By estherdidsang@gmail.com 
Apple’s latest iPhones are some of the best mobile devices on the market, with several models earning a spot on CNET’s list of the best phones for 2026. However, even its most affordable model — the iPhone 17E — starts at an intimidating $600. So if you’re looking to upgrade, you’ll want to take advantage of the current batch of offers.
Direct discounts on Apple phones are pretty rare, but trade-ins, new lines and other carrier offers can still score you some serious savings. To make the deal hunt easier, CNET shopping expert Adam Oram has rounded up the simplest ways to snag one for less. Below, you’ll find the best deals on the iPhone 17E, iPhone 17, iPhone 16, iPhone 16E, iPhone 15 and iPhone 14, grouped by generation.
iPhone 17E deals
The new iPhone 17E just started shipping on March 11. This phone comes in only three colors — soft pink, black and white — and starts at $599 for the 256GB model or $799 for the 512GB model.
Apple notably doesn’t offer any direct discounts, but if you have a device to trade in, you can score up to $685 off this new phone, although most trade-ins won’t net you that much. You could also get 3% cash back with an Apple Card.*
You can grab the 256GB configuration for $6 per month when you purchase the phone on an installment plan. That saves you $384, with no need for a trade-in. AT&T is also offering $200 off all online orders when you sign up for a new line. If AT&T isn’t your current carrier, it will give you up to $800 to break your contract.
Verizon is offering the iPhone 17E free when you activate a new line on its Unlimited Welcome, Plus or Ultimate plan. Your savings will be reflected as bill credits over 36 months.
You can put an iPhone 17E in your pocket for free when you switch your existing number over to T-Mobile and activate it on an Experience Beyond, Experience More, or Essentials line. The discount will be applied as bill credits over 24 months.
Best Buy isn’t offering any direct discounts at the moment, but it does have its own trade-in program where you can score some savings in exchange for your old phone. Just note that there aren’t any unlocked models available, so you’ll have to activate the phone through AT&T or Verizon.
AT&T customers will save $384 when adding or upgrading a line, and Verizon customers can get it for free with an eligible trade-in.
You also get freebies like three free months of Apple Fitness Plus, Apple Music and Apple Arcade and one free month of Apple TV Plus.
Optimum is guaranteeing $599 in trade-in credit for customers on its Unlimited Max plan, which puts the 256GB model in your pocket for free. If you’re on a regular Unlimited plan, you’ll get an extra $300 in trade-in credit on top of your device’s estimated value.
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 $685 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.*
Right now, T-Mobile customers on an Experience Beyond plan can save up to $830 with an eligible trade-in, which scores you the basic iPhone 17 for free. Those on most other plans can still save up to $300.
Plus, T-Mobile is also offering up to $730 off with both a trade-in and a new line on most plans. You can also get up to $800 to pay off your current contract if you’re looking to switch carriers. There are also special offers for military members, first responders and folks 55 or older.
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 free, or the 512GB 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 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 you can save 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.
Just adding a new line on Verizon’s Unlimited Ultimate plan can save you up to $830. That puts the basic iPhone 17 in your pocket for free and knocks the Air down to $5 per month, the 17 Pro down to $10 per month and the 17 Pro Max down to $15 per month. You can also save $830 on all four models with both a new line and a trade-in. Discounts will be applied as bill credits over 36 months.
US Cellular customers who trade in their old phone and activate a line on a qualifying plan will get $830 off any iPhone right now, which puts the basic model in your pocket for free.
iPhone 16 deals
There are still a lot of savings 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 $685 on any iPhone 16 model. Newer 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.*
The Pro and Pro Max models are sold out, but T-Mobile is still offering big savings on the basic iPhone 16 and 16 Plus. You can get either model free with a trade-in on an Experience More plan or with both a new line and trade-in.
Trading in on most other plans can still save you up to $300, and you can save $630 when switching to T-Mobile from another carrier. Plus, there are special offers for military members, first responders and people 55 and older.
Purchasing the iPhone 16 on an installment plan at AT&T automatically saves you $442, which knocks the price down to just $8 per month. Plus, you can save an extra $200 by activating a new line if you make the purchase online.
You can also get up to $800 to break your current contract if you’re looking to switch carriers to AT&T. Of course, if you have another device, you can save even more with a trade-in.
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 model.
AT&T isn’t currently offering any direct discounts on the iPhone 16E right now. However, those adding a line of service will save $200 when purchasing the phone online. Plus, AT&T has its own trade-in program where you can save even more in exchange for your old phone. AT&T is also giving you up to $800 to break your contract and switch carriers.
You can order the iPhone 16E from Walmart for $449, or pay a little more than $12 per month for 36 months with an eligible AT&T activation.
iPhone 15 deals
The iPhone 15 series hit shelves in September 2023. 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 color right now, but the deals are solid.
A trade-in on an Experience 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 free with 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 of iPhone 15 configurations still in stock. Some unlocked models are up to $30 off, and you’ll get an extra $100 off if you choose same-day activation through Verizon. Additionally, you can rack up even more savings with Best Buy’s trade-in program. It’s worth noting that only the unlocked models are available right now.
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 isn’t often possible, but you can get an affordable refurbished version if you’re looking for a budget-conscious option.
How we choose the best iPhone deals at CNET
Many of us 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.