iPhone deals in May 2023: the best sim-free and contract iPhone offers

iPhone deals
(Image credit: Future)

iPhone deals are a really hot topic at the moment, what with the iPhone 14 launch adding to the diverse and exceptional choices Apple flagships provide. The launch of iPhone 14 also comes with the nice perk of earlier devices dropping in price.

So which device do you go for? That's a million dollar question right there. iPhone 13 Pro Max remains the best of Apple handset on sale at the moment, but obviously comes at a much bigger cost than the rest of the products - getting it with a contract might be your best option. On the other hand, iPhone 13 deals come a close second.

If you are looking for a device that is still pretty powerful but definitely more affordable, iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 11 are still great options and will be going further down in price with the release of iPhone 14.

And now that is also has a 2022 update, those looking for a cheap iPhone deals could also look into the iPhone SE (2022), which sports a low price and powerful processor. 

You can find our comparison of all of the best iPhone deals below or if you still want to know more about Apple's devices, you can read our brief reviews further down.

Remember to see how the latest Apple promo codes could help you save more too.

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iPhone 12 64GB
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iPhone SE (2020) 64GB
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iPhone 12 64GB
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iPhone SE (2020) 64GB
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iPhone 12 64GB
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iPhone SE (2020) 64GB
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iPhone 12 64GB
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iPhone SE (2020) 64GB
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iPhone 12 64GB
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iPhone 12 64GB
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iPhone deals: which is the best?

  • Best value iPhone 13
  • Most powerful: iPhone 13 Pro Max
  • Best cheap iPhone: iPhone SE (2022)
  • Low costs, high specs: iPhone 12
  • Best secondhand iPhone: iPhone X
  • Best small iPhone: iPhone 13 Mini

Which iPhone should I go for?

Apple iPhone 13, 13 mini, Pro and Pro Max:

iPhone 13 deals

(Image credit: Future)
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iPhone 13

OS:
iOS 15 | Screen size: 6.1-inch | Resolution: 1170 x 2532 | Memory: 4GB Ram | Weight: 174g | Dimensions: 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.7mm |Storage: 128/256/512GB | Battery: 3240mAh | Rear camera: 12MP | Front camera: 12MP 

Apple's main model from the new iPhone 13 series, this is the perfect blend of pricing and specs from Apple. It features Apple's new powerful A15 Bionic chip as well as improvements to the strength and brightness of the display and a boost in the specs of the camera.

Read more:
iPhone 13 deals

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iPhone 13 mini

OS:
iOS 15 | Screen size: 5.4-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 2340 | Memory: 4GB Ram | Weight: 174g | Dimensions: 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.7mm |Storage: 128/256/512GB | Battery: 2438mAh | Rear camera: 12MP | Front camera: 12MP 

The cheapest of Apple's iPhone 13 series, the iPhone 13 mini is a smaller, one-handed smartphone sitting at just 5.4-inches. While it is smaller than the rest of the iPhone 13 devices, it still features the same processor and camera set-up as the iPhone 13. Other than a slightly smaller battery, display and drop in brightness of the display, there isn't a huge amount of difference.

Read more:
iPhone 13 mini deals

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iPhone 13 Pro

OS:
iOS 15 | Screen size: 6.1-inch | Resolution: 1170 x 2532 | Memory: 4GB Ram | Weight: 174g | Dimensions: 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.7mm |Storage: 128/256/512GB | Battery: 3240mAh | Rear camera: 12MP | Front camera: 12MP 

The iPhone 13 Pro is the upgraded version of the iPhone 13. It adds in an additional camera lens, a major boost in the battery, boosts the size of the display and makes improvements to the overall performance of the device including the addition of an 120Hz refresh rate display.

Read more:
iPhone 13 Pro deals

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iPhone 13 Pro Max

OS:
iOS 15 | Screen size: 6.7-inch | Resolution: 1284 x 2778 | Memory: 6GB Ram | Weight: 240g | Dimensions: 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.7mm |Storage: 128/256GB/1TB | Battery: 4373mAh | Rear camera: 12MP + 12MP | Front camera: 12MP 

Currently still one of Apple's most powerful handsets. The iPhone 13 Pro Max offers the best of Apple's technology, an amazing processor, a massive 4373mAh battery, a triple lens set-up and a massive 6.7-inch body. While it is by no means affordable, the iPhone 13 Pro Max will stand out as Apple's best.
Read more:
iPhone 13 Pro Max deals

Apple iPhone 12, 12 mini, Pro and Pro Max:

iPhone 12 deals

(Image credit: Future)
Image

iPhone 12

OS:
iOS 14 | Screen size: 6.1-inch | Resolution: 1170 x 2532 | Memory: 4GB Ram | Weight: 164g | Dimensions: 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4mm |Storage: 64/128/256GB | Battery: 2815mAh | Rear camera: 12MP | Front camera: 12MP 

Apple's iPhone 12 is going to be the device many gravitate to from Apple's latest range. It sits comfortably in the middle, blending specs and costs. With Apple's A14 Bionic chip, an impressive dual camera set-up and a decent size battery, it's an all-round high performing device.
Read more:
iPhone 12 deals
iPhone 12 review

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iPhone 12 mini

OS:
iOS 14 | Screen size: 5.4-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 2340 | Memory: 4GB Ram | Weight: 135g | Dimensions: 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4mm |Storage: 64/128/256GB | Battery: 2227mAh | Rear camera: 12MP + 12MP | Front camera: 12MP 

The iPhone 12 Mini is a special iPhone. Despite its smaller than average size at just 5.4-inches, it is very much a powerful 2020 iPhone. It comes with Apple's A14 Bionic chip, 5G capabilities, Apple's new Magsafe feature and a whole lot more. Really, this is the phone for those who like the SE but need something a bit more powerful.

Read more:
iPhone 12 mini deals
iPhone 12 mini review

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iPhone 12 Pro

OS:
iOS 14 | Screen size: 6.1-inch | Resolution: 1170 x 2532 | Memory: 6GB Ram | Weight: 189g | Dimensions: 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4mm |Storage: 128/256/512GB | Battery: 2815mAh | Rear camera: 12MP + 12MP  + 12MP | Front camera: 12MP 

For those who like the sound of the iPhone 12 but aren't quite happy with the size of it, the iPhone 12 Pro will be the choice that makes more sense. It ups the size and improves on features like pixel density.

Read more:
iPhone 12 Pro deals
iPhone 12 Pro review

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iPhone 12 Pro Max

OS:
iOS 14 | Screen size: 6.7-inch | Resolution: 1284 x 2778 | Memory: 6GB Ram | Weight: 228g | Dimensions: 160.8 x 78.5 x 7.4mm |Storage: 128/256/512GB | Battery: 3687mAh | Rear camera: 12MP + 12MP  + 12MP | Front camera: 12MP 

Here it is - Apple's most powerful phone. The iPhone 12 Pro Max brings everything up to the highest level with a 3687mAh battery, powerful triple lens camera, 6.7-inch display, 5G capacity and a new A14 Bionic chip - the most powerful on the market. But obviously with that in mind, this is a pretty pricey phone.

Read more:
iPhone 12 Pro Max deals
iPhone 12 Pro Max review

Apple iPhone 11

iPhone deals

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iPhone 11

OS:
iOS 13 | Screen size: 6.1-inch | Resolution: 828 x 1792 | Memory: 4GB Ram | Weight: 194g | Dimensions: 150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3mm |Storage: 64/128/256GB | Battery: 3110mAh | Rear camera: 12MP + 12MP | Front camera: 12MP 

The iPhone 11 was until very recently our favourite iPhone and in many ways, still is. Although the iPhone 12 is now available to buy, the iPhone 11 saw a very considerable price drop after Apple's latest was released. This now makes it a device well worth investing in if its prices were originally too high for you.

Read more:
iPhone 11 deals
iPhone 11 review

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iPhone 11 Pro

OS:
iOS 13 | Screen size: 5.8-inch | Resolution: 1125 x 2436 | Memory: 4GB Ram | Weight: 188g | Dimensions: 144 x 71.4 x 8.1mm |Storage: 64/256/512GB | Battery: 3190mAh | Rear camera: 12MP + 12MP + 12MP | Front camera: 12MP 

While it is no longer the latest top-tier handset from Apple, the iPhone 11 Pro remains an excellent choice. It features high-end specs, a massive 3190mAh battery, top performing camera and a stylish design...but at a lower price than the iPhone 12 Pro.


Read more:
iPhone 11 Pro deals
iPhone 11 Pro review

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iPhone 11 Pro Max

OS:
iOS 13 | Screen size: 5.8-inch | Resolution: 1125 x 2436 | Memory: 4GB Ram | Weight: 188g | Dimensions: 144 x 71.4 x 8.1mm |Storage: 64/256/512GB | Battery: 3190mAh | Rear camera: 12MP + 12MP + 12MP | Front camera: 12MP 

When it released, the iPhone 11 Pro Max was both Apple's best and most expensive device yet. While it has now fallen behind the iPhone 12 Pro Max, it remains an excellent option. It provides top-tier specs and a stylish design while also offering a slightly more affordable price now.

Read more:
iPhone 11 Pro Max deals
iPhone 11 Pro Max review

Apple iPhone SE:

iPhone deals

(Image credit: Future)
Image

iPhone SE

OS:
iOS 13 | Screen size: 4.7-inch | Resolution: 750 x 1334 | Memory: 3GB Ram | Weight: 148g | Dimensions: 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3mm |Storage: 64/128/256GB | Battery: 1821mAh | Rear camera: 12MP | Front camera: 7MP 

They finally did it! A second generation edition of the hugely popular iPhone SE. Apple made some improvements - the super-powered A13 Bionic chip, 4K video and more - but also went back to the iPhone 8 design, giving you essentially an over-powered iPhone 8, not bad right?

Read more:
iPhone SE deals
iPhone SE review

Refurbished iPhone deals:

If you're really looking to get an iPhone on a budget, the best way could be to go refurbished. This will save you money in the long run and in most cases, the handsets are actually pretty much brand new.

Are refurbished iPhone deals any good?

Looking to bag a cheap iPhone? Refurbished could well be the way to go. When you invest in a refurbished iPhone, you're looking to save a good few hundred pounds. Everything from the iPhone XS Max to the iPhone 6S can be found through refurbs. 

There is a certain stigma about refurbished iPhone deals. People expect a phone covered in fingerprints and weird marks you can't quite place. Luckily, most of these issues don't actually occur on refurbished devices.

The large majority of second-hand phones have simply been bought and returned in a few weeks. Also, most iPhone deals coming to you refurbished have a 12 month warranty.

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Apple iPhone 12
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Refurbished iPhone 12 64GB -...
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Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max,...
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Apple iPhone 12 Mini, 128GB,...
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Apple iPhone 11 Pro, 512GB,...
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Apple iPhone 11 Pro, 512GB,...
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Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max,...
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Apple iPhone XR, US Version,...
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Apple iPhone 8, US Version,...
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iPhone deals FAQ:

How can I sell my old iPhone?

If you're lucky, when it comes to getting a new phone you will have an old one that is still in good nick. This puts you in the perfect position to sell your old phone and save some cash overall. You can use our full how to sell my phone guide or try using sellmymobile:

ed's choice
SellMyMobile

There are a lot of websites where you can sell your old mobile phones but one of the best options is SellMyMobile. Where it differs to other such sites is the fact that it brings together a host of available websites, giving you some choice.

It ranks your options based on price, how long it takes to get you paid, Trustpilot score and more. This way you can focus on the options that you trust the most and that will pay you the most.

Obviously the major benefit here is the range you are getting supplied. Instead of just getting one price, you can get an idea of how the market is looking in general and understand if the price you choose is a good one.

When is the next iPhone coming out?

The iPhone 14 is being launched this week with pre-orders likely to go live Friday September 9 and that means that most of the previous models will get at least a little bit of a discount. 

That will mean that you will be able to get a really good deal on the iPhone 13 devices as they still are some of Apple's best devices yet, offering a reduction in price and a boost in specs at the same time.

Does Apple have any 5G iPhone deals?

Apple finally joined the world of 5G in 2020 with the release of its iPhone 12 range. This includes four phones that offer this increased speed and latency, giving a decent amount of choice.

However, the most interesting is likely to be the iPhone 12 Mini. It is the smallest 5G phone around and despite its lower price tag, it still packs in a high-power processor and other important specs.

As for the other three - the iPhone 12, 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max, all three are some of the best smartphones on the market with market-leading specs in pretty much all areas - especially cameras and processors.

Now that Apple has released 5G iPhones, we would imagine all Apple devices that follow from now will be 5G or come with the option of 4G or 5G.

How can I get cheap iPhone deals?

There are a few ways to land yourself a cheap iPhone, mainly by going for older devices or the more affordable options. Depending on what you'd consider 'cheap' there are a few options.

The iPhone SE is the device that best fits the definition, offering super low prices for 2020 specs. In fact, the iPhone SE feels like the best cheap iPhone we've ever seen from Apple.

The iPhone 11 is also better value than it's ever been before. This handset can be yours at a far lower cost than usual after both saw some tremendous price drops.

Devices older than the iPhone X, while theoretically cheaper, are hard to come by. Stock has dried up on most of them and therefore good deals on them are rare. With that in mind, the iPhone SE, 11 and XR are the best choices on a budget.

iPhone 12 Mini

(Image credit: Apple / TechRadar)

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. With the iPhone 11 now out this is the time to invest. Your next Apple release will be in 2020.

- 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 back around.

- 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 don't mind going SIM-free.

- 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, we will be catching all of them as they appear and gathering them in our chart at the top of this page.

What is the cheapest iPhone?

Right now, the cheapest iPhone you can get is the new 2020 iPhone SE. There are cheaper iPhones out there but these have now all been discontinued. The benefit of the iPhone SE is that it is cheap...but also very powerful.

The next cheapest iPhone after that which is still available is the iPhone XR. This is an older device that has clung on in the Apple world and can get you a full size iPhone at a decent price.

  • Get extra security and IP spoofing with these iPhone VPN apps
Andrea Gaini
Phones and Broadband Deals Editor

Andrea is a Deals Editor at TechRadar specialising in phones and broadband deals. He’s worked as a tech and science journalist for two years, writing about all things phones, wearables and sports gear for consumer publications including the likes of Runner’s World and Metro Online, as well as more specialist magazines such as Materials World and Wales Business Insider. Andrea spends most of his awake-time scouring the internet for deals and promotions for all kinds of gadgets, restaurants and his favourite snack boxes. He can often be found in a pool chasing after a ball (aka water polo).

With contributions from