Free 16GB iPhone 5s From Best Buy With 2-Year Contract?
No, you cannot get a free 16GB iPhone 5s from Best Buy with a 2-year contract today. That deal existed in 2013 when the phone launched, but the iPhone 5s is long discontinued, and Best Buy no longer sells it new or offers 2-year carrier contracts. If you are looking for a free iPhone on a contract, you would need to check current promotions for newer models, but the specific combination you asked about is no longer available.
What the Original Deal Was
When the iPhone 5s launched in September 2013, Best Buy ran a promotion that made the 16GB model free with a new 2-year AT&T or Verizon contract. The phone’s retail price was $649, but carriers subsidized most of that cost in exchange for a long-term service agreement. Best Buy sometimes added gift cards or further discounts on top of the carrier subsidy to make the phone $0 upfront.
That pricing model disappeared as carriers phased out 2-year contracts in favor of installment plans. By 2016, all major U.S. carriers had moved to monthly device payments, where you pay for the phone in 24 or 30 installments. The iPhone 5s itself was discontinued in March 2016, so even if you found old stock, it would not activate on current networks reliably.
Why the 2-Year Contract Model Ended
Carriers realized that customers preferred paying for phones separately from service. Under the old system, a 2-year contract locked you in for 24 months, and the phone subsidy was built into your monthly bill. When the contract ended, many customers kept paying the same rate, so carriers made extra profit.
Installment plans changed that. Now you see the full cost of the phone on your bill, and you can switch carriers once the phone is paid off. Best Buy still sells iPhones, but they are always unlocked or tied to installment plans, not contracts. The word “contract” is now mostly used for no-contract prepaid plans, which do not offer subsidized phones.
What You Would Get Instead
If you want a free iPhone from Best Buy today, you would need to trade in an older phone and sign up for a carrier installment plan. For example, a recent iPhone trade-in can reduce the monthly cost of a new iPhone to $0, but you still pay the full price over 24 months. The trade-in value depends on the model and condition of your old phone.
Alternatively, you could buy a refurbished iPhone 5s for about $50–$100, but it would run an old iOS version and lack support for current apps. It would also not work on 5G networks, and some carriers have dropped 3G, which the 5s relies on for calls in some areas.
How to Check Current Best Buy Offers
Best Buy’s website has a dedicated deals page for iPhones. You can filter by carrier, model, and trade-in value. The site will show you the upfront cost and the monthly installment amount. To see if a phone is free, look for “$0 down” or “$0/month” after trade-in.
You can also visit a physical store. Best Buy associates can check your trade-in value and explain the installment terms. They can also tell you if there are any limited-time promotions, like gift cards with activation.
Common Problems with Old iPhones
Even if you found a free iPhone 5s, you would face several issues:
- Battery life: The 5s battery is old and likely degraded, so it may not last a full day.
- iOS limitations: The latest iOS version it supports is iOS 12, which lacks many current app features.
- App compatibility: Many apps require iOS 13 or later, so you could not install them.
- Security: No security updates since 2019, making it vulnerable to exploits.
- Network compatibility: Some carriers have shut down 3G, which the 5s uses for voice calls in certain areas.
Comparing Costs: Contract vs. Installment
Under the old 2-year contract, you paid a higher monthly service fee that included the phone subsidy. For example, a single-line plan with 2GB of data might cost $80 per month. Over 24 months, that is $1,920. With an installment plan, the same service might cost $60 per month plus $27 for the phone, totaling $87 per month, or $2,088 over 24 months. The total cost is similar, but the installment plan gives you the freedom to switch carriers after paying off the phone.
For a free phone, you would need to trade in a device worth at least the full retail price. For instance, a recent iPhone Pro model might fetch $600 in trade-in, which could cover the cost of a base model iPhone. But that is still not “free”—you gave up your old phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still buy an iPhone 5s from Best Buy?
No, Best Buy no longer sells the iPhone 5s new. You might find refurbished units from third-party sellers on Best Buy’s marketplace, but they are not guaranteed to be in good condition or work on all carriers.
What does “free with 2-year contract” mean?
It meant the carrier subsidized the phone’s cost in exchange for a 24-month service agreement. You paid $0 upfront but agreed to stay with that carrier for two years. The subsidy was baked into your monthly bill.
Is a 2-year contract cheaper than an installment plan?
Usually not. The total cost is similar, but contracts locked you in and often had higher monthly fees. Installment plans are more flexible and transparent about the phone’s cost.
Can I trade in my old phone to get a free iPhone at Best Buy?
Yes, if your trade-in value equals the phone’s price. Best Buy’s trade-in program accepts many phones, but the value depends on model, condition, and market demand. You can check online before visiting the store.
What should I do with an old iPhone 5s?
You can trade it in for credit, sell it online, recycle it, or use it as a music player or security camera. It is not safe for banking or sensitive apps due to lack of updates.
Will an iPhone 5s work on current networks?
It depends on your carrier. It supports 4G LTE on bands used by AT&T and T-Mobile, but Verizon and Sprint have shut down CDMA, which the 5s uses for voice. You may have limited or no service on those networks.
Bottom Line
The free 16GB iPhone 5s deal from Best Buy is a relic of the contract era. It no longer exists, and the phone itself is obsolete. If you want a free iPhone, look for current trade-in promotions on newer models. Always check the total cost over 24 months, not just the upfront price, to understand what you are really paying.
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