T-Mobile will give you the iPhone 16e for free with no trade-in - here's how to get one

Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET

Sometimes, the bells and whistles of the iPhone Pro and Plus may be overwhelming, and possibly out of budget. However, Apple released the iPhone 16e this spring, which introduced a simpler iPhone at a more affordable price. 

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Right now, T-Mobile is offering a deal where you can get the iPhone 16e for free when you open a qualifying line of service. Plus, there's no trade-in required. Of course, this "free" carrier offer has a few strings attached, and as expected with most mobile offers, you still have to pay the cost of service. 

Just like any other carrier deal, there are some terms and conditions and caveats we want to mention so you have the full context of the agreement. With this deal, you must bring in your old phone number from an eligible carrier to switch to your new phone. 

When receiving this phone, you're locked into a 24-month contract, with phone credits paid out monthly. Therefore, it can be a bit of a commitment, as you will pay for its service monthly. You'll also be responsible for paying the taxes and fees associated with the phone purchase and line activation, so extra fees may be involved. 

Also: I replaced my iPhone 16 Pro with the 16e for a month - here's my buying advice now

However, if you decide to jump on this deal, the iPhone 16e could be your next partner in crime for communication. Not only is it compatible with Apple Intelligence, Apple's AI software, but it will also receive the iOS 26 update that will be released to the public in the fall.

A closer look at the iPhone 16e. 

Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET

The phone has a single 48MP camera, which makes it great for taking pictures. It may not have the two- or three-camera system its 16 Plus and 16 Pro siblings have, but that doesn't mean it's still not excellent.

The deal featured on T-Mobile's website as of July 2, 2025. 

Screenshot by Kayla Solino/ZDNET

It's also lightweight and highly convenient. I have an iPhone 16 Pro Max, and it's hard to slide into my smaller purse or shove into my pocket. With the 16e, you can fit it in smaller places more conveniently, and it's way easier to handle. However, the phone has a glass back instead of titanium to compensate for the price, so that it may be a bit more fragile.

This phone has excellent battery life. Apple advertises 26 hours of playback, which is way more than older models. ZDNET editor Sabrina Ortiz tried out the phone and said she loved it for its size, price, and outstanding features. 

"It is a solid phone for people willing to forgo some of the bells and whistles of the rest of the iPhone 16 lineup. From my testing, the biggest sacrifice from the iPhone 16 Pro was the loss of the ultra-wide and telephoto lenses and advanced photography and videography features. For almost everything else, the iPhone 16e can hold its own for a $599 handset," she wrote in her review. 

This free iPhone 16e deal from T-Mobile will give you the latest from Apple, and will also save you some money in the long run. 

Looking for the next best product? Get expert reviews and editor favorites with ZDNET Recommends.

How I rated this deal 

Everyone loves a free phone, but many people sigh when they hear a catch or a sign-up is involved. With this deal, it's no different; you get the free phone after signing up and paying for a line. However, it is nice that there is no trade-in required. For these reasons, we gave this offer a 4/5 Editor's deal rating. You still have a free phone, but you'll be committed to a 2-year phone contract and paying for a line.