How to Buy an iPhone for Cheap

Guide to getting the best deal on an Apple iPhone. The iPhone is one of the most popular products ever created. However, that doesn't mean you should pay full price when you want to upgrade. This handy guide will help make sure you get the best possible deal on your new iPhone!
Updated November 2, 2016

Ever since its release the iPhone by Apple has been one of the hottest, must-have consumer items in history. However, as we learned in our intro to economics classes, with great demand also comes a high price. This can leave customers in a lurch when it comes to  getting the latest iPhone.

Our phones have become intimately tied to our lives. We use phones for everything. They help us get directions, staying in touch with friends and family, playing games, reading the news, and doing business. There are plenty of ways to get an iPhone other than buying one for full price.. In order to help you out as much as possible we've created this list of ways to buy an iPhone for cheap.

Trade In Your Old Phone

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The first and easiest way to generate funds to get your new iPhone is to trade in your old one. Trading your old phone can help you get the best possible price. Many carriers have an offer to buy back your old phone for a hefty sum. For example, AT&T offers up to $650 in credits if you trade in an old, working iPhone when purchasing a new one. You certainly won't be needing your old phone once you have your new iPhone.

Not only does this give you money toward your new phone but it is also good for the environment. Trading in your old phone means it won't go into a landfill and instead will be properly recycled. Get money and help the planet? That's what we call a win-win situation.

What if you don't want to keep your current carrier? No problem! There are plenty of other buyback programs that will give you money for your old phone. For example Apple is willing to credit you up to $315 for your old phone towards the purchase of a new one. This is a great way to turn your old phone into money for a new one.

There are plenty of other sites willing to buy your phone if you don't want to go through Apple. Something to keep in mind, however, is that like most things condition is everything. If your phone isn't working or has a broken screen then you won't get the same price as if it were new.

Agree to a Contract

Cell carriers want your business. As a result if you are willing to sign a contract you can get great deals on a new phone. Take advantage of this if you can. Remember that any purchase is a business deal.  Just like any business deal, both sides are looking to get something out of the transaction. Agreeing to a contract gives the phone carrier guaranteed business. So why not ask them to cut you a break on the price of the phone?

Many companies offer two-year service agreements. If you sign up for one of these you can usually get a discount on the phone. Also you can combine deals. If you have an old phone to trade in and are able to sign a contract you can  get the cheapest iPhone around. Savvy consumers should be careful as the deal you get  can come in different forms. You may find yourself paying full price, filling out some paperwork, and waiting for a rebate check to arrive in the mail. 

Another great thing about singing a new contract is that it locks in your cell phone rate. This can mean even more savings for you if you can get a better deal on your plan. Furthermore many contracts also let you pay for your new phone in installments. You can use this to make installment payments and get a new phone, even if you can't afford the full cost upfront.

Check Your Current Contract

Many people still have an old contract with their carrier. Some of these contracts include free phone upgrades. If you have one of these contracts make sure to point that out to your carrier when you go to pick up your new phone. You don't want to get charged for something that should be free! 

Additionally, many companies offer contracts that contain upgrade plans. It can be hard to remember exactly what's in your cell phone contract, as it's not exactly leisure reading. Check it out and see what's included. There's every chance that your current bill includes a monthly fee for a future upgrade. 

Take Advantage of Promo Codes

Apple has many different agreements with companies. You can use these arrangements to help you get a steep discount on the latest iPhone. Look for promo codes to help you save money. Using promo codes can get you great deals, like free shipping, discounts on cases, and more. Additionally, some sites, such as Groupon, have  great promo codes to help you save even more. This is a great way to save some money on your phone purchase if your carrier doesn't offer contract deals. It also helps if you are already locked into a contract and can't access those savings. 

In order to get the best deal with this strategy you might have to get creative. Don't just look for promo codes for iPhones. Also search for promo codes for stores that carry iPhones. Look into your cell service carrier, AmazonBest BuyWalmart, and others for the best deal. 

Timing is Everything

Research has indicated that Apple drops prices on their phones after they announce their newest model. The price can go down by as much as $100.  If you can wait you are likely to get an excellent deal on the iPhones that companies already have in stock.

For added savings wait until there is another sale going on. If you buy your phone after the reduction during a sale you can not only get a discount from the price reduction, but also save money through the sale. Any experienced shopper will tell you that any time you can double up on your deals you should do so.  

This is another great discount that you can combine with some of the other offers on this list. That will make sure that you get the best deal possible when it comes to your new iPhone. The early bird may get the worm, but the patient bird gets the lowest price on their iPhone. 

Another aspect of timing is holiday deals. With the holidays coming up make sure that you check to see what kind of deals different stores are planning. Frequently you can get an excellent deal on hot ticket items like iPhones if you are willing to do a bit of research. Figure out when different stores and carriers will be having their sales. But many stores put a limit on the number of discounts they will give on the hottest items. Make sure you plan ahead in order to ensure you get your iPhone for the cheapest price possible. 

Shop Online

Many online retailers like Amazon and ebay have users selling the latest iPhone. These sites usually have promo codes or coupons available for anything sold on the site. This can be a great way to save money on your new iPhone. Look for discounts, coupons, and promo codes to get the best savings. possible. Everyone has an Amazon gift card somewhere. Use these cards to get discounts on your iPhone from Amazon. This strategy can be combined with some strategies for getting gift cards for free to get an even bigger discount. 

Another advantage to using an online marketplace like Amazon is competition. There are several different sellers competing with each other. This means that you can also compare different sellers and make sure that you are getting the best possible deal. 

Go Directly to Apple

Many people may not realize this, but Apple actually has an upgrade program. With prices starting as low as $32.41/month this can be a great way to make sure you always have the latest iPhone.  With the program you get a new phone every year. You can choose your carrier, and, as an added bonus, you get iPhone protection with AppleCare+

It's true that the $32.41 might be higher than the payment plans for the iPhone you can find from your carrier. But remember the value of the AppleCare+ service, which amounts to around $130 per year. When that is taken into consideration you are actually getting quite a good deal. Moreover, once you adjust to the new monthly payments, you don't ever have to worry about getting the latest iPhone ever again. This is one of the better iPhone offers that we've seen if you absolutely have to have the latest piece of tech. 

As you can see, there are many ways to get great deals on your new iPhone. Whether you use a promotion, sale, discount, rebate, or another method, you should always make sure to get the best deal on your iPhone. After all, you work hard for your money, why not make sure that you get the most out of it that you can. 

About the Author

Jessie Reyes

Jessie Reyes

Into beauty, fashion, and shopping too much. Love to save money on the things I love to buy.