Verizon is offering up to $1,100 in bill credits on the new iPhone 17 lineup with an eligible trade-in and an Unlimited Ultimate plan — which makes the iPhone 17 Pro free for many shoppers. The deal is available to new and existing customers, but the savings are contingent on meeting a few fine-print requirements.
Here is how the promotion actually works, what you will pay each month and how to avoid losing your credits.
Here’s how that “free” iPhone 17 Pro really works
This is a bill‑credit offer, which means it’s not a discount off the price at the point of sale. You finance the phone on a 36‑month device payment plan and Verizon credits you up to $1,100 across those 36 bills. If your credits match the phone’s monthly payment, your out‑of‑pocket for the device nets to $0 over time (taxes and fees are still your responsibility).
If you disconnect service, pay it off early or transfer to an ineligible plan, remaining phone credits stop.
U.S. carriers do the same and it’s a big part of what makes these offers so lucrative: Analysts at firms like MoffettNathanson and LightShed have pointed out that longer 36‑month credits help lower churn.
For comparison’s sake, a full $1,100 promo over 36 months would be about $30.56/month in credits. That sum counts for most or all of the iPhone 17 Pro’s monthly installment, for those who get the maximum.
Eligibility and restrictions
Trade‑in: Must be an Apple, Google, Motorola or Samsung phone, any condition, active on account for 60 days or more before purchase. Damaged devices can also be eligible under the “any condition” provision, though dollar values fluctuate depending on the model and the condition of the device.
Plan: You will need a new line or to upgrade to Verizon’s Unlimited Ultimate plan with Auto Pay activated. Unlimited Ultimate is the carrier’s top level and will cost from $90 a month for one line before taxes and fees; the price per line decreases with additional lines.
Term: Credits are valid for 36 months. Your remaining credits stop if you change plans, cancel Auto Pay, suspend your line, or terminate service. On top of that, in many states, you’ll pay sales tax on the full retail price of the phone at checkout.
Timing: Verizon has not specified an official end date for the promotion. Credits generally start after one to two billing cycles, with any missed credits catching up automatically.
What you’ll actually pay (and save)
That is 23 years of free iPhone 17 Pro for you, minus a small amount of interest.
If you get partial credit, you will pay the balance each month.
The cost of your Unlimited Ultimate plan charges, optional device protection if you add it and any taxes and fees also are part of your total monthly bill. Multi-line households usually benefit from lower per‑line plan costs, so stacking this deal across multiple upgrades sometimes makes more sense.
What about the other iPhone 17 models?
Verizon’s deal is for the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, as well as the new iPhone Air. The latest Apple phones also include an A19 chip, ProMotion 120Hz on the Pro models and improved front‑facing cameras optimized for flexible recording — the kind of upgrades that make a difference if you need video recording, or if you’re a heavy multitasker.
Since the promo is “up to $1,100,” the deal might surpass the amount of a non‑Pro monthly payment and result in approximately same $0 effective price for the trade‑in.
Stackable Apple bundle offers
Verizon’s throwing in extras: purchase any iPhone 17 on any myPlan and you can add an Apple Watch SE 3 or Apple Watch Series 11, or $500 off an Apple Watch Ultra 3. There are also deals for a free iPad 16 and an Apple Watch Series 11 when purchasing a new iPhone.
Each add‑on will have its own plan and its customers will receive the discounts via monthly bill credits, just as with the phone offer.
If you trade in a smartwatch, you can save up to $400 off the Unlimited Plus for Apple Watches plan. Accessory carts take 20% off three or more products, such as cases and chargers.
Who should leap at it — and who shouldn’t
Good fit: You’re sticking with Verizon for three years, you’d like to take advantage of premium data and hotspot performance options and you have a phone that will work for trade-in and a CIRP and carrier disclosures indicate most U.S. iPhone buyers are already on installment plans so spreading those credits out over 36 months won’t feel out of the ordinary to most.
Count to three: You plan to change carriers in the near future, prefer less-expensive plan levels, or are not a fan of a 36‑month obligation.
If you pay off the phone early or switch plans, the remaining promotional credits disappear — a common and overlooked gripe among customers.
Pro tips on how to save the most
Check that your current phone is eligible and that it has been active for at least 60 days. Snap photos of the device and hold onto your trade‑in submission receipt as proof of your device condition.
Enroll in Auto Pay ahead of your first bill and don’t make plan downgrades that would negate credits. In store, request a line‑item breakdown with your monthly device payment and promo credit for you to double-check the math.
If you’re outfitting a family plan, price the per‑line cost with two or more lines — lower plan rates can significantly boost the real‑world value of the “free” phone.