Verizon is offering a free iPhone 16 Pro Max – here's how you can get one

I, like a lot of other people, waited a few months after launch to grab the new iPhone 16 Pro Max. But I’m so glad I did: Ever since upgrading, I definitely feel like this phone will serve me well for the next few years. 

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If you’ve been holding out, now is the perfect time to upgrade, as Verizon is offering a free iPhone 16 Pro Max when you open a new line — saving you $1,200.

Keep in mind that this offer has a few stipulations. For one, you will have to add a new line of Verizon’s Unlimited Ultimate plan and lock into a 36-month contract, during which the credits for your phone will be paid out.

If you don’t want a long-term commitment, especially with opening a new line, this offer may not be for you — especially because the Unlimited Ultimate plan starts at $65 a line per month. You’ll also have to keep in mind that you have to pay any taxes or fees that go with purchasing the new phone and opening a new line. 

I would still argue that the iPhone 16 Pro Max is a great option to consider with this deal. I started using the phone myself in January, and the moment I picked it up, it took me back to my freshman year of high school when I received the iPhone 8 Plus Rose Gold. 

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As a person with clumsy tendencies, having a bigger form factor made it way easier for me to handle my phone; it was an easy decision to know I wanted the Max version in my next phone. In the end, I decided on the Pro Max because I wanted the more capable camera, as photography has become an aspect of my job. 

The new features include a new Camera Control hardware button that can control certain aspects of your camera, like the media type or exposure. There’s also Photographic Styles, an upgraded 48MP wide-angle lens, a 5x zoom option, and higher frame rates for 4K video. It’s safer to say your photos and videos are pristine.

I upgraded to the Pro Max from a standard iPhone 14, and the difference in performance was easily noticeable. The app performance is extremely smooth, and the phone handles tasks with so much more ease. I frequently use my phone to create media, and running apps like Canva and CapCut is no problem.

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However, it really is the size that makes this phone appealing to me. It is great for multitasking, and if you have a job that requires being online a lot. The 6.9-inch display allows me to read lengthy press releases or research articles with a lot more ease than a standard, smaller display.

At the end of the day, having a newer phone will always yield a more enjoyable user experience. If you’re wanting to upgrade your camera, display, and phone performance, consider this Verizon deal to get an iPhone 16 Pro Max for free. 

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

How I rated this deal 

It is very common for phone carriers to offer sign-on deals like this. However, we usually see them offer basic models as a freebie with sign-on deals, and we haven’t seen one including an iPhone 16 Pro Max in a while, and it’s a limited deal. Considering all these factors, we rated this deal a 4/5 Editor’s deal rating. There are a few catches with this deal, like having to open a new line and having to lock into a 3-year contract.