You’ll save money by purchasing used, selecting the appropriate payment plan, and being aware of the optimum times to look for a discount. iPhones are not inexpensive. However, if you’re on a budget, there are certain ways to save money on an iPhone. Here are some pointers.
Trade-in or sell your old phone.
If you no longer require it as a backup, sell or trade-in your prior device. You may wind up with several hundred dollars in cash, gift cards, or credit toward a new iPhone. While selling a phone will normally earn you more money than trading it in, Edwards notes that it may be more of a nuisance. Calculate the resale or trade-in value of your device by contacting Apple, your carrier, or reputable third-party sources.
Purchase a previously owned iPhone
While used or refurbished phones can carry a stigma, when acquired from a reputable seller, they may be quite reliable (and economical) options. “Used” does not always imply a lower level of function. A well-maintained phone with a prior owner will have plenty of life remaining in it. Look for websites that verify sellers’ phone serial numbers or ESNs or that ask sellers to post verification photographs.
Select a payment scheme.
Purchasing a phone, as opposed to leasing, enables you to eventually sell or trade it and apply the proceeds toward a new phone. However, if you cannot afford the full price or do not like to pay it all at once, try paying for your iPhone in monthly instalments. Apple, as well as every other major carrier, offers its monthly payment plans. Certain contracts allow you to upgrade to a new phone after a specified period or after paying a specified percentage of the phone’s retail price. If you purchase a new iPhone every year, an upgrade plan may be the best option. Shop around for the best carrier or payment plan for your needs.
Buy an iPhone on promotion.
During the holiday shopping season, cell phone carriers and electronics shops offer some of their greatest iPhone offers, notably on Black Friday, the day following Thanksgiving. While fall is a great time to save, keep an eye out for specials year-round.
Purchase an older model.
September (or October, as the case may be this year) is one of the best months to purchase an iPhone, as new models are often launched and previous versions are discounted. Around the time of new iPhone releases, used technology marketplaces see an inflow of older iPhones, which pulls prices down.
Select a smaller phone.
iPhones with a larger screen and more storage capacity are more expensive. You can save a lot of money if you choose the basic model versus the beefed-up one.
