If you’ve been thinking of upgrading to a new phone this year, you might be eyeing the iPhone 17. You’re not alone. But with new phones and fresh accessories like the AirPods Pro 3 and updated Apple Watches, it’s easy to rack up a pretty hefty bill. Yet, as a lot of us may forget, you don’t have to pay full price for a new phone -- even on the newest iPhone 17 lineup. From trade-in offers to direct discounts, there are plenty of ways to save big.
The iPhone 16 series is seeing some of the strongest discounts right now, as retailers and carriers clear remaining inventory. That opens the door to solid deals if you’re looking to upgrade without splurging on the newest models.
If you’re on a tight budget, shop for older models such as the iPhone 15. Stock is thinning, but when you can find them, they’re often marked down by hundreds. To make the hunt easier, CNET shopping expert Adam Oram has rounded up the smartest, simplest ways to snag one for less. Below, you’ll find the best deals on the iPhone 17, iPhone 16, iPhone 16E, iPhone 15 and iPhone 14, grouped by generation.
iPhone 17 deals
The new iPhone 17 series is now available. The basic iPhone starts at $799, while the iPhone 17 Pro starts at $1,099 and the 17 Pro Max jumps up to $1,199. There's also the new ultra-thin iPhone Air, which starts at $999.
One of the easiest ways to save on a new iPhone is by trading in your old model. Apple offers up to $670 in trade-in credit, but that's only in exchange for one of its latest models. Older iPhones, as well as phones from Samsung, Google and other brands are also accepted, but won't be worth quite as much. You'll also get 3% cash back when you purchase with an Apple Card.*
Apple is also offering up to $30 off if you let it help you connect to a carrier, plus the carriers themselves offer up to $999 trade-in credit.
T-Mobile customers can get up to $1,100 off the iPhone 17 series with an eligible trade-in, as long as they're on an Experience More or Go5G Plus plan or switch to one. This will net you the base iPhone 17, 17 Pro and iPhone Air for free. Both a new line and a trade-in together get you this phone free.
These offers will be applied as bill credits over a 24-month period. Cancel before this, and you'll owe any unpaid balance.
You can save big on the iPhone 17 series with a trade-in of any condition at AT&T. Devices valued at just $130 or more will knock up to $700 off, which means you'd get the basic iPhone 17 for $4. Devices valued at $230 or more will save you up to $1,100 on the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max. That means you're getting the 17 Pro Max for around $3 per month. Discounts are applied as bill credits over 36 months.
Best Buy isn't carrying any unlocked models, but does have availability for both AT&T and Verizon customers. There aren't any special offers at the moment but the tech retailer has its own trade-in program, which can save save you up to $1,100 in exchange for your old phone. The latest iPhones will net you the biggest discount, but phones from Samsung, Google and many other brands are also accepted.
Verizon is offering trade-in discounts of up to $1,200 off the iPhone 17 lineup for those who add a new line on a qualifying Unlimited plan. Depending on the model you choose, you'll effectively get your new iPhone for free.
You can get the iPhone 17 Pro free if you activate a new line with an eligible Unlimited Data or Business Unlimited Data plan. You don't need a trade-in and the discount will be applied as bill credits over 36 months.
iPhone 16 deals
There are a lot of savings to be had on all the models in Apple's iPhone 16 lineup, including carrier deals that can nab you the device free if you have an older device to trade in.
Trading in your old phone at Apple could save you up to $670 on any iPhone 16 model. Previous-generation iPhones will net the biggest discount, but Apple also accepts devices from Samsung, Google and OnePlus. You'll also get 3% cash back if you buy it with your Apple Card*.
If you let Apple connect you to a carrier, you could save up to $899 with trade-in credit.
T-Mobile is offering tons of discounts on the iPhone 16 series. If you're on an Experience Beyond plan, trading in an old device in any condition will net you any of the 16 series for free. You can also save up to $830 if you're on an Experience More plan, or up to $300 for most other plans. T-Mobile is also offering $830 off with a new line and a trade-in, or when you switch from another carrier to an Experience Beyond plan. Plus, there are special offers for military members, first responders and people 55 and older.
T-Mobile is also offering up to $800 to break your current contract and switch.
AT&T is offering great deals on the iPhone 16 lineup. Without trade-in, you can save on the basic iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max when you purchase them on an installment plan.
Note that you must switch to an eligible unlimited plan to get these offers, and the discounts will be applied as bill credits over 36 months. You can also save up to $800 if you switch carriers to AT&T.
Adding a line on an Unlimited Ultimate plan at Verizon will save you $730 on the basic iPhone 16, $830 on the iPhone 16 Plus and $900 on the iPhone 16 Pro. Discounts are applied as bill credits over 36 months.
iPhone 16E deals
The budget-friendly iPhone 16E is still available and there are plenty of iPhone 16E deals for those wanting to save on Apple's most affordable member of the family.
When you trade in an eligible device, Apple offers savings on the new iPhone 16E. Trading in an old phone could save you up to $670, which can potentially score you the basic 128GB model free. However, that discount is only available if you're trading in the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which would be a bit of a downgrade.
For the iPhone 14 series, the most you'll save is $470, which is still a solid deal. Note that the older your phone is, the less you will potentially receive for a trade-in device. Apple phones also earn more than Samsung or Pixel devices. You'll also get 3% cash back if you buy it with your Apple Card*.
Customers at other carriers can save up to $800 when they switch their existing number over to T-Mobile, which makes the basic iPhone 16E free.
You'll also get the phone free with a trade-in and a new line on most plans including Experience More or Go5G Plus plan, or $300 for most other plans. Military members, first responders and people 55 and older can also score the phone for free on the Experience More or Go5G Plus plan.
Adding an Unlimited Plus or Ultimate line will save you $600 on the iPhone 16E at Verizon, which means you can pick up the 128GB model free right now. The discounts will be applied as bill credits over 36 months.
AT&T is offering up to $528 off the iPhone 16E when you purchase it on an installment plan, as long as you have (or switch to) an eligible unlimited plan. That reduces the starting price to just $2 per month with no trade-in required. You'll receive the discount via 36 monthly bill credits. AT&T is also giving you $800 to break your contract and switch.
Order your iPhone 16E at Boost Mobile and sign up for the Unlimited Premium plan ($60 a month), and you can snag a new iPhone for as little as $100.
You can order the iPhone 16E from Walmart for $549 or a little more than $15 per month for 36 months with an eligible activation with AT&T.
iPhone 15 deals
The iPhone 15 series hit shelves in September 2023. And although the phones in this lineup are now two generations old, they still have plenty to offer. Plus, it's pretty easy to get your hands on one of these previous-generation models for less right now, which makes them a good value for Apple users on a budget. Now that the iPhone 17 lineup is available, you can no longer buy the iPhone 15 directly from Apple.
Adding a line on an Unlimited Welcome, Plus or Ultimate plan gets you $630 off the iPhone 15, with no trade-in required. These discounts are applied in the form of monthly bill credits over 36 months. The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are currently sold out.
The iPhone 15 Plus is sold out at T-Mobile, but there are plenty of ways to score some savings on the basic model.
You can get the basic 15 for free with a new line and a trade-in or when you switch your existing number from another carrier. Plus, trade-ins on most plans will save you up to $300. There are also special offers for military members, first responders and people older than 55.
Best Buy isn't offering any direct discounts on the iPhone 15 right now. However, Best Buy's trade-in program lets you exchange your old phone for extra savings and you can get a $100 off if you sign up for Verizon or AT&T. Note, most AT&T options are sold out.
Plus, all iPhone 15 purchases come with some freebies, including two free months of Apple TV Plus and three free months of Apple Fitness Plus, Apple Music and Apple Arcade -- as long as you're a new or returning subscriber.
iPhone 14 deals
The iPhone 14 series is still a popular line of phones and comprises the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro and top-spec iPhone 14 Pro Max. Apple discontinued the 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max in September 2023, so finding these phones in new condition is getting tougher but they're still a solid value when you can find them in stock and on sale.
Only the basic iPhone 14 is still available at Back Market. Keep in mind, Back Market sells refurbished items. However, all devices go through a process to make sure they are up to standards. It also comes with a one-year warranty in case anything goes wrong.
Best Buy has knocked $80 off select configurations of the iPhone 14. Plus, the retailer has its own trade-in program where you can score extra savings in exchange for your old phone.
Best Buy isn't carrying any new 14 Pro or Pro Max phones, although it does have some refurbished models.
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How we choose the best iPhone deals at CNET
Many of us here at CNET have covered deals on top tech for more than five years, including cell phone deals from Apple, Google, OnePlus and Samsung. In that time, we’ve learned how to spot the best offers from trustworthy retailers and carriers to simplify the phone‑buying process. We look for direct discounts, trade‑in offers and other bonuses on unlocked and carrier phones, while avoiding online shopping scams.
*All information about the Apple Card has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
