iOS 15 comes preloaded on the new iPhone 13.
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This story is part of Apple Event, our full coverage of the latest news from Apple.
Apple introduced several new devices on Tuesday, from new iPads to a new Apple Watch and four models of the long-awaited — and intensely rumored — iPhone 13. Preorders for the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max begin Friday, Sept. 17 at 5 a.m. PT (8 a.m. ET). Although the largest of the pack starts at over $1,000, some people may get the new phone at a fraction of the cost, thanks to carriers’ sometimes complicated trade-in offers to slash hundreds of dollars off the iPhone price. In fact, you can even get a new iPhone for as little as $0 with an AT&T trade-in deal (see below for details).
The iPhone 13’s notable features are a step above the iPhone 12, including an updated camera system with a new Cinematic video mode; the new A15 Bionic chip; longer battery life and 128GB starting storage capacity. Alongside the iPhone 13, Apple also announced the final version of iOS 15 (here’s when and how to download and install iOS 15) and a few other big surprises, such as Smart Data mode and two new colors — Sierra blue and pink.
Let’s dive into the iPhone 13 pricing, discounts and carrier preorders that may save you some money on the newest model. This story will continue to be updated as more preorder and pricing information comes in from carriers and retail stores.
Read more: The iPhone 13 is still missing these 5 Android features
Watch this:
iPhone 13 and 13 Mini explained
5:40
What is the iPhone 13 release date, after I preorder?
Apple announced that preorders for all new iPhone 13 models will begin on Friday, Sept 17 at 5 a.m. PT (8 a.m. ET). The phones will arrive in stores on Sept. 24. The first wave of preorder purchases is also set to arrive by Sept. 24.
In our experience, popular colors and configurations that “sell out” after the first wave of orders see later delivery windows, even if you purchase the iPhone shortly after the preorder window opens.
Which iPhone 13 colors can I buy?
A few popular colors are still around, including midnight and Product Red. But Apple added a few new colors to the phone’s lineup. You’ll also notice new colors, such as pink and Sierra blue. Keep in mind that the color depends on your phone choice.
iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini:
- Starlight (white)
- Midnight (black)
- Blue (not the same as Sierra blue, below)
- Pink
- Product Red
iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max:
- Sierra blue
- Silver
- Graphite
- Gold
How much will the iPhone 13 models cost?
As with previous iPhones, pricing will depend on the model and storage capacity. US prices for the base models for each are below:
- iPhone 13 starts at $799
- iPhone 13 Mini starts at $699
- iPhone 13 Pro starts at $999
- iPhone 13 Pro Max starts at $1,099
iPhone 13 prices
| 128GB | 256GB | 512GB | 1TB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 13 | $799 | $999 | $1,099 | N/A |
| iPhone 13 Mini | $699 | $799 | $999 | N/A |
| iPhone Pro | $999 | $1,099 | $1,299 | $1,499 |
| iPhone Pro Max | $1,099 | $1,199 | $1,399 | $1,599 |
Where can I buy the iPhone 13?
Vendors will confirm their offers and phone availability over the next few hours and days, it’s safe to say that existing Apple retail partners that sold the iPhone 12 will sell the newest model. That includes Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T and other mobile carriers. Most carriers have deals on the latest iPhone 13 models, and even though you may not be able to get the phone for free, trading in your device can reduce the upfront cost by a good amount.
Read more: The biggest iPhone 13 feature isn’t on a spec sheet. It’s in the trade-in offers
Deals from retailers and carriers selling the iPhone 13
New and current customers can get the iPhone 13 Pro and the iPhone 13 Mini for free, depending on trade-in, plan and financing. AT&T will also offer $700 off the iPhone 13 and $1,000 off the iPhone 13 Pro Max with qualifying trade-ins under a few conditions.
The deal only applies to those with an unlimited plan and a 36-month installment plan. You must have an eligible trade-in that’s in good, working condition. The iPhone 11 and 12 lines (and XS Max), as well as recent phones like the Samsung Galaxy S20, S21, Note 20, Google Pixel 5 and LG Wing, are among the phones that can get the full discount on the iPhone 13 Pro. Others, like the iPhone X, XS and XR, Galaxy S10 line, Pixel 4 line and OnePlus 8 line are among the phones able to get the iPhone 13 Mini for free. You can check how much your device is worth at AT&T’s trade-in site.
As with other carrier deals, you won’t get the full value upfront, with AT&T instead dishing the discount as a monthly bill credit for the next three years to keep you on its network. If you switch carriers or cancel service early, you’ll be responsible for the remaining balance on the phone.
Apple customers can trade in an eligible device to get the new iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max for free or less than the retail price — depending on your trade-in value. You can select your wireless carrier from Apple’s website to get special deals or you can trade in your device with Apple and select one later.
Apple’s deal lets you get up to $790 off the new iPhone 13 models when trading in the iPhone 8 or a newer model. Other phones, like the Samsung Galaxy S8, Google Pixel 3 and LG G8 ThinQ are also eligible for trade-ins.
Best Buy customers can save up to $1,000 on the iPhone 13 Pro and up to $720 off the iPhone 13 with a qualifying trade-in. The $1,000 discount is only applicable when trading in an iPhone 12 Pro or iPhone 12 Pro Max from AT&T. The phone must also be in good, working condition.
But there’s a catch for those preordering the iPhone 13. Customers can only get $720 off the iPhone 13 if they trade in an iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro or iPhone 12 Pro Max from T-Mobile. The offer is only valid from Sept. 17-23.
Spectrum Mobile will be carrying the iPhone 13 lineup and the new iPad and iPad Mini. Customers can preorder starting this Friday. The new devices will be available starting Sept. 24. We’re keeping an eye out for deals and special pricing.
T-Mobile announced the Forever Upgrade program that applies to the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 lineup. You can now trade in a qualifying device and get up to $800 off the iPhone 12 or iPhone 13. The deal only applies to unlimited T-Mobile or Sprint plans, specifically those with Magenta Max or Sprint Max. Some legacy plans are also eligible for the deal, including older T-Mobile plans like One Plus, Magenta Plus, Unlimited for All Plus and Unlimited for All Premium. Those with newer T-Mobile plans like its Essentials or the Magenta offerings are not eligible.
You can still get the iPhone 13 and enroll in the Forever Upgrade program if you don’t have a qualifying trade-in device right now. You’ll get up to $800 off your next upgrade after two years if you want to upgrade and your phone is in good, working condition.
New and existing Verizon customers can get up to $800 off the iPhone 13 models with an eligible trade-in. Verizon will also cover up to $500 for new customers to switch and the two offers can be combined. So, if you’re thinking of switching to Verizon, you can get up to $1,300 off the new iPhone 13. However, the deal only applies to select unlimited plans.
New customers that buy one of the iPhone 13 models can get a HomePod Mini and a $200 Visible gift card after switching from an eligible carrier to Visible. The HomePod Mini is available while supplies last.
Customers will be eligible for the HomePod mini after one payment and will qualify for the gift card after three payments.
CNET Associate Writer Katie Teague contributed to this article.