AT&T to replace broken Pixel phones, that is

AT&T is conducting a very aggressive play for Android die-hards: trade in any Google Pixel, regardless of age or condition, and walk away with the Pixel 10 Pro XL for free (in the form of bill credits). The regular Pixel 10 Pro is included too. The promotion is available to new or existing customers who take advantage of it online or in stores when upgrading an eligible line or activating a new one.

Since that’s what you should expect with any carrier “free” phone, a lot of people would likely be tempted to pretend they didn’t notice the fine print when reading news like this. As AppleInsider puts it, though the price is zero up front, the pre-order iPhone SE requires a 36‑month commitment and will apply instant cash credits for only about one-third of those months. The Pixel 10 Pro XL is being advertised with as much as $1,250 in credits with AT&T and up to $1,050 for the Pixel 10 Pro. You will still have to pay sales tax on the full retail price at checkout, a $35 activation or upgrade fee per line applies, and you need to be on an eligible unlimited plan.

And it is promotions like this that persuade carriers to keep buying from them, gaining long-term customers. Consumer research firms like CIRP have consistently found that the majority of U.S. phone sales go through carrier deals, and bill‑credit designs are intended to incentivize customers to stay with the service for the entire term.

How the AT&T Pixel trade-in deal actually works

Select the Pixel 10 Pro XL (or the Pixel 10 Pro) on AT&T’s device page or at a retail store. Choose a 36‑month payment plan, and then choose new or upgrade on an eligible unlimited plan. You will start a trade‑in during checkout. Any Google Pixel in any condition gets the full promo; certain devices from Apple, Samsung, and OnePlus also may qualify as long as they meet a minimum trade‑in value threshold.

If you do the trade by mail, AT&T sends you a prepaid kit, but you can also hand your phone to a store rep.

After receiving and verifying the device for trade‑in, bill credits commence—usually within two or three billing cycles—and continue until that device’s price is fully paid. If you cancel service or pay off the phone early, any accrued credits end and you will be responsible for the unpaid balance.

Real‑world example: a dinged Pixel 4 with a cracked screen and dead battery is still fair game under the “any condition” Pixel rule. Non‑Pixel devices, on the other hand, only need to meet a minimum value threshold from AT&T to unlock the highest credit tier.

What ‘any condition’ really means for this Pixel promo

AT&T’s Pixel‑specific language is abnormally permissive—this promo typically even accepts cracked screens, heavy wear, and phones that won’t power on. There are still limits: you can’t report the device lost or stolen, and it needs an IMEI that checks out and hasn’t been tampered with in ways that remove core elements.

Back up your data, sign out of your Google account, disable Find My Device, remove screen locks, and complete a factory reset before shipping. Take pictures of the device from all sides, note the IMEI, and keep your postal receipt. Those simple steps help resolve any rare dispute over condition or delivery.

What you’ll still pay with AT&T’s Pixel trade-in deal

• Sales tax on the full retail price, charged at purchase (including on premium unlimited plan offers).
• A $35 activation or upgrade fee for each line.
• An eligible unlimited plan is required; AT&T single‑line pricing for new customers begins in the mid‑$70s before discounts, and autopay and paperless billing can lower the monthly price.
• Returns: if you return the phone within the standard 14‑day trial period, there may be a restocking fee, and credits are reversed when the device is returned.

One other fine‑print oddity typical of bill‑credit deals: downsizing to an ineligible plan, suspending service, or porting your number out early can stop credits. If you expect that you will switch carriers in less than three years, this may not be the best route.

Pixel 10 Pro XL or Pixel 10 Pro: which one fits you?

Both phones also have Google’s latest AI‑first approach in Android 16 and the new Pixelsnap magnetic charging and accessory system, which should be familiar to anyone who has enjoyed magnetic ecosystems on other platforms. The XL has heavy video lovers covered with a bigger display and battery, not to mention quicker top‑up times, while the 10 Pro aims for a lighter, more ergonomically sound in‑hand feel.

If you consume a lot of video, game on the go, or need maximum battery life, consider the XL as a safer bet. Value one‑hand comfort and pocketability without sacrificing flagship cameras and AI features? The 10 Pro is the “better” one.

Why AT&T is doing this and who should go for it

Big carriers crank up promotions whenever a new wave of premium phones is on the scene. An offer centering around the Pixel is a way for AT&T to diversify, beyond the usual brand conflicts. Market trackers such as Counterpoint Research have found that Google’s share in the U.S. remains in the single digits, leaving carriers plenty of room to offer incentives to drive adoption.

If you have an old or defective Pixel gathering dust, there is little reason not to accept this offer and plan on keeping it for the full 36 months. If you’re trading in a relatively new iPhone or Galaxy, price‑shop valuations from carrier to carrier before you decide; sometimes manufacturer‑specific promos net a better result.

Checklist: your step-by-step plan to claim the offer

• Verify your line is eligible for an available unlimited plan.
• Choose Pixel 10 Pro XL or 10 Pro on a 36‑month installment plan.
• Start the trade‑in during checkout and note your offer.
• Back up your data, sign out, and factory reset your old phone.
• Ship it in or bring it to a store, and save all receipts.
• Check your next 2–3 bills to confirm credits have applied.
• Avoid plan changes that would disqualify this promo.

With some finesse, you can turn that drawer relic—cracks and all—into an adventure-ready handset without paying full retail at the outset through AT&T’s “any condition” Pixel trade‑in.