At a Glance
- Apple announced iPhone Air on Sept. 9; it launched Sept. 19.
- The device is 5.6 mm thick, 165 g, with a 6.5-inch OLED ProMotion display.
- Carrier trade-in credits up to $1,100 can reduce the $999 base price.
Why it matters: Consumers can now buy Apple’s thinnest phone for less by leveraging carrier offers.
Apple’s newest flagship, the iPhone Air, arrives as the company’s thinnest handset yet. The 5.6 mm, 165-g model starts at $999, but a range of carrier deals can bring the price down to a few hundred dollars. Below we break down the specs, colors, storage options and the best ways to save.
Launch & Specs
The iPhone Air was announced on Sept. 9 and released a week later on Sept. 19. It measures 5.6 mm in thickness and weighs 165 g, making it the lightest iPhone to date. The 6.5-inch OLED ProMotion display supports a 120-Hz refresh rate and peaks at 3,000 nits.
Under the hood, the phone houses an A19 Pro chip, a C1 5G modem, a titanium frame and a single 48-megapixel rear camera. Storage starts at 256 GB and tops out at 1 TB.
Carrier Deals & Savings
Carriers such as AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and Boost Mobile offer trade-in credits that can cut the cost dramatically. The largest credits come from T-Mobile, where an eligible trade-in on an Experience Beyond or Go5G Next plan saves $1,100. Other plans give $830 or $300, and switching from another carrier can save up to $900 for eligible customers.
| Carrier | Plan Type | Trade-In Credit |
|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile | Experience Beyond / Go5G Next | $1,100 |
| T-Mobile | Experience More / Go5G Plus | $830 |
| T-Mobile | Other plans | $300 |
| Verizon | Unlimited Welcome / Plus / Ultimate | $1,000 |
| AT&T | Unlimited Installment | $572 |
| Boost Mobile | Infinite Access | $830 |
Other carriers provide additional perks. AT&T gives an $800 reward for breaking a contract and a $200 line-add discount, while Verizon can give a free iPhone Air on a qualifying plan. Best Buy also offers a $1,000 trade-in credit for Verizon customers and free Apple TV Plus and Apple Music for new subscribers.
Color & Storage Options
The iPhone Air is available in four colors: space black, cloud white, light gold and sky blue. Storage choices are 256 GB, 512 GB and 1 TB, with the price starting at $999 for the base model.
How to Get the Best Price
To get the lowest price, combine a trade-in credit with a carrier plan that offers the largest discount. Using a credit card that gives 3% cash back can add extra savings. For those who prefer unlocked phones, Best Buy’s carrier-partner deals are worth exploring.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone Air is 5.6 mm thin and 165 g heavy, the lightest iPhone yet.
- Carrier trade-in credits can slash the $999 price to well below $500.
- The phone is available in four colors and three storage levels, up to 1 TB.
With the iPhone Air’s razor-thin design and a suite of carrier offers, buyers can enjoy Apple’s newest handset for far less than the advertised price.
