Information technology'due south no secret that buying an iPhone costs a lot of money. While they hold their value for a long time and are a amend investment than other similar devices, that initial cost can still be tough to swallow.

With a bit of know-how and patience, y'all tin relieve coin when you lot buy your next iPhone. Here are tips and methods to keep in mind.

1. Don't Buy the Latest and Best Model

If you lot plan on buying make-new, It's tempting to buy the newest iPhone. Having the latest device is exciting, and you don't want to purchase a telephone that becomes outdated apace. Merely you tin can save money by purchasing an older model that's still electric current.

At the fourth dimension of writing, the latest line of devices starts at $699 (iPhone 13 mini). However, Apple too sells the iPhone 12, iPhone 11, and iPhone SE on its website. The iPhone 11 came out in 2019, but it'southward still a perfectly usable telephone and starts at $499.

iOS xv (launched in 2021) is compatible with devices as far dorsum as the iPhone 6s, which released in 2015. We can thus assume that the iPhone 11 will receive iOS updates for some time. This means you tin can get an iPhone that will terminal for years without paying the premium for the latest devices.

It's also important to avert ownership an iPhone that exceeds your needs. If you rarely take photos with your telephone, y'all probably don't need a Pro model. And while you should purchase a device with plenty storage so yous don't take to constantly juggle apps and photos, don't pay for mode more than storage than you need.

2. Buy Refurbished or Used

If getting a make-new iPhone is out of your budget, then buying one that's refurbished or used is a cracking idea.

As long as you buy from a trustworthy company, a refurbished device should be well-nigh good as new. Apple offers a small-scale selection of refurbished devices, and you lot'll find other places to buy a refurbished iPhone as well, including Best Purchase, Amazon, and third-party resellers.

Refurbished iPhone Apple

Used devices are more striking-or-miss. While yous tin can buy a used iPhone from services similar eBay or Facebook Marketplace, y'all don't want to buy a damaged device from someone who didn't take intendance of it. Consider asking your friends if anyone has an iPhone they're looking to sell; buying from someone you trust is a much better option.

If you do buy from somewhere similar eBay, follow our checklist on what to expect for when buying a used iPhone online.

three. Trade In or Sell Your Current Device

Apple devices property their value is beneficial for you, too. Bold you already have an iPhone and don't demand it once you get your new one, you can sell it to make dorsum some of the toll.

The easiest option is to merchandise your phone directly into Apple using the Apple Trade In page. Here, you lot'll encounter the maximum value that Apple tree offers for each iPhone way. It besides accepts some Android phones, as well as other Apple devices like an iPad or Apple Watch.

Apple Trade In Page

If yous have older devices that you don't use anymore, trading in is an piece of cake way to reduce the cost of your new iPhone. When purchasing, select the pick to trade in a device and it will walk y'all through the steps. Usually, this involves sending back a prepaid mailing envelope with your device inside.

In case Apple doesn't offer trade-in value for your device, or y'all don't think the price is off-white, you can sell your device elsewhere. Consider asking your friends if anyone is looking to buy a new phone so you tin can sell to someone yous know. Failing that, services like Mac Me an Offer or other sites for selling your old phone give you plenty of options.

Some requite you a price and let yous sell direct to the site. Others let you list your phone for other users to buy at a cost you hold on. Which approach you adopt depends on how much yous want to get out of your device.

If you choose to list your telephone online, be enlightened of common eBay selling scams. Many of these principles apply to other sites, also.

4. Check for Carrier or Store Deals

We recommend buying your phone from Apple in many cases, only that's non e'er the all-time pick. Apple tree nearly never has promotions or deals on an iPhone, and then to save money, you should consider your other options also.

Have a await at your mobile carrier'southward website to see if it has whatsoever deals that help y'all get a new iPhone for less. Some offer a free device when you trade in an older phone, or a huge disbelieve on a second device when y'all purchase the first. If you don't want to buy a phone from your carrier, stores like Best Buy sometimes offer promotions to help you save on a new iPhone.

Best Buy Verizon iPhone Deal

Store around and consider all your options before you decide the all-time identify to purchase your iPhone. A footling bit of research could result in some savings.

5. Wait for the Correct Time to Buy

If you don't need a new telephone right away, waiting a bit could help yous get a improve price on your iPhone. Since Apple releases a new iPhone around the same time every year, it's easy to decide when the quondam models will drib in value.

Information technology's best to buy an iPhone after the yearly release in September, and every bit close to it as possible. For case, when Apple tree launched the iPhone 13, information technology started at the same cost as the iPhone 12 was. This means that for the same price, you get a brand-new device instead of i that's a year old. And since the iPhone 12 dropped in price when the iPhone 13 launched, you pay less if yous decide on an older device, likewise.

Avert buying an iPhone around June to August, if yous can. By waiting a few months, you lot'll get a improve deal for the money you spend. See our guide to the best times to purchase Apple devices for more info.

six. Consider a Payment Plan

A lot of these tips circumduct around buying your iPhone outright. Merely if this isn't an option for you, consider a payment plan. These vary beyond carriers, and you might not salvage a ton of money overall, but they tin can make getting that new iPhone affordable in the brusk-term.

In particular, accept a wait at Apple tree's iPhone Upgrade Program. With it, you pay a set monthly toll for your iPhone and AppleCare+ coverage. After y'all've made 12 payments, you can trade in your current iPhone and get a new one, or pay another 12 months and go on your electric current device.

iPhone Upgrade Program

If you always want a new iPhone every year, this plan can work out well. For example, the 128GB iPhone thirteen starts at $39.50 per calendar month. After 12 months on this programme, y'all'll have paid $474, which is much less than the $799 toll of the iPhone 12.

Notwithstanding, it's not perfect. By upgrading every twelvemonth, yous never fully own your device, meaning you won't brand any money back from selling or trading it in. You lot'll as well be stuck making payments forever. But if it works meliorate for you than ownership a device upfront and yous'd purchase AppleCare+ anyway, information technology's worth considering.

Relieve on Your Adjacent iPhone

Due to the value the iPhone holds, you're likely not going to notice a blowout bargain on one. Only that doesn't mean you have to pay full price. By following one or more of these tips, you tin save on your next iPhone while nevertheless getting a not bad device.

Once you lot get your new iPhone, you should know how to keep it running at its best.

7 Cardinal Tips to Save Bombardment Life on Your iPhone

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Ben Stegner (1807 Articles Published)

Ben is the Editor in Master at MakeUseOf. He left his IT job to write full-time in 2016 and has never looked back. He's been covering tech tutorials, video game recommendations, and more as a professional writer for over 8 years.

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