Apple is not offering a discount on the iPhone Duo, which starts at $2,000 and is reportedly back-ordered. Carrier promotions may reduce the effective price by up to $1,200, but the savings are spread across 36 months and depend on meeting plan and eligibility requirements. Shipping times are also stretching into January, according to the source report.
T-Mobile offers up to $1,200 in bill credits with an eligible plan. New customers must sign up for Experience Beyond 2.0 for 36 months. Existing customers can qualify with Experience Beyond 2.0, Experience Beyond or Go5G Next, provided they are not already enrolled in another payment plan.
The credits are not paid upfront. For the 256GB model, the phone payment is $22.22 a month for 36 months, or about $800 in total, in addition to the plan. Experience Beyond 2.0 costs $100 a month, before taxes and fees. The promotion is not available if customers pay for the phone in full or choose a cheaper plan. T-Mobile also lists offers of up to $1,200 with a trade-in and up to $1,000 for seniors, military personnel, students and first responders.
AT&T’s trade-in promotion also works through 36 monthly credits, with the phone costing $22.23 a month over that period to reflect the advertised $1,200 discount. The carrier separately offers an $800 reward card to customers who switch, though that offer does not reduce the iPhone Duo’s purchase price.
Verizon advertises up to $1,200 off with a 36-month Unlimited Ultimate plan, with or without a trade-in, for new and existing customers. It also includes a choice of an Apple Watch Series 12 or an iPad.
These offers effectively tie customers to a carrier: the phone remains locked until the final payment, and taxes and fees add to the cost. The monthly credits also mean customers may lose some or all of the advertised savings if they leave before the 36-month term ends. Comparing the plan’s full cost with the discounted phone price is key to deciding whether a promotion is worthwhile.
Sources: WIRED.