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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 problemsNo—not as a new enrollee. T-Mobile’s original Forever Upgrade was a limited 2021 offer, not a standing promise of a free iPhone every two years. Eligible customers who enrolled during the offer may retain an upgrade benefit, but its status can depend on the line, enrolled phone, plan history and later program changes. The original benefit was worth up to $800 toward a new iPhone, with a qualifying trade-in—not an unconditional free phone.
What T-Mobile’s Forever Upgrade promised
Announced on September 14, 2021, alongside the iPhone 13 launch, Forever Upgrade offered eligible customers up to $800 toward a new iPhone after 24 months or longer. The customer had to trade in the iPhone enrolled in the program and keep an eligible plan. For customers financing through T-Mobile’s Equipment Installment Plan (EIP), the offer could also cover the remaining eligible balance on the old device when the customer followed the qualifying upgrade process. T-Mobile’s 2021 announcement describes the offer and its original terms.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Apple iPhone 14, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed) | $300.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Apple iPhone 16, 128GB, Pink - Unlocked (Renewed) | $574.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Apple iPhone 15, 128GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed) | $405.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Apple iPhone 13, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed) | $262.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Apple iPhone 16e, 128GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed) | $389.00 | Buy on Amazon |
The offer began with iPhone 13 preorders on September 17, 2021. It was available for a limited time, not an evergreen benefit automatically attached to every T-Mobile iPhone or account. T-Mobile’s current iPhone upgrade explainer says new enrollment is no longer available and identifies September 17 through November 1, 2021, as the relevant legacy enrollment window.
Who may still have legacy eligibility?
Only a customer whose account actually enrolled in the offer may have the legacy benefit. T-Mobile’s original launch announcement listed eligible plans at the time, including Magenta MAX and Magenta Plus, certain First Responder, Unlimited 55+, Military and Sprint plans, and some small-business plans or add-ons. Those 2021 plan names and rules do not establish that a line qualifies today.
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#1 Best Overall
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
- Having an iPhone 13, by itself, does not prove enrollment.
- Being on an older Magenta plan does not automatically qualify a line.
- Having received a different T-Mobile phone promotion does not establish Forever Upgrade status.
- An app message saying “upgrade eligible” may refer to an ordinary upgrade or another benefit, not this legacy program.
The original terms tied the benefit to an enrolled device and line. Trading in that device early, changing to an ineligible plan or upgrading through a route outside the program could affect or end the benefit. The 2022 offering memorandum describes the original program conditions. A paid-off phone, a phone bought elsewhere or a phone on another line should not be assumed to qualify without confirmation on the account.
Why “free iPhone” overstates the deal
The original maximum was $800 toward a new iPhone, in exchange for the enrolled iPhone and continued compliance with the program terms. A model priced above the qualifying benefit could still leave an amount to pay. The benefit was not cash, and it did not mean that every iPhone model would cost nothing.
Rank #2
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000nits (typ), 2000nits (HBM), 2556x1179px at 460ppi, 3561mAh Battery
- 128GB 8GB RAM, Apple A18 (3nm), Hexa-core (2x4.04 GHz + 4x2.20 GHz), Apple GPU 5-core, 16‑core Neural Engine
- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.6, wide + 12MP, f/2.2, ultrawide, Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9, wide, iOS 18, upgradable to iOS 18.5
- 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/32/34/38/39/40/41/42/48/53/66/71, 5G: n1/2/3/5/7/8/12/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/40/41/48/53/66/70/71/75/76/77/78/79 - Dual eSIM
- 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, Sprint., Etc.
Keep the phone financing and the promotion separate in your calculations:
- EIP installments: These are payments under the device financing agreement. You remain responsible for that agreement unless the applicable upgrade terms provide for an eligible remaining balance to be covered when you trade in the phone.
- Promotional credits: Many current T-Mobile device offers apply discounts as monthly bill credits rather than reducing the price in cash upfront. The credits, their duration and eligibility depend on the particular offer; see T-Mobile’s promotional offer details.
- Service cost: A qualifying plan is part of the economics. Compare the plan you would actually choose with a less expensive alternative; a device discount may not make a higher-priced plan worthwhile.
“Free” can also leave costs or conditions: sales tax may be charged on the pre-credit price, a device connection or upgrade charge may apply, credit approval may be required, and credits may take time to appear. T-Mobile’s 2021 announcement warned that taxes were due on the pre-credit price and that credits required an active account in good standing; canceling service could stop credits. Current offers have their own terms, so check the terms tied to the exact promotion rather than assuming the 2021 details apply to a new transaction.
Rank #3
- 6.1inch Super Retina XDR display. Aluminum with color-infused glass back. Ring/Silent switch
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A16 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU
- Advanced dual-camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. 4X optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 26 hours video playback. USB C, Supports USB 2. Face ID
What changed after the original offer?
T-Mobile investor materials say the original Forever Upgrade benefit was discontinued and replaced by Yearly Upgrade for affected enrollees as of December 7, 2023. At the same time, T-Mobile’s current consumer explainer still describes legacy Forever Upgrade customers as potentially eligible to upgrade every two or more years. Because those materials describe the transition differently, do not assume that the legacy benefit is unchanged—or that every enrollee was automatically moved to identical terms. Confirm the benefit shown for your line and the terms that apply before trading in a phone.
The transition date is reported in T-Mobile’s 2024 offering memorandum. T-Mobile’s Yearly Upgrade support page describes the current yearly-upgrade mechanics; those mechanics are distinct from the original 2021 promise.
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.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 90 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
- Product may come in generic Box.
How to verify your line before upgrading
- Sign in to your T-Mobile account in T-Life or on T-Mobile.com, then open the line’s plan, benefits, EIP and upgrade information.
- Look for an explicit Forever Upgrade or Yearly Upgrade benefit, not just a generic “upgrade eligible” message.
- Confirm which device is recorded as enrolled for that line and whether any prior upgrade or plan change affected the benefit.
- Open the specific offer you intend to use. Check the eligible plan, trade-in model and condition, credit amount and timing, old EIP payoff treatment, and what happens to any existing credits.
- Ask T-Mobile support to confirm in writing, or add an account note if available, whether the line has legacy status, which device qualifies, and whether the proposed transaction changes the old EIP or credits.
- Save the offer terms, promotion ID, and screenshots before accepting the transaction or sending in the phone.
Eligibility can vary between online, app and store offers, and by account or line. Do not cancel a line, port out, change plans or surrender the enrolled phone until you understand the consequences under that specific offer. Canceling service can end remaining promotional credits and may leave an unpaid device balance due under the applicable terms.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can you upgrade before 24 months?
The original Forever Upgrade cadence was 24 months or longer. T-Mobile warned that an earlier trade-in could reset the benefit’s value and timing; an early upgrade should not be treated as a way to collect the same benefit sooner. Check whether an early transaction is using the legacy benefit or a separate current promotion.
Best Value
- 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.
Yearly Upgrade is a different route. T-Mobile says eligible customers can use it after at least six months and after paying 50% of the device cost, if they trade in the phone in good working condition. T-Mobile then covers remaining payments up to half the device cost, subject to the program terms. This is an upgrade allowance, not a promise that a new phone will be free.
Current alternatives to the legacy offer
| Option | Upgrade timing or mechanic | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Legacy Forever Upgrade | Original offer: up to $800 toward a new iPhone after 24 months or longer, with the enrolled-device trade-in. | Only existing eligible enrollees; confirm the benefit and device on the line. |
| Experience More | T-Mobile describes this plan as upgrade-ready every two years through eligible promotions and 24-month EIP financing. | It is not a re-opening of Forever Upgrade. Verify the qualifying promotion and compare the plan cost with your alternative. See T-Mobile’s plan comparison. |
| Experience Beyond / Yearly Upgrade | Yearly Upgrade may be available after six months and 50% of the device cost has been paid, with a qualifying trade-in. | Requires eligibility and a phone in good working condition under the stated terms; see the Yearly Upgrade rules. |
| Ordinary T-Mobile promotion | Discount and payment structure vary by current offer; many use monthly bill credits. | Check the exact device, plan, trade-in, credit duration and cancellation terms in T-Mobile’s offer details. |
| Buy through Apple | Purchase directly and compare Apple Trade In or financing options. | May suit buyers prioritizing carrier flexibility; compare the specific offer and trade-in value at Apple’s iPhone store and Apple Trade In. |
For any carrier offer, compare the total you would pay over the period you expect to stay—not just the advertised phone credit. Include the service plan, upfront tax and fees, any installment payments, and credits you might forfeit if you leave early. A private sale may be worth comparing with trade-in, but the better value depends on the phone’s model, storage, condition and the offers available at the time.
When a T-Mobile upgrade deal may not suit you
- You would choose a substantially cheaper plan without the phone offer, or are switching to T-Mobile mainly because an ad says “free.”
- You expect to leave the carrier or cancel the qualifying line before all required credits are received.
- You want to keep the enrolled phone, upgrade sooner than the program permits, or avoid device financing.
- Your phone’s condition, activation lock, financing status or model details may not meet the trade-in terms.
- You prefer to buy unlocked and change carriers freely; a direct purchase may be a better fit even if the upfront cost is higher.
Before deciding, compare the precise account offer with the cost of the service you would otherwise choose and the value of keeping or selling your current phone. Do not treat an upgrade-readiness label as a guarantee of a zero-dollar device.
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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.
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