> At a Glance
> – AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon and Boost currently slash up to $1,100 off select iPhone 17 models
> – A qualifying trade-in plus new or upgraded line can drop the price to $0 on base, Air and Pro versions
> – Apple direct offers up to $670 trade credit and 3% Apple Card cash back
> – Why it matters: Apple’s flagship phones start at $799-$1,199, so aggressive carrier credits make upgrades far cheaper than sticker prices suggest.
Apple’s September iPhone 17 family-standard, slim Air, Pro and Pro Max-carries premium price tags, but launch promotions from major carriers can erase most or all of the hardware cost if you meet trade-in and plan requirements.
How to Score a Free iPhone 17
T-Mobile leads with $830-$1,100 bill credits on Experience Beyond or Go5G Next plans when you trade an eligible phone; the same credit applies if you port in a number and add a line. Most other T-Mobile plans yield up to $300.
AT&T grants up to $1,100 back across 36 monthly credits when you trade an iPhone 14 Pro Max or newer and maintain an unlimited plan; older devices still pull $350-$700 depending on value.
Verizon’s Unlimited Ultimate plan delivers up to $1,000 off with trade-in, while Boost Mobile’s $65 Infinite Access plan knocks $830 off instantly, making the base 17 free and the Air under $5 a month.
Apple Store Route
Buy direct and receive:
- Trade credit between $40-$670
- 3% Daily Cash with Apple Card
- Carrier tie-ins that can stack up to $999 extra credit when you activate on AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile or Boost
iPhone 17 Family Pricing and Specs
| Model | US Starting Price | Key Hardware |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17 | $799 | A19 chip, 256GB base, iOS 26 |
| iPhone Air | $999 | A19 Pro, ultrathin design |
| iPhone 17 Pro | $1,099 | A19 Pro, triple-camera, Pro features |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | $1,199 | Same guts, larger display & battery |
Color palettes vary: standard 17 offers lavender, mist blue, sage, white and black; Air comes in space black, cloud white, light gold and sky blue; Pro models ship in silver, cosmic orange and deep blue.
What You Need to Know Before Jumping In
Promotional credits arrive as monthly bill reductions over 24-36 months; cancel service early and the remaining balance becomes due. High-demand configurations may face back-order delays. Trade values hinge on device condition and model year-iPhone 13 Pro or newer yields the best payouts.
Key Takeaways
- Carrier deals can make the $799-$1,199 iPhone 17 line effectively free with qualifying trade and plan
- T-Mobile and AT&T currently offer the highest potential credit ($1,100), while Boost provides instant $830 savings on its Infinite Access tier
- Direct-from-Apple purchases net up to $670 trade plus 3% cash back, with optional carrier stacking
- All promotions require multi-month service commitments and device pay-out via bill credits
Stack the right trade-in with a compatible unlimited plan and you can walk away with Apple’s latest hardware without paying full freight-so long as you stick with the carrier for the contract term.
