First iPhone 16 Carrier Deals Include iPhone 16/16 Pro For Free, $1,000 Off iPhone 16 Pro Max

[MacRumors]

Apple today announced the latest lineup of iPhones, including the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Pre-orders for these devices begin September 13, and if you plan on ordering from a cellular carrier in the United States, there will be plenty of options for discounts from the major carriers.

AT&T is offering the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro at no cost with eligible trade-in, and the iPhone 16 Plus for up to $830 off with eligible trade-in. Finally, the iPhone 16 Pro Max will be available at up to $1,000 off with eligible trade-in.

If you plan on signing up for AT&T Fiber you'll also be eligible to get the iPhone 16 Pro Max at no extra cost. AT&T will also have the Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 available for order this Friday, but the carrier hasn't detailed any offers on those devices yet.

T-Mobile's offers are nearly identical to AT&T. You can get the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro at no cost when you trade in an old device and purchase the new device on an eligible unlimited plan. Otherwise, you can get the iPhone 16 Plus for up to 830 off and the iPhone 16 Pro Max for up to $1,000 off, both with eligible trade-in on unlimited plans.

Additionally, customers can get $200 back for every new line added to a Go5G Next or Go5G Plus plan (up to four times). Families can also get four iPhone 16 models at no cost and four new voice lines for $25/line when trading in four eligible devices.

For Apple Watches at T-Mobile, if you buy any new Apple Watch device, you can get $300 off a second model when adding a new watch line to your plan.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Article Link: First iPhone 16 Carrier Deals Include iPhone 16/16 Pro For Free, $1,000 Off iPhone 16 Pro Max

 

[sdsalsersmith]

I just pre-ordered my pre-order! I'm trading in with Apple (getting $650) and financing $849 (0% interest) on my Apple Card. I already have a carrier and a plan so I don't qualify for a free phone, but that's okay. Now I have to get up at 5am on Friday to finish.......

 

[thogin]

"eligible unlimited plan".. I wish MacRumors was more specific about this. My fear is T-Mobile will "upgrade" me to one of those Go5G plans that costs more than my current Magenta plan, and over a 24-mo period, the "free" iPhone Pro won't be so free.

 

[Chuckeee]

And since my current phone is an XR, “eligible trade-in” excludes me

 

[TechieTaco]

I've been on the phone with T-Mobile all day trying to find the best solution for yearly upgrades. Finally spoke with someone at Apple and they explained the iPhone Upgrade Program through Apple directly- SO much easier! Now I'll be eligible for an upgrade every year, directly through Apple, and my carrier is nothing but a network. The way it should be!

 

[WarmWinterHat]

"eligible unlimited plan".. I wish MacRumors was more specific about this. My fear is T-Mobile will "upgrade" me to one of those Go5G plans that costs more than my current Magenta plan, and over a 24-mo period, the "free" iPhone Pro won't be so free.

I was looking for that. My brother is in the magenta military plan and has like six lines on it for cheap. I doubt it will be eligible.

Clicking on the link took me to the homepage which doesn't even mention the 16.

 

[eoren1]

I'm not seeing iPhone 16 nor any details on the T mobile website.
Currently an ATT customer but have been playing with T mobiles Network Pass and it has beaten ATT everywhere so ready to switch. The 5G Plus option is likely cheaper than ATT but haven't gotten far enough to see the final amount due.
Also, I'm torn on whether to turn in our four iPhone 13 Pros for the base 16s or go for the likely 'free' 16 Pros...

 

[M5RahuL]

"eligible unlimited plan".. I wish MacRumors was more specific about this. My fear is T-Mobile will "upgrade" me to one of those Go5G plans that costs more than my current Magenta plan, and over a 24-mo period, the "free" iPhone Pro won't be so free.

Yup, no way am I giving up my Simple Choice Unlimited ( truly unlimited voice/data ) for these new ' unlimited ' plans!! I'll gladly continue buying outright ( and trading, if I want to ) directly from Apple!

 

[sdsalsersmith]

I'm not seeing iPhone 16 nor any details on the T mobile website.
Currently an ATT customer but have been playing with T mobiles Network Pass and it has beaten ATT everywhere so ready to switch. The 5G Plus option is likely cheaper than ATT but haven't gotten far enough to see the final amount due.
Also, I'm torn on whether to turn in our four iPhone 13 Pros for the base 16s or go for the likely 'free' 16 Pros...

T-Mobile cell service is the best. Their customer service is okay, but their website sucks! I only put up with it because they have the best cell signal in my area.

 

[roland.g]

I simply don't see how the 16PM is any real great upgrade over my 14PM. The phones are just not advancing the way they were, despite the marketing efforts and "increased performance gains". And I used to upgrade every year or every other for quite a while.

 

[sdsalsersmith]

I simply don't see how the 16PM is any real great upgrade over my 14PM. The phones are just not advancing the way they were, despite the marketing efforts and "increased performance gains". And I used to upgrade every year or every other for quite a while.

True. I only "upgraded" so I could get the smaller Pro. The Pro Max is just too bulky. And they made it even bigger!

 

[thogin]

I simply don't see how the 16PM is any real great upgrade over my 14PM. The phones are just not advancing the way they were, despite the marketing efforts and "increased performance gains". And I used to upgrade every year or every other for quite a while.

The two reasons to upgrade from 14 Pro to 16 Pro are: 1) you're really into photography and want that (admittedly cool) Capture button, and 2) AI FOMO.

 

[roland.g]

True. I only "upgraded" so I could get the smaller Pro. The Pro Max is just too bulky. And they made it even bigger!

I checked just for fun. The 16PM to replace my 14PM is $1200 less the $1000 Verizon instant and monthly credit would leave me paying $5.52 per month for 3 years, or $200. Honestly if I entertained something like that I would prefer to pay $200 now and call it done. But I just don't see the reason it. Any I like my Deep Purple 14PM. None of the new colors are that great.

 

[ghostface147]

No thanks. $15 off from Verizon monthly since I brought my own device.

 

[now i see it]

You’re going to pay for the phone one way or another. These carrier “deals” aren’t deals when you read the fine print — having to subscribe to their expensive unlimited plans for several years.

 

[Pixelspeeper]

Anyway,  trade in prices are horrendous

 

[0920730]

I checked just for fun. The 16PM to replace my 14PM is $1200 less the $1000 Verizon instant and monthly credit would leave me paying $5.52 per month for 3 years, or $200. Honestly if I entertained something like that I would prefer to pay $200 now and call it done. But I just don't see the reason it. Any I like my Deep Purple 14PM. None of the new colors are that great.

The reason is they can lock you into a payment contract...then you're stuck with them. And carriers are starting to charge early pay off fees now. So that $5.52/month keeps you locked into your carrier for 3 years unless you pay early term fees.

 

[nostresshere]

I switched out of TM to VZ almost 90 days ago. Will then go back to TM or ATT as a NEW customer to get better deals. I have no problem with 24 month plan on TM. If ATT deal is good enough, I can just stay with them for 36 months. I doubt the best deals will be this month though.

 

[sw1tcher]

The two reasons to upgrade from 14 Pro to 16 Pro are: 1) you're really into photography and want that (admittedly cool) Capture button, and 2) AI FOMO.

#3 non-artificially limited 10Gb/s USB-C port

 

[roland.g]

The reason is they can lock you into a payment contract...then you're stuck with them. And carriers are starting to charge early pay off fees now. So that $5.52/month keeps you locked into your carrier for 3 years unless you pay early term fees.

I was with AT&T from the original iPhone until my iPhone 14PM two years ago. Switched to Verizon for better service contracts don’t worry me. I don’t think I’m going anywhere in the next three years. I’m still not upgrading.

 

[AZFalconi]

No Verizon trade in info?

 

[veritas44]

Anyway,  trade in prices are horrendous

Do we know of any other store with better offers?

 

[TVreporter]

How jealous we Canadians are seeing these offers - our carriers are a joke.

And speaking of joke, Apple offers $480 CDN for my 8 month old iPhone 15 - not even half price - on a trade in via its online store.

Thanks for basically nothing Tim!

 

[as4life]

The two reasons to upgrade from 14 Pro to 16 Pro are: 1) you're really into photography and want that (admittedly cool) Capture button, and 2) AI FOMO.

Also you need at least a 15 pro for Apple intelligence

 

[Chuckeee]

Also you need at least a 15 pro for Apple intelligence

@thogin said AI FOMO