It’s official: Amazon’s Big Spring Sale has kicked off. There are plenty of deals on home essentials and tech must-haves, but some of the biggest savings right now are on phones. Phones are a huge expense, so saving on one is pretty helpful. Deals on phones are certainly popping up during this sale — and some are worth a closer look sooner rather than later. If you’ve been thinking about upgrading, this is a good time to shop.
Major retailers and carriers such as Best Buy, Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile have kicked off their own spring promos on Apple devices, including the iPhone 17 lineup. In some cases, trade-in offers and plan deals can cut the cost significantly or even bring it down to zero.
Apple’s iPhones continue to dominate CNET’s list of the best phones for 2026, with both new and previous-gen models earning top spots. To help narrow the options, the CNET shopping team has scoured retailers and carriers to unearth the best deals currently available on new and recently released iPhones.
Apart from the iPhone 17 lineup, there are also solid savings on the new, more budget-friendly iPhone 17E and lingering discounts on earlier models. To make the deal hunt easier, CNET shopping expert Adam Oram has rounded up the smartest, simplest ways to snag one for less. Below, you’ll find the best deals on the iPhone 17, iPhone 16, iPhone 16E, iPhone 15 and iPhone 14, grouped by generation.
iPhone 17E deals
The new iPhone 17E just started shipping on March 11. This phone comes in only three colors — soft pink, black and white — and starts at $599 for the 256GB model or $799 for the 512GB model.
Apple notably doesn’t offer any direct discounts, but if you have a device to trade in, you can score up to $685 off this new phone, though most trade-ins won’t net you that much. You could also get 3% cash back with an Apple Card*.
You can grab the 128GB configuration for $6 per month when you purchase the phone on an installment plan. That saves you $384, with no need for a trade-in. It’s also offering $200 off all online orders when you sign up for a new line. If AT&T isn’t your current carrier, it will give you up to $800 to break your contract.
Verizon is offering the iPhone 17E for free when you activate a new line on its Unlimited Welcome, Plus or Ultimate plan. Your savings will be reflected in the form of bill credits over 36 months.
T-Mobile is offering several ways to snag the iPhone 17E for free right now. Those trading in an old phone can pick one up for free if they’re on an Experience Beyond or More plan, while those on other plans will save up to $300.
You can also get it for free with both a new line and trade-in, or when switching to T-Mobile from another carrier. Plus, there are special offers for military members, first responders and folks older than 55.
Best Buy has no direct discounts. However, you can save on your iPhone 17E if you have an eligible device to trade in and you can activate the phone through AT&T or Verizon. You also get some freebies like up to three months of Apple Fitness Plus, Apple Music, Apple Arcade and one month of Apple TV.
iPhone 17 deals
The new iPhone 17 series starts at $799 with the basic iPhone, while the iPhone 17 Pro starts at $1,099, and the 17 Pro Max jumps up to $1,199. There’s also the new ultra-thin iPhone Air, which starts at $999.
One of the easiest ways to save on a new iPhone is by trading in your old model. Apple offers up to $685 in trade-in credit, but that’s only in exchange for one of its latest models. Older iPhones, as well as phones from Samsung, Google and other brands, are also accepted, but won’t be worth quite as much. You’ll also get 3% cash back when you purchase with an Apple Card*.
T-Mobile is offering some serious trade-in savings right now, but the discounts vary depending on which plan you have. Those on an Experience Beyond plan can save up to $1,100, while those on an Experience More plan can save up to $830. Those on most other plans qualify for up to $300 off.
Additionally, you can save up $830 when you add a new line and trade in on most plans. If you don’t have an old phone to trade in, you can also save $830 when switching to T-Mobile from another carrier. There are also special offers for military members, first responders and folks over 55.
You can save big on the iPhone 17 series with a trade-in of any condition at AT&T. Devices valued at just $130 or more will knock up to $830 off, which means you’d get the basic iPhone 17 for free, or the 512GB iPhone Air for less than $5 per month. Devices valued at $230 or more will save you up to $1,100 on the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max. That means you’re getting the 17 Pro for free and the 17 Pro Max for about $3 per month. Plus, even older and damaged devices valued at $35 or more will net you up to $350 in trade-in credit. Discounts are applied as bill credits over 36 months.
Best Buy isn’t carrying any unlocked models but does have availability for AT&T and Verizon customers. There aren’t any special offers at the moment but you can save up to $1,100 in exchange for your old phone. The latest iPhones will net you the biggest discount but phones from Samsung, Google and many other brands are also accepted.
Verizon is offering some big discounts on the iPhone 17 series when you both trade in your old phone and activate a new line on a qualifying unlimited plan. With this offer, you can get the iPhone 17, Air and 17 Pro for free, and grab the 17 Pro Max for just $3 per month. Discounts will be applied as bill credits over 36 months.
US Cellular customers who activate a new line on a qualifying plan will get $300 off the iPhone 17, which puts the basic model in your pocket for free. No trade-in needed.
iPhone 16 deals
There are still a lot of savings to be had on all the models in Apple’s iPhone 16 lineup, including carrier deals that can nab you the device free if you have an older device to trade in.
Trading in your old phone at Apple could save you up to $685 on any iPhone 16 model. Newer iPhones will net the biggest discount, but Apple also accepts devices from Samsung, Google and OnePlus. You’ll also get 3% cash back if you buy it with your Apple Card.*
The Pro and Pro Max models are sold out, but T-Mobile is still offering big savings on the basic iPhone 16 and 16 Plus. You can get either model for free with a trade-in on an Experience More or Beyond plan, with both a new line and trade-in or when switching to T-Mobile from another carrier. Plus, there are special offers for military members, first responders and people 55 and older.
You can get $200 off the iPhone 16 with a new line. However, this purchase must be done online in order to qualify for the discount. You can also get up to $800 per line to break your contract with another carrier when you switch to AT&T which will net you the base model for free. And of course, if you have another device you can save with trade in.
iPhone 16E deals
The budget-friendly iPhone 16E is still available and there are plenty of iPhone 16E deals for those wanting to save on Apple’s most affordable model.
AT&T isn’t currently offering any direct discounts on the iPhone 16E right now. However, those also adding a new line of service will save $200 when purchasing the phone online. Plus, AT&T has its own trade-in program where you can save even more in exchange for your old phone. AT&T is also giving you up to $800 to break your contract and switch carriers.
iPhone 16E at Boost Mobile
Customers on Boost Mobile’s $60 per month Unlimited Premium plan will automatically get $450 off the iPhone 16E. Only the white 512GB configuration is still in stock, and you’re getting it for $450 with this deal.
You can order the iPhone 16E from Walmart for $449 or a little more than $12 per month for 36 months with an eligible activation with AT&T.
iPhone 15 deals
The iPhone 15 series hit shelves in September 2023. And although the phones in this lineup are now two generations old, they still have plenty to offer. Plus, it’s pretty easy to get your hands on one of these previous-generation models for less right now, which makes them a good value for Apple users on a budget. Now that the iPhone 17 lineup is available, you can no longer buy the iPhone 15 directly from Apple.
The iPhone 15 is only available in the 128GB black color right now, but the deals are solid.
A trade-in on an Experience Beyond or More plan will put the iPhone 15 in your pocket for free, or knock $300 off the cost for most other plans. You can also pick it up for free with both a new line and trade-in, or when switching to T-Mobile from another carrier.
Just a new line on most plans will also knock 50% off the usual price. There are also special offers for military members, first responders and people older than 55.
Best Buy only has a handful iPhone 15 configurations still in stock. Some unlocked models are up to $100 off, and you’ll get an extra $100 off if you opt for same-day activation through Verizon. Additionally, you can rack up even more savings with Best Buy’s trade-in program. It’s worth noting that only the unlocked models are available right now.
iPhone 14 deals
The iPhone 14 series is still a popular line of phones and comprises the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro and top-spec iPhone 14 Pro Max. Apple discontinued the 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max in September 2023, so finding these phones in new condition isn’t often possible, but you can get an affordable refurbished version if you’re looking for a budget-conscious option.
If you’re OK with a used model, Back Market has a handful of iPhone 14 configurations available, starting at just $265. All devices go through a process to ensure they meet standards and come with a one-year warranty in case anything goes wrong.
When is Amazon’s Big Spring Sale?
Amazon’s Big Spring Sale is one of the first major shopping events of the year, and typically takes place in late March. This year, the sale will run from March 25 to 31.
Can I shop iPhone deals at Amazon?
Amazon doesn’t carry new or unlocked iPhones, which means you won’t find any deals or discounts there. However, the Big Spring Sale means that other retailers and carriers will be ramping up their own bargains, so it’s still a great time to score some savings. You’ll find some incredible early deals already available at Best Buy, Verizon, AT&T and more right now.
How we choose the best iPhone deals at CNET
Many of us here at CNET have covered deals on top tech for more than five years, including cell phone deals from Apple, Google, OnePlus and Samsung. In that time, we’ve learned how to spot the best offers from trustworthy retailers and carriers to simplify the phone‑buying process. We look for direct discounts, trade‑in offers and other bonuses on unlocked and carrier phones, while avoiding online shopping scams.
*All information about the Apple Card has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
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