Update: This deal has expired and is no longer available on Amazon. You can now find the same deal directly on Boost Mobile Website and other Prime Day deals still available across ZDNET’s full lineup Overview of telephone offers.
Every major shopping event, like Amazon Prime Day, comes with a “free phone” offer. As you might expect, these deals are almost always too good to be true, whether they’re offered by AT&T, T-Mobile, or Amazon. The latest variation is offered by Boost Mobile, which is selling any iPhone 15 modelincluding the Pro Max, for just a penny. What’s wrong with this deal? I’ll break it down below.
Also: The best Prime Day deals still available
Buying the best iPhone on the market for a penny is a no-brainer for everyone, but looking at the details of the offer, we see that you have to meet two other conditions to take advantage of it:
- You must sign up for a 36-month installment plan under Boost Mobile.
- A Boost Infinite wireless plan is required and starts at $60 per month (up to $70.28 per month).
Basically, the penny iPhone is Boost Mobile’s way of luring you into a three-year contract. The wireless plan you have to sign up for, which gets more expensive as you choose a higher-end iPhone 15 model, is how the carrier makes its money back.
Also read: iPhone 15 Pro review: Coming from the iPhone 12 Pro or earlier? This upgrade will blow your mind
If you decide to cancel the contract, you will have to pay for the remainder of the iPhone. Conversely, once the three years are up, you can always resell the iPhone and get some of your money back.
These qualifications shouldn’t come as a surprise, especially if you’ve already purchased a phone from a carrier. In fact, if you already have a monthly data plan that costs about the same (or more), your current phone has been paid off, and you’re ready to try a new (and possibly better) mobile service, this deal isn’t as bad as it sounds. Best of all, you don’t have to trade in any eligible devices.
Before you accept the offer, Here are the main differences and reasons to buy one iPhone 15 model over another:
- iPhone 15 Pro Max: the best photo experience thanks to 5x optical zoom and large 120 Hz AMOLED screen
- iPhone 15 Pro: Similar feature set to the Pro Max, but with a smaller form factor and shorter zoom capabilities
- iPhone 15 Plus: Best iPhone battery life with a large 6.7-inch screen, but it’s a 60Hz refresh rate panel
- iPhone 15: The most standard iPhone 15 experience, with a 6.1-inch screen and a multitude of pastel colors
Deals may sell out or expire at any time, but ZDNET is committed to finding, sharing, and updating the best product deals to help you get the best savings. Our team of experts regularly reviews the deals we share to make sure they’re still live and available. We’re sorry if you missed out, but don’t worry: we’re constantly finding new savings opportunities and sharing them with you on ZDNET.com.
Also: Best Amazon Prime Day 2024 Deals Still Available