The HTC First smart phone -- also known as the Facebook phone because it comes with Facebook Home installed -- has been in the news because AT&T dropped the price to 99 cents just a month after the phone debuted. And now there are reports that it likely will be discontinued. Considering that most new smart phones cost $200 and up when you agree to a two-year contract with a service provider (the cost is even higher without a contract), a 99-cent phone sounds pretty appealing.
However, you can find new smart phones -- ones that probably aren't at risk of being discontinued -- for even less than 99 cents. In fact, you can find plenty that are free if you sign up for a contract with a service provider. Here are 15 that won't cost you anything. Many of these are limited-time offers, so you'll need to act quickly if you are interested.
Apple iPhone 4. This $449.99 3G phone is free with a two-year Verizon contract. See details.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Apple iPhone 4S. This $549.99 3G phone with Siri -- the voice-activated assistant -- is free when you open a new line with Sprint and sign up for a two-year contract. See details.
Droid Incredible by HTC. This $499.99 4G Android phone is free with two-year Verizon contract. See details.
HTC EVO. This $549.99 4G phone with an Android operating system is free when you open a new line of service with Sprint, sign up for a two-year contract and use a $50 mail-in rebate. See details.
LG Lucid 2. This $349.99 4G Android phone is free with two-year Verizon contract. See details.
LG Optimus G. This $549.99 4G Android phone is free when you open a new line of service with Sprint, sign-up for a two-year contract and use a $50 mail-in rebate. See details.
LG Viper. This $399.99 4G Android phone is free when you open a new line with Sprint or add a line to your account and sign up for a two-year contract. See details.
Motorola Photon Q. This $549.99 4G Android phone is free when you open a new line of service with Sprint, sign-up for a two-year contract and use a $50 mail-in rebate. See details.
Nokia Lumia 822. This $449.99 4G Windows phone is free with two-year Verizon contract. See details.
Pantech Marauder. This $349.99 4G Android phone with a slide-out keyboard is free with two-year Verizon contract. See details.
Pantech Pocket. This $349.99 4G Android phone is free with a two-year AT&T contract. See details.
Samsung Galaxy S Relay. This $369.99 4G Android phone is free with a two-year T-Mobile contract. See details.
Samsung Galaxy II. This $499.99 4G Android phone is free with a two-year Sprint contract and a $50 mail-in rebate. See details.
Samsung Galaxy III. This $549.99 4G Android phone is free when you open a new line of service with Sprint, sign-up for a two-year contract and use a $50 mail-in rebate. See details.
T-Mobile myTouch. This $259.99 4G Android phone is free with a two-year T-Mobile contract. See details.
Note: Sprint is offering several other phones in addition to the ones listed here for free. Visit Sprint.com for a complete list.
If you don't like the idea of being tied into a two-year contract, you also can cut the cost of a smart phone by buying an unlocked phone (a phone that's not locked into a single carrier's network) and using a prepaid wireless provider. The phone will cost more, but you'll save big with a prepaid wireless plan. See Cut the Cost of an iPhone in Half to learn more.
-
Take Charge of Retirement Spending With This Simple StrategyTo make sure you're in control of retirement spending, rather than the other way around, allocate funds to just three purposes: income, protection and legacy.
-
Here's How To Get Organized And Work For YourselfWhether you’re looking for a side gig or planning to start your own business, it has never been easier to strike out on your own. Here is our guide to navigating working for yourself.
-
Five Reasons You Shouldn't Shop on Amazon Prime DaySmart Buying Think twice before getting lured into buying a bunch of stuff you don't need just because it's on sale.
-
Five Ways to Save on Vacation Rental PropertiesTravel Use these strategies to pay less for an apartment, condo or house when you travel.
-
How to Avoid Annoying Hotel Fees: Per Person, Parking and MoreTravel Here's how to avoid extra charges and make sure you don't get stuck paying for amenities that you don't use.
-
Best Cash Back Credit Cards December 2024Smart Buying Trying to compare the best cash back credit cards? Unlike most reviewers, we include cards from small banks and credit unions, as well as from large issuers.
-
How to Spend $1,000: Find Cheap (or Free) Online Courses to Build Career SkillsSmart Buying There's a huge array of skill-building online courses that can level up your career for under $1,000.
-
MoviePass is Relaunching. Should You Sign Up?Smart Buying The subscription discount movie card company has a checkered past and an army of disillusioned former cardholders. If you want to try the reboot, you’ll need to hurry.
-
HBO Max Is Offering Huge DiscountsSmart Buying Looking for a streaming service deal? Warner Bros. Discovery is cutting the price of HBO Max.
-
Are You Streaming Too Much? What the Discovery+/HBO Max Mashup MeansSmart Buying Fewer original scripted series? Maybe. And maybe it’s time to unsubscribe.
