Here Are The Best Carrier Deals You Can Get When Pre-Ordering iPhone 17 Today

[yukari]

I don't understand why people are against these deals.
It is great deal if:
1. you do not change carrier for at least three years;
2. you do not travel overseas during the next three years

The only reason it would be a bad deal is if you have to change your carrier before the three year contract is up or if you have to travel overseas and need local SIM card. In fact, in some overseas countries, you can get buy/rent portable WiFi hotspot and just use WiFi without having to buy a SIM card for the phone.

I have 13 mini (my daily driver, unlocked) and 13 Pro. I am trading in my 13 Pro for 17 Pro and only paying the taxes. It's a great deal to get an upgrade to the latest iPhone for about $50 with the trade-in.

I'll use 13 mini until they stop replacing the batteries. I will use 13 Mini overseas if I need a local SIM. But I get to upgrade my 13 Pro to 17 Pro on AT&T's dime.

 

[dan428]

Verizon’s require ultimate plan. Umm no. It’s more like 830 trade in with middle. But stuck doing that 3 years. But add on dumb activation charge and it’s 790. Factor in veteran discount at Apple Store and not worth it to use Verizon to buy when it’s unlocked and paid for from Apple at about same.

Yeah the Verizon offers are complete garbage. That’s on top of the fact that they have the worst customer service I’ve ever dealt with, only had to deal with them recently due to my employer being on their plan, but have had same experience years ago when I was on consumer line.

Anyone picking Verizon doesn’t know how to do math.. they’re screwing you.

 

[dawindmg08]

Okay, still trying to parse this.

I’m fine with being on AT&T for another three years.

I’m fine with not upgrading the phone for 3 years (I just did that).

If I stick to those terms, they are giving me $1100 in credits. They are paying for the phone.

Am I not correct? How is this a bad deal?

 

[Tig Bitties]

On the T-Mobile app T-Life, I see the banner promo for $1,100 off on a new 17 Pro Max

I go through the motions, select that phone, then my trade in ( Pixel 9 Pro XL ) and it doesn't state I'd get that promo deal at all.

So how do I qualify for that discount towards the new phone?

 

[orangeadrenaline]

I don't understand why people are against these deals.
It is great deal if:
1. you do not change carrier for at least three years;
2. you do not travel overseas during the next three years

The only reason it would be a bad deal is if you have to change your carrier before the three year contract is up or if you have to travel overseas and need local SIM card. In fact, in some overseas countries, you can get buy/rent portable WiFi hotspot and just use WiFi without having to buy a SIM card for the phone.

I have 13 mini (my daily driver, unlocked) and 13 Pro. I am trading in my 13 Pro for 17 Pro and only paying the taxes. It's a great deal to get an upgrade to the latest iPhone for about $50 with the trade-in.

I'll use 13 mini until they stop replacing the batteries. I will use 13 Mini overseas if I need a local SIM. But I get to upgrade my 13 Pro to 17 Pro on AT&T's dime.

What’s your monthly bill? Subtract $20 from your bill and that is what the phone is costing you.

 

[dynamojoe]

On the T-Mobile app T-Life, I see the banner promo for $1,100 off on a new 17 Pro Max

I go through the motions, select that phone, then my trade in ( Pixel 9 Pro XL ) and it doesn't state I'd get that promo deal at all.

So how do I qualify for that discount towards the new phone?

Check your plan. Only the latest plans get the best deals. Upgrading to a new plan gets them more money per month. They're happy to lose a little bit of money every 2-3 years when you upgrade phones. If you consider upgrading your plan, do the math first. They're not the UnCarrier any more.

 

[orangeadrenaline]

Okay, still trying to parse this.

I’m fine with being on AT&T for another three years.

I’m fine with not upgrading the phone for 3 years (I just did that).

If I stick to those terms, they are giving me $1100 in credits. They are paying for the phone.

Am I not correct? How is this a bad deal?

Because you are paying more each month for the privilege. Unlimited plans are currently $16-$20 a month. Anything more than that is simply paying for the phone.

 

[dawindmg08]

Because you are paying more each month for the privilege. Unlimited plans are currently $16-$20 a month. Anything more than that is simply paying for the phone.

I’m actually paying $50 per line for a limited data plan per month. Even if your numbers are off I’m probably due to upgrade and get off this ****** plan.

So let’s say without even upgrading I move to a new unlimited plan and it’s $25 a line a month ($50 for my phone and my wife’s). I get a credit every month for the new iPhone 17 Pro, totaling $1100 at the end of 3 years. How is that me paying off the phone and not them?

 

[orangeadrenaline]

I’m actually paying $50 per line for a limited data plan per month. Even if your numbers are off I’m probably due to upgrade and get off this ****** plan.

So let’s say without even upgrading I move to a new unlimited plan and it’s $25 a line a month ($50 for my phone and my wife’s). I get a credit every month for the new iPhone 17 Pro, totaling $1100 at the end of 3 years. How is that me paying off the phone and not them?

You would be paying them to pay off the phone for you. In return, you are captive for x years.

 

[yukari]

What’s your monthly bill? Subtract $20 from your bill and that is what the phone is costing you.

that is not true.

I pay $50 for unlimited text/data. I paid that amount regardless whether I purchased iPhone from Apple or AT&T.
I still only pay $50 for unlimited text/data with the promo.

I don't know what math you are doing, but it is incorrect.

 

[orangeadrenaline]

that is not true.

I pay $50 for unlimited text/data. I paid that amount regardless whether I purchased iPhone from Apple or AT&T.
I still only pay $50 for unlimited text/data with the promo.

I don't know what math you are doing, but it is incorrect.

Market price is $20/month for unlimited. Any more than that is profit for the carrier. If you choose to get locked in then you are lowering their profit in exchange for being locked in.

 

[dawindmg08]

You would be paying them to pay off the phone for you. In return, you are captive for x years.

Where am I paying them for the phone? That’s what I’m not seeing. The deal says I’ll be charged for the balance (the $200 or so outside of the $1100 credit) but it doesn’t look like any charges past that beyond my normal bill.

 

[mathiasinthe314]

So, I can save $30 per month on my iPhone if I pay $100 more for my service... Got it! I get the business case behind having to be on a newer, higher revenue plan to get to the best deals, but I do wish it wasn't that way. I am on the T-Mobile Essentials plan at $100 for 4 lines of unlimited (well sort of, 60GB of "Premium Data") and it treats us well unless we're on a majorly congested piece of the network, then it hurts. But that's only been a couple of times in two years. But our thriftiness (aka cheapness) means that we don't qualify for diddily when it comes to special offers. I am better off trading in to Apple and buying directly through them for the rest of the family while I do iUP.

 

[yukari]

Market price is $20/month for unlimited. Any more than that is profit for the carrier. If you choose to get locked in then you are lowering their profit in exchange for being locked in.

You are making a lot of assumptions. The reason I had AT&T for over 15 years is they have the best coverage in my area. I tried T-mobile, Verizon and other smaller companies. Too much pain-in-the a$$ to deal with dropped calls or no signals.

Just because the going rate of the "market" is $20, it does not mean that is best for everyone.

You have to look at ALL the factors, not just month fees. Your logic makes no sense.

 

[orangeadrenaline]

You are making a lot of assumptions. The reason I had AT&T for over 15 years is they have the best coverage in my area. I tried T-mobile, Verizon and other smaller companies. Too much pain-in-the a$$ to deal with dropped calls or no signals.

Just because the going rate of the "market" is $20, it does not mean that is best for everyone.

You have to look at ALL the factors, not just month fees. Your logic makes no sense.

US mobile is $22.50 a month on AT&T network, all taxes and fees included. I don’t care what you all spend but if you think these carriers are giving you deals, I think that’s funny.

 

[tobybrut]

Okay, still trying to parse this.

I’m fine with being on AT&T for another three years.

I’m fine with not upgrading the phone for 3 years (I just did that).

If I stick to those terms, they are giving me $1100 in credits. They are paying for the phone.

Am I not correct? How is this a bad deal?

If you are fine with not changing phones for 3 years and staying with AT&T, it’s a great deal. It’s only a bad deal if you upgrade more frequently. You get about $367 in credits per year. If you’re happy with the credits you get after losing the rest after upgrading (none if 3 years), then go ahead and take the deal.

 

[stealthytolkien]

For what it’s worth, I have been a Visible carrier subscriber for 3 years in a row now averaging less than $400 a year for everything unlimited with 5G UWB network. And even if it is a second tier network riding on Verizon, it’s been perfectly fine for me! Yes it is likely not as good as being in a top tier carrier plan but I spend majority of my day in my house or office with a WiFi. I’ve also traveled with it and it has never failed on me.

I highly recommend checking them out. Either way, I’ll never recommend signing up for a carrier plan with phone included - always buy the phone unlocked directly from Apple or used from other sources if that’s your thing!

 

[ChipperVW]

First, the carriers figured out how to do these dumb multi-year phone "credits" to replace the very unpopular contracts. Then they'd required a trade in to get a "deal". Now you're required to upgrade to most expensive plan, trade in a device, and you're locked in for YEARS for your phone "credits"

T-mobile especially is disappointing to me. Used to be the "Un-carrier" now they are the same.

They aren't losing money. You are paying for the phone. Having you locked in for years is worth a lot to them.

We should push back on these "deals" Buy the phone unlocked and make them earn your business for service

 

[Christopher Kim]

Where am I paying them for the phone? That’s what I’m not seeing. The deal says I’ll be charged for the balance (the $200 or so outside of the $1100 credit) but it doesn’t look like any charges past that beyond my normal bill.

A lot of people have answered indirectly, but just to be super clear.

It's because in order to get this "promo" from your carrier, you have to be on the carrier's newest, most expensive plan/s (usually $90-100/month per line).

If your current plan is, let's say, $45/month. Then in order to get them to pay for your phone, you have to go from a $45/month to a $100/month plan. So you are paying them and extra $55/month for your plan, in order to get, what's probably a $35/month device credit ($1200 divided by 36 months if over 3 years).

 

[yukari]

A lot of people have answered indirectly, but just to be super clear.

It's because in order to get this "promo" from your carrier, you have to be on the carrier's newest, most expensive plan/s (usually $90-100/month per line).

If your current plan is, let's say, $45/month. Then in order to get them to pay for your phone, you have to go from a $45/month to a $100/month plan. So you are paying them and extra $55/month for your plan, in order to get, what's probably a $35/month device credit ($1200 divided by 36 months if over 3 years).

Not true.
I have $50 per month (and free Disney streaming service to boot) unlimited data/text/call service.
I just signed up for free 17 Pro without having to change my plan.

 

[Christopher Kim]

Not true.
I have $50 per month (and free Disney streaming service to boot) unlimited data/text/call service.
I just signed up for free 17 Pro without having to change my plan.

Fair enough, there may be certain plans with certain carriers where there's some good opportunity. What carrier are you with that's offering that?