Metro by T-Mobile Is Giving Away This Samsung Galaxy A16: Which Plans Are Eligible?

A mature couple in their living room looks at the woman's phone together.

If your phone is ready for an upgrade, but your wallet's still exhausted from holiday shopping, Metro by T-Mobile has a free phone deal that could solve both of your problems. For a limited time, you can get up to four free Samsung Galaxy A16s with some of the most affordable mobile plans on the market right now.

Plans eligible for the free phone deal start at just $40 per month with each additional line costing as little as $25. If you're currently with a major provider such as Verizon or T-Mobile, a free phone with such a low-cost plan might sound almost too good to be true.

Here's how the deal works and what you can expect from the budget-friendly plans offered at Metro by T-Mobile.

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Get up to four free Samsung Galaxy A16s from Metro by T-Mobile

For a limited time, new customers can get the Samsung Galaxy A16 for free when they sign up for any eligible Metro by T-Mobile phone plan. When you add a line to your plan, each added line (up to four new lines) can qualify for the same free phone deal.

Eligible plans depend on whether you want to keep your current phone number or get a new one when you sign up.

If you bring your current phone number, you might qualify for the free phone on Metro’s lower-cost plans, though availability can depend on the device and promotion at checkout.

The entry-level plan at Metro already includes unlimited talk, text and data and a five year price guarantee that kicks in when you sign up. You'll pay $45 for your first month, then $40 per month after that if you set up AutoPay. You can also get a free phone and keep your number on their upgraded plans.

If you want to get a new number when you switch, you'll qualify for the free phone deal on the $50 per month plan (or the higher plan). This next-tier plan includes all the same perks as the cheaper plan as well as eight gigabytes of hotspot data and a complimentary Google One membership that comes with 100 gigabytes of backup storage.

Higher-tier Metro plans also include upgrade benefits, making it easier to take advantage of future phone deals as they become available.

There are restrictions on which phone deals you're eligible for, but the longer you wait to upgrade, the more deals you'll be able to choose from. When you sign up, you'll pay $55 for the first month and $50 each month thereafter if you set up autopay.

The deal will automatically be applied at checkout online. Add the phone to your cart, choose an eligible phone and you're good to go. At checkout, expect to pay the first month of your plan plus any applicable sales tax on the phone. Even though the phone is free, you'll still have to pay tax.

What's the catch?

Metro by T-Mobile is known for being pretty transparent about pricing and terms, so there shouldn't be any surprises when you try to claim this deal.

However, there are some details in the fine print worth considering before you ditch your current provider:

The phone is mostly free. As mentioned earlier, the phone is free, but you'll still have to pay sales tax. Technically, the phone will cost you a few bucks.
Data speeds are capped. Every eligible plan for this deal offers unlimited data, but if you use more than a certain amount in a month, your speeds will be slower for the rest of that month. On the cheaper $40 per month plan, slow speeds kick in after 35 gigabytes. On the $50 per month plan, you can go up to 50 gigabytes before speeds slow.
Autopay is required for the advertised price. The prices advertised on the plans include an Autopay discount. Without autopay, add an extra $5 to your monthly bill.

Is it worth switching to Metro by T-Mobile for a free phone?

This free Samsung Galaxy A16 offer is a good deal with few strings attached. You don't have to lock yourself into long contracts as you do with other carriers. You also don't have to opt into the carrier's most expensive plans to qualify.

Overall, switching to a smaller mobile provider is a great way to cut your phone bill and get a free phone.

Just beware of the monthly data caps if you rely on your phone for browsing and streaming.

Rachael Green is a personal finance eCommerce writer specializing in insurance, travel, and credit cards. Before joining Kiplinger in 2025, she wrote blogs and whitepapers for financial advisors and reported on everything from the latest business news and investing trends to the best shopping deals. Her bylines have appeared in Benzinga, CBS News, Travel + Leisure, Bustle, and numerous other publications. A former digital nomad, Rachael lived in Lund, Vienna, and New York before settling down in Atlanta. She’s eager to share her tips for finding the best travel deals and navigating the logistics of managing money while living abroad. When she’s not researching the latest insurance trends or sharing the best credit card reward hacks, Rachael can be found traveling or working in her garden.