This is a guide to help you decide where to buy Apple’s new iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro. Where you buy your new iPhone 12 is important because it can change how much you pay for it, what payment plans you’re eligible for, and your overall shopping experience.
Many people buy the iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Pro directly from Apple by default, but you may have a better chance of purchasing them through your wireless network or through another retailer. This is because they all compete with each other and are encouraged to offer attractive trade deals, extra accessories and discounts.
If you want to order your iPhone 12 early, you may have to shuffle and not get the options you want right away. If you want the most shopping options, the best deals, and help set up your new iPhone 12, we recommend waiting a few weeks until the initial rush is over and sellers can have a more convenient, personalized shopping experience. We’re already seeing incredible deals on the iPhone 12, which means you need to be even more careful where you buy it.
In this article, we detail the pros and cons of purchasing the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro from the biggest tech retailers and wireless carriers in the following order. Scroll down to see the pros and cons of buying an iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Pro from the following places:
Read: Which iPhone 12 Storage Size Should You Buy?
Buy iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Pro at: Apple
Buying iPhone directly from Apple It has advantages, especially if you’re a devoted Apple fan. apple cardOffering interest-free financing and 3% cashback on Apple devices, including iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro. You can order unlocked iPhones from Apple; This means that if you decide to switch to another major carrier or a more affordable prepaid provider at a later date, your iPhone 12 is not tied to a particular carrier. The Apple Store also allows engraving if you want to personalize your iPhone with your name or write it in a text message.
Another great advantage of buying the iPhone 12 directly from Apple is that online stores and retail outlets offer some of the most knowledgeable retail partners to help you choose the right model and get you set up.
One downside to buying your iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Pro directly from Apple is that you may have to pay more for cases and accessories like AirPods. Apple often sells new iPhone cases and accessories for full MSRP. If you buy your iPhone from Apple, you should buy your iPhone 12 accessories elsewhere if you’re on a budget.
The Apple Store is citing discounts from some of its wireless partners, such as Verizon’s launch promotion offering $440 trade-in credits for the iPhone 8 and newer. However, you should check your eligibility for promotions with Verizon and other wireless carriers before shopping with Apple, as the iPhone manufacturer can’t help you switch between wireless plans. Instead, it will tell you that your wireless account is not eligible for such promotions. ‘
Buy iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Pro at: best buy
Best Buy has nearly 1,000 retail locations and has really improved curbside pickup and delivery options in 2020. Whether you buy online or in-store, Best Buy usually has the full lineup of iPhones in every configuration. If you want to see your options in person, Best Buy is a good place to go. Keep in mind that retail margins on iPhones are very thin, and the company makes more money selling mobile carrier activations and accessories than the iPhones themselves. Do your research before stepping into your local Best Buy so you don’t avoid any pressure to switch carriers, buy extra lines, or buy more accessories than you need.
Buy iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Pro at: Walmart
With over 4,000 retail stores in the United States, there’s a good chance there’s a Walmart near you where you can pick up the iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Pro. Sometimes Walmart doesn’t offer a full selection of all iPhone models. If you’re looking for basic models, Walmart is handy enough, but if you’re looking for the highest-capacity iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 models, you might be disappointed.
At launch, Walmart appears to be selling the iPhone 12 only to customers who have upgraded their devices to use on AT&T or Verizon. This means that it is impossible to buy the iPhone 12 unlocked and inserted into a low-cost carrier’s SIM card. If you’re shopping for a prepaid plan or affordable accessories alongside your iPhone 12, Walmart is a good place to start when Apple ships more devices to the retailer and isn’t limiting sales to just AT&T and Verizon customers. .
Buy iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Pro at: verizon
Buying the iPhone 12 from Verizon is another great option as it is a leader in 5G and has very affordable payment plans for the iPhone 12 if you have an iPhone 8 or newer. For a limited time, Verizon is offering a $440 credit when customers trade in an iPhone 8 or newer. Credit comes in the form of reduced monthly payments for your device spread over the next few years. However, Verizon requires you to sign up for an Unlimited Play More, Do More, or Get More plan to qualify. Unlimited plans are Verizon’s top-of-the-line offerings, so if you’re using an older unlimited plan or shared daa plans, you may not qualify.
One nice thing about buying iPhones from Verizon is that the network automatically unlocks all mobile devices 60 days after purchase. This means you have more flexibility to switch networks or give your iPhone 12 to a loved one in the future without the hassle of unlocking it on its own.
Buy iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Pro at: AT&T 
AT&T is another major wireless network accelerating 5G network. AT&T offers a variety of delivery and pickup options that make it a better choice than most other retailers if you’re looking for convenience and need a little help setting up your new iPhone 12. Wireless carriers often offer their best deals to new customers switching from other networks, but AT&T is offering a $800 discount on the iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Pro with the exchange of any new iPhones dating back to the iPhone 8. It essentially makes the cheapest iPhone 12 “free,” as long as you’re prepared to stick with AT&T and pay $0 for the next 30 months. $800 discount applies to all iPhone 12 models; this can be particularly appealing to those shopping for the high-end iPhone 12 Pro or iPhone 12 Pro Max.
by AT&T A free service called AT&T Right To You In more than 50 cities and metro areas, including Atlanta, Austin, Detroit, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Whenever possible, an AT&T representative will deliver your iPhone 12 the same day you order it. Unlike UPS or FedEx deliveries, the iPhone 12 is not delivered to your door. Instead, an AT&T representative will set up your new iPhone 12 for you and help you migrate all your accounts and data. If you’re not in a covered city, AT&T offers a virtual AT&T Bespoke installation experience.
Buy iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Pro at: T mobile
T-Mobile is known for offering excellent value to iPhone users. The carrier tends to offer lower wireless rates than AT&T and Verizon. T-Mobile’s wireless plans are simple in pricing, and most of their plans include taxes and fees. This helps prevent the “bill shock” that many iPhone users complain about when switching carriers or upgrading to newer iPhones.
T-Mobile has a very attractive offer for couples or small families who want to own an iPhone 12 Pro and lower their monthly bills. Like Verizon and AT&T, T-Mobile offers big loans with swapping out old iPhones. After converting those credits into monthly discounts for 30 months, T-Mobile is offering a pair of iPhone 12 Pro and unlimited Essentials for just $100 a month. You need an iPhone XS or newer to take advantage of this offer. If you have an iPhone 8 or newer, you may qualify for similar offers at slightly higher rates.
T-mobile’s generous discounts for seniors, military and first responders are affordable and cover the cost of purchasing the new iPhone 12.
T-Mobile offers generous discounts and simplified plans to meet the needs of senior citizens, military and veterans, and first responders. For example, T-Mobile currently offers a plan called Essentials Unlimited 55+ for seniors, with two service lines including 3G hotspot access for just $55 per month. Seniors can opt for a plan called Magenta Unlimited 55+ for $70 per month for two lines that includes 4G hotspot access and other extras. You can see T-Mobile’s discounted plans for over 55s at this link. T-Mobile currently offers four lines of service to military members for just $100 per month, including taxes and fees.
Buy iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 at: cost
For millions of Americans, Costco is the go-to place to stock up on bulk items, but the big box retailer offers some great deals on cell phones. Through its partnership with phone retailer Wireless Advocate, Costco has phone kiosks in its warehouses and sells iPhones through an online portal called Membership Wireless. Wireless Advocate sells service plans and upgrades on behalf of AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. It usually streams current promotions from wireless carriers so you can expect to pay the same as going directly to AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon.
While the above may sound messy and confusing with so many names and brands involved, there are some clear benefits to buying the iPhone 12 at Costco. Like most of its other products, Costco offers a generous satisfaction and returns policy. iPhones can be returned to Costco for a refund or exchange up to 90 days from purchase, eclipsing Apple’s 14-day return policy. It’s important to keep in mind that Wireless Advocate has fine print and if you decide to return your iPhone 12 without exchanging it for another device, there may be fine print on your carrier’s contract. It’s also important to note that Wireless Advocate sells iPhones with new contracts or renewals; that means you can’t buy for them full price without activating the iPhone 12.
Still need help deciding which iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 model is right for you or where to buy it? Watch Apple’s iPhone 12 announcement below or click the comment box below and we’ll do our best to answer your questions.
