Apple sells the iPhone 17 (256GB) for $929 unlocked, or $899 if you activate it with a carrier. The 13-inch MacBook Air M5 starts at $1,299 at Apple and was $1,149 at Amazon. Apple prices are as of Oct 24, 2026, 7:08 PM ET, and Amazon prices as of 8:08 PM ET.
iPhone 17: the prices with no trade-in
Apple's iPhone 17 page lists two prices for each size:
- 256GB: $929.00 unlocked, or $899.00 with carrier activation
- 512GB: $1,129.00 unlocked, or $1,099.00 with carrier activation
The $30 gap is a connectivity discount, so the lowest listed price is not the unlocked price:
- Activation required. Apple says the lower price "requires carrier activation with AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon."
- Bought from Apple: Apple's FAQ says the phone is unlocked and stays unlocked once activated.
- Financed through a carrier: the AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon plans lock the phone to that carrier until paid in full.
Correction: our iPhone 18 Pro vs iPhone 17 guide said the iPhone 17 starts at its lower price unlocked. Apple's page shows the unlocked price is $30 higher, with the lower price only on carrier activation.
The carrier "up to" offers and the catch
The same Apple page carries banners for carrier trade-in offers, such as AT&T's "Save up to $900 with an eligible trade-in." These are maximums, and Apple's footnotes set the terms. Carrier "free" deals work the same way:
- Bill credits, not cash. Apple says Verizon's credit combines an Apple trade-in credit at checkout with monthly bill credits over 36 months, and you must stay on the payment plan to get the full benefit.
- A qualifying plan. AT&T and Verizon both require an eligible unlimited plan and a 0% APR installment plan, 36 months in AT&T's case.
- A trade-in sets the amount. AT&T lists $900 or $350 depending on the trade-in model and condition. Apple's trade-in page likewise lists estimated values by the phone you hand in, up to $885 for an iPhone 17 Pro Max.
- The plan sets it too. Verizon lists $840 or $420 for existing Unlimited Ultimate customers, and $930 or $500 for new or add-a-line Ultimate customers. Lower plans get less, down to $300 or $150 for existing Unlimited Welcome customers.
- Fees. AT&T lists a $35 activation or upgrade fee.
- Leaving early costs you. AT&T says that if you cancel eligible service, credits stop and you owe the remaining device balance.
T-Mobile also has an offer on Apple's page. Its length and amounts vary by plan and customer status, so read its terms there.
Why it matters
A "free" or near-free iPhone 17 from a carrier is a long commitment. If you switch carriers or plans before the credits finish, you owe the unpaid balance. The unlocked price costs more up front but leaves you free to move.
Check the carrier's own page before you sign.
MacBook Air M5: Apple's price and Amazon's
Apple's MacBook Air page shows these starting prices:
- 13-inch (16GB memory, 512GB storage): $1,299
- 15-inch: $1,499
Amazon US listings, read at 8:08 PM ET on Oct 24, showed these prices. Prices can differ by colour:
- 13-inch, 16GB and 512GB: $1,149, $150 below its list price
- 15-inch, 16GB and 512GB, Starlight: $1,399, list $1,499, the cheapest 15-inch
- 15-inch, 16GB and 512GB, Midnight: $1,444
- 13-inch, 24GB and 1TB: $1,599, list $1,799
On all four listings:
- Condition and seller: new, in stock, sold and shipped by Amazon.com.
- Coupon: none.
- Delivery to ZIP 03063: free by Thu Oct 29, or Mon Oct 26 with Prime.
A list price is not a price history, so the discounts are from Amazon's list, not record lows. For the 13-inch with 16GB and 1TB, see our earlier Amazon MacBook Air M5 deal, which has its own date and terms.
Apple sells each size in 16GB or 24GB, with 512GB or 1TB. Its static page lists starting prices only, so we do not quote Apple's upgrade prices.
The student price
Apple's education store lists education prices $100 below the regular starting prices:
- 13-inch: from $1,199
- 15-inch: from $1,399
The restrictions:
- Eligible products carry a graduation cap icon, and you may need to verify eligibility with an active school email or other documentation at checkout.
- Apple says the savings are open to current and newly accepted college students and their parents, plus faculty and staff.
- Trade-in credit is separate, and Apple says values depend on the condition, year and configuration of your device.
Which price to chase
- iPhone, want no strings: the unlocked 256GB price.
- iPhone, already on a qualifying carrier plan: the carrier-activation price, or a carrier credit if your trade-in and plan fit the terms.
- MacBook Air, student or staff: Apple's education price saves $100 on either size, but Amazon's 13-inch 512GB price is lower still.
- MacBook Air, other buyers: compare Apple's starting prices with Amazon's on the same configuration. For other Apple accessories, see our AirPods and Apple Watch deals.
Apple prices are as of Oct 24, 2026, 7:08 PM ET and Amazon prices as of 8:08 PM ET. No end date has been announced for any of these offers, and they can end or change at any time.
