It’s that time when phone companies will SHOUT AT YOU to buy a new iPhone 16 model — with juicy deals that sound great. They might be. Or not.
If you’re considering one of the iPhone 16 models, which are available to order starting Friday, I summarized below some of the device discounts you’ll find.
There’s nothing so wow in new iPhones that you need one. (Most people will need a new iPhone to use Apple’s artificial intelligence features. Those features aren’t available yet, but early versions we tested didn’t seem super promising.)
You also have fantastic alternatives to instead give new life to your current phone or buy a new-to-you phone that’s better for your budget and the environment.
When to consider buying a newer phone
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Just because your phone company says you’re eligible to upgrade to a new iPhone 16 doesn’t mean you have to take them up on it.
To get a “free” or steeply discounted new iPhone 16, you’ll likely need a higher-priced phone plan, trade in a relatively recent smartphone, and commit to your phone provider for two to three years. Phone companies do not deserve your loyalty.
Alternative 1: Replace the battery
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If your battery won’t hold a charge or your phone seems slow, you might be surprised how much a fresh battery can perk up your phone.
In some cases you can replace the battery for $40 to $80, said Nathan Proctor with the consumer advocacy group U.S. PIRG.
Read our advice on finding trustworthy fix-it help to replace a battery or cracked screen. An independent gadget repair shop is often better than an Apple or cellphone store.
Proctor said the gadget repair chains uBreakiFix and CPR Cellphone Repair are often reliable.
You might find smartphone repairs easier to find and more affordable, thanks to a growing number of state laws to stop scare tactics that discourage you from part replacements.
Or with time and enthusiasm, you can replace a phone battery yourself.
Alternative 3: Buy a new but older phone
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You can get great deals on older but unused iPhone models from 2023 or prior years.
The handy price comparison site Navi recently showed options to buy last year’s iPhone 15 Pro, which had a starting price of $1,000, from major phone companies for as little as $170 to $650, depending on the phone company, service plan and your current device.
Navi said you can find even better deals on 2023 iPhone models as of Friday.
Alternative 4: Buy pizza for 50 of your favorite families
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An iPhone is a big chunk of change, even if you’re not paying the full $1,200 price because of cellphone company “deals.”
A typical American holds onto a smartphone for nearly four years, according to research firm IDC. The more time between phone purchases, the more money you’ll have for everything else. Including pizza.
Discount offers on iPhone 16 models
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Navi estimated there are more than 25,000 promotional price possibilities for iPhone 16 models, depending on five factors: which iPhone 16 model you want; the phone company you choose; whether you’re a new or existing customer; your service plan; and the current smartphone you have to trade in.
The vast majority of Americans buy smartphones from a cellphone company, so that’s my focus here. The listed prices of mobile plans generally include discounts for automatic payments and paperless billing.
With help from Navi, here are some deals you can find on iPhone 16 models. The list price is $799 and up for the basic iPhone 16 model to at least $1,200 for the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Not everyone will qualify for promotions.
AT&T
Up to $1,000 off on iPhone 16 Pro or 16 Pro Max, and up to $830 off on an iPhone 16 or 16 Plus.
Unlike other major phone companies, you’ll get the same deals on new iPhones if you’re a current AT&T customer or switching from another cellphone company.
And trade in: For the maximum discount, you need an iPhone 12, 13, 14 or 15 series phone. Your discount drops significantly with older iPhone trade-ins.
(To verify which iPhone you have, go to the Settings app → General →About → Model Name.)
And your service plan is: Unlimited Premium PL ($86 a month for one line), Unlimited Extra EL ($76 for one line) or Unlimited Starter SL ($66 for one line).
Catches: Most of your discount is applied as a credit on each monthly bill for 36 months. You’re effectively stuck with your carrier for that long.
T-Mobile
Up to $1,000 off an iPhone 16 model for current or new customers on the Go5G Next plan ($100 a month for one line) or up to $830 off with Go5G Plus ($90 for one line).
If you’re on the Go5G plan, the maximum discount applies if you’re adding a new line or are a new customer. There are smaller device discounts for people on the Essentials plan.
And trade in: The maximum discount can apply if you trade in a phone model from the iPhone 15, 14, 13, 12 and 11 Pro lines. Your discount drops significantly with older iPhones.
Catches: Most of your device discount is applied as a credit on each monthly bill for 24 months. You’re effectively stuck with your carrier for that long.
Verizon
New customers and existing customers adding a phone line can get up to $1,000 off on any iPhone 16 model with an Unlimited Ultimate plan ($90 a month for one phone line) and any iPhone to trade-in. (Some other types of phones are eligible, too.)
Discounts are up to $830 with Unlimited Plus ($80 for one line) and up to $415 off with Unlimited Welcome ($65 for one line).
Catches: Unless you have one of the priciest cellphone plans, iPhone 16 device discounts might be smaller for existing customers, unless you add a new line. Most of your device discount is applied as a credit on each monthly bill for 36 months. You’re effectively stuck with your carrier for that long.
Other solid cellphone providers
I encourage everyone to consider companies other than the Big3 of AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon.
Smaller mobile providers use the same networks as the Big3 but charge considerably less. Look at Consumer Cellular, Mint Mobile (owned by T-Mobile), Google Fi and the cable-and-internet companies Xfinity, Spectrum and Cox, which offer cellphone plans only in their service areas.
Smaller providers’ discounts on new devices may be relatively small or nil, but it can be worth it for a cheaper monthly bill.
For example, Consumer Cellular isn’t offering iPhone 16 device promotions, but its top unlimited plan lists for $50 a month for one line. Even shaving $15 from your monthly cellphone bill saves $540 over three years. That might be higher than your savings from a Big3 device deal with a pricier cellphone plan.
Price comparison site Navi is handy for research, as is the mobile plan guide from Consumer Reports. Apple’s website helps compare Big3 promotions on iPhone 16 models.