All the major carriers like AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile, along with Best Buy, are offering great deals on the latest iPhone 17 right now, which could essentially put a new phone in your pocket for free.
Apple's iPhones continue to dominate CNET's list of the best phones for 2026, with both new and previous-gen models earning top spots.
Apart from the iPhone 17 lineup, there are also solid savings on the more budget-friendly iPhone 16E and lingering discounts on earlier models. To make the deal 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 starts at $799 with the basic iPhone, 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 $650 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, also are accepted, but won't be worth quite as much. You'll also get 3% cash back when you purchase with an Apple Card.*
T-Mobile is offering some serious trade-in savings right now, but the discounts vary depending on which plan you have. Those on an Experience Beyond plan can save up to $1,100, while those on an Experience More plan will save up to $830. Most other plans qualify for up to $300 off.
Additionally, you can save up to $830 when you switch to T-Mobile from another carrier, or with both a new line and trade-in. There are also special offers for military members, first responders and folks over 55.
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 $830 off, which means you'd get the basic iPhone 17 for free, or the iPhone Air for less than $5 per month. 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 for free and the 17 Pro Max for about $3 per month. Plus, even older and damaged devices valued at $35 or more will net you up to $350 in trade-in credit. Discounts are applied as bill credits over 36 months.
Best Buy isn't carrying any unlocked models but does have availability for 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 has a few different offers for the latest iPhones. Just adding a new line on a qualifying unlimited plan will score you the basic iPhone 17 or 17 Pro for free. This offer also knocks $630 off the iPhone Air, and $1,092 off the 17 Pro Max, which drops the cost to $10 and $3 per month, respectively.
Additionally, you can save up to $1,100 with both a new line and an eligible trade-in. Discounts will be applied as bill credits over 36 months.
US Cellular customers who activate a new line on a qualifying plan will get $830 off the iPhone 17, which puts the basic model in your pocket for free.
iPhone 16 deals
There are still 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 $650 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.*
T-Mobile is offering a lot 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 models 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 a qualifying plan. Plus, there are special offers for military members, first responders and people 55 and older.
AT&T is offering great deals on the iPhone 16 lineup. Without a 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.
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 $650, 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 $350, 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.*
Trading in an old phone could put the iPhone 16E in your pocket for free if you're on an Experience Beyond or More plan. Those on most other plans can also get it for free with both a trade-in and new line, or when switching over from another carrier.
There are also quite a few offers for military members, first responders and people over 55.
Adding an Unlimited Welcome, 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 $600 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 drops the cost to nothing, 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 per month), and you can snag a new iPhone for as little as $150.
You can order the iPhone 16E from Walmart for $449 or a little more than $12 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.
The iPhone 15 is only available in the 128GB black variant right now, but the deals are solid.
A trade-in on an Experience Beyond or More plan will put the iPhone 15 in your pocket for free, or knock $300 off the cost for most other plans. You can also pick it up for free with both a new line and trade-in, or when switching to T-Mobile from another carrier.
Just a new line on most plans will also knock 50% off the usual price. There are also special offers for military members, first responders and people older than 55.
Best Buy only has a handful iPhone 15 configurations still in stock, but you can save $100 if you choose to activate with AT&T or Verizon. Additionally, you can stack the savings with Best Buy's trade-in program.
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.
If you're OK with a used model, Back Market has a handful of iPhone 14 configurations available, starting at just $251. All devices go through a process to ensure they meet standards and come with a one-year warranty in case anything goes wrong.
Best Buy has knocked $20 off select configurations of the iPhone 14. The retailer isn't carrying any new 14 Pro or Pro Max phones, although it does have some refurbished models.
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.
