iPhones are some of the most popular smartphone devices on the market, making up over 24% of total sales in Q4 2021. While there was a time when only a few iPhones existed, and it was easy to choose which device would be right for you based on your needs, that gets harder and harder as new iPhones enter the market.
iPhones are currently in their 13th generation, with each new generation, Apple has added a number of new improvements to storage, speed, screen size, capability, and more. While there are a ton of options to choose from, the good news is that you can find a great iPhone deal no matter your technological or financial needs.
Even if you know what you looking for though, it can be hard to find the best deal for your hard-earned money. There are a number of ways you can find a great deal on the iPhone you want, but without knowing where to start and what to consider when shopping, it can be a hassle. To help, here is a basic rundown of what you can do to make the process easier and score the best iPhone deal possible.
First, Sell, Trade, or Upgrade Your Old iPhone
Sometimes choosing a new iPhone depends on what deal you can get for your old one. There is a vibrant market for selling and trading iPhones and some strong incentive packages that come with upgrading them.
Selling, trading, and upgrading your iPhone are all very different, and it is important to know what you are getting into before you go down any of these routes.
How To Sell Your Old iPhone
Before you consider upgrading your iPhone, you may want to sell your old one and pocket the cash instead. There are many ways to sell your iPhone, such as traditional sites like eBay and Facebook Marketplace.
Selling your iPhone on a public market can be dangerous though, so it is important to take the necessary safety steps before you do it. First, you will want to make sure your data isn’t lost when you switch phones by transferring your data to the cloud.
Creating a full iCloud backup of your phone and transferring it to a new device will be simple, given the compatibility of different iPhones with each other. If you switched to another phone, this process would be more difficult.
Once you have made sure all of your data is safe, you can format the device. This avoids having compromising information on your phone that the buyer can access.
To do this,
- Go to settings
- Click General
- Transfer or Reset [device]
- Erase All Content and Settings
Follow the prompts from here, and you will be able to revert your phone to its factory settings to be ready for sale.
You are taking a risk by selling your phone before getting a new one, as having your old phone helps make sure all of your data is accounted for.
Additionally, depending on the age of your phone, the resale value may have gone down compared to newer models, so try to do your research and determine whether or not this method is right for you.
How to Trade Your Old iPhone
- First, you have to get a quote for your current device either online or at your local Apple store to make a trade.
- If you accept the quote, you drop off the phone or mail it to Apple.
- If Apple inspection goes well, they will give you a physical or online gift card per your preference.
- If you have a newer model in new condition that could net you good money for an upgrade, this could be the way to go for you.
Apple offers a trade-in program for people who want to go through official channels to get money for their outdated devices. Instead of real money, however, you get Apple credit towards your next purchase.
It is also important to note that older models are worth significantly less through the trade-in system, meaning that while an iPhone 12 Max could net you $650, an iPhone 6 would only get you around $50 at best.
The newer your current device, the more bang for your buck you’ll get by utilizing the trade-in system.
How To Upgrade Your iPhone
Upgrading your iPhone is another way to switch from one iPhone to another, and there are a few channels through which you can do this.
One option is upgrading through Apple directly. If you enroll in the Apple upgrade program, you can switch to a newer phone after making 12 monthly payments. For a monthly fee for the phone and Apple Care+, you can use this method to get a new phone every year.
Most major carriers also offer upgrade plans, many of which are cheaper than Apple’s but with fewer protection benefits. Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T all offer upgrade plans on a similar structure to Apple, with 12 monthly payments making you eligible for an upgrade.
If you are someone who wants a new phone every year to keep up with the technology, upgrading is a solid plan.
Where Can You Find the Best iPhone Deals?
When looking for the best possible deal on an iPhone, it is often better to look past Apple and check out the carriers' deals. Carriers are incentivized to one-up each other by creating great deals that convince you to choose them, so there are some very economically friendly options for those looking for a great deal on their new iPhone.
Verizon is offering up to $700 off your iPhone 13 through trade-in with the purchase of a new unlimited plan. You could also get $1000 off an iPhone 13 Pro or Max. Both AT&T and T-Mobile have their own iPhone 13 deals, all of which revolve around trade-in and unlimited plan membership. Especially if you are looking for a new model, shopping around the bigger carriers is a great place to start.
How To Decide Which iPhone Is Best for You
Several factors are in play when deciding on the best iPhone for you. You need to gauge how advanced you want your phone to be, how expensive it is, how long you plan to have it, and what features you expect.
New phones vs. Older Phones
One thing to consider is whether you want a newer model or an older one. Older phones may be cheaper if you can get your hands on them, but they might not run a modern OS and only have access to less powerful networks.
For example, there is a huge push for nationwide 5G integration to largely replace 4G. While 4G will still be around for a long time, only the iPhone 12 and up are compatible with 5G. This means your phone will have access to significantly less powerful networks if you go lower than an iPhone 12.
Price
With so many iterations of the iPhone available out there, prices vary. An iPhone 13 Pro Max has a retail price of $1099.99, while an iPhone 12 mini has a retail price of $599.99.
These phones are only a generation apart and have many of the same features, but the price differential is significant. On the other hand, iPhone 13 models have more deals to incentivize you to buy them through different carriers, further complicating the choice.
If you are willing to go way back, you can purchase phones in the iPhone 7 era for $100 and $200. These phones have all the basic committees a smartphone needs minus the new advancements of the past several years. If price is the only thing that concerns you, it won’t hurt to look at older models.
Features
One of the most important differences between the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 13 is storage size.
The base size of the iPhone 13 is double that of the iPhone 12 at 128 GB. Models below the iPhone 12 go down considerably in storage the further down you go.
Battery life and camera quality are also significantly better than the newer model. An iPhone 13 Pro Max has close to double the battery life of an iPhone 12.
For some people, these features are incredibly important, and for others, they aren’t, so it is good to know where you stand when making your decision.
Which Is the Best iPhone Overall
The iPhone 13 is part of the latest iPhones, and it is the best overall choice for the average consumer. In the tech world, especially when dealing with Apple, staying up to date is incredibly important.
The iPhone 13 is a modern device with all the best features for only a little bit more money than its significantly weaker predecessor.
The iPhone 12 and the iPhone 13 are only $100 apart, but the 13 has considerably more features. Both are 5G compatible with a similar layout, but the 13 has more storage space and an A15 Bionic chip compared to an A14.
As we prepare to transition into a 5G dominant world, a device that can keep up with technological changes will be important. The iPhone 13 will offer the most avenues for trading-in and upgrading in the future once newer devices are released.
With so many carriers offering great deals on iPhone 13s as incentives to buy their network packages, there are way more ways to get a 13 than any other model.
What’s the Cheapest iPhone?
The cheapest phone you can get new is the iPhone 11, which starts at $499.99. This is only a couple of generations behind the iPhone 13, and it has a lot of great features.
However, if you are okay with a used or refurbished phone, the retail price of an iPhone 7 is $109.99 and can be purchased from platforms like Verizon. If price is your only motivator, this isn’t a bad option for you.
What Is the Most Expensive iPhone?
The iPhone 13 Pro Max sits at a $1099.99 retail price, considerably more expensive than the base iPhone 13. This price point puts it out of reach for many consumers, but it has a good reason for its price.
Its 6.7-inch display is larger than the 6.1 inch iPhone 13, and it has up to six hours more of video playback battery life. Its camera has a 6x optical zoom with a Lidar scanner for light mode. Its advanced camera settings and larger size make it the most elite iPhone model on the market, with a price to match.
What’s the Mid-range iPhone?
Apple does have a product on the market for those specifically looking for something mid-range: the iPhone SE. A 2020 iPhone SE starts at $399.99, and it is a much less powerful model than the iPhone 13. It has half the RAM, much less pixel density, and a smaller retina display.
However, it is 5G compatible and more powerful than many older generation phones with a similar price point. If you aren’t looking for an incredibly powerful machine, this won’t fall below your expectations for a smartphone.
The SE was built to be affordable to the average person, and as a result, it delivers a strong product at close to half the price of other modern iPhones.
Which Is the Best Case for Your iPhone?
If you want to sell or trade-in your old iPhone for a good price, it has to be in good condition. Smartphone cases are a must-have, and protecting your device should be a top priority.
There are a couple of cases that you can get with an iPhone: wallet cases and protective cases. Wallet cases can carry your cards and money if you want, while a protective case exclusively keeps your device safe (and stylish).
Otterbox and Smartish are two proven brands that have these types of cases. Look for cases made of leather or different types of plastic, and avoid ones made of soft materials.
Once you are confident that you’ve chosen a good type of case, you can focus on the decorations and colors you want it to have. Make sure the cases you choose are compatible with your phone as they are not one-size-fits-all
What To Do Next
There is no “best option” for a phone. Everyone’s needs are different, and you should spend time making sure you know what you want out of your iPhone. Some phones offer great value, while others will put you at the cutting edge of modern-day technology.
We recommend the iPhone 13 for its modern architecture and reasonable price point if you are looking for overall value. However, if extra features or low price points are your main focus, there are still plenty of options for you outside of the 13.
Don’t feel like comparing options yourself? We’ll do it for you! Phone Navigator searches over three million phone deals to find the price for the iPhone you want, 100% free.
Sources:
Most Popular Mobile Phone Brands | 2010/2021 - Statistics and Data
What to do before you sell, give away, or trade-in your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch | Apple Support
How to Upgrade Your iPhone | Apple
Is Apple's iPhone Upgrade Program Worth It? | Tom's Guide
Best cheap iPhone deals in March 2022 | Tom's Guide
