Generally, the bells and whistles of the iPhone Professional and Plus could also be overwhelming, and presumably out of finances. Nevertheless, Apple launched the iPhone 16e this spring, which launched a less complicated iPhone at a extra inexpensive value.
Additionally: You will get an iPhone 16 Professional from T-Cell without cost – with no trade-in required
Proper now, T-Cell is providing a deal the place you will get the iPhone 16e without cost whenever you open a qualifying line of service. Plus, there is not any trade-in required. After all, this “free” service provide has a number of strings connected, and as anticipated with most cellular presents, you continue to should pay the price of service.
Similar to every other service deal, there are some phrases and situations and caveats we wish to point out so you’ve got the complete context of the settlement. With this deal, you should herald your previous telephone quantity from an eligible service to modify to your new telephone.
When receiving this telephone, you are locked right into a 24-month contract, with telephone credit paid out month-to-month. Subsequently, it may be a little bit of a dedication, as you’ll pay for its service month-to-month. You may even be liable for paying the taxes and costs related to the telephone buy and line activation, so further charges could also be concerned.
Additionally: I changed my iPhone 16 Professional with the 16e for a month – this is my shopping for recommendation now
Nevertheless, should you resolve to leap on this deal, the iPhone 16e might be your subsequent associate in crime for communication. Not solely is it suitable with Apple Intelligence, Apple’s AI software program, however it is going to additionally obtain the iOS 26 replace that will probably be launched to the general public within the fall.
A more in-depth take a look at the iPhone 16e.
Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET
The telephone has a single 48MP digital camera, which makes it nice for taking footage. It could not have the two- or three-camera system its 16 Plus and 16 Professional siblings have, however that does not imply it is nonetheless not wonderful.
The deal featured on T-Cell’s web site as of July 2, 2025.
Screenshot by Kayla Solino/ZDNET
It is also light-weight and extremely handy. I’ve an iPhone 16 Professional Max, and it is onerous to slip into my smaller purse or shove into my pocket. With the 16e, you’ll be able to match it in smaller locations extra conveniently, and it is manner simpler to deal with. Nevertheless, the telephone has a glass again as a substitute of titanium to compensate for the value, in order that it could be a bit extra fragile.
This telephone has wonderful battery life. Apple advertises 26 hours of playback, which is far more than older fashions. ZDNET editor Sabrina Ortiz tried out the telephone and stated she beloved it for its dimension, value, and excellent options.
“It’s a stable telephone for folks prepared to forgo a number of the bells and whistles of the remainder of the iPhone 16 lineup. From my testing, the largest sacrifice from the iPhone 16 Professional was the lack of the ultra-wide and telephoto lenses and superior images and videography options. For nearly every thing else, the iPhone 16e can maintain its personal for a $599 handset,” she wrote in her assessment.
This free iPhone 16e deal from T-Cell gives you the newest from Apple, and also will prevent some cash in the long term.
Searching for the following finest product? Get skilled critiques and editor favorites with ZDNET Recommends.
How I rated this deal
Everybody loves a free telephone, however many individuals sigh once they hear a catch or a sign-up is concerned. With this deal, it is no totally different; you get the free telephone after signing up and paying for a line. Nevertheless, it’s good that there isn’t any trade-in required. For these causes, we gave this provide a 4/5 Editor’s deal score. You continue to have a free telephone, however you will be dedicated to a 2-year telephone contract and paying for a line.
Offers are topic to promote out or expire anytime, although ZDNET stays dedicated to discovering, sharing, and updating the very best product offers so that you can rating the very best financial savings. Our workforce of specialists often checks in on the offers we share to make sure they’re nonetheless reside and obtainable. We’re sorry should you’ve missed out on this deal, however do not fret — we’re consistently discovering new possibilities to avoid wasting and sharing them with you at ZDNET.com.
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- Should open a line with T-Cell.
- The gadget is paid out by way of a 24-month contract.
- No trade-in required.
- Should herald your telephone quantity from an eligible service.
Learn the remainder of the phrases and situations on T-Cell’s web site.
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In 2025, we refined our method to offers, creating a measurable system for sharing financial savings with readers such as you. Our editor’s deal score badges are affixed to most of our deal content material, making it simple to interpret our experience that will help you make the very best buy resolution.
On the core of this method is a percentage-off-based system to categorise financial savings supplied on top-tech merchandise, mixed with a sliding-scale system primarily based on our workforce members’ experience and a number of other elements like frequency, model or product recognition, and extra. The outcome? Hand-crafted offers chosen particularly for ZDNET readers such as you, absolutely backed by our specialists.
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