[ad_1]
It’s been a long time since you could only get an iPhone directly from Apple or AT&T. Today, it is offered by major operators and large retailers, and many of them want to tempt you to buy from them by offering special offers. Of course, you can always buy directly from Apple, either in store or online.
If you haven’t placed your order for an iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Pro yet, here is a rundown of some of the deals and promotions offered by different retailers to help you make up your mind. For each one, we’ll let you know about current specials, when you should consider buying there, and when you shouldn’t.
apple store
Best deals
Buying direct from Apple is one of the few ways to buy an unlocked, SIM-free iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Proand it’s the go-to place to join the iPhone Upgrade Program. Apple will also allow you to trade in your old iPhone (in good condition) as credit for a new purchase.
This year, Apple has partnered with AT&T and Verizon to offer discounts on the iPhone 12 mini (which won’t be available until November) and the iPhone 12. Instead of paying $ 729 / $ 829, you get a $ 30 discount if you buy an AT&T activated phone. or Verizon.
AT&T and Verizon both have discounted exchange plans that you can purchase through Apple (you will trade your phone directly with the carrier, not with Apple). With AT&T, you can get the iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 mini for $ 0 a month for 30 months if you trade in at least one good iPhone 8.
At Verizon, you’ll pay $ 11.95 a month for the iPhone 12 mini or $ 14.95 a month for the iPhone 12 for 24 months with an iPhone X or newer trade-in.
For the iPhone 12 Pro, AT & T’s trade-in agreement will cost you $ 6.64 per month for 30 months, while Verizon will be $ 23.29 for 24 months, again with the same trade-in requirements. For the iPhone 12 Pro Max (available in November) those fees go up to $ 13.30 and $ 27.45, respectively.
Please note that these offers require that you have a monthly payment plan with AT&T or Verizon and that you subscribe to an eligible unlimited data plan. You will get the cost of your phone reduced in monthly bill credits.
Read more about these requirements here.
Why you should buy here
AppleThis is the first time in a long time that you can get carrier swap deals by buying directly from Apple. This may have something to do with the promotion of carriers wanting to push the iPhone 12 to attract customers to their 5G networks, and it may have something to do with COVID-19 precautions that make in-store purchases less common.
As usual, those carrier offers come with a lot of warnings and locks, but they can definitely get you to an iPhone 12 with little to no upfront cost.
If you want to buy your phone with the iPhone update program, you will have to do it in the Apple Store or in the iOS application of the Apple Store.
When you buy directly from Apple with an Apple Card, you get a 3 percent cash back. In addition, Apple will now allow you to pay for a new iPhone with your Apple Card in 24 monthly installments, without interest.
If you always want the latest iPhone every year, the iPhone Upgrade Program is a good deal. You pay for your iPhone in 24 monthly installments, but you can exchange it for a new iPhone after 12 months (thus renewing the 24-month contract). It also includes Apple Care +.
It is also one of the few places where you can get your iPhone 12 or 12 Pro SIM-free and unlocked.
Why you shouldn’t buy here
If you plan to change operators or open a new line, buying directly from the operator may be a better deal; many operators offer good incentives to switch. From time to time, operators may offer deals (“buy one get one free” or other rebates), although these generally require some kind of long-term commitment. However, the best carrier offers tend to be for new line activations and transfers.
Apple offers trade-in value for its old iPhone, but it’s often not as much of a carrier (with the caveat that carriers want to lock you into a long-term payment plan).
Amazon
Best deals
The iPhone 12 and 12 Pro do not appear to be available on Amazon at the time of this writing.
Why you should buy here
Amazon rarely has deals on the latest iPhone models, but it can be a good place to get a deal on an older Certified Restored model.
Why you shouldn’t buy here
You almost never buy directly from Amazon, but rather through a reseller. And most of the iPhones you’ll find on Amazon are certified as refurbished, which isn’t bad, but it’s not the place to go if you’re looking for a new model.
AT&T
Best deals
AT&T offers a free iPhone 12, where “free” means up to $ 800 in bill credits when you trade in an old phone and finance a new one for 30 months. You can get a more expensive iPhone 12 (a Pro or more storage) and cut the cost by $ 800 this way too.
There are traps, of course. You will need to:
- Purchase an eligible smartphone with a qualifying installment agreement, which includes tax on the full retail price (upfront) and a $ 30 activation / upgrade fee.
- Add a new line of service or update an existing line.
- Activate unlimited postpaid wireless service (minimum $ 75 per month for unlimited new customers before discounts).
- Trade in an eligible smartphone in good working order with a minimum trade-in value of $ 95 for $ 800 of credit ($ 35 for $ 350 of credit) within 30 days of activation.
If you meet all of those conditions, you get a “free” iPhone 12 because they’ll give you enough bill credits to cover your monthly fees. If you want more storage or an iPhone 12 Pro, you get up to $ 800 in bill credits.
