iPhone Duo Handoff Cost: Verizon’s $10 vs T-Mobile’s $5

Quick Answer

Verizon has announced $10/month for iPhone Handoff; T-Mobile offers it for $5/month, plus taxes and fees. [1] [2]

At those published rates, 12 full months cost $120 vs $60: a $60 annual difference, before applicable extras.

These are additional Handoff service costs; your main mobile plan and phone purchase are separate.

T-Mobile is already offering Handoff to eligible customers. Verizon’s announcement still says coming soon. [2] [1]

Checked October 17, 2026. Published pricing does not prove that your account can activate the feature today.

Calculation: published monthly rate × number of full billed months. Excludes applicable taxes and fees, the primary mobile plan, device payments and other add-ons. Assumes unchanged rates and continuous enrollment.

Verizon: price announced, activation still forthcoming

Verizon’s October 16 release uses the heading “iPhone Handoff coming soon to Verizon” and gives a $10 monthly rate. That confirms planned support and pricing; it does not establish a live enrollment date or eligibility for every plan. [1]

If you need Handoff when your Duo arrives, obtain confirmation that your particular line can enroll before relying on it.

T-Mobile: live service, with account conditions

T-Mobile lists Handoff as available and advertises $5 per month plus taxes and fees. Its launch FAQ limits it to eligible postpaid consumer or sole proprietor accounts; the secondary iPhone should have no other service attached. [2]

Apple’s current support page lists T-Mobile in the U.S. and Telekom in Germany. That provides another check on current support, rather than a promise that every account is eligible. [3]

• Taxes and fees: T-Mobile explicitly adds them to the $5 headline rate. Treat the table as a base-rate comparison, rather than an all-in bill quote.
• Your primary plan: the Handoff fee does not buy the main phone service. Compare the complete account price if switching carriers.
• Device costs: keeping a second iPhone can mean giving up a trade-in credit or continuing its installments.
• Other services: insurance, an Apple Watch cellular plan or another add-on belongs in a separate budget line.

Compare the whole bill first. A $5 Handoff saving disappears if the replacement main plan costs $5 more per month. At $10 more per month for the main plan, you would spend $60 more over a year despite the cheaper Handoff add-on.

Those are illustrative calculations. Use your own plan quote, coverage needs, device balance and promotional terms. The service-fee comparison alone cannot establish which carrier is cheaper for your household.

Does buying an iPhone Duo automatically add a Handoff fee?

Apple describes possible carrier fees when enrolling in Handoff. Buying the handset is a separate event; review any Handoff enrollment and billing consent before accepting it. [3]

Does T-Mobile’s secondary phone get the same plan benefits?

Not exactly. Its FAQ describes a separate secondary-phone plan, including 50GB of premium U.S. data and unlimited 3G mobile hotspot. A shared calling number does not mean identical plan entitlements. [2]

Is there a fee every time you switch between iPhones?

The cited carrier offers describe monthly Handoff pricing, rather than an advertised charge per switch. Confirm your enrollment terms; the cost-per-occasion example above simply divides a monthly budget by usage.

Does the $60 yearly difference include tax?

No. It is ($10 − $5) × 12, using the published base monthly prices. Your actual annual difference depends on applicable extras and how many months you are billed.