iPhone Duo trade-in deals: who gets the top credit at each carrier

AT&T and T-Mobile advertise up to $1,200 off iPhone Duo with a trade-in as of Nov 13, 2026. AT&T decides who gets the top credit by trade-in value, T-Mobile by model and plan. Verizon announced up to $1,200 on Oct 16, but its iPhone Duo page now shows no trade-in amount.

The top tier at a glance

Built from AT&T's Oct 9 announcement, T-Mobile's Nov 3 announcement, Verizon's iPhone Duo page and Verizon's Oct 16 announcement. Offers as of Nov 13, 2026.

AT&T: it's about the dollar value, not the model

AT&T's fine print requires a trade-in of an eligible smartphone with a minimum trade-in value of $230, an installment plan of at least $1,999.99, and activation on AT&T Premium 2.0, which starts at $100 a month before discounts, according to AT&T's iPhone Duo announcement. The credit arrives as 36 monthly bill credits that start within three bills.

AT&T doesn't publish a list of phones that clear the $230 bar for iPhone Duo. AT&T's iPhone Duo page refers only to an eligible device and warns that credits "may vary by trade-in and wireless plan combination and may be less." By contrast, AT&T's iPhone 18 Pro offer names models: an iPhone 14 or later in any condition, excluding iPhone 16e.

Below the top tier, MacRumors lists up to $930 on Extra 2.0 or higher with a trade-in worth $130 or more, up to $500 on Value 2.0 with the same $130 minimum, and up to $350 on any eligible unlimited plan with a trade-in valued at $35 to $129.

On the 256GB model, AT&T's page shows $55.56 a month without a trade-in and $22.23 a month with the top credit, as of Nov 13, 2026. More in the AT&T iPhone Duo deals guide.

T-Mobile: any condition, but the model still matters

T-Mobile's holiday announcement, with offers starting Nov 5, lists up to $1,200 off any iPhone 18 Pro model or iPhone Duo with an eligible trade-in "in any condition" on Experience Beyond, per T-Mobile's newsroom. Without a trade-in, you need both a port-in and a new line. The fine print sets the floor at an Experience plan at $100 or more a month, or T-Mix or SuperMobile at $95 or more, with AutoPay.

T-Mobile's own example for the full $1,200 is an iPhone 15 Pro. Tom's Guide reported on Oct 30 that the oldest iPhones in the top tier are the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, and that a Samsung Galaxy S24+ or Galaxy Z Flip 5 or newer also qualifies. Older phones land in lower tiers. T-Mobile's release lists up to $930 on Experience plans at $85 or more a month or T-Mix at $75 or more.

So "any condition" doesn't mean any phone. More in the T-Mobile iPhone Duo deals guide.

Verizon: no trade-in amount on its pages now

As of Nov 13, 2026, Verizon's iPhone Duo page shows a Simplicity Plan offer with Apple Watch SE 3 and AirPods 5 and no trade-in dollar amount, and its deals page shows none for iPhone Duo. Its Nov 5 holiday post centers on the Simplicity Plan with no trade-in required.

Before launch, Verizon's Oct 16 newsroom post headlined a myPlan trade-in at up to $1,200, with body text saying up to $1,000 on select plans. It required a new line, a 36-month 0% APR device payment plan and an eligible Apple, Google, Motorola or Samsung phone. Verizon's pages don't say whether that offer still runs. More in the Verizon iPhone Duo deals guide.

The fine print that costs money

Leaving early has a price. At AT&T, if service is cancelled, credits stop and the device balance comes due, per AT&T's terms. T-Mobile says credits end if you pay off the device early and asks customers to contact it before cancelling an entire account. Verizon's return policy says it charges back trade-in value if you return the promotional phone, and charges for the trade-in promo if you don't keep service on the new phone for three billing cycles.

Fees apply too, as of Nov 13, 2026: $35 for activation or upgrade at AT&T, and a $35 device connection charge at T-Mobile.

How Apple Trade In compares

Apple's trade-in credit isn't tied to a carrier plan. Apple's trade-in page says paying in full returns the credit to your original payment method after Apple verifies the old phone, while monthly payments get the estimate applied to the price right away. Apple's top iPhone value was $855 for an iPhone 17 Pro Max as of Nov 12, 2026, and an iPhone 15 Pro was worth up to $365.

That's the trade-off: T-Mobile credits more for the same iPhone 15 Pro, but over three years on a premium plan. Apple pays less, with no plan attached. See all of Apple's figures in Apple Trade In values for iPhone Duo, and weigh the lock-in in unlocked or carrier.

Bottom line

Own a phone that clears the top tier and already want a premium AT&T or T-Mobile plan? On paper, the $1,200 credit can beat Apple Trade In for that phone. If your phone is older, or you might switch within three years, Apple Trade In or an unlocked purchase is likely safer. Check the carrier's own terms on the day you buy, and watch Black Friday iPhone Duo deals.