Best iPhone deals for October 2024: latest 16 series, free devices, and more
It's time to upgrade with this week's best iPhone deals
We've rounded up all the best iPhone deals into one neat little package right here for our readers. Looking to upgrade? No matter which kind of iPhone you're looking for you'll easily be able to compare all your options right here. We've got iPhone deals on all the latest devices as well as plenty of options for slightly older (and cheaper) models. You'll also find a range of carriers here as well as the best unlocked iPhone deal in our opinion.
We've separated our best iPhone deals list one easy to navigate list just down below, starting with our favorite deals on the new iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Don't skip out on the older models, however, as they're still superb choices and tumbling in price now there's a new series of flagships to consider.
Generally speaking, the best iPhone deals tend to be from big-name carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, where 'free devices' are often commonplace. We put free in quotation marks here because the larger networks nearly always require you to sign up for a lengthy (and pricey) unlimited data plan and often require you to trade-in an old device too. If you're eligible for the various criteria, however, then you can often get huge savings of up to $1,000 on the latest devices.
A good option if you want to skip out on the pricey unlimited plans is to trade in an old device at Apple itself, which is the sole retailer for unlocked iPhone deals. If you're not looking to trade, then Boost Infinity's latest promotion is well worth considering since it allows you to throw in a shiny new iPhone 16 Pro alongside an unlimited plan for as little as $65 per month.
With such long-lasting popularity and premium features, these phones often come with higher price tags than cell phone deals on their Android rivals. Luckily, there are iPhone deals everywhere if you know where to look, and if you're willing to do a little bit of legwork in comparing retailers, you'll also find some surprisingly affordable prices on even the best iPhones of 2024.
This week's best iPhone deals at a glance
- iPhone 16 series: up to $1,000 off with a trade-in and plan at Verizon
- iPhone 16 series: up to $1,000 off with a trade-in and plan at AT&T
- iPhone 16 Pro: device plus unlimited plan for $65/mo at Boost Mobile
- iPhone 15 Pro: $820 off with plan, plus free iPad and Apple Watch at Verizon
- iPhone 14: $799 $599, plus up to $650 off with a trade-in at Apple
- iPhone SE 2022: $379.99 $99.99 with a plan at Straight Talk
Today's best iPhone deals
1. Best deal on the iPhone 16 series
Apple iPhone 16 series: up to $1,000 off with a trade-in and plan, plus discounts on accessories at Verizon
Verizon's been dabbling with non-trade-in deals on the latest iPhone 16 series recently but right now it's the trade-in rebates that are taking over. Currently, the record-high rebate of up to $1,000 off is enough to get several devices in the range for free if your trade is valued highly enough. Available to both new and existing customers, Verizon is also offering an additional $280 off iPads and $120 off Apple Watches - including the latest Apple Watch 10. Note, however, that you will need an Ultimate unlimited plan to be eligible for these promotions. Other excellent iPhone deals on the latest series also include AT&T's trade-in rebates of up to $1,000 and Apple's own $650 trade-in rebate, which is the only choice for unlocked devices right now, unfortunately.
Buy it if:
✅ You want the latest and greatest
✅ You're looking for speedy unlimited data
2. Best deal on the iPhone 15 series
Apple iPhone 15 Pro: $820 off with a new line, plus discounts on accessories at Verizon
Arguably the strongest iPhone deal at any of the major carriers right now, Verizon's current iPhone 15 Pro deals gets you a $820 discount when you bundle it up with a new line on an unlimited data plan. That's enough to get the device for just $5/mo and this deal also has the distinct advantage of not being tied to the usual trade-in criteria. That makes it a much more flexible choice right now - although the device is a little older and you'll still need a new line.
Buy it if:
✅ You don't mind a slightly older device
✅ You don't want to be tied to a trade-in
3. A great all-inclusive iPhone deal
Apple iPhone 16 Pro: device plus unlimited plan for $65/mo at Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile's Infinite Access for iPhone plan is so, so strong if you're looking for the cheapest possible way to bag one of the latest devices without a trade-in. This plan allows you to bundle in a new iPhone 16 Pro right now alongside an unlimited data plan for just $65/mo and get a free device upgrade when the time comes. The caveat here is that Boost's unlimited data plan isn't quite as speedy as some of those found at the major carriers and is slightly more limited in terms of perks and 5G data allowance. For $65/mo though? This is super cheap.
Buy it if:
✅ You want the latest device
✅ You want a cheap plan on the side
4. Best unlocked iPhone deal
Apple iPhone 14: $799 $599, plus up to $650 off with a trade-in at Apple
Now the iPhone 16 has officially arrived, the older models have received a healthy upfront discount at Apple. For my money, the iPhone 14 is an absolute steal at its new retail price of just $599 upfront. Yes, it's a little older now but it's still an absolutely solid phone that performs well across a wide range of applications. It's still officially supported too - and is available with a decent trade-in rebate just like all the other iPhones at Apple right now.
Buy it if:
✅ You're fine with an older model
✅ You haven't decided on a plan
5. Best budget iPhone deal
Apple iPhone SE 2022 (unlocked): $429, plus up to $650 off with a trade-in at Apple
Looking for a cheap iPhone deal? Here's what we recommend. Firstly, either buy the iPhone SE 2022 outright at Apple itself or trade-in for an additional discount on this excellent budget iOS device. Secondly, we'd recommend pairing up your device with one of the best prepaid plans on the market. We'd particularly recommend Mint Mobile or Visible as great options thanks to their super cheap plans ranging from $15 to $45 per month on average currently. While you'll have to pay quite a bit for your device upfront here, this is a good route if you're aiming to save as much cash in the long run - and you won't be tied down for a two or three-year plan at a major carrier.
Buy it if:
✅ You're looking for flexibility and value
✅ You don't mind paying upfront
6. Another great cheap iPhone deal
Apple iPhone SE 2022: $379.99 $179.99 with a plan at Straight Talk
What makes the perfect pairing with a cheap prepaid plan? It's the affordable (but extremely capable) iPhone SE 2022. Right now, one of the best options is over at the carrier Straight Talk, which is offering the device for just $179 upfront when you bring your number over from a carrier. Straight Talk has plans for as little as $35 per month so it's a fantastic choice if you want to keep those bills as low as possible. Note that another great alternative to this Straight Talk deal is iPhone SE 2022 at Total By Verizon for $99. By comparison, Total has slightly higher-priced plans - but some may prefer to be on the Verizon network for coverage reasons.
Buy it if:
✅ You want a cheap all-in-one option
✅ Don't mind going for a prepaid carrier
More iPhone deals
Apple iPhone 16 deals
This is our page for all the latest deals on the brand new iPhone 16 series. Alongside brand new chipsets, upgraded cameras, and a range of eye-catching new colors, these flagships bring to the fore a new focus on AI integration. Subsequently, they're not just the most feature-packed iPhones yet, but also arguably the smartest.
iPhone 15 deals / iPhone 15 Plus deals
The standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are still outstanding buys for 2024. Outwardly, they're almost identical to the latest models, although they do lack the very latest components and computational features. Still, a great buy - and one that's much cheaper now thanks to recent price cuts from Apple and other retailers.
iPhone 15 Pro deals / iPhone 15 Pro Max deals
Last year's flagship devices, carrying the lion's share of upgrades for the 2023 generation. With a powerful chipset, 5x camera zoom, and a titanium chassis, these are still outstanding devices and worth every penny - especially if you can line up a great trade-in deal.
iPhone 14 deals / iPhone 14 Plus deals
The iPhone 14 may not be the latest device in the range now the iPhone 15 has been released but it's still a fantastic choice. Now $200 cheaper upfront at Apple, carriers are also offering some superb deals on this older device now - including ones that don't need the usual trade-in rebate.
iPhone 13 deals
The iPhone 13 is the Apple flagship from 2021 but it's still knocking around at a few select retailers. Not only is the chipsets inside and cameras decent, but the iPhone 13 share a design that is outwardly identical to the newer iPhone 14. If you're looking to save a bit of cash, this one is still worth considering depending on the deal.
iPhone SE 2022 deals
Apple's latest budget-focused device is here and 2022's iteration of the iPhone SE brings a number of welcome updates. Above all else, the A15 Bionic chip in this device gives it superb power to cost and enough grunt to easily zip through nearly any task. It is, however, rocking an oldschool design - one that's essentially based on the iPhone 8 from way back in 2017. Is this the right device for you? Check out our standalone piece for a full breakdown of this budget pick.
iPhone deals FAQ
What is the best iPhone for the lowest price?
Tough question, and it depends on whether you're looking to pick up a device via a larger carrier or via Apple itself.
For a carrier device, we'd recommend shopping around to see which iPhones you can get for free alongside a plan and going with the most recent model. For context, the iPhone 14 Plus has been given away with a new unlimited data line at Verizon these past few months, which is by far the best iPhone yet to be made available for free at a big carrier.
For unlocked devices, we'd probably recommend older the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 mini as the best options right now. The iPhone SE 2022 is technically cheaper than both, but not by much - and it doesn't feature the gorgeous modern design of the other two. Another great option is to check out the Apple certified refurbished store if you don't mind opting for a second-hand device.
Which company is offering free iPhones?
As of writing, most of the major carriers are offering free iPhones with unlimited data plans if you're willing to trade-in your current device.
For example, both AT&T and Verizon are currently offering up to $1,000 off a shiny new iPhone 14 Pro right now, which is more than enough to cover the entire cost of the device. For those not looking to trade, Verizon also offers the iPhone 14 Plus for free with an unlimited data plan - an awesome deal that's not tied to the usual trade-in either.
When is the best time to buy iPhone deals?
Like a lot of the other questions here, there isn't an exact answer but there are certain times that can offer better prices on Apple's phones.
- New releases: Like all other phones, when a new iPhone comes out we frequently see the other devices in Apple's arsenal come down in price. Apple generally releases phones in the August to October time window, so that's often a good time to upgrade.
- Black Friday: The yearly mega sale, Black Friday, can be the perfect time to get iPhone deals. Every year we see phones come crashing down in price and we'll be shouting out the best offers to grab when the time comes this year.
- Amazon Prime Day: Amazon's impressive sale for Prime Subscribers, we almost always see a load of cheap iPhones appear during this two day sale - as long as you're looking for an unlocked or prepaid device.
- Absolutely any day: Realistically, there isn't any specific time or place that is best for getting a new iPhone deal. There are price cuts, promotions and major discounts every day and you just have to catch them as they happen. Luckily, our iPhone deals round-up is here, freshly updated and aims to offer all the best from across the web.
To ensure you're getting the best deal, browse our Apple promo codes for potential discounts.
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Alex is TechRadar's deals editor, specializing in getting our readers the bang bang for the buck on the tech that we know and love. He's a dab hand at covering retailer events like Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day having over seven years of e-commerce experience at Future PLC; including bylines at our sister sites T3 and GamesRadar. Alex's expertise touches on most areas of TechRadar but he has a particular love for phones, laptops, and cameras, being an avid photographer. Outside of work, you'll find him indulging his love for street and travel photography, at home working on music, or down at the local climbing gym.