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How to buy the Apple iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus

U.S. Cellular is offering a free iPhone 8 with the addition of a new line

Mark Jansen
Christian de Looper
By and
Simon Hill / Digital Trends

The latest and greatest iPhones are finally here, boasting impressive new features and attractive designs. Apple unveiled three new flagship smartphones last year, including the premium iPhone X, iPhone 8, and iPhone 8 Plus.

If you’re looking to get a new iPhone but don’t want to pay an arm and a leg for the iPhone X, the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus may be up your alley. If you’re wondering how to get your hands on one, read our guide to purchasing the new iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus.

How to buy an unlocked iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus

apple iphone 8 plus review
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

If you don’t want to buy the iPhone through a carrier, there’s another option: You can get it unlocked from Apple.

Related

The iPhone 8 starts at $700 for the 64GB version, and the 64GB iPhone 8 Plus costs $800. Both phones are now available for purchase at Apple’s retail locations.

You can get either phone through Apple’s iPhone upgrade program, a 24-month installment plan that lets you upgrade to a new iPhone every 12 months. For the 64GB iPhone 8, you’ll pay $34.50 per month, while the 256GB version will set you back $40.75 per month. The 64GB iPhone 8 Plus costs $39.50 per month, and the 256GB version runs $45.75 per month.

Buying the iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus from wireless carriers

If you want to buy the iPhone through your carrier, you’re in luck. It’s available on every major carrier in the U.S. Here’s a quick rundown.

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular offers retail installment pricing that allows customers to pay off their smartphones — including the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus — over a 30-month period.

As of June 1, 2018, U.S. Cellular is offering a deal called “iPhone 8 on us,” which gives new customers the chance to pick up an iPhone 8 completely free when adding a new line to their existing or new service.

To qualify, all you need to do is add a new line with unlimited data, and you’ll be able to claim your free iPhone 8. This is available both for new and existing customers, and there’s no trade-in of an existing phone required.

Not keen on the iPhone 8? Users adding a new unlimited data line can instead claim an iPhone 8 Plus for just $3 a month on U.S. Cellular’s standard 30-month installment plan.

Verizon

Verizon offers the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus for up to $300 off if you sign up for Verizon Unlimited and trade in one of a few select phones.

Here is the pricing info for the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus from Verizon:

  • iPhone 8: Starts at $700, or $29.16 per month for 24 months.
  • iPhone 8 Plus: Starts at $800, or $33.33 per month for 24 months.

Trade-in credit varies depending on the age of the device. Here’s what you can expect:

To get 50 percent off iPhone 8, trade:

  • iPhone 7
  • iPhone 7 Plus
  • iPhone 6S Plus
  • Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
  • Samsung Galaxy S8
  • Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus
  • Samsung Galaxy Note 8
  • Google Pixel
  • Google Pixel XL
  • Google Pixel 2
  • Google Pixel 2 XL Google
  • LG G6
  • LG V30
  • Moto Z2 Force
  • Moto Z Force

To get 35 percent off iPhone 8 trade:

  • iPhone 6
  • iPhone 6 Plus
  • iPhone 6S
  • Samsung Galaxy S7
  • Samsung Galaxy Note 5
  • Samsung Galaxy S6
  • Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge
  • Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Plus
  • LG G5
  • LG V20
  • Moto Z Droid
  • Moto Z2 Play
  • HTC 10

To get 50 percent off iPhone 8 Plus trade:

  • iPhone 8
  • iPhone 7
  • iPhone 7 Plus
  • Samsung Galaxy S8
  • Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus
  • Samsung Galaxy Note 8
  • Google Pixel 2
  • Google Pixel 2 XL
  • LG V30
  • Moto Z2 Force

To get 35 percent off iPhone 8 Plus trade:

  • iPhone 6S
  • iPhone 6S Plus
  • Samsung Galaxy S7
  • Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
  • Samsung Galaxy Note 5
  • Google Pixel
  • Google Pixel XL
  • LG G6
  • LG V20
  • Moto Z2 Play
  • Moto Z Force
  • HTC 10

T-Mobile

If you trade in an iPhone 6 or newer in good condition at T-Mobile, you’ll get $300 off via monthly bill credits over 24 months.

Here is pricing for the iPhone 8 at T-Mobile:

  • iPhone 8 64GB: $700, or $29.17 per month for 24 months with no down payment for a limited time.
  • iPhone 8 256GB: $850, or $28 per month with a $178 down payment.
  • iPhone 8 Plus 64GB: $800 or $30 per month with a $80 down payment.
  • iPhone 8 Plus 256 GB: $950 or $30 per month with a $230 down payment.

T-Mobile is also offering a deal if you purchase more than one device. If you buy an iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 7, or iPhone 7 Plus, T-Mobile is offering a rebate of up to $700 on a second device. To benefit from the deal, you’ll have to trade-in an eligible device, port over your number, and complete your rebate online.

AT&T

The iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus are available for purchase at AT&T.

Here is the pricing info for the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus from AT&T:

  • iPhone 8 64GB: $700, $23.34 per month with AT&T Next, $29.17 per month with AT&T Every Year
  • iPhone 8 256GB: $850, $28.34 per month with AT&T Next, $35.42 per month with AT&T Every Year
  • iPhone 8 Plus 64GB: $800, $26.67 per month with AT&T Next, $33.34 per month with AT&T Every Year
  • iPhone 8 Plus 256GB: $950, $31.67 per month with AT&T Next, $39.59 per month with AT&T Every Year

AT&T is also offering up to $350 in bill credits for new and existing customers with DIRECTV. Finally, when you buy any new iPhone from At&T, you can also get a new 32GB iPad 9.7-inch for $0.99, or a 128GB iPad for $99.99 as part of your installment agreement.

Sprint

Sprint guarantees the lowest monthly lease price of any carrier. In fact, it’s offering customers who see a better offer a Visa Card or one-time credit for the price difference.

Here’s Sprint’s current pricing:

  • iPhone 8 (64GB): $0 down, $29.17 per month
  • iPhone 8 (256 GB): $150 down, $29.17 per month
  • iPhone 8 Plus (64GB): $0 down, $33.34 per month
  • iPhone 8 Plus (256 GB): $150 down, $33.34 per month

After the 18 months are over, customers can either return the phone and upgrade to a new device or pay the $29.17 per month for six more months to own the device.

FreedomPop

Prepaid carrier FreedomPop has a new limited-time offer that cuts the iPhones’ prices nearly in half. It’s currently offering up to $400 back with eligible used iPhones going toward the purchase of a new one.

Also, FreedomPop is launching a $1-a-month data plan exclusively for the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, and any iPhone newer than the iPhone 6. It includes 500 voice minutes, 500 texts, and up to 500MB of data.

How to buy the iPhone 8 Product(Red) Special Edition

iPhone 8 Product (RED)
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The new Product(Red) iPhone 8 and 8 Plus models developed in partnership with (Red) have been revealed — and they’re gorgeous little bits of tech that any Apple owner would be proud to use as their daily driver. It’s for a good cause too, but what’s the best way to get your hands on one?

Many of the deals for the Product(Red) iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus are the same as the deals for the normal iPhone 8 on many carriers — so if you don’t see a specific deal for your chosen carrier below, check that carrier’s normal deals to see whether it also applies to the Product(Red) iPhone.

Buying it unlocked

If you’re already locked into a contract, or just don’t like the idea of paying monthly for a contract, then you can always just grab the new iPhone straight from a supplier and pay upfront. Then it’s yours, with no money left to pay. Simple!

Buying from Apple is always going to be the simplest way here. Pre-orders for the Product(Red) iPhone 8 and 8 Plus Special Edition begin April 10, and prices start at $700 for the 64GB iPhone 8, or $34.50 a month if you sign up for Apple’s rolling iPhone Upgrade Program, meaning you’ll pay that price for 24 months, but get to upgrade your phone every year. All following “per month” prices are for the upgrade program.

Upgrading to 256GB will set you back another $150, raising the price to $850 (or $40.75 a month on the upgrade program). If you want the big Red iPhone 8 Plus, then you’re looking at $800 for the 64GB model ($39.50 a month), or $950 for the 256GB model ($45.75 a month).

Buying it from a carrier

AT&T

Pre-orders begin on April 10, with the phones being available from April 13.

Pricing is the same as AT&T’s normal iPhone 8 deals, with the 64GB Product(Red) iPhone 8 starting at $700, or $850 for the 256GB version. If you want those on monthly contract, it’ll put you back $23.34/month for the 64GB model or $28.34/month for the 256GB, both on 30-month installment agreements.

The iPhone 8 Plus will set you back a little more, with the 64GB model being $800 up front (or $26.67/month) or $950 ($31.67/month) for the 256GB model.

There are deals you can grab to get that iPhone 8 a little cheaper too. AT&T is offering up to $350 in bill credits for customers who already have DIRECTV, or are willing to add it to their account.

Additionally, when you buy any new iPhone from AT&T, you can also get a new 32GB iPad 9.7-inch for $0.99, or a 128GB iPad for $99.99 as part of your installment agreement.

T-Mobile

Pre-orders for the Product(Red) iPhone 8 range begin on April 11 for T-Mobile, with the phones expected to arrive in store on April 13.

Pricing for the Product(Red) iPhone 8 range is the same as a normal iPhone 8 on T-Mobile, so you can expect the following, as well as up to $300 in bill credits with trade-ins:

  • iPhone 8 64GB: $700, or $29.17 per month for 24 months with no down payment for a limited time.
  • iPhone 8 256GB: $850, or $28 per month with a $178 down payment.
  • iPhone 8 Plus 64GB: $800 or $30 per month with an $80 down payment.
  • iPhone 8 Plus 256 GB: $950 or $30 per month with a $230 down payment.

If you’re looking to upgrade more than one device, T-Mobile is offering a deal that could save you a good amount of money. If you buy an iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 7, or iPhone 7 Plus, T-Mobile is offering a rebate of up to $700 on a second device. To benefit from the deal, you’ll have to trade in an eligible device, port over your number, and complete your rebate online. These are strict requirements, but it’ll save you a chunk of change if you’re able to take advantage.

Verizon

Both Product(Red) iPhone 8 models will be available from Verizon from the morning of April 13, after going up for pre-order on April 10.

Pricing for both of the new models is the same as the regular iPhone 8 and 8 Plus. The iPhone 8 64GB costs $700, or $29.16 per month for 24 months, while the 256GB version will cost $850, or $35.41 per month for 24 months. The iPhone 8 Plus 64GB will cost at $800, or $33.33 per month for 24 months, while the 256GB 8Plus starts at $950, or $39.58 per month for 24 months.

However, Verizon’s trade-in deals will allow you to knock up to 50-percent off that shiny new phone with selected trade-ins.

To get 50 percent off iPhone 8, trade:

  • iPhone 7
  • iPhone 7 Plus
  • iPhone 6S Plus
  • Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
  • Samsung Galaxy S8
  • Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus
  • Samsung Galaxy Note 8
  • Google Pixel
  • Google Pixel XL
  • Google Pixel 2
  • Google Pixel 2 XL Google
  • LG G6
  • LG V30
  • Moto Z2 Force
  • Moto Z Force

To get 35 percent off iPhone 8 trade:

  • iPhone 6
  • iPhone 6 Plus
  • iPhone 6S
  • Samsung Galaxy S7
  • Samsung Galaxy Note 5
  • Samsung Galaxy S6
  • Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge
  • Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Plus
  • LG G5
  • LG V20
  • Moto Z Droid
  • Moto Z2 Play
  • HTC 10

To get 50 percent off iPhone 8 Plus trade:

  • iPhone 8
  • iPhone 7
  • iPhone 7 Plus
  • Samsung Galaxy S8
  • Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus
  • Samsung Galaxy Note 8
  • Google Pixel 2
  • Google Pixel 2 XL
  • LG V30
  • Moto Z2 Force

To get 35 percent off iPhone 8 Plus trade:

  • iPhone 6S
  • iPhone 6S Plus
  • Samsung Galaxy S7
  • Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
  • Samsung Galaxy Note 5
  • Google Pixel
  • Google Pixel XL
  • LG G6
  • LG V20
  • Moto Z2 Play
  • Moto Z Force
  • HTC 10

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular will be offering both Product(Red) iPhone 8s from April 13, with customers being given the chance to pay back their purchase over a 30-month period.

Xfinity Mobile

Xfinity Mobile will also be stocking the Product(Red) iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, and customers will be able to pick them up from April 13.

The iPhone 8 64GB starts at $700 or $29.17/month (for 24 months), while the 256GB version will set you back $850, or $35.42/month. The iPhone 8 Plus starts from $800, or $33.33/month for 24 months.

Updated June 1: Added the details of U.S. Cellular’s free iPhone 8 deal.

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Mark Jansen
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