You can technically get the Pixel 10 Pro for free

All of the main U.S. carriers, in addition to the standard retail outlets, are selling the new Pixel 10 range, which includes the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL. You could walk into a Verizon shop or Best Buy right now and find the full series sitting on shelves, ready to try out before deciding if one should be your next phone. If you do, the safest choice is usually to buy the unlocked model so you’re not tied to a single carrier. Still, U.S. carriers dominate the market, and their bundles are often tempting — including offers that make a Pixel 10 effectively free.

How “free” really works

That free tag comes with strings attached. In reality, you’ll only get the phone at no cost if you agree to a 24–36 month carrier contract. Here’s how: the carrier enrolls you in a monthly device payment plan, then applies bill credits every month that cancel out the phone’s cost — but only if you remain committed to the entire deal. Walk away early, and you’re on the hook for the remaining balance. It’s a system carriers have used for years, and while it’s clever marketing, it’s hardly generosity.

Carrier breakdown

1. Verizon
   Verizon is running multiple Pixel 10 promotions. On its Unlimited Ultimate plan, customers can get up to $1,200 off — sometimes even without a trade-in. For older or legacy plans, trade-ins may still be required, but Verizon accepts almost any phone and will still give the full discount. Be warned: they now require a three-year contract to lock this in.

2. AT&T
   AT&T also demands a three-year commitment, but they make the process unusually easy. By trading in any Pixel, even the original, you may receive the full $1,250 discount on the Pixel 10 Pro XL. The catch is that you must be on one of AT&T’s premium unlimited plans, at minimum the Unlimited Starter SL.

3. T-Mobile
   T-Mobile’s offer is less generous but has the shortest leash: just two years. You may receive up to $1,000 off with a qualified trade-in, which fully covers a Pixel 10 or Pixel 10 Pro—but not the XL variant.

Should you go for it?

If you’re confident you’ll stick with the same carrier for the next two to three years, these promotions are worthwhile. Google’s Pixel 10 series may be the strongest Android lineup on the market right now, and through these deals, you can realistically get one for free — at least on paper.

Recommendation: Use this as a detailed explainer piece highlighting both the appeal and fine print of “free” Pixel 10 offers.

Next step: Add a cautionary note at the end reminding readers that “free” locks them into expensive plans long term.