TL;DR: Verizon is offering the iPhone 17e for free via 36 monthly bill credits when you open a new line on an eligible Unlimited plan.
The iPhone 17e is the sleeper hit of the latest Apple lineup. It packs the same A19 chip found in the iPhone 17, dazzles with a crisp 6.1-inch OLED, and delivers Apple Intelligence features that offer genuine upgrades from older models.
In Mashable's review of the iPhone 17e, Stan Schroeder said "The combination of having Apple's latest chip and a decent amount of storage means this phone will be relevant for at least four to five years." That's a really impressive lifespan for an affordable iPhone. And it really is affordable right now thanks to Verizon.
We're used to seeing mobile carriers offer "free deals" on leading handsets, but you're usually forced to sign up for the most expensive plan or trade-in a premium mobile to qualify. That's not the case here. Instead, you can get the Apple iPhone 17e for free from Verizon on the Welcome Unlimited tier with no trade-in. That means you can get a new iPhone and a lower monthly service bill — that's a rare win in this market.
To get the full $599 off the iPhone 17e, you'll need to commit for 36 months.
If you really want the Apple iPhone 17, Verizon is offering up to $830 off with a trade-in on the Unlimited Ultimate plan. This covers the full cost of the phone, but you do need to offer up a premium handset in return.