Important: iPhone 16 preorders opened on September 13, 2024, and the phones went on sale September 20, 2024. The promotions below were launch-period offers and are historical—not deals available in September 2026.
At launch, AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile advertised discounts of up to $1,000, while Visible offered up to $360 in service credits. But these were generally not instant discounts: they required eligible trade-ins, qualifying plans, and monthly bill credits. The best offer depended on your service costs, trade-in, and how long you expected to stay with the carrier.
Launch roundup and original offer reporting
Launch offers at a glance
| Carrier | Best advertised offer | Main requirement | Credit term or restriction | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro free after credits; up to $1,000 off iPhone 16 Pro Max | Eligible trade-in and qualifying AT&T service | Reported as 36 monthly credits | Existing AT&T customers willing to stay |
| Verizon | Up to $1,000 off; iPhone 16 Pro could be free on the highest tier | Eligible trade-in; discount depended on plan | 36-month financing and credits | Switchers or qualifying Unlimited Ultimate customers |
| T-Mobile | iPhone 16 Pro on us or up to $1,000 off on Go5G Next | Eligible trade-in and qualifying plan | 24 monthly credits | Existing Go5G Next or Go5G Plus customers |
| Visible | Up to $360 in service credits | New member, new line, iPhone 16 purchase, and Visible+ | Service credits, not a major phone subsidy | Buyers prioritizing lower-cost service |
“Up to” mattered. The maximum depended on the iPhone model, trade-in condition, plan tier, line requirements, and promotion terms. No single carrier was automatically cheapest for every customer.
T-Mobile: potentially the strongest launch deal for qualifying customers
T-Mobile’s official launch announcement offered an iPhone 16 Pro on us—or up to $1,000 off any iPhone 16 model—with an eligible trade-in on Go5G Next. On Go5G Plus, customers could receive an iPhone 16 on us or up to $830 off any iPhone 16 model with an eligible trade-in. T-Mobile also said Go5G customers could receive the same deal when trading in a device and adding a line.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
#1 Best Overall
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak), 2532x1170px at 460ppi, 4005mAh Battery
- 8GB RAM, Apple A18 6-core CPU (2 performance + 4 efficiency cores), Apple GPU 4-core, 16‑core Neural Engine
- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.6, wide, Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9, wide, iOS 18.3.1, upgradable to iOS 18.5
- Connectivity: Global 4G LTE, Sub-6 GHz 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB-C, Wireless Charging (7.5W). (does not have mmWave 5G or MagSafe or physical SIM card) - Dual eSIM Only
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Straight Talk., Etc.
The offers were delivered through 24 monthly bill credits. Archived T-Mobile terms said credits could take up to two billing cycles to appear, required the line to remain active and in good standing, and could stop if the account was canceled or the device was paid off early. The terms also listed a $35 device connection charge and taxes based on the device’s pre-credit price.
For switchers, T-Mobile advertised $200 back for each eligible new line moved from an eligible carrier to Go5G Next or Go5G Plus, up to four lines. A family promotion offered four iPhone 16 devices on us with four new voice lines at $25 per line, subject to four eligible trade-ins and the promotion’s conditions.
See T-Mobile’s launch announcement and archived promotion terms.
Verizon: large credits, including a notable damaged-trade-in offer
Verizon advertised up to $1,000 off the iPhone 16 lineup with an eligible trade-in on Unlimited Ultimate. The launch roundup reported that the promotion accepted any smartphone in any condition for the highest offer, making it potentially valuable to someone with an old or damaged phone. That unusually broad condition was specific to the reported launch promotion and should not be assumed to apply to later offers.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →On lower tiers, Verizon advertised up to $830 off with Unlimited Plus and up to $415 off with Unlimited Welcome. With a new line, a switcher could reportedly obtain an iPhone 16 Pro for $10 per month for 36 months on Unlimited Ultimate or $15 per month for 36 months on Unlimited Plus, subject to the promotion’s requirements.
Rank #2
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length. There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product will have a battery which exceeds 90% capacity relative to new.
- Accessories will not be original, but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic Box.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 365 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
The practical question was whether the premium plan and new-line costs outweighed the phone credits. Existing customers on legacy plans also needed to consider whether changing plans would eliminate valuable bundled benefits.
Check Verizon’s current wireless offers; the 2024 launch terms are no longer current.
AT&T: free base and Pro models after eligible trade-in credits
AT&T’s reported launch offers made the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro free after eligible trade-in credits. The iPhone 16 Plus qualified for up to $830 off, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max qualified for up to $1,000 off.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteThe launch roundup also reported that new AT&T Fiber customers could qualify for an iPhone 16 Pro Max at no extra cost under the promotion’s terms. It did not establish every qualifying wireless plan, trade-in model, tax treatment, or credit detail, so those points should not be generalized across all AT&T accounts.
AT&T was most compelling for an existing customer already on an eligible plan, or for someone who genuinely wanted AT&T Fiber and wireless service. Switching plans solely to obtain a “free” phone could produce a higher total cost.
Rank #3
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length. There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product will have a battery which exceeds 90% capacity relative to new.
- Accessories will not be original, but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic Box.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 365 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
Check AT&T’s current wireless offers rather than relying on the expired preorder terms.
Visible: a service-credit alternative
Visible’s launch promotion was structured differently. New members could save up to $360 through monthly service credits when buying an iPhone 16, opening a new line, and joining Visible+. The original launch coverage listed Visible at $25 per month for its base plan and $45 per month for Visible+; those were September 2024 prices, not current prices.
This was not an iPhone 16 giveaway comparable to the major carriers’ device-credit promotions. Its appeal was potentially lower-cost service for someone who did not need premium postpaid features or extensive international benefits. Compare Visible’s current plan, taxes, device payments, and service terms before deciding.
See Visible’s current plans and its launch announcement.
Which carrier had the biggest discount?
Largest headline discount: AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile each advertised offers reaching about $1,000 on selected iPhone 16 models.
Rank #4
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length. There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product will have a battery which exceeds 90% capacity relative to new.
- Accessories will not be original, but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic Box.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 365 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
Best real-world deal: There was no universal winner. A customer already paying for a qualifying plan could capture nearly the full credit without increasing service costs. A new customer might receive a large phone subsidy but spend more on premium service, activation, taxes, and additional lines.
What “free iPhone” really meant
A carrier’s “free” phone generally meant that you financed the device and received a matching promotional credit each month. You remained responsible for the finance agreement and had to keep the eligible line and account in good standing.
If you left before the credit term ended, the remaining device balance could become due while the unearned credits disappeared. Paying off the phone early could also end future credits, depending on the promotion. T-Mobile’s archived terms explicitly included those restrictions.
Credits were not necessarily immediate. T-Mobile said they could take up to two billing cycles to appear. Other carrier promotions likewise required careful review of the specific order and terms.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to compare the deal with buying unlocked
Use this framework:
Total cost over two or three years = service cost + device payments + taxes and fees − promotional credits − trade-in value − switcher rewards.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Best Value
- The large 6.9-inch display combines ProMotion 120Hz technology with advanced color calibration, giving movies, games, and productivity apps a spacious, crisp, and fluid visual experience that’s ideal for multitasking or immersive media consumption.
Compare that result with buying the phone unlocked from Apple, using Apple’s trade-in program, selling your old phone privately, or keeping your existing carrier and plan.
For example, suppose an $829.99 phone receives an $830 credit over 24 months, but the required plan costs $25 more per month than your current plan. The extra service costs $600 over two years. Before taxes and fees, the “free phone” has effectively required $600 in additional service spending. This is an illustration, not a claim about any particular carrier’s final bill.
Best offer by customer type
- Existing customer on a qualifying plan: Start with your current carrier. Avoid changing to a more expensive plan unless the added credits exceed the added service cost.
- Switcher: Compare Verizon’s reported new-line pricing with T-Mobile’s $200-per-line launch reward, including port-in rules, old-carrier device payoff, activation fees, and the new monthly bill.
- Family of four: T-Mobile’s four-phone, four-line offer could be attractive if the family already planned to replace four devices. It is not a bargain for someone adding unnecessary lines.
- Old or damaged trade-in: Verizon’s reported “any smartphone in any condition” launch language could have been valuable, but verify the exact promotion before relying on it.
- Frequent upgrader: Be cautious with 24- or 36-month credits. Confirm that any early-upgrade program lets you upgrade without forfeiting remaining credits.
- Budget-conscious buyer: Compare Visible’s service-credit structure with an unlocked phone and a cheaper plan. A $360 service credit is not the same as $360 off the device.
- Flexibility-focused buyer: Buying unlocked from Apple may be preferable if you travel, use dual SIMs, expect to change carriers, or want to sell the phone quickly.
Before you trade in: a protection checklist
- Confirm the exact model, storage capacity, and condition required.
- Verify the promotion, eligible plan, line requirement, and credit length on your order summary.
- Record the phone’s serial number or IMEI.
- Photograph the phone’s condition before shipment.
- Disable Find My iPhone and erase the device only after confirming the replacement order.
- Keep the trade-in receipt, tracking number, delivery confirmation, and promotion ID.
- Review the first two or three bills for the expected credits.
- Contact the carrier before canceling the line, changing plans, or paying off the device.
If the bill credits do not appear
Check whether the trade-in arrived and was judged eligible, whether the correct promotion code was attached, whether the line and plan remain eligible, and whether the account is current. Also check whether the promotion allows two billing cycles before credits begin.
Gather the order confirmation, trade-in tracking, IMEI, screenshots, and chat transcripts. Ask the carrier for a promotion audit or escalation. Do this before canceling service or paying off the phone, because either action may affect future credits.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallSecondary Apple Watch promotions
These launch add-ons should not determine the iPhone ranking. Verizon advertised Apple Watch Series 10 financing as low as $6 per month for 36 months when buying select iPhone models and trading in an existing Apple Watch. T-Mobile offered $300 off a second Apple Watch when adding a new watch line. AT&T had not detailed its Apple Watch Series 10 and Ultra 2 offers in the original roundup. Add the cost of the watch line and only count the promotion if you actually want the watch.
Some buyers also reported preorder payment errors, availability confusion, and uncertainty about ordering through Apple or a carrier in MacRumors forum discussions. Those are anecdotal reports, not evidence of a systematic outage.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
