Apple has officially opened pre-orders for the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro — and, thankfully, there are numerous pre-order deals to make the new phones much more affordable. ‘Affordable’ and ‘iPhone’ usually aren’t two words that go together. However, carriers have stepped up in recent years with generous promotions on Apple’s handsets. It still requires a fair amount of money to get the latest and greatest, though it doesn’t sting quite as bad as it used to.
For 2021, Apple has four new iPhones for folks to choose from: the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max. They may look very similar to last year’s handsets, though some key upgrades are waiting for users under the hood. Whether it be longer battery life, faster performance, upgraded cameras, or 120Hz displays on the Pro models, the iPhone 13 lineup has a fair amount to offer. For anyone looking to pre-order any of the new phones between now and September 24 when they launch, here are the best deals to keep an eye on.
Let’s start with AT&T. Regardless if someone’s new to the carrier or already a paying customer, AT&T’s offering the 128GB versions of iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, and iPhone 13 Pro for $0. To take advantage of this promotion, shoppers need to purchase either handset on an installment plan, activate it on an unlimited data plan that costs at least $75/month, and trade in an eligible smartphone within 30 days. If someone would rather get the iPhone 13 Pro Max, the same promotion takes up to $1000 off Apple’s highest-end phone — bringing it down to just $99 (or $2.75/month).
Other iPhone 13 & iPhone 13 Pro Pre-Order Deals
Switching gears to T-Mobile, the pink-clad wireless carrier has a pretty similar deal. If someone buys an iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, or iPhone 13 Pro and trades in an eligible device, they can get their phone for free thanks to increased trade-in offers. Once again, the iPhone 13 Pro Max can be had for up to $1000 off with an eligible trade-in. While new and existing customers are eligible, this is only true if the iPhone 13 is activated on a Magenta MAX plan (T-Mobile’s most expensive wireless plan). On top of all this, T-Mobile’s also running its ‘New iPhone Now & Forever’ promotion. Here’s how it works: Buy an iPhone 13 handset from T-Mobile, activate or switch to Magenta MAX, and trade-in the iPhone 13 after two years for a guaranteed value up to $800. The kicker is that T-Mobile says this deal will keep repeating ‘forever.’ So long as someone brings in their iPhone after two years to trade it in, they’ll keep getting up to $800 back for the latest model. The promotion “may end” and is “subject to change at any time” per T-Mobile’s official terms, but regardless, it’s definitely worth looking into.
Then there’s Verizon. Verizon’s offer is very similar to AT&T and T-Mobile’s, though certain shoppers can squeeze even more value out of it. Buy an iPhone 13, use it on a select unlimited plan, and trade in an eligible smartphone. The iPhone 13, 13 mini, and 13 Pro are all made free with this promotion, with the iPhone 13 Pro Max getting a hefty $1000 discount. Verizon’s also less picky with its trade-ins, allowing folks to use their “old or damaged phone” and still be eligible. On top of all that, anyone who switches to Verizon with this promotion will get an additional $500 back in the form of a virtual prepaid Mastercard.
Last but not least, there are also special promotions offered directly on Apple’s website. They aren’t quite as good as what people can get buying directly from their carrier, but for anyone trying to keep their shopping with Apple, the deals are worth checking out. AT&T subscribers can get all iPhone 13 models for free with trade-in (or $1000 of the Pro Max), T-Mobile’s offering up to $700 in total trade-in credits, and Verizon’s touting increased trade-in offers with eligible phones). Regardless of which promotion someone decides to take advantage of, the point is that there are options out there to get an iPhone 13 or 13 Pro without paying full price. Take a look at what’s available, get the deal that makes the most sense for your needs, and happy shopping.
