Walmart is not currently running any promotions where they are giving out free phones. However, they do offer a wide variety of phones at affordable prices from brands like Apple, Samsung, Motorola and more. Walmart also frequently runs deals on phones, especially around major shopping holidays like Black Friday. So while Walmart isn’t giving away phones for free right now, they can still be a great place to shop for the latest devices at discounted prices.
What phone deals does Walmart currently have?
While Walmart isn’t giving away phones, they do currently have some excellent deals on the latest phones:
- iPhone 14 – Get up to $1000 off the new iPhone 14 with qualified activation and trade-in on AT&T and Verizon
- Samsung Galaxy S22 – Save up to $800 on the Galaxy S22 with qualified activation on AT&T
- Motorola Edge – $400 off unlocked Motorola Edge
- iPhone SE – $150 gift card with qualified activation on AT&T or Verizon
These are just a few examples of the phone deals you can currently find at Walmart. They offer discounts on the latest iPhones, Galaxy phones from Samsung, budget-friendly Motorola models and more. The deals do require activation with a carrier like AT&T or Verizon in most cases.
What phone carriers does Walmart offer?
Walmart offers cell phones from all the major wireless carriers in the United States. This includes:
- AT&T
- Verizon
- T-Mobile
- Sprint
- Cricket Wireless (AT&T’s prepaid brand)
- Metro by T-Mobile (T-Mobile’s prepaid brand)
- TracFone (prepaid phones)
- Straight Talk (prepaid phones)
- Simple Mobile (T-Mobile based prepaid)
- Net10 (prepaid phones)
- Total Wireless (Verizon-based prepaid)
So no matter which carrier you’re currently with or considering switching to, Walmart likely offers cell phone options for that carrier. You can purchase the phones unlocked at full retail price or on installment plans through the carriers.
Does Walmart sell unlocked phones?
Yes, Walmart does sell unlocked cell phones. Unlocked phones can be used on any carrier, rather than tied to one specific carrier. Here are some of the unlocked phone options currently available at Walmart:
- iPhone 14, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max, 14 Plus – Walmart sells the full iPhone 14 lineup unlocked
- Samsung Galaxy S22 Series – Galaxy S22, S22+ and S22 Ultra unlocked models
- Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro
- Motorola Edge (2022 model)
- Nokia XR20 rugged smartphone
In addition to flagship phones like the latest iPhones and Galaxy S22 series, Walmart also sells more affordable unlocked phones from brands like Motorola and Nokia. Unlocked phones give you maximum flexibility to use whatever carrier you want.
How do the prices compare to other retailers?
Walmart is very competitively priced when it comes to cell phones. Here’s how their pricing compares on some popular models:
| Phone | Walmart Price | Best Buy Price | Target Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 14 128GB | $799 | $799 | $799 |
| Samsung Galaxy S22 128GB | $649 | $649 | $649 |
| Google Pixel 7 128GB | $499 | $499 | $499 |
As you can see from this comparison, Walmart’s prices on popular phones like the iPhone 14, Galaxy S22 and Pixel 7 match competing retailers like Best Buy and Target. While deals and promotions vary between retailers, their regular everyday pricing is typically very similar.
Does Walmart offer phone insurance plans?
Yes, Walmart does offer phone insurance plans to protect your device from damage or loss. They offer these protection plans through third parties like Asurion and Allstate. Here are some key things to know about Walmart’s phone insurance plans:
- Covers accidental damage, loss, theft – phone is replaced if it can’t be repaired
- Asurion plans start at $7-$10 per month depending on phone model
- Allstate plans start at $6-$8 per month
- Deductible of $99-$249 applies for each approved claim
- Comes with tech support benefits like help with software issues
- Can be added at time of phone purchase or within 30 days
Phone insurance can give you peace of mind and save you money if you ever have an incident with your device. Walmart’s plans are competitively priced and the deductibles are comparable to similar offerings from wireless carriers and other retailers.
What prepaid/no contract phones options are available?
If you don’t want to commit to a long-term carrier contract, Walmart has plenty of prepaid and no contract phone options. Here are some of the top choices for prepaid phones at Walmart:
- Straight Talk Phones – Uses Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile networks
- Tracfone Phones – Uses Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile networks
- Metro by T-Mobile Phones
- Cricket Wireless Phones (AT&T network)
- Simple Mobile Phones (T-Mobile network)
- Net10 Phones
- Total Wireless Phones (Verizon-based)
- Page Plus Phones (Verizon-based)
You’ll notice brands like Straight Talk, TracFone and Simple Mobile show up on this list. These companies specialize in no contract cell phone service. You simply purchase one of their prepaid phones, activate the service and can cancel anytime with no termination fee.
Can you get phone deals without a plan?
Yes, it is possible to get phone deals at Walmart without committing to a long-term service plan. Here are a couple ways to do it:
- Buy unlocked phones – Walmart sells unlocked phones at full retail price without requiring a plan.
- Bring your own device deals – Switch carriers while keeping your phone. Walmart offers discounted BYOD plans.
- Activate with prepaid service – Get a discounted prepaid phone without a contract.
- Purchase gift cards – Walmart offers gift cards with phone purchases you can use yourself.
The best phone deals do require committing to a carrier. But with a bit of smart shopping, you can still get offers on prepaid, unlocked and bring your own devices without a long-term contract.
What are the best phone deals right now?
Some of the top phone deals currently available at Walmart include:
- iPhone 14 – Save up to $1000 with trade-in and qualified activation
- Galaxy S22 – Get up to $800 off with eligible trade-in and unlimited plan
- Pixel 7 Pro – $150 Walmart gift card with activation
- iPhone SE – $150 Walmart gift card with activation
- Moto G Stylus – Just $99 prepaid on TracFone
Savings on the iPhone 14 and Galaxy S22 are among the best offers. Walmart is also running gift card bonuses on Google and Apple phones with qualified activations. The Moto G Stylus prepaid deal is great for budget buyers.
When do phone deals happen?
The best time to find phone deals at Walmart include:
- Holiday Sales – Major holidays like Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Christmas
- New Phone Releases – When new flagship phones are launching
- Back to School – End of summer sales in July/August
- End of Year Clearance – Discounted older models in December
- Walmart Savings Events – Periodic 3-day sales events year-round
Holidays and new phone release seasons offer the steepest discounts. But Walmart also runs rotating sales throughout the year. Checking their weekly ad is a good way to catch these periodic phone deals.
What phones work with the Safelink program?
Safelink is a government supported program that provides discounted or free cell phone service to qualifying low income individuals. Walmart offers several Safelink compatible phone options, including:
- iPhone 6s
- iPhone SE 2020
- Samsung Galaxy A10e
- LG K31 Rebel
- ZTE Z3001 Blade
You’ll notice these are more basic and budget-friendly phones. Flagship models are not offered through Safelink. You’ll need to port in an existing number or activate a new number with Safelink to use with these phones.
Can you use SNAP benefits for phones at Walmart?
Unfortunately SNAP food stamp benefits cannot be used to purchase cell phones or cell phone service plans at Walmart. SNAP benefits can only be used on eligible grocery items. Some items that cannot be purchased with SNAP include:
- Prepared hot foods
- Vitamins and medicines
- Nonfood items like cosmetics, pet foods, household supplies
- Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes or tobacco
- Electronics like cell phones, laptops, tablets
So SNAP benefits apply solely to grocery items. Non-grocery items like cell phones would need to be purchased separately through another form of payment.
Can you use an EBT card for phones at Walmart?
You cannot use an EBT card directly for purchasing cell phones at Walmart. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits issued on EBT cards can only be used for eligible grocery foods and cannot be used for other items like phones.
However, you may be able to use the cash benefits issued on an EBT card for non-food items like cell phones. Some programs like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) do issue cash benefits on EBT cards that could be used for electronics and phone purchases at Walmart.
What basic/flip phones does Walmart offer?
If you’re looking for a basic flip phone rather than a smartphone, Walmart offers options including:
- Alcatel MyFlip 2 – $39.98
- Nokia 2760 Flip – $49.00
- Motorola razr 2022 – $549.99
- Sonim XP5s – $219.99
- Kyocera DuraXV Extreme – $114.99
The Alcatel and Nokia models are very affordable, basic flip phones. Motorola razr is a modern take on the classic flip with foldable display. Sonim and Kyocera make rugged flip phones meant for outdoor use.
Does Walmart Family Mobile offer free phones?
Walmart Family Mobile is Walmart’s own cell phone carrier brand that operates on the T-Mobile network. They do not offer completely free phones, but they do offer very low cost phones when you sign up for service, such as:
- $20 LG K31 Rebel with plan activation
- $50 Samsung Galaxy A02s with plan activation
- $99 iPhone SE with plan activation
These discounted prices on both basic and smart devices make them virtually free after signing up for a monthly Family Mobile service plan. So you can get an inexpensive device when you switch to Walmart’s carrier brand.
Does Straight Talk offer deals on phones?
Straight Talk is one of the top prepaid, no contract cell phone brands sold at Walmart. They do offer discounted prices on phones when you sign up for monthly service, such as:
- $39 Samsung Galaxy A02s
- $49 Motorola moto g fast phone
- $199 iPhone SE
- $499 Samsung Galaxy S21
These prepaid phone deals typically represent $50-$100 or more off the retail price. Straight Talk service plans start at $35/month, so you can get affordable pricing on both the phone and monthly service.
Conclusion
While Walmart currently isn’t offering completely free cell phones simply for walking in the store, they do have great deals on phones when you sign up for service. Look for discounted prices on both smartphones and basic options from top brands. The best deals come when activating on major carrier monthly plans or switching to Walmart’s prepaid brands like Straight Talk. With the right promotion, you can get a quality phone for very little money upfront. Keep an eye out around major holidays and shopping events for the deepest discounts.