If you have an Apple phone and you haven’t already upgraded to the iPhone 17 , you have likely been contemplating it for a few weeks now. Between the latest phones and the hottest new accessories like the AirPods Pro 3 and the latest Apple Watches, it’s easy to overspend. Although the newest phones have been on the market for a short time, there are already plenty of ways to save money on one. Frugal shoppers can also save even more if they don’t go for Apple’s latest release.
The iPhone 16 series is now discounted, as carriers and retailers are eager to sell remaining stock to make room for the new models. That means that there are some excellent deals available now if you’re looking to grab one of these older models.
If you’re on a tight budget, shop for older models like the iPhone 15. It’s getting a little tough to find them in stock, but they’re usually available for hundreds off their original price. To help you find the right iPhone for your needs and budget, CNET shopping expert Adam Oram has rounded up the easiest ways to put one in your pocket for less.
Below, you’ll find the best deals on the iPhone 17, iPhone 16, iPhone 16E, iPhone 15 and iPhone 14, grouped by generation.
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iPhone 17 deals
The brand new iPhone 17 series is now available. The basic iPhone starts at $799, while the iPhone 17 Pro starts at $1,099 and the 17 Pro Max jumps up to $1,199. There’s also the new ultra-thin iPhone Air, which starts at $999.
One of the easiest ways to save on a new iPhone is by trading in your old model. Apple offers up to $700 in trade-in credit, but that’s only in exchange for one of its latest models. Older iPhones, as well as phones from Samsung, Google and other brands are also accepted, but won’t be worth quite as much. You’ll also get 3% cash back when you purchase with an Apple Card.*
Apple is also offering up to $30 off if you let it help you connect to a carrier, plus the carriers themselves offer up to $999 trade-in credit.
T-Mobile customers can get the iPhone 17 free with an eligible trade-in, as long as they’re on an Experience More, Experience Beyond, Go5G Plus or Go5G Next plan. Those on most other plans will get up to $300 in trade-in credit. You can also get this phone free when you switch to T-Mobile and add a line on an Experience More, Beyond or Go5G Next plan. Both a new line and a trade-in together get you this phone free. These offers will be applied as bill credits over a 24-month period. Cancel before this, and you’ll owe any unpaid balance.
You can save big on the iPhone 17 series with an eligible trade-in at AT&T. Devices valued at just $130 or more will knock up to $830 off the basic iPhone 17 and the iPhone 17 Air, while devices valued at $180 or more will save you up to $1,100 on the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max. That means you’re getting the basic iPhone 17 or 17 Pro for free, the iPhone 17 Air for around $5 per month and the 17 Pro Max for around $3 per month. Discounts are applied as bill credits over 36 months.
Best Buy isn’t carrying any unlocked models, but does have availability for both AT&T and Verizon customers. There aren’t any special offers at the moment but the tech retailer does have its own trade-in program, which can save save you up to $375 in exchange for your old phone. The latest iPhones will net you the biggest discount, but phones from Samsung, Google and many other brands are also accepted.
Verizon is offering trade-in discounts of up to $1,100 off the iPhone 17 lineup for those who add a new line on a qualifying unlimited plan. Depending on the model you choose, you’ll effectively get your new iPhone for free.
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 trade in.
Trading in your old phone at Apple could save you up to $700 on any iPhone 16 model. Previous-generation 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 with 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 people 55 and older.
AT&T is offering great deals on the iPhone 16 lineup. Without trade-in, you can save on the basic iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max when you purchase them on an installment plan.
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 $730 on the basic iPhone 16, $830 on the iPhone 16 Plus, $900 on the iPhone 16 Pro and $1,100 on the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Note that the Pro Max deal is available online only, and not in stores. Discounts are applied as bill credits over 36 months.
Best Buy isn’t carrying any unlocked iPhone 16 models right now. It’s also not offering any direct discounts. However, you can use Best Buy’s trade-in program to score savings on any iPhone 16 series phone.
iPhone 16E deals
The budget-friendly iPhone 16E is still available and there are plenty of iPhone 16E deals for those wanting to save on Apple’s most affordable 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 $700, 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 phone will save you up to $600. If you’re an AT&T customer, a qualified activation on an eligible unlimited installment plan can also save you up to $375, which reduces the starting price to just a little over $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.
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 now two generations old, they still have plenty to offer. Plus, it’s pretty easy to get your hands on one of these previous-generation models for less right now, which makes them a good value for Apple users on a budget. Now that the iPhone 17 lineup has been announced, you can no longer buy the iPhone 15 directly from Apple.
Adding a line on an Unlimited Welcome, Plus or Ultimate plan gets you $630 off the iPhone 15, 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.
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 basic model and the 15 Plus. You can get the basic 15 for free with a new line and a trade-in or when you switch your existing number from another carrier. Plus, trade-ins on most plans will save you up to $315. There are also special offers for military members, first responders and people older than 55. As for the Plus, you can get up to $630 in trade-in, or net the phone for free if you trade in and sign up for a qualifying plan.
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.
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 for free with a trade-in and a Experience Beyond or Go Next plan. Most other plans will net you 50% off with a trade-in and new line, or when you switch your existing number over to T-Mobile. T-Mobile has exclusive offers for military members, first responders and people older than 55.
Best Buy has knocked $130 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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