Once you know which iPhone you want to buy, the next step is to find the best deal on your new iPhone. Don’t spend more than you have to, let us do the hard work so that you can find the best iPhone offer and save money. (If you aren’t sure which new iPhone to buy, we compare every iPhone in a separate article.)
First things first: You don’t have to buy the iPhone 16, 16e, 16 Plus, Pro, or Pro Max directly from Apple, all the major carriers will offer you one on contract. The biggest benefit of not buying from Apple is that you can take advantage of special promotions, deals and discounts offered by popular retailers and carriers.
Before you buy a new iPhone, note that the new iPhone 17 series is expected to launch in September. If you want the latest and greatest iPhone that is a good reason to hold off buying an iPhone right now. But, if you were wanting to trade-in or sell your existing iPhone the best time to do so will be before the new model launches, as the price you will get for trading in your existing iPhone will reduce once the new one goes on sale.
Here’s a summary of some of the best deals and promotions offered by retailers and carriers in the U.S. to help you get the best deal on your new iPhone. If you’re looking for other models, check out our Best iPhone deals.
How much is the iPhone 16?
The price of an iPhone in the U.S. depends on whether or not it is unlocked.
In the U.S. Apple quotes the price for iPhones that are locked to a network, e.g. AT&T. Those prices are as follows:
- iPhone 16e prices: 128GB: $599 / 256GB: $699 / 512GB: $899
- iPhone 16 prices: 128GB: $799 / 256GB: $899 / 512GB: $1,099
- iPhone 16 Plus price: 128GB: $899 / 256GB: $999 / 512GB: $1,199
- iPhone 16 Pro prices: 128GB: $999 / 256GB: $1,099 / 512GB: $1,299 / 1TB: $1,499
- iPhone 16 Pro Max prices: 256GB: $1,199 / 512GB: $1,399 / 1TB: $1,599
You can buy an unlocked iPhone from Apple U.S. though. If you choose an unlocked iPhone it will be easy to change your contract, or pass it on to a friend or relative when you want to upgrade. An unlocked iPhone costs $30 more than the price shown above.
If you want to find out how to unlock your iPhone so you can use it with another network read: How to unlock an iPhone.
The price of the iPhone 16 is the same as the iPhone 15 series was. The iPhone 16e price matches the price point of the iPhone 14 at the time Apple discontinued it.
Best Phone 16 carriers and contract deals
In the U.S., carriers offer deals and discounts on the iPhone 16 range.
If you want to buy the latest iPhone for less than the full retail price, you should buy it from a carrier or mobile provider. However, expect there to be significant strings attached. These deals can be complicated, so be sure to read the fine print.
You can also purchase directly from Apple with activation on a carrier and still get special carrier deals, but you may have more options if you buy from one of the carriers below.
- Optimum Mobile – New and existing Optimum Mobile customers on any plan can get the iPhone 16e 128 GB for free with a select trade-in; or they can get $400 off any iPhone 16e with any trade-in. Additionally, Optimum Mobile customers can enjoy two Unlimited lines for only $45 per month or one Unlimited line for only $25 per month
- Verizon – You can get up to $1,000 off on if you have the Unlimited Ultimate plan, up to $830 off with the Unlimited Plus plan, and up to $415 off with the Unlimited Welcome plan. Must trade in a phone.
- AT&T – Offering up to $830 off iPhone 16 or $1,000 off iPhone 16 Pro, as bill credits over 36 months, you have to trade in an eligible phone, and you have to have a qualifying postpaid unlimited voice and data plan.
- T-Mobile – Offers up to $830 off iPhone 16 or $1,000 off iPhone 16 Pro, as bill credits over 24 months, with Go5G Next or Go5G Business Next plan. Must trade in phone for iPhone 16 Pro offer.
- Boost Infinite – Get $1,000 off the iPhone 16 lineup with Boost Mobile’s $65/month Infinite Access plan. No trade-in required. A full year of FREE Boost Mobile wireless service when purchasing the iPhone 16 at full price with the $25/mo Unlimited plan, or apply the offer to the $50/mo Unlimited+ or $60/mo Unlimited Premium plans.
- Best Buy – Best Buy will sell you an iPhone with AT&T or Verizon.
Best contract deals for iPhone 16
The table below will show the best U.S. carrier deals on the iPhone 16 right now.
Best contract deals for iPhone 16 Plus
The table below will show the best U.S. carrier deals on the iPhone 16 Plus right now.
Best contract deals for iPhone 16 Pro
The table below will show the best U.S. carrier deals on the iPhone 16 Pro right now.
Best contract deals for iPhone 16 Pro Max
The table below will show the best U.S. carrier deals on the iPhone 16 Pro Max right now.
Best Unlocked iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Max deals
If you want to buy an unlocked iPhone 16 in the U.S. you have to buy it from the Apple Store.
Buying direct from Apple is one of the few ways to buy an unlocked, SIM-free iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Plus, and it’s the go-to place to join the iPhone Upgrade Program, which from $39.50 a month will get you a new iPhone every year including AppleCare+ coverage.
One benefit of shopping with Apple is that Apple will let you trade in your old iPhone and get up to $650 in credit toward a new purchase. You can also trade an old iPhone with Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. We cover how to sell or trade in your old iPhone separately.
If the iPhone 16 is available from any other retailers you will see their best deals below.
128GB iPhone 16e, MSRP: $599 locked, $629 unlocked
Here are the best prices for the iPhone 16e. Right now you can only pre-order from Apple. But other resellers should start to stock it soon.
128GB iPhone 16, MSRP: $799 locked, $829 unlocked
128GB iPhone 16 Plus, MSRP: $899 locked, $929 unlocked
128GB iPhone 16 Pro, MSRP: $999 locked, $1,029 unlocked
256GB iPhone 16 Pro Max, MSRP: $1,199 locked, $1,129 unlocked
Where to get refurbished iPhone 16 deals
If you haven’t already, you may want to consider buying a refurbished iPhone 16 to save money (and the environment). Refurbished devices are thoroughly tested and repaired to work and look just like new. In the case of official Apple refurbished iPhones, you get a brand-new body and screen, box, accessories, battery, and warranty. It’s almost indistinguishable from buying a new iPhone.
See our full guide to buying refurbished or second-hand iPhones for more.
The first place to shop for a refurbished iPhone is at the Apple Refurbished Store. It will be a while before Apple offers refurbished iPhone 16 models for sale—they usually start showing up when the next model is released. Rest assured, the Apple Refurbished Store is where you can get the highest quality of refurbished iPhones.
Since it will take so long for Apple to offer refurbished iPhone 16 models, or if you just want to look for a better deal, you can check these resellers instead:
Author: Karen Haslam, Managing Editor, Macworld
Karen has worked on both sides of the Apple divide, clocking up a number of years at Apple's PR agency prior to joining Macworld more than two decades ago. Karen's career highlights include interviewing Apple's Steve Wozniak and discussing Steve Jobs’ legacy on the BBC. Having edited the U.K. print and online editions of Macworld for many years, more recently her focus has been on SEO and evergreen content as well as product recommendations and buying advice.