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Are you searching for today’s best iPhone deals? Apple is the most popular smartphone brand in the U.S., despite continued competition from Android phone makers like Samsung and Google (among many others). While Android smartphones combined may command a moderately larger global market share, no single brand alone — not even the Korean tech titan, Samsung — outpaces the venerable iPhone. It’s no secret that iPhones aren’t exactly cheap, but if you need a new one and are hungry for some smartphone deals, we can help. We’ve got a curated handful of the best iPhone deals and carrier offers right now, offering huge savings on everything from the iPhone SE to the iPhone 13. We also include savings available when you buy a recent model new or refurbished iPhone, which can be the best deals of all.
Today’s best iPhone deals
- Apple iPhone 11 (64GB, Verizon) — Free with Unlimited Plan
- Apple iPhone 13 (128GB, Verizon) — Free with Unlimited Plan & Trade-In
- Apple iPhone SE 3rd Gen (64GB, Verizon) — Free with Unlimited Plan
- iPhone 11 Pro Max 64GB (Refurbished, Unlocked) — $545, was $1,099
- iPhone 12 Pro Max 128GB (Refurbished, Unlocked) — $853, was $1,099
Apple iPhone 11 (64GB, Verizon) — free with unlimited plan
Why Buy
- Great camera module
- Fast processor
- All-day battery life
- Excellent value in 2022
After some odd naming conventions for its 10th-gen smartphone — you might remember that there was no iPhone 9 or iPhone 10 but there was an iPhone X — Apple returned to numbered models and brought another generation of improvements across the board with the iPhone 11 in 2019. Upgrades included increased battery life, a crisper and more vivid screen, and, of course, more raw horsepower from the onboard processor. In particular, Apple focused on the new camera module, bringing a three-camera setup that delivers snappy autofocus, great depth of field, and an incredible level of image fidelity. This system also offers new shooting modes thanks to its wide-angle lens (something that was curiously absent from the new Google Pixel 4).
The different models of the iPhone 11 feature varying screen sizes and building materials, and the numbering scheme can be a little confusing (although it’s arguably more consistent than previous releases): The iPhone 11 is the more budget-friendly alternative to the Pro models, sporting a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD display with a 1,792 x 828 resolution. The iPhone 11 takes after previous iPhones with an aluminum and glass body, while the Pro and Pro Max boast a gorgeous brushed steel aesthetic.
We concluded in our hands-on review that the iPhone 11 was all the phone that Apple users needed, and although it’s a few years in in 2022, that still holds true for shoppers looking for a new iPhone on a budget. The iPhone 11 launched with a starting price of $699, but you can get it for much, much cheaper now.
Apple iPhone 13 (128GB, Verizon) — free with unlimited plan and trade-in
Why Buy
- Fast performance
- Excellent photography and video recording
- Great battery life
- Best value among the latest iPhones
Apple announced its iPhone 13 lineup at the California Streaming event last September, but we all knew it was coming. The 13 lineup included a full suite of phones, including the standard model, a smaller Mini with similar specs, a beefed-up Pro and a super-beefy Pro Max. As with previous releases, the standard iPhone 13 is the one we recommend for most people, as it hits the sweet spot in terms of size, price, and performance.
All of the phones have a Super Retina XD display, with the standard iPhone 13 measuring 6.1 inches (the same size as the iPhone 12). Apple really hyped up the new camera in the iPhone 13 as well. It has improved light sensitivity for better low-light photos and videos. The Pro and Pro Max have Ultra Wide, Wide, and Telephoto cameras, although the standard and Mini do not. However, the photo apps themselves did get improvements with the upgrade to iOS 15, including a new Cinematic Mode. Smartphone photographers have a lot to like in the iPhone 13.
The iPhone 13 Mini was the cheapest of the bunch, launching at $699, while the standard iPhone 13 launched at $799. As Apple’s latest phone, your best bet for scoring iPhone deals on these newer models is with carrier signup offers, which can even get you one for free. That’s a fantastic bargain if you’re looking to switch carriers, upgrade to an unlimited plan, and/or have an older device you want to trade in toward something new. Note that the iPhone 13 Mini is no longer available on Apple’s website and there will be no iPhone Mini 14, according to Apple.
Apple iPhone SE 3rd Gen (64GB, Verizon) — free with unlimited plan
Why Buy
- Great performance thanks to A15 Bionic chip
- The most affordable new iPhone
- Pocket-friendly design
- Surprisingly good camera
If the ever-growing price tags and screen sizes of flagship iPhones have you down, you’re not alone. In 2020, Apple heeded the cries of fans and finally brought back the beloved iPhone SE for its second generation, which is an excellent mid-range alternative to the much pricier flagships. The new third generation was just announced at Apple’s Spring Event 2022. The new model comes loaded with the A15 Bionic chip, giving the SE the same six-core CPU as the flagship iPhone 13. Overall, it’s 2.2 times faster than the iPhone 8.
Along with the chipset, some other improvements that the 2022 iPhone SE bring to the table include 5G capability, a longer battery life (a notorious issue that plagued the second-gen SE), additional camera features, and a stronger glass front and rear. It still sports a pared-down camera module compared to its flagship counterparts, along with the chunky “forehead and chin” bezels of the iPhone 8, but for the money, the third-gen iPhone SE gives you a lot of phone, and it’s by far the cheapest entry point into the iOS ecosystem if you don’t want to buy refurbished.
The third-gen iPhone SE specs and design aren’t anything ground-breaking, but what should really grab your attention is the phone’s retail price of just $429. That’s an incredible value for a new Apple mobile. If you want a new iPhone and don’t want to pay flagship (or retail) prices, the iPhone SE is an easy choice.
iPhone 11 Pro Max 64GB (Unlocked) — $488, was $1,099
Why Buy
- Great battery life with fast charging
- Vibrant 6.5-inch Super Retina display
- Smooth and intuitive iOS experience
- Excellent camera module
When the iPhone 11 series launched in 2019, to say we were impressed is an understatement. At the time, our review team declared that the iPhone 11 Pro Max was not just the best iPhone ever made but the best smartphone ever made, period. That’s quite a bold statement, but it’s not one that we would make if it weren’t true. Now, in 2022, two new iPhone flagship generations have been released since the iPhone 11 was rolled out, but the 11 Pro Max is still a fantastic device, and it’s cheaper than ever now.
Following the 2018 iPhone XS series, the iPhone 11 was the first generation to feature a “Pro Max” model, which stood as a premium plus-sized upgrade over the standard flagships. It’s no surprise that the iPhone 11 Pro Max was the most expensive of the 2019 launch, and that has continued with the iPhone 13. Nonetheless, these high-end flagships boast some pretty amazing features, and if you’re willing to opt for a last-gen model, you can get a ton of phone for not nearly as much as you’d have paid even a year or two ago.
The iPhone 11 Pro Max is fitted with a 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR display with a 2,688 x 1,242 resolution, so it’s slightly smaller than the newer iPhone 12 Pro Max. It’s nonetheless not what you’d call a small phone by any means, and it’s definitely weighty in the hand. That’s thanks to the powerful hardware and superb camera module that’s packed in there, along with the generous battery that delivers all-day power without a hitch. At release, pricing for the iPhone 11 Pro Max started at $1,099, but ongoing iPhone deals are your chance to grab a one for far less.
iPhone 12 Pro Max 128GB (Unlocked) — $880, was $1,099
Why Buy
- Big, bold, and beautiful display
- World-class build quality
- Excellent hardware
- Superb camera module
2020 was a bit of an odd year for Apple (and for all of us, really), which released not three, not even four, but five new smartphones. Early that year we got the second-gen iPhone SE, although that one was technically part of the iPhone 11 generation as it runs on the same A13 Bionic chip). In October at Apple’s yearly fall event, the brand rolled out four new next-gen devices: The iPhone 12, the iPhone 12 Mini, the iPhone 12 Pro, and the iPhone 12 Pro Max. If you were in the market for a new Apple handset in 2020, you were given more options to choose from than any year prior.
To make things simpler, you can break down the four iPhone 12 models into two categories: The iPhone 12 and 12 Mini are the standard 2020 flagships, while the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max are the premium models. The standard iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro are the same size with 6.1-inch displays. The aptly named iPhone 12 Pro Max sits at 6.7 inches, making this one the obvious choice for those who don’t buck the trend of ever-bigger smartphones. All of the iPhone 12 models run on the A14 Bionic chip, but the Pro Max boasts some upgrades over the standard flagships including increased RAM, bigger storage options, and an enhanced camera module.
As you can imagine, the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max had the biggest price tags of the bunch, with the Pro Max being the highest-end pick with a launch MSRP starting at $1,099. However, iPhone deals on these are common now in the wake of the launch of the iPhone 13 line, so you don’t have to pay a fortune to score an iPhone 12 Pro Max today, nor do you even need to switch networks, trade in an old device, or sign up for an unlimited plan as you do with most carrier offers.
Should You Shop iPhone Deals Now or Wait Until Prime Day?
Prime Day is fast approaching. The major shopping holiday will be on July 12 and 13 this year. It might be worth your time to wait until then to buy your new iPhone. Amazon does sell unlocked iPhones that aren’t attached to a carrier yet. Apple products in general are one of the most popular Prime Day buys. However, it’s not the perfect place to shop for a new smartphone. All of the best deals above, for instance, are through carriers like Verizon or specialty smartphone retailers. It’s safe to say one of the above deals will be better than whatever Amazon has to offer. Also, when you shop on Prime Day you have to worry about the iPhone you want going out of stock as a thousand other people scramble for one. If you do wait for Prime Day iPhone deals, make sure you compare Amazon’s offers with other retailers before you checkout.
Editors’ Recommendations
