As the new school year approaches, Verizon is rolling out a suite of back-to-school deals aimed at making essential technology affordable and stress-free for families. The telecommunications giant announced on July 22, 2026, a range of offers including free devices, discounted plans for teachers and college students, and digital safety tools designed to give parents peace of mind.
Among the key promotions is the Gizmo Watch 4, available for free to new and existing customers when purchased on a 36-month payment plan with a new watch line. No trade-in is required. The watch features location tracking, school mode, and approved-contact-only communication, addressing parents’ concerns about keeping their children safe and focused during school hours.
For families looking for a more comprehensive tech setup, Verizon offers the Kids Bundle: customers who buy any Android phone can get the Gizmo Watch 4 and a Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+ at no extra cost, with a new line and service plan on each device. Additionally, the Samsung Ultimate Bundle allows eligible customers to buy a new Samsung phone or bring their own Android device with a new line and receive a free Galaxy Watch9 and Galaxy Tab S10 FE, again with service plans required.
Verizon is also targeting educators and college students with special pricing. Teachers can access the carrier’s 5G network for just $25 per line per month with four lines on Unlimited Welcome, with additional discounts that stack. College students can save up to $25 per month on two lines of mobile service when bundled with home internet, making it easier to stay connected on campus.
Beyond hardware discounts, Verizon emphasizes digital wellness as a cornerstone of its back-to-school offerings. The company highlights a downloadable Family Tech Agreement, a printable tool designed to help families establish mutual boundaries around screen time, ensuring that parents also adhere to rules like no phones at the dinner table. The Verizon Family App provides parental controls, screen time management, teen driving insights, and location check-ins, all centralized in one platform.
Verizon also offers free parenting advice through its Parenting in a Digital World site and other digital wellness resources for parents, caregivers, students, teachers, and schools. These resources aim to help families navigate the digital landscape safely as they prepare for the upcoming school year.
The announcement underscores Verizon’s strategy to position itself as a one-stop shop for family connectivity, combining value with safety features. By offering free devices and discounted plans, the company hopes to alleviate the financial burden of back-to-school tech purchases while addressing growing concerns about children’s online safety. For more details, customers can visit verizon.com/family-tech, verizon.com/deals, the My Verizon app, or find a local store at verizon.com/stores.
