Best Deals on the iPhone 12 Models
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Interested in buying one of Apple’s latest phones? The iPhone 12 Mini and 12 Pro Max are now officially on sale.
Like the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro launched in October, the two new models both come standard with the hardware needed to connect to 5G networks. They also have a new processor and cameras designed to shoot better photos and video in low light.
Meanwhile, there are still great deals out there for the 12 and 12 Pro.
In cost and size, the 12 Mini and 12 Pro Max bookend the 12, $800, and 12 Pro, $1,000, which both have 6.1-inch displays. The pocket-friendly 12 Mini starts at $700 and has a 5.8-inch display, while the 12 Pro Max costs $1,100 to start and has a 6.7-inch screen.
But no matter which of the four models you pick, a new phone can be a big investment, especially if you buy it outright instead of spreading payments across your monthly cellular bills.
The major wireless carriers are offering discounts on the four models, but it’s important to dig into the details before accepting one of the deals. There’s a lot of fine print to wade through, as you’ll see below.
In brief, the best smartphone deals typically require you to have good credit, and if you’re trading in a phone, it needs to be in good working order.
Here’s a look at the best deals on all four of the phones from AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Don’t wait too long to buy. These offers won’t last forever.
Wireless Carriers Deals
AT&T: New and existing customers can get up to $700 off the purchase of any of the four iPhones with an eligible trade-in.
The offer, which effectively cancels out the cost of a 12 Mini, also applies to the purchase of an iPhone XR, XS, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max. As you would expect, a handful of conditions apply.
You must add a new line of service or upgrade an existing one. And you’re required to sign up for an AT&T unlimited plan and finance the phone for 30 months. The trade-in phone must be in good working order and worth at least $95.
The discount comes in the form of monthly bill credits. Cancel the service before the phone is paid off and the balance is due immediately, and you forfeit all remaining credits.
T-Mobile: This carrier, which has officially merged with Sprint, is offering new customers up to $950 off the purchase of a 12 Pro or 12 Pro Max with a qualifying trade-in.
For an iPhone 12, the deal gets you up to $830 off, and for a 12 Mini, it’s up to $730 off, which effectively makes those phones free.
To get the full $950 off a 12 Pro or 12 Pro Max, you need to hand over an iPhone 11 Pro Max or XS Max. Other models are worth lesser amounts.
If you’re looking to get the full discount on the 12 or 12 Mini, you have more trade-in options. In addition to the 11 Pro Max and XS Max, T-Mobile will accept an iPhone 11, 11 Pro, X, XR, XS, 8, or 8 Plus.
As with the AT&T deal, the discounts come in the form of monthly bill credits spread over 30 months. Cancel your service early and you’re on the hook for the balance.
One heads-up: While Apple and others are charging $800 for the iPhone 12 and $700 for the 12 Mini, T-Mobile has priced those phones at $830 and $730 before discounts, respectively.
Verizon: Buy one of the new iPhones from Verizon and you can get a second of equal or lesser value free. Like the deals above, this one comes in the form of monthly credits spread out over time. For the 12 and 12 Mini, it’s a period of 24 months. For the 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max, it’s 30 months.
The deal requires you to sign both phones up for qualifying Verizon unlimited plans. Cancel your service before the phones are paid off and, you guessed it, you’re on the hook for the balances and you lose any remaining credits.
Verizon also has offers that don’t require a new line of service. Customers who have a qualifying Verizon unlimited plan can get up to $440 off the 12, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max or $412 off the 12 Mini with a qualifying trade-in. The discount is spread over 24 or 30 months, depending on the model.
