As Apple releases four new iPhones, consumers looking to upgrade to the latest model or to take their first steps into Apple’s domain should take care to consider the special offers, trade-ins, and discounts. Are they genuine, what you expect, and do they offer the best value for money?
Given the status of Apple’s smartphones and the lure of a cheap deal, the release of a new iPhone is a prime target for scammers and bad actors online. Several scams built around unsuspecting iPhone customers have been highlighted by Forbes’ contributor Kate O’Flaherty:
“Attackers are targeting iPhone 16 buyers using convincing websites designed to mimic legitimate sources. One scam involves offering the chance to pre-order the latest iPhone with a 40% discount… Another scam offers iPhone technical support, to help you update your device. The website prompts you to sign in with your Apple ID, but then steals the details.”
Staying with the mobile networks, either by visiting them directly or going through Apple, is the simplest way to avoid scam sites—although do be careful if following links to ensure you are visiting the genuine site, sometimes it might be best to type the address directly into your browser.
The pre-order offers announced last week by the US networks are still available:
“AT&T will offer up to $1000 on a trade-in if you purchase an iPhone 16 Pro or 16 Pro Max, and up to $800 for the iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Plus. Verizon will similarly offer up to $1000 on the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max with a suitable trade-in, up to $930 for the iPhone 16 Plus, and $830 on the iPhone 16. Finally, T-Mobile will also offer up to $1000.”
Pay attention to these discounts. Many are shared over the life of the contract, which effectively means you pick up an iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro for free, but not free at the point of purchase, so do check the details carefully on any offer that includes a discount on the smartphone and when the discount is applied.
Many offers are built around trading in an older handset to qualify. Not every phone can be traded in. If you purchase directly from Apple, you are limited to trading in an iPhone. Apple will judge the condition of the iPhone when it is received and potentially downgrade the offer.
Networks will accept a wider range of manufacturers but, in many cases, limit the handsets they will consider. Restricting trade-ins to iPhone, Pixel, or Galaxy S handsets is not an unknown option, and again the condition of the handsets will play a big part in the value of the discount.
There are other options to trade in a handset that may offer more value for money, but you will need to go outside the networks. That splits the transactions between the trade-in and the purchase. While you may get more for your handset (and potentially, it may be that your handset’s manufacturer will only be available through a third-party trade-in), you should do your due diligence on the company you use.
As always, if an offer feels too good to be true, there’s an excellent chance that it is. Caveat emptor applies just as much to the offers and deals as it does to the quality and reliability of the goods you buy.
Now read the latest iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro headlines in Forbes’ weekly Apple Loop news digest…
