Best iPhone deals for December 2023: free devices, trade-ins, and cheapest unlocked prices
Our top 6 iPhone deals from a diverse range of retailers
You'll find all of this week's best iPhone deals on everything from the humble iPhone SE to the latest iPhone 15 lined up right here on this page. We've included plenty of options here for all budgets and better yet - there are a few holdovers from this year's Black Friday sales that you can still get your hands on this week.
1. This week's best iPhone deals
2. Pages for specific models
3. Tips and FAQ
First up, if you're looking for the very latest and greatest iPhone deals on the newest range, then the good news is you'll find superb options on the iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max available right now. Don't skip out on iPhone deals on the older models, however, as they are increasingly good value and these models still hold up great in 2023.
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 already really good, offering an iPhone 15 Pro and unlimited data plan for just $60 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 2023.
This week's best iPhone deals at a glance
- iPhone 14 Pro: free with an unlimited data plan (no trade) at Verizon
- iPhone 15 Pro: $1,000 off with a trade (any iPhone model) at Verizon
- iPhone 15 Pro: $1,000 off with a trade at AT&T
- iPhone 15 Pro: device plus unlimited plan for $60/mo at Boost Infinite
- iPhone 13:
$799$599, plus up to $650 off with a trade-in at Apple - iPhone 12:
$599.99$199.99 at Boost Mobile - iPhone SE 2022:
$379.99$149.99 with a plan at Straight Talk
Today's best iPhone deals
1. Best overall iPhone deal right now
Apple iPhone 14 Pro: free with an unlimited data plan, plus free iPad and Apple Watch at Verizon
No trade-in needed: Don't have an old iPhone ready to hand over for a trade rebate? One of the best Verizon deals available right now is on the slightly older iPhone 14 Pro. While stocks last, you can currently get this device for free alongside a new line on an unlimited data plan, which is a superb "freebie" if you're coming over fresh to Verizon. This promotion was originally available on the 14 Pro Max but that's sold out now so we'd highly recommend picking this one up sooner rather than later if you're interested. Note, you can also bundle in a free Apple Watch and iPad as part of a Black Friday special at Verizon right now - although device lines are paid separately.
Buy it if:
✅ You want a premium device without trading
✅ You're happy with a slightly older device
2. Best deal on the iPhone 15 series
Apple iPhone 15 Pro: up to $1,000 off with a trade-in, plus free iPad and Apple Watch at Verizon
Here we go folks - this is our favorite trade-in rebate available right now on Verizon. While the maximum saving of $1,000 off is nothing new on the excellent iPhone 15 Pro, Verizon is currently letting you hand over any iPhone model to achieve that maximum rebate. That means you can potentially hand over an old beater and get a shiny new Phone 15 Pro in return - plus, the free Apple Watch and iPad that we've already mentioned above. Note, this promo is only eligible with a new line on an unlimited data plan (upgraders can get up to $830 off).
Buy it if:
✅ You want the best deal on the latest device
✅ You need an unlimited data plan
3. A great all-inclusive iPhone deal
Apple iPhone 15 Pro: device plus unlimited plan for $60/mo at Boost Infinite
Here's a pretty awesome iPhone 15 deal that's new for this year. The company behind Boost Mobile has launched a new service specifically for iPhones over at its Boost Infinite site. This promotion offers you a completely unlimited data plan and an iPhone 15 Pro for just $60 per month. That's pretty damn great value by itself but Boost Infinite is also guaranteeing that you'll be able to upgrade to the next model in a year's time free of charge. Since this one isn't tied to the usual trade-in rebates at the major carriers it's one of the best iPhone 15 deals available in regard to barrier to entry. You could also potentially trade-in your device elsewhere then sign up at Boost Infinite with this promotion for even extra value.
Buy it if:
✅ You want the latest device
✅ You want to skip the trade in
4. Best unlocked iPhone deal
Apple iPhone 13: $799 $599, plus up to $650 off with a trade-in at Apple
Apple loves to discount the older devices once it releases a new model and this year it's the iPhone 13's turn to be the new budget king. Yeah, it's a little old now and the notch is noticeable when you compare it to the iPhone 15's new dynamic island but it's still a fantastic device. It's currently just $599 upfront new, which is a really reasonable price considering it still holds up.
Buy it if:
✅ You're fine with an older model
✅ You haven't decided on a plan
5. Best budget iPhone deal
Apple iPhone 12: $599.99 $149.99 at Boost Mobile
The iPhone 12 is now officially discontinued but it's still a great device in 2023 if you don't mind skipping out on the latest cutting-edge features. It's also dirt-cheap for new customers at Boost Mobile right now, which could be a great option if you're looking to break away from the usual lengthy unlimited plans at the big carriers. Boost has a number of really decently priced prepaid plans that make the perfect accompaniment to the 5G-enabled iPhone 12.
Buy it if:
✅ You're looking for maximum bang for the buck
✅ You're happy to skip the latest devices
6. Another great cheap iPhone deal
Apple iPhone SE 2022: $379.99 $149.99 with a plan at Straight Talk
StraightTalk has a really great upfront price for the iPhone SE 2022, which makes a good pairing with its range of prepaid plans. Versus the Best Buy option above, you'll be paying less upfront but you'll be locked into a carrier here - and potentially miss out on bring-your-own-device deals. This is a dirt cheap way to get a relatively new iPhone, however. Note that a great alternative to this deal is the iPhone SE 2022 at Total By Verizon for $149.99. The device is the same cost but the Total prepaid plans aren't quite as good value as those at StraightTalk in our opinion. Some may prefer to be on the Verizon network, however.
Buy it if:
✅ You want the cheapest option possible
✅ Don't mind going for a prepaid carrier
More iPhone deals
iPhone 15 deals / iPhone 15 Plus deals
Looking for the latest and greatest from Apple? We've got pages specifically handling this week's best promotions on the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus. These 'standard' models are fantastic buys thanks to their refreshed design, new chipsets, and hand-me-down features from the previous year's flagship Pro models. Put simply, they're excellent options and great if you don't want to splurge on the higher-end options.
iPhone 15 Pro deals / iPhone 15 Pro Max deals
For those who want the best of the best - consider our pages on the stunning iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. These outstanding devices carry the lion's share of upgrades for 2023 and bring a new chipset, 5x camera zoom, and a titanium chassis to the table as the main features. In a nutshell, these are extremely pricey devices but 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 $100 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 14 Pro deals / iPhone 14 Pro Max deals
The best iPhones from the previous generation, the vast majority of the 14-series upgrades were been consolidated on the stunning 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max. These lavish devices feature a heavily upgraded camera system and novel 'Dynamic Island' - a unique feature that hides that pesky front camera bump with a combination of interesting software integrations.
iPhone 13 deals / iPhone 13 mini deals
The iPhone 13 and 13 mini are the Apple flagship devices from 2021, although they're still really great today. Not only are the chipsets inside and cameras decent, but they share a design that is outwardly identical to the latest iPhone 14. If you're looking to save a bit of cash, these ones are definitely recommended.
iPhone 12 deals
Currently the oldest device you can buy new at the Apple store, the iPhone 12 is essentially now a 'budget' option from the brand. Despite not being the speediest iPhone around, the iPhone 12 still holds up surprisingly well for 2023 thanks to its modern design, display, and chipset that's sufficient enough for most tasks.
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.
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Alex is deals editor at TechRadar. With over three years of experience on-site and eight years working in e-commerce, Alex has made it his personal mission to share all his favorite tips, bargains, and deals with our readers here at TechRadar. At work, he specializes in computing, phones, and covering huge sales events like Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day. Outside of work, you'll find him indulging his keen love of photography and PC gaming, or down at the local climbing gym hanging off boulders far too difficult for his abilities. His editorial bylines also include contributions to T3 and GamesRadar.
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