Apple aficionados are already anticipating the release of the iPhone 17. We’ll know more details about its exciting new features at Apple’s unveiling event tomorrow, Sept. 9. In the meantime, if you don’t feel the need to grab the latest iPhone, now is a great time to nab a previously released smartphone for less. Older iPhone models still provide excellent service and the same chic design Apple is known for. They can still come at a cost, but we’ve found the best retailer and carrier deals to help you grab one for less. The best savings can be had if you have a device to trade in or are willing to switch to a new carrier.
CNET’s Adam Oram has spent years tracking down and sharing the best deals from across the internet to help shoppers get the best savings, and he’s found the latest iPhone offers to help you get your preferred model at a competitive price. You’ll find solid discounts on premium models such as the feature-packed iPhone 16 Pro Max, alongside offers on more affordable options, including the iPhone 16E.
Plus, some carriers still offer devices at no cost if you qualify. Keep in mind that direct discounts are relatively scarce, and most offers listed will require you to either trade in a device or activate a line. Most deals also require you to commit to a 24- or 36-month contract.
Below, you’ll find the best deals on the iPhone 16, iPhone 16E, iPhone 15, iPhone 14 and iPhone SE 2022, grouped by generation.
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iPhone 16 deals
There are a lot of savings to be had on all the models in Apple’s iPhone 16 lineup, including carrier deals that can nab you the device free if you have an older device to turn in.
Trading in your old phone at Apple could save you up to $600 on any iPhone 16 model. Previous-gen iPhones will net the biggest discount, but Apple also accepts devices from Samsung, Google and OnePlus. You’ll also get 3% cash back if you buy it with your Apple Card*.
If you let Apple connect you to a carrier, you could save up to $1,000 in trade-in credit.
T-Mobile is offering tons of discounts on the iPhone 16 series. If you’re on an Experience Beyond plan, trading in an old device in any condition will save you $1,000. You can also save up to $830 if you’re on an Experience More plan, or up to $300 for most other plans. T-Mobile is also offering $830 off with a new line and a trade-in, or when you switch from another carrier to an Experience Beyond plan. Plus, there are special offers for military members, first responders and folks older than 55.
AT&T is offering great deals on the iPhone 16 lineup. Those on an eligible unlimited plan can trade in their old phone for up to $700 off the iPhone 16 or $1,000 off the Pro or Pro Max. If you don’t have an eligible trade-in, you can get the iPhone 16 Plus for just $11 per month or when you purchase on an installment plan, which will save you up to $534.
Note that you must switch to an eligible unlimited plan to get these offers and the discounts will be applied as bill credits over 36 months. AT&T is also offering a special online-only offer of $200 with the activation of a new line.
Adding a line on an Unlimited Ultimate plan at Verizon will save you $830 on the basic iPhone 16, $930 on the iPhone 16 Plus, $1,000 on the iPhone 16 Pro and $1,200 on the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which scores you a free phone. Discounts are applied as bill credits over 36 months.
All four models also come with a free NFL Sunday Ticket membership for new or returning subscribers.
Best Buy isn’t carrying any unlocked iPhone 16 models right now, but is offering some savings through AT&T or Verizon. AT&T customers can save up to $700 on the basic iPhone 16 or up to $1,000 on the 16 Pro and Pro Max models with a trade-in and qualified activation.
If you’re a Verizon customer, an eligible trade-in and qualified activation could save you up to $930 on the basic 16 and 16 Plus or $1,000 on the 16 Pro and Pro Max.
Target is offering up to $830 off the basic iPhone 16 and $1,000 off the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max with an eligible trade-in. Just note that you’ll have to visit your local Target store in person and sign up with AT&T to take advantage of these offers
iPhone 16E deals
The new budget-friendly iPhone 16E is now available and there are plenty of iPhone 16E deals for those wanting to save on Apple’s newest member of the family.
When you trade in an eligible device, Apple offers savings on the new iPhone 16E. Trading in an old phone could save you up to $600, which can potentially score you the basic 128GB model free. However, that discount is only available if you’re trading in the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which would be a bit of a downgrade.
For the iPhone 14 series, the most you’ll save is $470, which is still a solid deal for this affordable model. Note that the older your phone is, the less you will potentially receive for a trade-in device. Apple phones also earn more than Samsung or Pixel devices. You’ll also get 3% cash back if you buy it with your Apple Card*.
If you order the iPhone 16E at Best Buy and sign up with a carrier, there are ways to save. A qualified activation with Verizon and a trade-in of your old or damaged phone will save you up to $600. If you’re an AT&T customer, a qualified activation on an eligible unlimited installment plan can save you up to $384, which drops the starting price to just $6 per month. Discounts will be delivered via bill credits over 36 months.
Customers at other carriers can save up to $630 when they switch their existing number over to T-Mobile, which makes the basic iPhone 16E free. You’ll also get the phone free with a trade-in and a new line on most plans. Just a trade-in can save you up to $830 if you’re on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan, or $300 for most other plans. There are also several special offers for military members, first responders and people 55 and older.
Adding an Unlimited Plus or Ultimate line will save you $600 on the iPhone 16E at Verizon, which means you can pick up the 128GB model free right now. The discounts will be applied as bill credits over 36 months.
You’ll also get a free NFL Sunday Ticket membership with the purchase if you’re a new or returning subscriber.
AT&T is offering up to $384 off the iPhone 16E when you purchase it on an installment plan, as long as you have (or switch to) an eligible unlimited plan. That reduces the starting price to just $6 per month with no trade-in required. You’ll receive the discount via 36 monthly bill credits.
iPhone 16E at US Cellular
US Cellular is offering multiple ways to save on the iPhone 16E. Activating a line or account on a qualifying line will save you up to $830, which will score you the 128GB, 256GB or 512GB model free. You can also save $350 if you choose to pay for the entire phone up front with a new prepaid line.
iPhone 16E at Boost Mobile
Order your iPhone 16E at Boost Mobile and sign up for the Unlimited Premium plan ($60 a month), and you can snag a new iPhone for as little as $100. You can also pay full price for the phone upfront, which gets you a free year of service.
You can order the iPhone 16E from Walmart for $549 or a little more than $15 per month for 36 months with an eligible activation with AT&T.
iPhone 15 deals
The iPhone 15 series hit shelves in September 2023. And although the phones in this lineup are a generation old, they still have plenty to offer, with the basic model even retaining a spot on our list of the best phones. Plus, it’s pretty easy to get your hands on one of these previous-gen models for less right now, which makes them a good value for Apple users on a budget.
Apple isn’t offering any direct discounts on the iPhone 15 series at the moment but it has a trade-in program that can save you hundreds on a new iPhone 15. Technically, you can save up to $600 but that’s only if you’re trading in another iPhone 15, which is an unlikely scenario. For the iPhone 14 series and older, the most you’ll save is $470. The iPhone Upgrade Program or Apple Card* financing (and cash back) are also options.
AT&T is offering discounts in the form of monthly bill credits when you buy a new iPhone 15 on an installment plan. People who have or switch to an eligible unlimited plan can get the basic iPhone 15 for just $8 per month, which is $442 off the usual price. This offer also knocks $544 off the price of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which drops it to just $21 per month. At the moment, there aren’t any discounts available on the iPhone 15 Plus, and the iPhone 15 Pro is sold out.
Adding a line on an Unlimited Welcome, Plus or Ultimate plan gets you the iPhone 15 or 15 Plus free, with no trade-in required. These discounts are applied in the form of monthly bill credits over 36 months. The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are currently sold out.
You’ll also get a free NFL Sunday Ticket membership with the purchase if you’re a new or returning subscriber.
The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are sold out at T-Mobile, but there are plenty of ways to score some savings on the other models. You can get either the basic iPhone 15 or the 15 Plus free with a new line and a trade-in, or save up to $830 when you switch your existing number from another carrier. Plus, trade-ins on most plans will save you up to $300. There are also special offers for military members, first responders and people older than 55.
Best Buy isn’t offering any direct discounts on the iPhone 15 right now. However, Best Buy’s trade-in program lets you exchange your old phone for extra savings. You can also save an extra $100 if you connect your phone to a carrier.
Plus, all iPhone 15 purchases come with some freebies, including two free months of Apple TV Plus and three free months of Apple Fitness Plus, Apple Music and Apple Arcade — as long as you’re a new or returning subscriber.
iPhone 14 deals
The iPhone 14 series is still a popular line of phones and comprises the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro and top-spec iPhone 14 Pro Max. Apple discontinued the 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max in September 2023, so finding these phones in new condition is getting tougher but they’re still a solid value when you can find them in stock and on sale.
Only the basic iPhone 14 is still available at T-Mobile. You can snag one free with a trade-in and new line, or when you switch your existing number over to T-Mobile. Other offers include up to $315 off with the activation of a new line and up to $300 off with an eligible trade-in. T-Mobile has exclusive offers for military members, first responders and people older than 55, too.
AT&T isn’t offering any direct discounts or special offers on the iPhone 14 right now, but you can save with an eligible trade-in. You’ll also save $200 on a line when you set it up online. And you can save $50 on a pair of PowerBeats Pro 2 when you bundle them with this purchase until Oct. 16.
Add a line on an Unlimited Welcome, Plus or Ultimate plan and you can get the iPhone 14 or 14 Plus free at Verizon. The discount comes in bill credits over 36 months and there’s no trade-in required. Note that Verizon is only carrying certified refurbished models of the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, although you can still pick them up at a discount with a new line.
You’ll also get a free NFL Sunday Ticket membership with the purchase if you’re a new or returning subscriber.
Best Buy has knocked $80 off select configurations of the iPhone 14. Plus, the retailer has its own trade-in program where you can score extra savings of up to $330 in exchange for your old phone. You can also save an extra $100 if you let Best Buy help you connect your phone to a carrier.
Best Buy isn’t carrying any new 14 Pro or Pro Max phones, although it does have some refurbished models.
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How we choose the best iPhone deals at CNET
Many of us here at CNET have covered deals on top tech for more than five years, including cell phone deals from brands like Apple, Google, OnePlus and Samsung. In that time, we’ve learned how to spot the best deals from trustworthy retailers and carriers to simplify the phone-buying process. We look for direct discounts, trade-in offers and other bonuses offered for unlocked and carrier phones when choosing the best deals for you and avoid online shopping scams.
*All information about the Apple Card has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
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