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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsCyber Monday 2025 ended on December 1, and the deals discussed here were reported as available on December 2, 2025. They are now historical offers, not current prices. The biggest advertised savings were mostly carrier promotions: “free” iPhones paid for through bill credits, qualifying unlimited plans, trade-ins and new lines.
For a relatively simple purchase, the strongest reported option was Best Buy’s unlocked iPhone 16 at $679, or $579 with eligible AT&T or Verizon activation. Cricket’s iPhone 16e promotion was another transparent alternative at $199 with three months of service, or $379 for the phone and stated service cost before tax. Verizon’s free iPhone 17 Pro Max offer was potentially the best premium deal only for shoppers comfortable with the required plan and 36-month bill-credit commitment.
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Use this as a dated deal report. Retailers and carriers can change prices, eligibility, plan names and terms; do not assume any offer below is still available.
Quick comparison: the reported Cyber Monday 2025 iPhone deals
The table separates a device discount from a carrier subsidy. “Free” generally meant free after qualifying monthly bill credits, not a phone with no associated cost or commitment.
#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.
| Model | Retailer or carrier | Advertised offer | Main conditions reported at the time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17 | Verizon | Free | Qualifying unlimited plan, new line and likely monthly bill credits | Verizon switchers or existing customers |
| iPhone 17 | T-Mobile | Free, up to $999 off | Qualifying plan and, depending on the promotion, trade-in or additional lines | Customers comfortable with T-Mobile’s service terms |
| iPhone 17 | AT&T | Up to $700 off | Eligible trade-in and qualifying unlimited plan | AT&T customers with a valuable phone |
| iPhone 17 Pro | AT&T | Free | Eligible trade-in and qualifying unlimited plan | Owners of recent premium iPhones |
| iPhone 17 Pro | T-Mobile | Up to $1,000 off | Qualifying unlimited plan; the buyer paid any remaining device balance | Buyers specifically seeking the smaller Pro |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | Verizon | Free | Qualifying unlimited plan, new line and reported 36-month commitment | Buyers who want the largest model and will stay with Verizon |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max bundle | Verizon | Phone plus iPad and Apple Watch | Separate connected-device data plans and a long-term commitment | Families or buyers who genuinely need multiple cellular devices |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | Xfinity Mobile | $400 off, potentially up to $1,100 with trade-in | Premium Unlimited plan and eligible trade-in | Existing Xfinity customers |
| iPhone 16e | Cricket | $199 | Three months of Supreme unlimited service; reported combined phone-and-service total was $379 before tax | Prepaid shoppers avoiding a trade-in or 24- to 36-month credit plan |
| iPhone 16 | Best Buy | $679 unlocked; $579 with activation | $100 activation discount applied to eligible AT&T or Verizon activations | Buyers wanting a relatively simple purchase |
| iPhone 15 | Best Buy | $629; $529 with activation | Activation required for the additional $100 discount | Buyers seeking the lowest-cost older iPhone |
These figures and conditions come from the December 1–2, 2025 deal coverage. Carrier offers were subject to their own full terms.
The best deal depended on what “cheapest” meant
There was no single best Cyber Monday iPhone deal. The right comparison changes depending on whether you mean the lowest checkout price, the lowest device cost, or the lowest total cost after cellular service.
Lowest upfront price
A carrier could show a $0 monthly device payment while still requiring a qualifying plan, a new line, a trade-in, taxes, activation charges and 24 or 36 months of bill credits. Sales tax might also be calculated on the phone’s full retail price rather than the promotional price.
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Cricket’s reported iPhone 16e offer was easier to understand: $199 for the device plus $180 for three months of Supreme unlimited service, for a stated total of $379 before tax. Best Buy’s $579 iPhone 16 price was the strongest simple discounted-device price in the reported coverage, although that price required eligible carrier activation.
Lowest cost for an existing carrier customer
A bill-credit promotion could be financially sensible if you already had the qualifying carrier and plan, would keep that service anyway, and had little alternative value for your trade-in. In that situation, the promotion may replace a phone purchase you would otherwise make without adding much service cost.
It was less attractive if the promotion required moving to a more expensive plan, adding a line or buying connected-device service. Compare the extra cost caused by the promotion—not your entire household phone bill—with the price of buying the phone separately.
Lowest cost for an unlocked buyer
The reported Best Buy iPhone 16 listing was the clearest unlocked-phone option: $679 before the activation discount. An unlocked purchase generally offers more flexibility for changing carriers, traveling or using a cheaper plan, although buyers should confirm the exact SKU’s activation and lock status before checkout.
What a “free iPhone” actually meant
Important: “Free” usually meant the carrier financed the phone and offset the monthly device payments with promotional bill credits. It did not necessarily mean that the phone cost nothing on day one or that you could leave at any time without consequences.
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.
A typical carrier promotion worked like this:
- The carrier financed the phone at or near its full price.
- Monthly promotional credits reduced the device payment.
- You had to maintain an eligible plan for the credits to continue.
- Ending service, changing to an ineligible plan or otherwise breaking the terms could stop future credits.
- The remaining device balance could become your responsibility if you left early.
You could still owe sales tax, an activation or connection fee, an upgrade fee, shipping, insurance or other charges. A bundled tablet or watch could also require its own cellular subscription.
The reported Verizon iPhone 17 Pro Max promotion illustrates the distinction. It was described as free without a trade-in, but required a qualifying unlimited plan, a new line and a 36-month agreement. The coverage mentioned an $80-per-month plan and a $90 Unlimited Ultimate option. The reported Verizon bundle with an iPad and Apple Watch added separate data-plan obligations.
Best deal by buyer profile
Best for an unlocked-phone buyer: Best Buy iPhone 16
The reported price was $679 for an unlocked 128GB iPhone 16, with a further $100 reduction—to $579—for eligible AT&T or Verizon activation. The unlocked price was the more flexible option because it did not make the purchase dependent on a 24- or 36-month bill-credit schedule.
This was a strong value for someone who wanted Apple’s newer mainline model without paying iPhone 17 pricing. The activation price was cheaper, but it should be evaluated alongside the carrier’s plan cost and any activation fee.
Best for a prepaid or no-trade-in buyer: Cricket iPhone 16e
Cricket’s reported offer priced the iPhone 16e at $199 when paired with three months of Supreme unlimited service. The coverage stated that service cost $180, producing a combined total of $379 before tax.
This structure avoided the major-carrier pattern of trading in a phone for credits over several years. It still required service, so it was not a $199 no-strings-attached phone, but the required period was much shorter than a typical 36-month device-credit schedule.
Boost Mobile and Mint Mobile also appeared in the broader iPhone 16e deal coverage, but their promotions had their own qualifying-service requirements. Historical prices should not be treated as current without checking the carriers’ present terms.
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Verizon’s reported iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Max offers could make sense for an existing customer already planning to keep an eligible unlimited plan. The Pro Max offer was particularly compelling on the headline price, but only if you accepted the new-line and 36-month-credit requirements.
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.
Before upgrading, confirm whether your current plan qualifies, whether an upgrade changes your credit eligibility, how many credits remain on your existing phone and what happens if you pay the device off early.
Best for an existing T-Mobile customer
T-Mobile reported free or heavily discounted iPhone 17-series offers with variations involving qualifying unlimited plans, trade-ins, additional lines and bundles. The iPhone 17 Pro could receive up to $1,000 off, but the buyer could still owe any remaining device balance.
A reported T-Mobile bundle paired an iPhone 17 Pro with an Apple Watch SE 3 and iPad. It required a trade-in, the Experience Beyond plan and connected-device service. The offer was reported to expire at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on December 3, 2025. A reported $35-per-device connection fee also applied to the multi-line offer.
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Best for an AT&T customer with a recent iPhone
AT&T reported up to $700 off the iPhone 17 and a free iPhone 17 Pro with an eligible trade-in and qualifying unlimited plan. The live coverage gave an example in which an iPhone 14 Pro Max or newer could qualify for enough credit to cover the iPhone 17 Pro.
The important question was not simply whether your phone was accepted. Ask how much credit it received, whether that credit was paid immediately or monthly, whether the device had to be paid off and whether damage reduced eligibility.
Best for an older-model bargain: Best Buy iPhone 15 or iPhone 16
Best Buy’s reported iPhone 15 price was $629, or $529 with eligible activation. The reported iPhone 16 price was $679 unlocked, or $579 with activation. The $50 difference between the unlocked models made the iPhone 16 the more attractive value when the prices and storage were comparable.
The iPhone 15 was the lower-cost choice, but the coverage specifically noted that it did not support Apple Intelligence, while the iPhone 16 did. Buyers should weigh that feature difference against the savings and confirm current software support and specifications before purchasing.
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.
iPhone 17, 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max: compare the commitment, not just the discount
The iPhone 17 was the broadest target of the major-carrier promotions. Verizon reported a free offer tied to a qualifying unlimited plan and new line. T-Mobile reported a free offer with variations based on plan, trade-in and line requirements. AT&T reported up to $700 off with an eligible trade-in and unlimited plan.
For the iPhone 17 Pro, AT&T reported a free-device promotion with qualifying trade-in and service. T-Mobile reported up to $1,000 off, but the exact value depended on the eligible plan and trade-in. These were not equivalent to an unlocked $1,000 price reduction.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max produced the largest headline offers, including Verizon’s reported free offer and Xfinity Mobile’s reported $400 discount, potentially rising to $1,100 with an eligible trade-in and Premium Unlimited service. The larger model may be attractive for its display and battery, but its higher retail value can also mean a larger financed balance if you leave before credits finish.
The iPhone Air was also part of the Cyber Monday coverage. Its thin, light design may suit some buyers, but the coverage noted that it had a single rear camera. A low monthly payment should not be the deciding factor if the model’s hardware does not meet your needs.
Apple’s promotion was a gift card, not a price cut
Apple’s reported Cyber Monday event offered a $75 Apple gift card with the iPhone 16 and a $50 gift card with the iPhone 16e. The phone’s checkout price was not reduced by the same amount.
That gift card had real value if you already planned to buy Apple accessories, apps or another eligible product. It was not equivalent to an instant $75 or $50 discount, however, and it could be less useful than a lower price from another retailer if you did not expect another Apple purchase.
For Apple’s current product listings, see the Apple Store. The gift-card amounts above describe the 2025 promotion only.
The Tool Desk
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Use this basic worksheet instead of comparing a $0 device payment with an unlocked phone’s sticker price:
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.
Net deal cost = phone price
+ required service cost
+ taxes and fees
− trade-in value
− usable gift-card valueFor a 36-month carrier deal, estimate:
36-month carrier cost = 36 × required monthly plan premium
+ taxes and fees
+ device taxes and activation
− actual bill credits
− trade-in valueIn practice, compare the carrier plan with the service you would otherwise buy. If a carrier plan costs $35 more per month than your existing or preferred plan, that premium is $1,260 over 36 months—before taxes and fees. That can outweigh a seemingly free phone.
Record these figures before accepting the offer:
- Your current carrier and monthly bill.
- The plan required by the promotion and its full monthly price.
- Whether the deal requires a new line, port-in or additional connected-device lines.
- The phone’s full retail price and the number of credit months.
- The trade-in value, including whether it is paid immediately or spread over bills.
- Taxes, activation, connection, upgrade, shipping and insurance charges.
- What happens to credits if you change plans, upgrade, pay off the phone or cancel service.
- Whether the device is locked and when it becomes eligible for unlocking.
Trade-in checklist
Trade-in credits can be the difference between a good promotion and an expensive one. Before sending a device:
- Check its private-sale value as well as the carrier’s quoted trade-in value.
- Confirm the device is eligible, including model, storage, condition and damage rules.
- Ask whether the phone must be paid off before it qualifies.
- Back up your data and save important authentication codes.
- Disable Find My and any activation lock, then erase the device.
- Photograph the phone’s condition and record its serial number or IMEI.
- Keep the shipping receipt, tracking information and carrier handoff confirmation.
- Monitor your bills to confirm the promised credits begin and continue.
Eligibility varied by promotion. Do not assume that a carrier accepting one damaged or older phone will accept another under a different offer.
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When a carrier deal was a poor fit
- You regularly change carriers or may move abroad.
- You need an unlocked phone immediately.
- You are unsure you can stay for the full credit period.
- The promotion requires a more expensive plan than you would otherwise choose.
- You must add a line you do not need.
- You are trading in a phone with substantial private-sale value for a credit that is only slightly higher.
- A bundle includes a watch or tablet you would not otherwise buy.
In these cases, paying more upfront for an unlocked iPhone 16—or choosing a prepaid offer with a clearly stated service period—could produce a lower total cost and less financial risk.
Accessory deals reported with the 2025 coverage
The live coverage also reported these dated accessory prices:
- ESR MagSafe Wallet with Find My: $35, down from $42.
- Anker Prime Wireless Charging Station: $149, down from $229.
- Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max silicone case: $25, down from $49.
- ESR Qi2 3-in-1 charging station: $15 with a coupon code.
- UAG Plasma XTE iPhone Air case: $40, down from $74.
Those were December 1–2, 2025 snapshots, not current prices. Check the exact model compatibility before buying: an iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 16 may require different cases. A multi-device charger is also poor value if you do not own an Apple Watch or AirPods. For product listings, use the manufacturer or retailer pages such as Apple’s accessories store and the reported Anker product page.
A practical decision worksheet
Write down the answers before comparing promotions:
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- Current carrier: What plan do you have now?
- Current monthly bill: What would you pay without changing service?
- Desired model: Do you need the Pro camera system or Pro Max size?
- Trade-in: What is your phone’s private-sale value and promotional credit?
- Commitment: Will you remain with the carrier for 24 or 36 months?
- Unlocked requirement: Do you need to switch carriers or travel internationally?
- Lines: Are you adding a genuinely needed phone, watch or tablet line?
- Total: What will the phone, incremental service, taxes and fees cost?
Finally, read the carrier’s full terms before porting your number, trading in a phone or accepting a bundle. Confirm the credit start date, credit duration, qualifying plan, cancellation consequences and unlock policy in writing or in the order documentation.
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.
