Cheapest Place to Buy an iPhone
We compare every current iPhone, from the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air to the budget 17e and recent refurbished models, across Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Target, B&H, Costco, eBay, and Apple. Here is where an iPhone is cheapest right now.
Prices updated September 2026 · live across 8+ retailers
The short answer
The cheapest place to buy an iPhone right now is Walmart, where the Apple iPhone 17e 256GB is $549, $50 below Apple’s $599 list price. For the lowest price overall, the Refurbished Apple iPhone 13 128GB starts at $248 refurbished at Back Market.
Live iPhone prices by model
Lowest in-stock price across every tracked retailer. Tap a price to go to the deal.
Cheapest refurbished iPhone options
Apple Certified Refurbished and authorized renewed units, the deepest legitimate discounts.
| Model | Lowest price | Best retailer | Deal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refurbished Apple iPhone 13 128GB | $248 | Back Market | View deal |
| Refurbished Apple iPhone 13 Pro 128GB | $307.01 | Back Market | View deal |
| Refurbished Apple iPhone 14 128GB | $429 | eBay | View deal |
| Refurbished Apple iPhone 15 128GB | $529 | eBay | View deal |
| Refurbished Apple iPhone 16 128GB | $555 | Walmart | View deal |
| Refurbished Apple iPhone 16 Pro 128GB | $625 | Back Market | View deal |
| Refurbished Apple iPhone 15 Pro 128GB | $679 | Apple | View deal |
| Refurbished Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB | $849 | Apple | View deal |
| Refurbished Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB | $949 | eBay | View deal |
How to get the cheapest iPhone
- Unlocked is the honest "cheapest." Carrier-store prices look low because they bundle a multi-year contract or trade-in. The table below is unlocked retail, the number you actually pay outright.
- The lowest new-iPhone prices come from Amazon, Walmart, and Costco rather than Apple, which holds list price. Best Buy frequently matches with activation deals on top.
- The previous generation is the value sweet spot. When a new iPhone launches, last year's model drops $100 or more, and a refurbished unit from Back Market, Amazon Renewed, or Apple lands 20 to 40 percent below the original price.
- Trade-ins are the biggest lever Apple offers. A working recent iPhone can cut $200 to $600 off, but compare the post-trade price against the live third-party low before committing.
- Storage tiers carry a steep Apple markup. If 256GB costs far more than 128GB, iCloud or offloading is often cheaper than the upgrade.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the cheapest place to buy an iPhone?+
For a new, unlocked iPhone the lowest prices are typically at Amazon, Walmart, or Costco rather than the Apple Store, which holds list price. The live table above shows the current lowest in-stock price across supported retailers. The cheapest option overall is usually a previous-generation or refurbished model.
Is it cheaper to buy an iPhone unlocked or through a carrier?+
Unlocked is cheaper in total cost. Carriers advertise low monthly pricing by tying the phone to a 24 or 36 month plan or a trade-in. Buying unlocked outright, the prices shown above, frees you to switch carriers and avoids long-term lock-in.
Should I buy a refurbished iPhone?+
Refurbished is the cheapest way into a given iPhone. Apple Certified Refurbished includes a full one-year warranty and a new battery for 15 percent or so off. Back Market, Amazon Renewed, and Swappa go lower with graded conditions and shorter guarantees. Always check the warranty and battery health.
When is the best time to buy an iPhone?+
Prices on the current generation fall most after a new iPhone launches each fall, and during the late-November sales week. Refurbished and prior-generation stock is the most discounted year-round. The table above tracks the live low so you do not have to time it perfectly.
How does TheresMac find the cheapest iPhone price?+
TheresMac aggregates live unlocked-retail prices for every current iPhone across more than eight major retailers and surfaces the lowest in-stock offer. Prices reflect the most recent update from our cross-retailer feed.
Related reading
Prices are aggregated from major retailers and may change. TheresMac may earn a commission on purchases made through links on this page. See our affiliate disclosure.