T‑Mobile is offering qualified customers a free iPhone 17 Pro, and yes, $0 can actually be free — if you qualify.
Bill credits apply — they can add up to $1,100 as long as you trade in an eligible device and activate on a specific unlimited plan. Here’s exactly how to qualify, what you’ll still pay, and the fine print that counts.
- How the free iPhone 17 Pro offer from T‑Mobile works
- Who qualifies and which devices you can trade in
- What you’ll still pay in taxes, fees, and plan charges
- Which iPhone 17 Pro model you get with this promotion
- Why wireless carriers can afford so‑called ‘free’ phones
- How to maximize your savings and avoid common pitfalls
- Bottom line: How to smoothly qualify for this promotion
How the free iPhone 17 Pro offer from T‑Mobile works
The headline “free” price is reached after 24 monthly bill credits that reduce the iPhone 17 Pro cost. To access the full credits, T‑Mobile customers — new or existing — need to activate or upgrade on T‑Mobile’s Experience Beyond plan and trade in a qualifying phone in working condition. Miss a payment or cancel before it’s paid off, and the remaining balance is due.
Switchers who choose the Experience More or Go5G Plus plans have another option: a free base iPhone 17 or as much as $830 off any model of the iPhone 17 without a trade-in. It’s not a free Pro, but if you don’t have a strong trade-in, it’s a significant discount.
Who qualifies and which devices you can trade in
Eligibility applies for both new lines and existing T‑Mobile lines that are upgrading on Experience Beyond. The trade-in has to be a model on the carrier’s approved list and processed in working condition (powers up, isn’t behind a cracked screen that impedes use, doesn’t have water damage, and has no activation lock). They command the highest credits for Apple, Samsung, and Google devices, although the exact amounts fluctuate.
Real-world example: A relatively new flagship such as an iPhone 14 Pro Max in good condition would generally make the cut for top-tier credit, meaning you’d pay nothing out of pocket for the 17 Pro. The phone can be an older one, like an iPhone XR or a Galaxy S10 — not new enough to fetch full credits, but new enough that the resulting monthly payment is lower. Always verify that the IMEI is eligible (you can contact us if you’re not sure) before sending it out!
What you’ll still pay in taxes, fees, and plan charges
You will still need to pay sales tax on the iPhone 17 Pro’s full retail price at checkout, even after bill credits, as well as a $35 activation fee and any local taxes.
Your monthly Experience Beyond fee also applies. If you upgrade or cancel before 24 months, your bill credits will cease and your remaining device balance may become due.
Which iPhone 17 Pro model you get with this promotion
The promo revolves around the iPhone 17 Pro with 256GB storage, but higher capacities are available if you pay for the upgrade. The 17 Pro has a 6.3″ Super Retina XDR display with Dolby Vision, Apple’s A19 Pro chip, and a triple 48MP camera system as well as an 18MP front camera. Apple lists battery life up to 33 hours, and safety features like crash detection and satellite communication for messaging or Emergency SOS are features that travelers and parents may appreciate.
Why wireless carriers can afford so‑called ‘free’ phones
Carriers also discount devices to lower churn and retain high-value unlimited lines. As industry organizations such as CTIA, the trade association representing carriers in the U.S. market, have outlined, promotions in the U.S. usually spread credits out over 24–36 months to encourage tenure and guarantee consistent monthly bills. On the trade-in side, Assurant’s Mobile Trade-in and Upgrade reports reflect billions going back to consumers on a yearly basis (with multiple quarters exceeding $1 billion) — money that can help underwrite aggressive offers such as this one.
How to maximize your savings and avoid common pitfalls
Back up that old phone, turn off Find My or any activation lock, and snap pictures of its condition before it takes flight.
Check in-store or with customer care for your device’s eligibility and estimated credit to avoid any surprises. Retain the trade-in receipt and tracking number until credits appear on your bill.
If you don’t have a qualifying trade-in, consider the Experience More or Go5G Plus routes that include the base iPhone 17 for free, or up to $830 off any 17‑series model. Also be on the lookout for autopay discounts, bundled streaming benefits, and multi-line savings, which can significantly shift the total cost of ownership over two years.
Bottom line: How to smoothly qualify for this promotion
To really get the iPhone 17 Pro for $0, you’ll have to have an eligible trade-in, activate it on T‑Mobile’s Experience Beyond plan, and make 24 months of on-time payments. You will still pay taxes, activation, and service fees, of course, but the bill credits can wipe away the cost of the device. Read the fine print, verify your trade-in value, and you can walk out with Apple’s top-end phone without forking over sticker.