Verizon
For a limited time, Verizon is running a promotion on the iPhone 17 Pro to make it effectively free. The carrier is providing up to $1,100 in bill credits on a selection of iPhone 17 models when you trade in an eligible device and sign up with its Unlimited Ultimate plan. The offer is available to new and existing customers, and the credit spreads out over 36 months; that means you can effectively erase the cost of the 17 Pro once you’ve met the terms.
- Who is eligible and what do they need to qualify
- How the $1,100 bill credit actually works over time
- Trade-in rules, and tips to avoid hiccups
- Plan cost and what you get with Unlimited Ultimate
- Step-by-step: how to claim Verizon’s iPhone offer
- Other Apple bundle promotions from Verizon to know
- Bottom line: when a ‘free’ iPhone deal makes sense
Who is eligible and what do they need to qualify
Qualifying is simple:
- Create a new line or upgrade an existing one on Verizon Unlimited Ultimate.
- Buy your iPhone 17 on a 36‑month device payment plan.
- Trade in an eligible phone.
Auto Pay must be enabled. Current Verizon terms detail that the trade‑in device must be from Apple, Google, Motorola, or Samsung; functioning on an account for at least 60 days; and accepted in any condition.
The credit, as much as $1,100, is awarded through 36 monthly bill credits. If you upgrade to a new phone, cancel that line, or don’t send the trade‑in device within the time frame specified when placing your trade‑in order, the rest of your credits stop. Taxes and fees are additional and may be due at purchase based on the full price of the device in many states.
How the $1,100 bill credit actually works over time
Think of this as a sustained lower price, rather than a cut rate at checkout. The maximum credit is approximately $30.56 a month over 36 months. If the iPhone 17 Pro’s MSRP is in that range, your monthly device cost winds up being $0 as soon as credits start posting. Opt for a more expensive configuration or a Pro Max, and you’ll owe the difference each month. Turn in or pay off early and you’ll leave credits on the table.
Perhaps more significant than the actual service itself are the terms upfront — it’s a bill‑credit model, which has become standard throughout as it dramatically reduces churn; carriers get to keep customers for the entirety of their contract. Trade‑in values, according to independent research conducted by Assurant’s Mobile Trade‑in and Upgrade Trends reports, suggest the average trade‑in value is hovering around $150–$200 across smartphones, so carrier bill credit offers like this widely deliver outsized value versus cash buybacks for qualifying customers.
Trade-in rules, and tips to avoid hiccups
“Any condition,” according to Verizon, typically means cracked screens and old batteries. Devices that are blacklisted, blocked, or reported lost/stolen are not eligible. The 60‑day active need is key; it’s an anti‑fraud measure that stymies many a shopper. Back up, turn off Find My iPhone or the like, factory‑reset, and follow the guided instructions in the shipping materials promptly. Miss the return time frame or send in a non‑qualifying device, and Verizon will decrease or eliminate bill credits.
Real‑world example: customers who trade in an older iPhone 11 or Galaxy S20 that’s been active on their account would generally satisfy the “eligible brand” and “active 60 days” criteria; when combined with an Unlimited Ultimate plan, they’d be eligible for the max credit. If your trade‑in is newer, the deal still holds — but the primary lever is the requirement for a plan, not so much for any residual value of that phone itself.
Plan cost and what you get with Unlimited Ultimate
Unlimited Ultimate is Verizon’s most premium-tier plan, which starts at a minimum of around $90 a month before taxes and fees with Auto Pay. In return, you’ll receive priority premium data, a generous hotspot allowance, and international perks that lower tiers lack. The math is easy: If you expect to remain in the plan for its duration, the iPhone discount can end up more than offsetting the higher monthly service fee compared with mid‑tier unlimited options.
Customer‑experience surveys from companies such as J.D. Power often find that customers who understand line‑term credits and plan requirements are happier — so review your bill after the first and second months to verify that these credits are posting like they should.
Step-by-step: how to claim Verizon’s iPhone offer
- Check the upgrade status of your line or add a new line on Unlimited Ultimate with Auto Pay.
- Pick your iPhone 17 on a 36‑month device payment plan.
- Obtain a trade‑in estimate for an eligible Apple, Google, Motorola, or Samsung phone that has been active on an account for at least 60 days.
- Complete the purchase and submit the trade‑in.
- Ship the device once you receive the provided shipping materials.
- Keep your first two bills for the monthly credits to start, and maintain the line and plan in good standing to receive all remaining credits.
Other Apple bundle promotions from Verizon to know
Verizon is also piling on bonuses: purchase any iPhone 17 on any myPlan and get an Apple Watch SE 3 or Apple Watch Series 11 for free, or receive $500 off the Apple Watch Ultra 3 — both require a watch service plan. And there’s a deal that throws in an iPad 16 and Apple Watch Series 11 when you purchase a new iPhone, again requiring tablet and watch lines. Depending on the card you choose, a smartwatch trade‑in can get you up to $400 off with the Unlimited Plus for Apple Watches plan, while purchasing three or more accessories gets 20% off.
Bottom line: when a ‘free’ iPhone deal makes sense
If you have an eligible trade‑in and want to commit to Verizon’s Unlimited Ultimate for the entire term, this is one of the richest flagship iPhone offers available right now. The phone itself is $0 after bill credits, and the carrier’s add‑on bundles may make that a little sweeter. But adhere to the fine print — namely, that 60‑day device activity rule and a 36‑month credit cycle — and the iPhone 17 Pro is genuinely a free upgrade in all but name.