Verizon is advertising a deal where you can get up to $1,000 off a new iPhone (like the 16 Pro) when you trade in your old phone — sounds amazing, right? I almost did it, but when I ran the numbers, it turned out to be a lot less valuable than it seems.

Here’s how it actually plays out: • I currently have an iPhone 14 Pro Max 256GB, which has a resale value of around $600 in excellent condition (not $700–$850 like I previously thought — sorry for the overestimate). • I’m on Verizon’s Unlimited plan with a $15/month BYOD (bring your own device) discount, and my total bill is $195/month. • If I do the trade-in: • Verizon removes my $15/month BYOD discount • They charge me $2.77/month for the new phone (after applying the $1,000 trade-in credit over 36 months) • My new monthly bill becomes $212.77

That’s a $17.77/month increase Over 36 months = $639.72 extra paid over time

So I’m “saving” $1,000 on the iPhone… but paying $640 more on my bill, which is basically just another way of financing the phone over 3 years.

And I’m giving up a phone worth $600 to do it.

$640 ÷ 36 months = $17.77/month — almost exactly what it would cost to finance the iPhone yourself without losing your BYOD discount or trade-in device.

Bottom line: Verizon’s “$1,000 off” is just a shell game: • They give you $1,000 in bill credits • But quietly raise your monthly bill in ways that offset most of it • And you lose flexibility (e.g., switching carriers = lose remaining credits)

If you sell your phone and buy a new one directly from Apple, you keep more value, avoid hidden bill increases, and don’t get locked into a 3-year commitment.

Don’t fall for the fine-print math — it’s not a “free iPhone.” It’s a clever upsell wrapped in shiny marketing.

Offering me $830 off trading in my iPhone 12 for and iPhone 17 on the unlimited welcome plan.

I think this is a very good deal but I read I should wait for Black Friday. No rush needs from me to get a new phone, but I don’t want a higher tier plan so getting $830 off for the welcome plan seems like as good as deal as I can get.

Thoughts?

Everything requires a new line. And all my good loyalty offers are gone. Guess my son will not be getting a new phone for Christmas this year. LOL Good thing he needs AirPods too. And the stores have some great sales coming up. Hopefully, they will give me some more loyalty deals before in time for his spring birthday. If not, I can’t complain too much. I just got some good upgrades on my other lines..