Seriously considering upgrading my iPhone 13 to the 16 Pro Max, especially with this Verizon deal. They're saying they'll pay off my current phone and I can keep my basic unlimited plan. Plus, I'd get $830 in trade-in value towards the new phone. I know i would just have to pay extra to upgrade to the 16 pro max.

My 13 has been feeling super slow and laggy lately, so the speed boost of the 16 Pro Max is really appealing. But now I'm also wondering if i should just wait for the iPhone 17 Pro Max that's likely coming out later this year?

Is the 16 Pro Max a big enough jump to justify the cost now with this deal, or is it smarter to hold out for whatever improvements the 17 Pro Max might bring? Are there any potential downsides to waiting?

What are your thoughts?

Thanks!

I currently have an iPhone 13 base model. I have an offer from Verizon to trade in my current 13 for a 16 pro for free. I did this free trade in prior from the 11 to the 13. Should I trade in for 16 pro now or wait for the 17 and hope for another free trade in deal for that one? Do any Verizon people have insight into if there will be a free trade in offer for the 17? If so when? 👀

I wish I could include a screenshot of the ad I keep seeing when I’m on instagram.

The ad says, “up to $1100 off the new iPhone pro max”

Also says, “new and existing customers with select phone trade in and unlimited ultimate. Any condition guaranteed”

And then in very small print it says: Up to $1,999.99 purchase w/new or upgrade smartphone line on Unlimited Ultimate plan req'd; add'l terms apply. Visit our website for info about payment options. Offer may not be combined with other offers. For upgrades, trade-in phone must be active on account for 60 days prior to new device purchase. Trade-in must be from Apple, Google, Motorola or Samsung; trade-in terms apply. Apple Intelligence requires iOS 18.1 or later.

So far from what I’ve read you get the phone but you gotta pay like $29 a month for a year so that’ll total about $360. Not a bad price for an iPhone pro max.

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I haven’t upgraded my iPhone or Verizon plan in over ten years and normally buy them unlocked directly from the Apple Store but this seems like a good deal. But again, it SEEMS like a good deal. I’m wondering if there’s a catch or just how my phone plan will be modified.

Figured I’d ask here cause I don’t trust the info some pimply teenager at the store tells me.

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.