The Sept. 9 event brought Apple’s new iPhones into the open, with the foldable iPhone Duo taking the lead role. The tried-and-true Pro models have received their updates alongside it. Preorders for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max open from Sept. 12 at 8 a.m. ET, and the carriers are already vying to secure your purchase.
Four colors define the new Pro lineup: deep black, silver, burgundy, and glacier blue. The 18 Pro opens at $1,199, while the Pro Max begins at $1,299 for the 256GB models, with storage stretching all the way to 2TB. That marks a $100 price rise from last year, and new phones continue to cost more.
T-Mobile is pushing ahead with a free phone deal, and other carriers are answering with lower upgrade costs, trade-in offers, and lease programs.
The Deal From T-Mobile
If you move your phone number over to T-Mobile or trade in an eligible device on an Experience Beyond plan, T-Mobile will give you the iPhone 18 Pro at no charge. You can also earn up to $930 in trade-in credit by switching a line to T-Mobile’s Experience More or Go5G Plus plans.
T-Mobile is giving away the phone for free, but only if you agree to sign up for a plan. The company is paying for the device itself in exchange for locking you into its network.
Other Carrier Offers
Total Wireless is taking a different approach. It’s saving $600 on iPhone 18 Pro or Pro Max on the All Access plan. That’s a straightforward discount for anyone who prefers a smaller carrier.
Apple has launched its own trade-in deal. Hand over an iPhone 13 or newer and you’ll receive between $175 and $885 in credit toward the iPhone 18 Pro or Pro Max. Alternatively, some carriers will give you up to $1,200 in trade-in credit.
AT&T is giving away the iPhone 18 Pro at no cost or reducing the price of the iPhone 18 Pro Max by up to $1,200, depending on which deal you choose. Both offers require a qualifying trade-in of an iPhone 14 or newer model and signing up for AT&T Premium 2.0 plan or above. The company is also offering up to $800 in credit toward paying down your existing device simply by switching carriers to AT&T.
Verizon is joining the competition. You can save up to $1,200 when you add a new line (with qualified trade-in) on eligible myPlan, or get up to $1,020 off when you upgrade with an eligible trade-in on existing myPlan.
Visible is a smaller player, yet it’s making noise. Purchase the iPhone 18 Pro via Visible+ Pro and gain access to $480 through monthly service credits. The offer applies to both new and existing members alike.
There aren’t any preorder offers at Walmart right now, though you can arrange to pay for the new iPhone over time using OnePay, a Klarna-backed service, with payments as low as $78 per month if you meet the requirements.
On the Mobile Plus plan, Xfinity is making the iPhone 18 Pro Max available at no cost through a qualifying trade-in paired with a device payment arrangement.
What Amazon Offers
Amazon’s iPhone 18 Pro listings aren’t live yet, and Amazon typically isn’t the best place to shop for new Apple smartphones. We’ll update this page if any iPhone 18 Pro Amazon deals appear in the days ahead.
For now, you can preorder the new AirPods 5 and Apple Watches at Amazon.
The Free Phone Offer
The free phone is what draws attention. T-Mobile makes the iPhone 18 Pro available at no charge when customers switch to T-Mobile and bring their number or trade in an eligible device on an Experience Beyond plan. AT&T follows a similar approach, though it builds its offer around the Pro Max rather than the standard version.
The numbers add up easily: hand over your old phone, start a fresh plan, and let the carrier cover the cost of the new iPhone. The arrangement works to the carrier’s advantage, since it gains a new customer, while you come away with a brand-new phone at no charge.
The Numbers Behind the Offers
| Carrier | Offer | Details |
|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile | Free iPhone 18 Pro | Switch and bring number, trade-in eligible phone on Experience Beyond plan |
| T-Mobile | Up to $930 trade-in credit | Switch line to Experience More or Go5G Plus plans |
| Total Wireless | Save $600 | All Access plan |
| Apple | Trade-in credit | iPhone 13 or later, $175-$885 credit |
| AT&T | Free or $1,200 off Pro Max | Trade-in iPhone 14 or later, Premium 2.0 plan |
| AT&T | Up to $800 credit | Pay off current device by switching |
| Verizon | Up to $1,200 off | Add new line, qualified trade-in |
| Verizon | Up to $1,020 off | Upgrade with eligible trade-in on existing myPlan |
| Visible | $480 service credits | Visible+ Pro plan |
| Walmart | $78/month financing | OnePay, Klarna-backed |
The key facts:
- iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199
- iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at $1,299 (256GB)
- Both models see a $100 price increase over last year
- Carriers offer up to $1,200 off or free phone with trade-in
- Preorder opens Sept. 12 at 8 a.m. ET
- Devices ship Friday, Sept. 18
Reading the Fine Print
The free phone offer sounds great, but you’re committing to a plan. The $1,200 off deal sounds huge, but you have to trade in an eligible device. Make sure you understand what you’re giving up before you click preorder.
Starting Sept. 12, preorders open for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max at 8 a.m. ET. The fresh hues add a pleasant touch, and the upgrades are genuine. Yet the cost stands as the central issue, with carriers working hard to soften its blow.
The giveaway phone is the reward, yet it arrives with conditions. Review the conditions, examine the device-trading demands, and settle on your true desires. The deals are generous, though they aim to bind you. Handle them with care.
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