Depending on what plan you have with Verizon you may still get a phone under contract, you will pay more for the Line Access Fee ($40 versus $20) but the devices available for Free are low end devices such as the Motorola Droid Mini, for any other more expensive device you get a discount for signing the 2 year contract. Verizon like most cell companies are pushing users toward the Device Payment Plan with no contract just a payment plan equaling the device cost divided by 24 mos, which frees you up to upgrade anytime you want as long as you pay off the balance of the device when you wish to do so.