Why Carriers Give Away "Free" iPhones (the 36-Month Catch)

Описание: The iPhone 18 Pro costs $1,199, and every big U.S. carrier will give you one "free". But free means about $33 a month in bill credits for 36 months, and if you leave, the credits stop and you owe the rest. Here's how the deal really works, the 7 catches (the tax, the plan, your old phone, leaving early, upgrading early, the lock, the headline number), and how to tell if it's worth it for you.

0:00 The "free" iPhone
0:33 How "free" works
0:56 1. The tax
1:15 2. The plan
1:36 3. Your old phone
1:55 4. Leaving early
2:10 5. Upgrading early
2:26 6. The lock
2:43 7. The headline number
3:03 Is it worth it?

HOW TO TELL
Do the three-year math: the extra cost of the required plan times 36, plus the tax, plus what your old phone would sell for. If that adds up to less than the phone and you'll really stay three years, the deal can be a win.
Might leave? Skip the credits. Apple's 0% Apple Card plan splits the iPhone 18 Pro into 24 payments of $49.95, and you can change carriers whenever you want (subject to credit approval).
Sell your old phone yourself and keep the cheaper plan.

SOURCES
Apple, carrier offers (AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon terms, credits over 36 months): https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-iphone...
MacRumors, iPhone 18 Pro ($1,199): https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/iph...
T-Mobile, iPhone 18 Pro offer and fine print: https://www.t-mobile.com/news/devices...
Verizon, device deals and promos FAQ: https://www.verizon.com/support/devic...
9to5Google, Verizon no longer has to unlock phones after 60 days (Jan 2026): https://9to5google.com/2026/01/13/ver...
Apple, financing and Apple Card Monthly Installments: https://www.apple.com/shop/browse/fin...

This channel isn't affiliated with Apple, Verizon, AT&T or T-Mobile. Carrier offers change often, so check the current terms. The receipt (a 7% sales tax example), bills and plan cards shown are illustrations.

#iphone #iphone18 #phonedeals