure to power on is permitted.
- Whether the old phone must be paid off.
- Whether the trade-in is credited immediately or over months.
- Whether a new line, upgrade or premium plan is required.
- What happens if the carrier changes the assessed condition.
Photograph the phone, remove personal data only after backing it up, record its condition and keep shipping and acceptance records. Do not assume that “any condition” has the same meaning across promotions.
Best Value
- 6.1inch Super Retina XDR display. Aluminum with color-infused glass back. Ring/Silent switch
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A16 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU
- Advanced dual-camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. 4X optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 26 hours video playback. USB C, Supports USB 2. Face ID
Why current verification matters
The original deals are not current merely because the article remains online. As of the research verification dated August 18, 2026, AT&T’s deal pages promoted newer devices and described many offers using 36-month installment credits, eligible unlimited plans and trade-ins. T-Mobile’s page included newer promotions alongside legacy iPhone 15 Pro material and described 24-month credits on some offers. See AT&T’s current deals, AT&T’s free-phone page and T-Mobile’s current iPhone offers for current terms.
Do not carry forward a 2024 price, plan, credit period, inventory status or unlocking assumption into a 2026 purchase. Verify the promotion at checkout and read the carrier’s full terms before submitting a trade-in or opening a line.
Bottom line
The best historical deal depended on the buyer. The iPhone 15 Pro had the lowest advertised device price, but it required Boost Infinite activation, financing and a stated $60 monthly plan. The Pixel 8 and Galaxy A54 5G offered clearer unlocked economics at $549 and $349, respectively. The Verizon Galaxy S24 Plus bundle could appeal to someone who genuinely needed the included watch and tablet, but it was not comparable to a standalone unlocked phone.
Because every listed promotion was tied to February 2024, use this page as an archive—not a shopping list. For a live purchase, compare the complete service commitment, trade-in risk, credit duration and cancellation cost against a current unlocked price.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
