Best for budget buyers seeking renewed models directly from Apple or major carriers.
Amazon Prime Day offers a "sweet spot" for mid-year upgrades on models 6–12 months old. High (Old Gen)
The cheapest time to buy an iPhone depends on whether you want the latest flagship or a previous-generation model. For the current model, and the post-holiday clearance (January to February) offer the highest savings. If you are looking for older models, the most significant price drops occur immediately following Apple’s annual launch event in September . Best Times to Buy by Category cheapest time to buy an iphone
Avoid buying an iPhone between . Prices for current models remain high even though they are only weeks away from being outdated, and the trade-in value of your current device will be at its lowest once the new model is officially announced.
Wait until Black Friday (November 27 in 2026) for carrier bundles and trade-in bonuses that can reach over $300 in value . Major retailers like Best Buy and Amazon often discount launch prices by $50–$100 during this window. Best for budget buyers seeking renewed models directly
September is the ideal time to buy models that were just replaced. Apple typically drops the official price of the preceding year's base model by $100 immediately after announcing a new series.
Look for post-holiday clearance sales to clear out inventory. High (Refurbished) For the current model, and the post-holiday clearance
Apple often releases official refurbished versions of the previous year's "Pro" models around May , frequently at their lowest historical prices. Annual Savings Calendar Potential Savings Recommended Action January – March High (Older Models)