This post summarizes Yahoomobile phone purchase promotions.
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About Yahoomobile
This company is actually a sister company of Visible; both are fully owned by Verizon. And they have been pretty generous when it comes to spending Verizon’s money. We have also mentioned Yahoo Mobile many times before in our Visible deal posts. Unlike Visible, Yahoomobile does not really have any other stackable opportunities besides the Mastercard gift card and possible credit card rewards. So this post is pretty straightforward: just buy directly from the official website.
Since the phones are from Verizon, they are unlocked by default, so you can take them back to China and use them directly. However, to receive the $300 Mastercard gift card, you must activate the SIM card for 3 months.
This iPhone 12 mini Deal
Requirement: you need to port in a number. A very wide range of carriers are eligible, and many carriers work. HT: WeChat reader Muzhi.
Purchase link: https://www.yahoomobile.com/shop/smartphones/iphone-12-mini
- 64GB Apple iPhone 12 Mini Smartphone (various colors) $480
- 128GB Apple iPhone 12 Mini Smartphone (various colors) $504
- 256GB Apple iPhone 12 Mini Smartphone (various colors) $624
One nice thing about Yahoomobile phones is that there are plenty of colors and configurations available.
After purchase, you need to keep the service for three months before the $300 Mastercard gift card is issued. Yahoo Mobile costs $39.99 per month, so that adds about $120 to your total cost.
Since there is not much else to stack here, when paying you may want to use a credit card with a wireless credit or bonus earnings on wireless purchases. For the 64GB iPhone 12 mini, the final purchase price comes out to $300 before tax. Considering that it is unlocked, this is a very good deal for anyone who actually needs one.
Things to Note
According to the Mastercard gift card terms, Yahoomobile may issue the Mastercard gift card within 8 weeks after you have used the service for 3 months, which means you may have to keep the line for as long as 5 months. If you want to do this deal, be prepared for the possibility of paying for 5 months of service, which would increase your cost by another $40 or $80. YMMV. It is recommended that after 3 months, you contact customer service via chat and ask for the Mastercard gift card instead of waiting for it to be issued automatically. HT: Eddie Qiao
What to Do with the Number Afterwards
You could consider porting to Cricket afterward and getting a low-cost iPhone SE2.
If you want to keep Yahoo Mobile long term, its network characteristics are exactly the same as Visible’s, but it is too expensive. There are lower-cost alternatives with more plan options, such as Mint and Visible (with refer or Party pay).
Related Articles
We have published quite a few phone deal posts on US Phone 101. If you are interested, check out the following:
Still valid (or possibly still valid):
- Visible low-price phone deals (including the latest unlocked iPhone 12)
- Cricket phone deals: buy an iPhone SE2 for $75/$100 [2021.5 Update 2: the first batch of iPhone SE2 phones is about to be unlocked]
- Cricket Android phone deal: buy 4 LG/Moto Android phones for $130 or 5 for $160
- TracFone phone deal: get an iPhone SE2 (locked) for $161 before tax [2021.3 Update: now only $30 off]
- Google Fi phone deal: the “free” Moto phone promo is back + 50% off unlimited plans for the first 3 months
- MetroPCS phone deal: port in 2 lines + add 2 lines, pay $100 and get 4 brand-new phones [2021.1 Update: port in two lines for $70 and get two N10 5G phones]
Expired:
- Walmart | Buy an iPhone SE2 in store for $149 (AT&T locked), with at least $50 in required service charges
- Simple Mobile phone deal: buy an iPhone SE2 (locked) for $140, with unlock method [dead]
- Buy at least a $100 unlocked phone + TracFone SIM card and get a $100 gift card [2021.1 Update: DP, activation can still trigger the reward]
- HSN | Moto G Power 64GB (locked) + one-year TracFone junk plan for $119.99 before tax [you may try refer]
SIM card and carrier guides:
- Mint Mobile buying guide (usable in China) [2021.4 Update: eSIM replacement walkthrough]
- Mint Mobile activation outside the US and things to note (including Gift SIM activation) [can be activated in China]
- Comprehensive guide to Google Fi global roaming: essential for international travel | a great tool for online shopping from abroad [2021.5 Update: added official activation reminder, must be inside the US and not on VPN]
- AT&T port-in on two lines combined with TopCashback double cashback can net you $600+
- Recommended deal — CTExcel Americas $1 fall phone card promo [dead]
- US Mobile, a useful carrier for port-in deals [much harder now, not recommended]