Pre-orders for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro opened today, Friday (Oct. 16), and those looking to get their hands on Apple's latest device will no doubt be looking for the best deals. in the early stages of the iPhone 12 launch, AT&T was fighting a battle that They may have won.

A free Apple phone? That would certainly get my attention.

AT&T's iPhone 12 offer is surprisingly free of fine print: whether you're a new or existing AT&T customer, you can bring your eligible trade-in device to AT&T and purchase the iPhone 12 with AT&T's 30-month installment payment plan. If you sign up for an unlimited data plan, AT&T will provide a billing credit of up to $800 over the 30 months of the installment plan.

As for requirements, AT&T's credits are not as stringent. To receive the full credit, you need a new iPhone, such as the iPhone 8 or later, but it is likely that some devices will be traded in to get a slightly lower iPhone price. In addition, to take advantage of 5G service, one of the key features of Apple's newest iPhone, you will need to subscribe to an unlimited data plan from AT&T.

To be fair, other carriers are offering aggressive promotions with the goal of luring prospective iPhone 12 buyers. Therefore, if you are not interested in being tied to AT&T for the next 30 months, both Verizon and T-Mobile would be willing to make a deal. It is important to note that both companies' most aggressive promotions are aimed at attracting new customers, and while existing customers may qualify for some discounts, the free iPhone offer is for switchers.

Verizon, for example, offers an $800 credit for the iPhone 12. However, in addition to having a phone to trade in, you must bring your phone number into Verizon. existing customers who trade in an iPhone 8 or later can lower their iPhone 12 bill from $33.33 per month to just $15 per month, saving $439 on their phone bill over 24 months.

T-Mobile is offering up to $850 off the new iPhone 12, but like Verizon, the un-carrier requires both trade-in and data line addition to make you eligible. Existing customers can get half off the iPhone 12 Pro or up to $500 off an iPhone 12 model with a trade-in.

Both offers are attractive, but only AT&T's free iPhone 12 offer is available to new and existing customers alike.

The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro are the first new models to hit store shelves next Friday, October 23. Both are 6.1-inch devices with 5G connectivity powered by Apple's A14 Bionic chip. However, the iPhone 12 Pro has a telephoto lens in addition to a wide and ultra-wide camera, as well as a LiDAR scanner for improved photos and augmented reality (AR) experiences. iPhone 12 Pro is also made of stainless steel and glass, but iPhone 12 is Apple's shares the Ceramic Shield display, which makes the phone more durable.

The iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max will be available through November 13, with pre-orders beginning November 6. mini has a 5.4-inch display, while the Pro Max is a 6.7-inch iPhone.