iPhone 13 Black Friday deals: all the best sales

Black Friday iPhone 13 deals
(Image credit: Future)

You've come for a Black Friday deal on an iPhone 13, and you're in the right place. Maybe you thought the best you could do for a price cut on last year's model was the $50 Apple Gift Card from Apple, a deal that started today. We have some more creative options as well, especially if you're looking to sign up with a new mobile network.

Mint Mobile, for instance, has a very unique deal on an iPhone 13. You pay full price for the phone, then you get mobile service free for six months. Normally carriers do this deal the other way - they give you a free phone if you agree to pay for service. That leaves you with a monthly bill, and a two- or three-year agreement. We like that Mint's option leaves you with no monthly bill, and the chance to walk away in half a year. 

We never see huge Black Friday Apple deals, so signing up with a carrier is your best bet for a deal on an iPhone 13 or an iPhone 13 mini, the last mini iPhone that Apple sells. You can get the iPhone mini for free from Verizon if you sign up for a new unlimited plan, and you don't need to trade anything to get that deal. We love that offer for folks who don't have a phone they can give back. 

Below you can find all the early iPhone 13 Black Friday deals available right now and some more advice on how to make the most of the end-of-year sales.

Black Friday iPhone 14 deals (US): quick links

Black Friday iPhone 13 deals are now starting to pop up here and there and with lots of big retailers like Best Buy and Walmart launching early Black Friday sales, there's already find some very convenient opportunities for iPhone and many other cell phone deals.

The best early Black Friday iPhone 13 deals in US

Apple iPhone 13 & 13 mini: 6-month plan free /w device at Mint Mobile
Mint Mobile is one of the most popular prepaid carriers right now thanks to their incredibly competitively priced plans. While this particular iPhone deal will see you paying for an iPhone 13 upfront - which is admittedly pricey - you'll be getting a nice 6-month plan free as a welcome bonus. With plans for as little as $20 per month, Mint is a great choice if you're looking to cut out those pricey unlimited plans at the major carriers. See this same deal on the iPhone 13 mini here

Apple iPhone 13 & 13 mini: <a href="https://mint-mobile.pxf.io/c/221109/444520/7915?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mintmobile.com%2Fproduct%2Fapple-iphone-13-bundle%2F" data-link-merchant="mintmobile.com"">6-month plan free /w device at Mint Mobile
Mint Mobile is one of the most popular prepaid carriers right now thanks to their incredibly competitively priced plans. While this particular iPhone deal will see you paying for an iPhone 13 upfront - which is admittedly pricey - you'll be getting a nice 6-month plan free as a welcome bonus. With plans for as little as $20 per month, Mint is a great choice if you're looking to cut out those pricey unlimited plans at the major carriers. See this same deal <a href="https://mint-mobile.pxf.io/c/221109/444520/7915?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mintmobile.com%2Fproduct%2Fapple-iphone-13-mini-bundle%2F" data-link-merchant="mintmobile.com"" data-link-merchant="mintmobile.com"">on the iPhone 13 mini here

Apple iPhone 13 mini: free with a new unlimited data plan at Verizon
No trade needed:

Apple iPhone 13 mini: <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-6361382-15733793?sid=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https://www.verizon.com/smartphones/apple-iphone-13-mini/" data-link-merchant="verizon.com"">free with a new unlimited data plan at Verizon
No trade needed:
This free iPhone 13 mini deal is one of the best iPhone offers available right now at Verizon. The iPhone 13 mini packs Apple's latest tech in a smaller form factor than its larger flagship counterparts. In the past, we've seen this device go for as little as $5 per month without the need for a trade so this week's promotion really takes it up a notch. We would say, however, that the iPhone 13 Pro (below) is better value right now since it's available for free under the same terms.

Apple iPhone 13: $5 with a new unlimited line at Verizon
Verizon's current deal on the iPhone 13 is amazing when you consider you don't need a trade-in to get this fantastic device for just $5 - just a new line on an unlimited data plan. What slightly ruins this deal's party is the fact that both the iPhone 13 mini (see below) and the iPhone 13 Pro are both available for free right now under the same terms, so we'd probably recommend those instead.
Total cost: $180 (plan req)&nbsp;&nbsp;|&nbsp;Monthly cost: $5 (36 mo)

Apple iPhone 13: <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-6361382-15733793?sid=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https://www.verizon.com/smartphones/apple-iphone-13/" data-link-merchant="verizon.com"">$5 with a new unlimited line at Verizon
Verizon's current deal on the iPhone 13 is amazing when you consider you don't need a trade-in to get this fantastic device for just $5 - just a new line on an unlimited data plan. What slightly ruins this deal's party is the fact that both the iPhone 13 mini (see below) and the iPhone 13 Pro are both available for free right now under the same terms, so we'd probably recommend those instead.
Total cost: $180 (plan req)  | Monthly cost: $5 (36 mo)

Apple iPhone 13: $50 Apple Gift Card with purchase at Apple

Apple iPhone 13: <a href="https://apple.sjv.io/c/221109/435031/7613?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=trd-us&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.apple.com%2Fshop%2Fbuy-iphone%2Fiphone-13%2F6.1-inch-display-128gb-blue-unlocked" data-link-merchant="apple.sjv.io"">$50 Apple Gift Card with purchase at Apple
Apple isn't dropping the price on the iPhone 13 any further than it's already gone. Instead, just as we predicted, Apple will offer a $50 Apple Gift Card with the purchase of select devices. Those include both the iPhone 13 and the iPhone 13 mini. If you want to avoid signing up with a carrier, this may be the best Black Friday iPhone 13 deal you'll find. 

Apple iPhone 13 mini: $50 Apple Gift Card with purchase at Apple

Apple iPhone 13 mini: <a href="https://apple.sjv.io/c/221109/435031/7613?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=trd-us&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.apple.com%2Fshop%2Fbuy-iphone%2Fiphone-13%2F6.1-inch-display-128gb-blue-unlocked" data-link-merchant="apple.sjv.io"">$50 Apple Gift Card with purchase at Apple
Apple isn't dropping the price on the iPhone 13 mini any further than it's already gone. Instead, just as we predicted, Apple will offer a $50 Apple Gift Card with the purchase of select devices. Those include both the iPhone 13 mini and the larger iPhone 13. This is the last iPhone mini that you can buy directly from Apple, so this Black Friday iPhone deal could be the best pricing you'll find. 

Apple iPhone 13: $20 $10 with unlimited plan at AT&amp;TTotal cost: $360&nbsp;&nbsp;|&nbsp;Monthly cost: $10 (36 mo)

Apple iPhone 13: <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-6361382-15735111?sid=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https://www.att.com/buy/phones/apple-iphone-13-128gb-pink.html" data-link-merchant="att.com"">$20 $10 with unlimited plan at AT&T
AT&T's iPhone deals on the standard iPhone 13 have been switched up to offer a nice $10 monthly device discount that you don't even need a trade to get. This one isn't quite as good as this week's deals on the latest iPhone 14 in our opinion but it's a good option if you don't happen to have a highly valued device sitting around ready to trade.
Total cost: $360  | Monthly cost: $10 (36 mo)

Apple iPhone 13: $150 gift card with switch at Visibile Wireless

Apple iPhone 13: <a href="https://visible.pxf.io/c/221109/1394244/12909?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.visible.com%2Fshop%2Fsmartphones%2Fiphone-13%2F%3Fsku%3DMNGE3LL%2FA" data-link-merchant="visible.com"">$150 gift card with switch at Visibile Wireless
Here's one of our favorite alternative picks to the 'big carriers' - Visible Wireless. This prepaid network offers completely unlimited 5G data plans for as little as $30 per month and even better still, it's got its down iPhone deals for new customers. Port your number over and pick up an iPhone 13 from Visible and you'll get a $150 online gift card. It's not a huge bonus, but it's worth considering if you're looking to save cash in the long run.

Apple iPhone 13 &amp; 13 mini: save up to $720 with an eligible trade-in at AppleTotal cost w/ trade: $199 (13)&nbsp;&nbsp;|&nbsp;$99 (13 mini)

Apple iPhone 13 & 13 mini: <a href="https://apple.sjv.io/c/221109/435031/7613?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.apple.com%2Fshop%2Fbuy-iphone%2Fiphone-13" data-link-merchant="apple.com"">save up to $720 with an eligible trade-in at Apple
Going unlocked? If you want a new device you'll have to pick it up from Apple itself as it's the sole vendor for these kinds of devices right now. What you lack in choice, you can make up for in the form of trade-in rebates, however. Currently, a maximum saving of up to $600 is available, which isn't the highest Apple has offered but still pretty good considering the freedom you'll get by getting to pick and choose your carrier and plan.
Total cost w/ trade: $199 (13)  | $99 (13 mini)

Apple iPhone 13 Pro: free with unlimited plan at Verizon
No trade-in needed: Total cost: $0&nbsp;|&nbsp;Monthly cost: $0 (36 mo)

Apple iPhone 13 Pro: <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-6361382-15733793?sid=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https://www.verizon.com/smartphones/apple-iphone-13-pro/?" data-link-merchant="verizon.com"">free with unlimited plan at Verizon
No trade-in needed:
This is quite possibly the best iPhone deal of them all this week if you're not fussed about getting the latest device. The stunning iPhone 13 Pro is available for free currently without the need for a pesky trade-in, only a new line on an unlimited data plan. New customers will also get an additional $200 gift card, which offers a nice little welcome bonus on top.
Total cost: $0 | Monthly cost: $0 (36 mo)

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max: $10/mo with unlimited plan at Verizon
No trade-ins needed: Total cost: $360&nbsp;|&nbsp;Monthly cost: $10 (36 mo)

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max: <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-6361382-15733793?sid=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https://www.verizon.com/smartphones/apple-iphone-13-pro/?" data-link-merchant="verizon.com"">$10/mo with unlimited plan at Verizon
No trade-ins needed:
Alternatively, get that same type of discount applied to 2021's top-of-the-line iPhone, the iPhone 13 Pro Max. No trade-ins are needed here to get this absolutely amazing device for just $10 per month, simply pick one up with an eligible unlimited data plan. Note, as with most of Verizon's iPhone deals this week, new customers will also get an additional $200 gift card if they switch over.
Total cost: $360 | Monthly cost: $10 (36 mo)

Apple iPhone 13 Pro &amp; 13 Pro Max: $150 gift card with switch at Visible
A top prepaid choice for iPhone deals, new customers at Visible can now score themselves a free $150 online gift card at Visible this week. You'll be paying upfront for your device here, but it's a great long-term choice if you're looking to save on the entirety of your phone bills. Visible has unlimited 5G data plans for as little as $25 per month. Note that stock varies greatly by available colors and storage so perhaps go for this deal if you're not terribly picky. See this deal on the iPhone 13 Pro MaxTotal cost: $984 (iPhone 13 Pro) | $1080 (iPhone 13 Pro Max)

Apple iPhone 13 Pro & 13 Pro Max: <a href="https://visible.pxf.io/c/221109/1394244/12909?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.visible.com%2Fshop%2Fsmartphones%2Fiphone-13-pro%2F%3Fsku%3DMLTT3LL%2FA" data-link-merchant="visible.com"">$150 gift card with switch at Visible
A top prepaid choice for iPhone deals, new customers at Visible can now score themselves a free $150 online gift card at Visible this week. You'll be paying upfront for your device here, but it's a great long-term choice if you're looking to save on the entirety of your phone bills. Visible has unlimited 5G data plans for as little as $25 per month. Note that stock varies greatly by available colors and storage so perhaps go for this deal if you're not terribly picky. See this deal on the <a href="https://visible.pxf.io/c/221109/1394244/12909?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.visible.com%2Fshop%2Fsmartphones%2Fiphone-13-pro-max%2F%3Fsku%3DMLKP3LL%2FA" data-link-merchant="visible.com"" data-link-merchant="visible.com"">iPhone 13 Pro Max here.
Total cost: $984 (iPhone 13 Pro) | $1080 (iPhone 13 Pro Max)

Apple iPhone 13 Pro &amp; 13 Pro Max: 6 months free service for new customers at Mint Mobile
Mint Mobile's 6-month freebie for new customers also applies on the pricier iPhone 13 Pro models. While you'll be paying for a device upfront here, this is definitely one of the better iPhone deals on our list if you're looking to save some cash in the long run. With plans for as little as $20 per month - and with no contract - you'll wrack up some huge savings by going with a prepaid carrier and have the added bonus of being able to switch more easily down the line. See this deal on the iPhone 13 Pro Max

Apple iPhone 13 Pro & 13 Pro Max: <a href="https://mint-mobile.pxf.io/c/221109/444520/7915?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mintmobile.com%2Fproduct%2Fapple-iphone-13-pro-bundle%2F" data-link-merchant="mintmobile.com"">6 months free service for new customers at Mint Mobile
Mint Mobile's 6-month freebie for new customers also applies on the pricier iPhone 13 Pro models. While you'll be paying for a device upfront here, this is definitely one of the better iPhone deals on our list if you're looking to save some cash in the long run. With plans for as little as $20 per month - and with no contract - you'll wrack up some huge savings by going with a prepaid carrier and have the added bonus of being able to switch more easily down the line. See this deal on the <a href="https://mint-mobile.pxf.io/c/221109/444520/7915?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mintmobile.com%2Fproduct%2Fapple-iphone-13-pro-max-bundle%2F" data-link-merchant="mintmobile.com"" data-link-merchant="mintmobile.com"">iPhone 13 Pro Max here.

Black Friday iPhone 14 deals (UK): quick links

The best early Black Friday iPhone 13 deals in UK

iPhone 13: at Affordable Mobiles | Vodafone | £44 upfront | 250GB data | unlimited minutes and texts | £39/pm

iPhone 13: <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=92X363&xcust=hawk-custom-tracking&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftrack.webgains.com%2Fclick.html%3Fwgcampaignid%3D138485%26wgprogramid%3D1313%26product%3D1%26wglinkid%3D89473%26productname%3DiPhone%2B13%2B128GB%2BRed%26wgtarget%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.affordablemobiles.co.uk%2Fcontract%2Fiphone-13-128gb-productred%2Fvodafone-red-plan-250gb-39-24mths&sref" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - webgains.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">at Affordable Mobiles | Vodafone | £44 upfront | 250GB data | unlimited minutes and texts | £39/pm
Tired of topping up your mobile data every week? This Vodafone plan at Affordable Mobiles is one of the better iPhone 13 deals out there right now for high-data users. While you will pay a little more than usual, at 250GB monthly allowance most users will have way more than they need with this contract. Plus the upfront costs has recently been dropped from £69 to £44, so there's some more savings there. 

iPhone 13: at Mobile.co.uk | iD | £29 upfront | 100GB data | unlimited minutes and texts | £37.99/pm

iPhone 13: <a href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=380&awinaffid=103504&clickref=hawk-custom-tracking&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mobiles.co.uk%2Fapple-iphone-13-128gb-green%3Faffiliate%3Dawinm-103504%26sv_campaign_id%3D103504%26sv_tax1%3Daffiliate%26sv_tax2%3D%26sv_tax3%3DFuture%2BPublishing.%26sv_tax4%3D0%26sv_affiliate_id%3D103504%26awc%3D380_1662543793_076232ecfc1dc09a86dfa7e182e2b542%26utm_source%3DAwin%26utm_medium%3DAffiliate%26utm_campaign%3DTechRadar%26tariffcode%3DWM666FEB22" data-link-merchant="mobiles.co.uk"">at Mobile.co.uk | iD | £29 upfront | 100GB data | unlimited minutes and texts | £37.99/pm
This one's a good deal if you are not too fussed about what provider you go with. While iD Mobile isn't exactly the most popular network, it's still really good and with this deal you will get a new iPhone 13 as well as unlimited data, texts and calls. Upfront costs are also fairly low and you can now get a free trial of three months for Apple TV and Apple Music. 

iPhone 13: at Tesco Mobile | Tesco | £0 upfront| 25GB data | unlimited minutes and texts | £32.99/pm

iPhone 13: <a href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=7093&awinaffid=103504&clickref=hawk-custom-tracking&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tescomobile.com%2Fiphone-13%3Fcolor%3D%28product%29_red%26tariff%3D12gb%26memory%3D128gb%26puf%3D0%26tenure%3D1%26awc%3D7093_1662997905_850a1ebe1014f864c110ce1a6c4dd23d%26utm_source%3DTechRadar_103504%26utm_medium%3Daffiliate%26utm_campaign%3Daffiliate" data-link-merchant="tescomobile.com"">at Tesco Mobile | Tesco | £0 upfront| 25GB data | unlimited minutes and texts | £32.99/pm
This deal at Tesco Mobile spreads the cost of the phone over 36 months to make it cheaper and you will still get enough data to get by and unlimited minutes and texts. If you are someone who doesn't stream lots of videos and films on your phone, 25GB will be more than enough to scroll through social media, check emails and messages. 

iPhone 13 Pro: at Mobiles.co.uk | Vodafone | £85 upfront | 250GB data | Unlimited calls and texts | £47 per month

iPhone 13 Pro: <a href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=380&awinaffid=103504&clickref=hawk-custom-tracking&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mobiles.co.uk%2Fapple-iphone-13-pro-128gb-gold%3Ftid%3DLLSBMFEB22" data-link-merchant="mobiles.co.uk"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">at Mobiles.co.uk | Vodafone | £85 upfront | 250GB data | Unlimited calls and texts | £47 per month
While we've previously seen Mobiles.co.uk offer an unlimited Vodafone tariff for around the same price, this 250GB plan is easily one of the best iPhone 13 Pro deals out there right now and its upfront cost has recently come down to £85 from £150. For the price, you're getting about double the usual data allowance here while keeping the monthly costs in check.

iPhone 13 Pro: at Fonehouse | Three | £35 upfront | 100GB data |Unlimited data calls and texts | £49 per month

iPhone 13 Pro: <a href="https://www.awin1.com/pclick.php?p=32318744829&a=103504&m=6224" data-link-merchant="awin1.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">at Fonehouse | Three | £35 upfront | 100GB data |Unlimited data calls and texts | £49 per month
For iPhone 13 Pro deals on the Three network we'd recommend this 100GB data plan at Fonehouse. It's reasonably priced, features plenty of data, and you won't have to pay through the nose upfront either as a nice little side bonus. Not only that, but it's actually the cheapest tariff we've found on the network.

iPhone 13 Pro Max: at Mobiles.co.uk | Vodafone | £100 upfront&nbsp;| 250GB data | Unlimited calls and texts | £51 per month

iPhone 13 Pro Max: <a href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=380&awinaffid=103504&clickref=hawk-custom-tracking&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mobiles.co.uk%2Fapple-iphone-13-pro-max-128gb-silver%3Ftid%3DLFLBMFEB22" data-link-merchant="mobiles.co.uk"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">at Mobiles.co.uk | Vodafone | £100 upfront | 250GB data | Unlimited calls and texts | £51 per month
Here's a really great value iPhone 13 Pro Max deal from Mobiles.co.uk. It's not quite the cheapest tariff on the market, but you're getting a nice balance of upfront and monthly costs here - plus more than enough data for most users. Being on Vodafone too, you'll be on a rock-solid network nationwide.

iPhone 13 Pro Max: at Carphone Warehouse | iD| £89 upfront&nbsp;| 100GB data | Unlimited calls and texts | £51.99 per month

iPhone 13 Pro Max: <a href="https://www.awin1.com/pclick.php?p=32027395533&a=103504&m=2264" data-link-merchant="awin1.com"">at Carphone Warehouse | iD| £89 upfront | 100GB data | Unlimited calls and texts | £51.99 per month
While ID Mobile is a name that doesn't carry the same weight as EE, O2, and the like, it's generally much cheaper and this deal will get you the iPhone Pro Max at a relatively cheap price with plenty of data to stream all you want and still have excess data to use at the end of the month.

More of today’s best iPhone 13 deals

Should you wait for a Black Friday iPhone 13 deal?

The easy answer here is no. From our analysis of previous years, and in particular last year, iPhone deals on older devices - which iPhone 13 is now - start landing as soon as early October.

For example, last year we saw prices on the iPhone 12 dropping to their lowest yet in early October and early November, and actually, those really cheap deals didn’t come back during Black Friday. 

The moral of the story - if you see a good deal, snatch it up before it’s gone.

Black Friday iPhone 13 deals: Our predictions

The iPhone 13 Pro Max in Sierra Blue in hand against a blurred nature background

(Image credit: TechRadar)

When will the best Black Friday iPhone 13 deals start in 2022? 

This year we are predicting even more deals starting in October than previously seen. Last year, Black Friday iPhone 13 deals weren’t as impressive as 2020 and overall Adobe’s 2021 Holiday shopping report found that the discount percentage average went down from 14 per cent in 2020 to 8 per cent in 2021. 

iPhone 12 deals last year were the equivalent of the iPhone 13 deals this year - the one-year old phone that is still really good value. We noticed that while on the day deals weren’t as good as the previous year, iPhone 12 sales were much more discounted in October and early November. 

So, what does that mean for this year? We believe this will be mirrored this year with prices starting out pretty low already from mid-October for iPhone 13 deals. 

Where will the best iPhone 13 Black Friday deals be?

But of course all of the best Black Friday iPhone 13 deals will be right here. But if you want to do some research ahead of time or would like to start shopping yourself now, we have prepared a complete list of the best retailers to browse for SIM-free, contract, trade-in, and buy now pay later deals. 

US iPhone 13 deals

UK iPhone 13 deals

How good will this year’s Black Friday iPhone 13 deals be?

Let’s be completely honest, last year’s Black Friday deals weren’t anything to write home about, but consumer demand was still pretty high. This year we are sort of expecting a change in direction because demand will be a lot lower due to the cost of living and energy crisis.

For that reasons we think deals will be pretty good come Black Friday. The launch of iPhone 14 has already brought prices of iPhone 13 models down by $100 and during the Black Friday sale we can expect at least another $30 to $50 off - which in total would make a saving of up to $150.

Should I buy an iPhone 13 - or upgrade to iPhone 14 on Black Friday? 

This is what most of us are all thinking right now. The iPhone 14 is the most up-to-date iteration with a camera that has been improved even further - particularly in low-light conditions - and a new A16 Bionic chip processor with a 5-core GPU. iPhone 14 deals at the moment are pretty expensive and while they will see some sort of discount during Black Friday and other retail events, it probably won't be as significant as for iPhone 13. 

It could be a good time to start searching for iPhone 13 Pro deals, on the other hand. It is a slightly older phone that will still give you great performance, battery life, and an excellent camera. Its age and (still) expensive price are the main reasons to consider moving straight to the iPhone 14. And while you might get a good deal during Black Friday, it's likely you will still have to spend over £500 to bring home an iPhone 13. For that price, some may find that you might as well spend an extra £100/150 to get the latest version.

Will the iPhone 13 sell out over Black Friday?

Last year we experienced a lack in stock of iPhone 13 due to shortages in chips, which was also aggravated by the increase in sales over Black Friday. So will that repeat this year?

Apple has repeatedly said that they have been taking measures to prevent any shortages during the release of iPhone 14. A lot of retailers, in theory, will have stocked up on the devices for Black Friday, allowing them to still offer the iPhone 13 devices. But, even if this is true, it will likely mean retailers will have to limit the number of devices they sell.

In other words, expect limited stock, long delivery times and maybe some limitations on colours and storage with your iPhone 13 this Black Friday.

What factors should you consider when buying an iPhone?

There are a few factors to keep in mind when making your purchase of a new iPhone. Whether you're looking for something SIM-free or on a contract, you'll have to know what you're looking for:

SIM-free or contract:
This will be a big decision you'll have to make but it will likely be an easy one - do you want to buy your new device on a contract or as a SIM-free device.

If you go for a contract, most of your costs will be bundled into monthly payments making it easier to pay. However, this will be the overall more expensive option and will likely tie you in for longer.

Alternatively, a SIM-free phone will be cheaper overall and gives you more freedom but, it will require a much larger payment at the start having to buy the phone outright.

Data caps:
On almost all SIM plans and phone contracts these days, your calls and texts will be unlimited or well into the thousands. The factor that usually differentiates is data.

It can be hard to know how much data you'll need but a basic rule is that the majority of people these days will need more than 5GB. If you don't stream or download on the go, you could get by with under 5 for social media, maps and general internet searches.

We'd say look for something between 20-50GB. Of course, over Black Friday a lot of retailers will offer data boosts or loads of data for less. Having more than you need is always better than less!

Model:
Possibly the biggest factor to consider - which iPhone do you want? There are currently four groups for iPhone 13: the base model iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max. These vary in both price and specs.

Those who want something more powerful should stick with the 13 Pro Pro Max but those on a tighter budget will find the iPhone 13 Mini to be a better choice.

Apple is in a somewhat fortunate position that most retailers will want to have the best prices on its devices. This means no matter which iPhone you're interested in, you should be able to find a good price.

3 best iPhone 13 to watch out for on Black Friday

An iPhone 13 Pro Max being held in a hand

(Image credit: TechRadar)
One of the most powerful big-screened iPhone experiences

Specifications

Weight: 240g
Dimensions: 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.7mm
OS: iOS 15
Screen size: 6.7-inch
Resolution: 1284 x 2778
CPU: A15 Bionic
RAM: 6GB
Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB
Battery: Up to 28 hours
Rear camera: 12MP+12MP+12MP
Front camera: 12MP

Reasons to buy

+
Useful camera upgrades
+
Excellent battery life

Reasons to avoid

-
120Hz screen is minimal upgrade
-
Cinematic mode is quite basic

The iPhone 13 Pro Max is the best and most exciting of Apple’s iPhone 13 range, with the battery life being an unexpected highlight. A whole lot of power here, thanks to Apple’s A15 Bionic chipset, which provides significantly better performance not just than previous iPhones, but also more than most Android devices.

The camera has also seen an upgrade, with low light shots particularly impressing, and the new macro mode opening the iPhone range up to a whole new type of photography. As the difference between this device and iPhone 14 is a lot less marked this year, this will be a very popular phone during the Black Friday sale - so you might want to get on it early if you're aiming to buy one. 

An iPhone 13 Pro being held in a hand

(Image credit: TechRadar)
The better iPhone 14

Specifications

Weight: 204g
Dimensions: 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.7mm
OS: iOS 15
Screen size: 6.1-inch
Resolution: 1170 x 2532
CPU: A15 Bionic
RAM: 6GB
Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB
Battery: Up to 22 hours
Rear camera: 12MP+12MP+12MP
Front camera: 12MP

Reasons to buy

+
Strong battery life
+
Great performance

Reasons to avoid

-
Limited design changes
-
4K ProRes limited in 128GB

The iPhone 13 Pro has most of the same strengths and weaknesses as the iPhone 13 Pro Max, with its battery life being a highlight in our tests, if not quite as good as the Max model, and its A15 Bionic chipset providing stunning amounts of power.

Provided you can get a good 13 Pro deal that undercuts the 14, you get the same lead camera and chip but also gain a 120Hz ProMotion display, faster charging, better battery life, a better camera system, more memory and a nice finish, to name but a few benefits.

This is still an outstanding iPhone for those who want a relatively compact 6.1-inch display, or don’t want to spend as much as the iPhone 13 Pro Max costs.

An iPhone 13 mini being held in a hand

(Image credit: TechRadar)
Still the best small iPhone out there

Specifications

Weight: 131g
Dimensions: 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.7 mm
OS: iOS 15
Screen size: 5.4-inch
Resolution: 1080 x 2340
CPU: A15 Bionic
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/
Battery: 2,438 mAh
Rear camera: 12MP+12MP
Front camera: 12MP

Reasons to buy

+
Gorgeous design
+
Great hardware

Reasons to avoid

-
Limited charging compatibility 
-
Higher price than previous model

One big omission from the new iPhone 14 line is a new mini iPhone, making the iPhone 13 mini the last of its kind right now. The iPhone 13 mini is arguably still the best small phone on the market, thanks to a gorgeous compact design and some great hardware under the hood. 

Its 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen is smaller than many smartphones, but that means the phone fits comfortably in your hand and is easy to use single-handed. It looks great too, being notably brighter than the iPhone 12 mini before it. The camera is similarly improved year on year and its low-light performance is remarkably good on this camera too. What's more, it's all backed up by Apple's A15 Bionic chipset. The iPhone 13 mini is small yet mighty and still one of the only worthwhile options for small phone lovers.

Apple iPhone 13: $50 Apple Gift Card with purchase

Apple iPhone 13: <a href="https://apple.sjv.io/c/221109/435031/7613?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=trd-us&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.apple.com%2Fshop%2Fbuy-iphone%2Fiphone-13%2F6.1-inch-display-128gb-blue-unlocked" data-link-merchant="apple.sjv.io"">$50 Apple Gift Card with purchase
Apple isn't dropping the price on the iPhone 13 any further than it's already gone. Instead, just as we predicted, Apple will offer a $50 Apple Gift Card with the purchase of select devices. Those include both the iPhone 13 and the iPhone 13 mini. If you want to avoid signing up with a carrier, this may be the best Black Friday iPhone 13 deal you'll find. 

Philip Berne
US Mobiles Editor

Phil Berne is a preeminent voice in consumer electronics reviews, having reviewed his first device (the Sony D-EJ01 Discman) more than 20 years ago for eTown.com. He has been writing about phones and mobile technology, since before the iPhone, for a variety of sites including PCMag, infoSync, PhoneScoop, and Slashgear. He holds an M.A. in Cultural Theory from Carnegie Mellon University. 


Phil was the internal reviewer for Samsung Mobile, writing opinions and review predictions about top secret new devices months before launch. He left in 2017. He worked at an Apple Store near Boston, MA, at the height of iPod popularity. He has been a High School English teacher at Title I schools, and is a certified Lifeguard. His passion is smartphones and wearables, and he is sure that the next big thing will be phones we wear on our faces.

With contributions from