Best iPhone Carrier Trade In Deals (AT&T vs Verizon vs T-Mobile)

Thinking about upgrading to a new iPhone? The trade-in deals from major carriers like Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T are always tempting, each one claiming to save you the most money or practically give you a free iPhone. Sometimes they really are good deals depending on your situation.

But here’s the thing: those offers often come with a catch. Between trade-in requirements, multi-year contracts, hidden in the fine print that most people don’t read, it can be tricky to figure out which deal actually gives you the best value.

In this guide, I’ll cover:

• The top iPhone trade-in deals from Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and US Cellular
• What each deal offers and what you’ll have to give up (trade-ins, contracts, fine print)
• Whether these deals are actually worth it or just good on paper
• A smarter, no-strings alternative with SmartphonesPLUS
  

Carrier by Carrier Analysis

AT&T

To kick things off, let’s look at AT&T’s most eye-catching offer for the newly released iPhone 17 Pro. At the time of writing, AT&T is advertising the 128GB iPhone 17 Pro for $0/month on a 36-month installment plan, that’s right, zero dollars. On paper, it looks like you’re getting a $1,099 phone for free, which sounds like an unbeatable deal. But the fine print tells a different story.

Here’s what that fine print reveals…

AT&T iPhone 17 Pro Trade In Deal Details

The first major requirement is that you trade in an eligible smartphone in good working condition. Depending on your trade-in value, you can get up to $1,000 off, but only select phones qualify for the full discount, and they must meet specific condition criteria like powering on, having no screen cracks, and functioning properly.

Next, you’ll need to activate a new line or upgrade an existing one and commit to AT&T’s unlimited data plan, which starts at $75.99/month (for a single line on Unlimited Starter). This plan is non-optional. No unlimited plan, no $0/month phone.

And there’s more:

36-month lock-in: You’re tied to AT&T for 3 years. Cancel early or switch to a cheaper plan, and you’ll lose the bill credits, meaning you’ll owe the full price of the phone (up to $1,099).

Moving on to the checkout page, we can see what a free iPhone 17 Pro will cost per month. Do note that, we kept everything bare minimum, no device protection, no accessory, an iPhone 16 Pro and the compulsory unlimited plan.

Let’s Do the Math

Unlimited Starter plan: $65.99/month x 36 months = $2,375.64

Admin/Regulatory fees: $3.49/month x 36 months = $125.64

Sales tax: $77 one-time fee

Grand Total = $2,578.28

Even though AT&T advertises a “$0/month” iPhone, you’ll end up paying over $2,500 for the phone + plan. That’s more than double the retail price of the device.

Verizon 

Now let’s look at Verizon’s “free” iPhone 17 Pro offer. Just like AT&T, Verizon advertises that you can get the iPhone 17 Pro for $0/month with an eligible trade-in and a qualifying unlimited plan. But when you look closer, the real cost tells a different story.

Verizon iPhone 17 Pro Trade In Deal Details

Here’s what the fine print reveals:

• Required plan: Unlimited Ultimate (the only plan eligible for full trade-in credits) — starts at $90/month.
• Contract term: 36 months. Cancel early or switch to a cheaper plan, and you lose your credits and owe the remaining phone balance.
• Activation fee: $40 (one-time charge on your first bill).
• Sales tax: About $77 (paid upfront).
• Trade-in requirement: You must trade in an eligible device. For example, when we tried using a Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G, Verizon only offered $6.98/month in credits, not the full “free phone” deal.

Let’s Do the Math

Unlimited Ultimate plan: $90/month x 36 months = $3,240

Remaining phone cost (after trade-in credits): $6.98/month x 36 months = $251.28

Activation fee: $40 one-time fee

Sales tax: $77 one-time fee

Grand total = $3,608.28

So, by the end of 36 months, you’ll have spent around $3,600 and that’s not including the value of the phone you traded in.

T‑Mobile

Next, let’s look at T-Mobile’s current best carrier trade-in deal. In this deal, T-Mobile is offering a $1,099 iPhone 17 Pro for the cheap price of $11.25 per month for 24 months which on paper only amounts to $270. In other words you’re saving a whopping $830 on the device, but as you probably know by now, the fine print reveals a different story.

T-Mobile Trade in iPhone 17 Pro Deal Details 

As usual you need a qualifying device for trade in. The value of your trade in device determines how many credits you get. With the Samsung S20 FE, we ended up getting a $12.50 per month deal for 24 months.

Like other carriers, to qualify for this deal, a specific monthly data plan is required. And this one starts at $85 monthly.

Fast forward to the checkout screen, our total is $97.50 for 24 months. Note, we opted out of everything that could be opted out of like device protection, accessories, etc. So this is the minimum.

And a $10 device connection fee which was due immediately.

Let’s Do the Math

Monthly plan: $85/month x 24 months = $2,040

Remaining phone cost (after trade-in credits): $12.50/month x 24 months = $300

One-time connection fee: $10 one-time fee

Grand Total = $2,340.00

So, even though the monthly phone cost looks tiny, you’ll pay $2,350 over 24 months, which is more than double the retail price of the iPhone 17 Pro.

Deal Comparison & Which Deal is Best For You?

They can be if you:

• Were planning to stay on a premium unlimited plan anyway.
• Don’t mind being locked in for 2–3 years.
• Have a high-value trade-in or qualify for new-line promotions.
• Prioritize lower upfront costs and spreading out payments
  

But if your goal is flexibility, true ownership, or lowest total cost, these carrier deals might not be your best option. In many cases, the total cost of ownership over 2–3 years ends up being equal to or higher than buying the phone outright and pairing it with a cheaper prepaid plan or MVNO carrier.

A Smarter Alternative

If you want to avoid long carrier contracts and get the most value for your phone, SmartphonesPLUS is a smarter choice.

Here’s how it works:

• Sell your old phone for top dollar, even if it’s broken
  
• Buy an unlocked iPhone (new or refurbished) with no carrier locks or restrictions
  
• Choose your own plan, even as low as $25/month with prepaid carriers
  
• Own your phone outright from day one, no 2 to 3-year lock-ins
  

SmartphonesPLUS consistently offers industry-leading payouts for trade-ins and has premium refurbished phones that are rigorously tested. You can also choose express payout (as fast as one day) for trade-ins and split your payments into flexible installments when purchasing your new phone.

More cash.
More freedom.
No contracts.

Want to learn more about refurbished phones? Check out our article on everything you need to know about refurbished phones.

Conclusion

Before jumping on that “free iPhone” offer, take a few minutes to do the math, compare total plan costs, check your device’s trade-in value, and read the fine print. You might be surprised how much those “bill credits” actually cost you in the long run.

If you’d rather keep your freedom, own your phone outright, and still save money, skip the carrier contracts and go with SmartphonesPLUS.

Frequently Asked Questions On Best iPhone Carrier Trade In Deals

Are carrier trade-in deals really free?

Not exactly. The “free” label usually depends on monthly bill credits over 24–36 months. If you cancel early or switch plans, those credits stop, meaning you’ll owe the remaining balance of the phone.

What happens if I switch carriers before my contract ends?

You’ll lose your promotional credits and must pay off the full retail price of the phone immediately. 

Do carrier trade-in deals give instant discounts?

No. Most apply credits monthly to your bill, not upfront. You’ll still pay full plan prices until the credits offset the device cost.

Is buying an unlocked iPhone better than using a carrier trade-in?

In most cases, yes. Buying unlocked through retailers like SmartphonesPLUS gives you full ownership, flexibility to switch networks anytime, and often a lower total cost.