Update 4/3/19: Dans Deals is reporting that Sprint reps are saying this deal ends tomorrow.
Update 3/22/19: According to SD, the ‘word on the street’ is that this offer will be discontinued in the early part of April. This is your last chance to get in on this deal.
Update 3/3/19: Offer renewed for free service until 3/31/20.
Update 11/15/18: Offer renewed for free service until 1/31/20.
Update 2/22/18: Offer renewed for free service until 4/30/19.
The Offer
- Sprint is offering a one year unlimited talk, text and data plan for free (there are some charges, explained below). To be eligible you need to bring across an eligible phone. Eligible phones are as follows:
- Alcatel IDOL5
- Apple iPhone 5c (Verizon only)
- Apple iPhone 5s (Verizon only)
- Apple iPhone 6
- Apple iPhone 6 Plus
- Apple iPhone 6s
- Apple iPhone 6s Plus
- Apple iPhone 7 (Verizon only)
- Apple iPhone 7 Plus (Verizon only)
- Apple iPhone 8 (Verizon only)
- Apple iPhone 8 Plus (Verizon only)
- Apple iPhone SE
- BLU S1
- Essential Phone
- Google Nexus 5 (16 & 32 GB – black/white/red) (Verizon only)
- Google Nexus 5X (all versions)
- Google Nexus 6 (32 & 64 GB – black/white)
- Google Nexus 6P (all versions)
- Google Pixel
- Google Pixel XL
- HTC One A9 (Sprint Version only)
- moto e4
- moto e4 plus
- moto g4
- moto g4 play
- moto g4 plus
- moto g5 plus
- moto x pure edition
- moto z2 play
- Samsung Galaxy S7 edge Special Edition
- Samsung Galaxy S7 Special Edition
- Samsung Galaxy S8 Special Edition
- Samsung Galaxy S8+ Special Edition
The Plan
Unlimited plan offers the following:
- Unlimited data, talk and text
- HD streaming:
- Video at speeds up to 1080p
- Music at up to 1.5mbps
- Gaming streams at up to 8mbps
- Unlimited 4G LTE data for most everything else. Data deprioritization applies during congestion.
10GB of high-speed data per line to use toward mobile hotspot, VPN and Peer-2-Peer usage. Once your 10GB is used up: No longer includedContinue at up to 2G speeds (32 Kbps) on our network for no additional cost, orPurchase more on-network high-speed data for $15/1GB to tide you over for the rest of your bill cycle
The Costs
While the plan is “free” for one year there are costs involved as follows:
- SIM Card: $2.99 per card plus $10 shipping/handling Plus tax. It’s not possible to do this in store to avoid the shipping and handling fee.
- Savings apply until 10/31/18 and then you’re charged $60/mo. for line 1, $40/mo. for line 2 & $30/mo./line for lines 3-5
- You still pay taxes, seem to be $3-$5 per line
The Fine Print
- You can cancel anytime
- See above
Our Verdict
I know this deal has been around for some time, but reader Peter asked why we’d never covered it and I realized I didn’t really have a good reason and it seems like it could be very useful for at least some readers. If you’ve already set this up, please share your experiences with other readers. I couldn’t find anyways to stack this deal (e.g no portals?) but I’m very happy to be proven wrong about that as well in the comments.
One thing readers have pointed out that I didn’t originally include is that how good this deal is will likely depend on how coverage is in your area. Jeff H suggests using Sensorly (crowd sourced app) to get a good idea of coverage.
Check out this post about how to get a second year from from this deal for those currently on the plan. Also, check out this Slickdeals wiki for additional detail and discussion about this deal.
I just called Sprint to have my phone unlocked since my years expires at the end of the month and they extended the promotion for a few more moths. The CR did not specify till when because he could not find an end date for the promotion.
This offer is awesome. Obviously there are limitations compared to the $180 Verizon plan I was on for 3 lines (worse coverage, no hot spot) but saving 2 grand in a year is totally worth it. The kids complain about the lack of a hotspot for the iPad in the car but they are old enough to remember to download stuff before we leave so I’m like whatever. Obviously if I was paying for service I would have more to complain about with it, but not having a cell phone bill for a whole year…no complaints here! Tip…I do call them every month and remove the $15 or so in fees, which they do without question. They could save themselves manpower hours by just not adding that. Or maybe folks let it slide so it’s financially beneficial for them to just take it off for those who call to have it removed? Whichever, it’s worth a short call to save the extra $180/year they try to slide by.
Dead
I will expect a full review of the next best deals on cell plans by next March. 🙂 j/k
I signed up for this promotional offer tonight (04/04/19) and unfortunately, I can confirm that this promotion ended on 04/04/19. I was told that I’ll have free Sprint unlimited service until 04/30/20. And the sim card that I got from my local Apple Store worked.
Just got off the phone, and it still works today. I’m not sure what time it ends.
While ordering through phone, a rep told me I would have to change to regular plan ($40/60 per mo?) if I do decide to use a different device later on (e.g. smashed current device or upgrade to something else). I vaguely remember reading the same clause in T&C. Any one has experience over this?
Really hope it isn’t ending tomorrow. Got the Pixel 3 gift card deal and activated Dec 11th, so my 120 days is up April 10th… already have the SIM Card for Sprint ready to go and everything. Anyone know what I can do to not compromise the gift card redemption and get to Sprint today?
TIA
Just got my third free year yesterday, spent at least 3 hours on the line with the telesales. The free plan is valid until Apr. 30. 2020
It’s not for one year, it’s until 1/31/2020, so 9 months
It said something about Sept 2019 during my signup just a week ago, but later when I logged in, it said until 4/30/2020. Of course, as with any deal, we will just have to keep an eye on the bill and be quick to remind them of the deal if they start charging more.