Apple has opened pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the major US carriers have responded with the usual wave of trade-in and switcher promotions. Most of the top offers headline at up to $1,200 off, though the fine print differs significantly between providers.

How much can you save on the iPhone 18 Pro?

Three of the big carriers are advertising the same top-line figure of up to $1,200 off, but the requirements vary. In every case, the discount arrives as monthly bill credits spread across a long financing agreement rather than as an upfront price cut.

AT&T

AT&T is offering up to $1,200 off both the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max with an iPhone trade-in in any condition. Customers need to upgrade using AT&T Next Up Anytime or switch from another carrier to qualify. With the full $1,200 credit, AT&T says the 256GB iPhone 18 Pro effectively costs nothing. Switchers can also have their existing phone balance paid off, up to $800 per line. The carrier says the deal will extend to iPhone Duo orders in October.

T-Mobile

T-Mobile's headline offer closely mirrors AT&T's. Trade in an old device in any condition and buy the new iPhone on an eligible unlimited plan and you can get up to $1,200 off, with the same credit available to those switching a line to Experience Beyond 2.0, Experience Beyond or Go5G Next. Customers on lower tiers such as Experience More 2.0, Experience More or Go5G Plus can get up to $930 off instead. T-Mobile is also bundling a wearable deal: buy an Apple Watch Series 12 or Ultra 4 and get $300 off a second model when adding a watch line on the Watch Plan 2.0.

Verizon

Verizon matches the up to $1,200 discount with an eligible smartphone trade-in, but requires a 36-month payment plan, with the savings applied as monthly promo credits over the life of the plan. Verizon is also offering the Apple Watch Series 12 at no cost when bought alongside a new iPhone, provided the phone is on a Simplicity, Simplicity Plus, Pro or myPlan plan and the watch is financed over 36 months.

The Visible alternative

Verizon-owned Visible takes a different approach. It is offering $480 off the iPhone 18 Pro for customers who join or switch to the Visible+ Pro plan, but the phone must be bought outright at full retail price, with the discount returned as monthly service credits. That contrasts with the financing-based discounts elsewhere.

Visible's unlimited plans run from $19 a month for the base tier to $29 for Visible+ and $39 for Visible+ Pro, with prices reflecting a $6 promotional discount. New members can also take 50% off the first year of the Visible+ Pro annual plan using a checkout code.

What to weigh before you commit

The recurring theme across all four carriers is that the biggest savings are tied to long-term commitments and delivered as bill credits rather than instant discounts. Leaving the carrier or plan early typically forfeits the remaining credits, so the true value depends on staying put for the full 24- or 36-month term. Buyers should also confirm which plans and trade-in devices qualify before pre-ordering, as the top figures usually require the priciest plans.