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Spring deals are in full bloom with Target Circle Week and Amazon's Big Spring Sale starting this week, but major retailers aren't the only ones doling out discounts. Some major mobile carriers have their own springtime savings, especially T-Mobile, which has quietly launched perhaps some of the best "picks" of the season.
Also: The best Amazon Spring Sale phone deals
Right now, you can get any model of the Apple iPhone 17 for free when signing up for an Experience More plan and, in some cases, trading in an eligible device -- including the brand-new, budget-friendly iPhone 17e with no trade-in required.
It's been a busy few weeks for Apple, with the release of the MacBook Neo, new iPads, and more, and we're finally starting to see some sweet savings on their flagship phone lineup. Remember, Apple typically launches new phones every September, so the iPhone 17 lineup is heading into its last six months as the latest and greatest.
Also: How to qualify for Apple's education discount - including for the $499 MacBook Neo
T-Mobile is celebrating early with a fresh pick of new deals on several iPhones. You can sign up for nearly any T-Mobile plan and get a free iPhone 17e with no trade-in required. Or, you can grab the iPhone 17 Pro for free when signing up for 24 months of an Experience Beyond plan and trading in an eligible phone.
Need a family deal? When you trade in four eligible devices and add four qualifying lines on the Essentials promo plan, you can grab four iPhone 17s for free plus 4 lines for just $25 per line per month.
As with all "freebie" offers from mobile carriers, there are still fees involved. As expected, T-Mobile charges eligible taxes on these free deals and a $35 device activation fee.
Also: The best phone deals from T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T and other carriers right now
The newest iPhone 17e uses the A19 chip, which should offer improved performance. Apple's latest budget iPhone hit stores and carriers earlier this month. The "entry-level" iPhone 17 boasts some strong features, including the same A19 processor as the regular iPhone 17, a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, MagSafe charging, and Apple Intelligence.
Also: I compared the iPhone 17, iPhone Air, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max: Here's which one to buy
Despite some strings attached, there are still not many other ways to pay less for new iPhones, so these T-Mobile offers are something to consider if you're interested in upgrading. Looking for something different (or unlocked)? Check out our favorite Amazon Big Spring Sale phoned deals live now.
How I rated this deal
For variety and flexibility, I give these T-Mobile iPhone offers a 5/5 Editor's deal rating. There are still a few things to be aware of, like contract locks, taxes, and activation fees, but generally, these deals are a great way to get a newer phone without the upfront expense of purchasing outright.
When is Amazon's Spring Sale?
Amazon's Big Spring Sale runs March 25-31, 2026.
When will this deal expire?
These T-Mobile offers are here at the time of publish, and we're not sure when they'll be sunsetting. Like most carrier offers, they'll likely stick around for several weeks (or even months), but these types of offers are first-come, first serve, and if stock dwindles on an iPhone you'd miss out.
We're sorry if you've missed out on this deal, but don't fret -- we're constantly finding new chances to save and sharing them with you at ZDNET.com.
How do we rate deals at ZDNET?
We aim to deliver the most accurate advice to help you shop smarter. ZDNET offers 33 years of experience, 30 hands-on product reviewers, and 10,000 square feet of lab space to ensure we bring you the best of tech.
In 2025, we refined our approach to deals, developing a measurable system for sharing savings with readers like you. Our editor's deal rating badges are affixed to most of our deal content, making it easy to interpret our expertise to help you make the best purchase decision.
At the core of this approach is a percentage-off-based system to classify savings offered on top-tech products, combined with a sliding-scale system based on our team members' expertise and several factors like frequency, brand or product recognition, and more. The result? Hand-crafted deals chosen specifically for ZDNET readers like you, fully backed by our experts.
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