A new iPhone costs more this year than last. In September 2026 Apple raised the price of every older iPhone it still sells by $100, and the new iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199. This guide covers the choices that actually lower what you pay: where you buy, which model and storage you pick, and what you do with the iPhone you already have.
Quick Answer
The biggest saving comes from buying a used iPhone one or two generations back, unlocked, with only the storage you need. A used iPhone 16 typically sells for around $525 on Swappa, against $799 new from Apple. Then sell your old iPhone yourself instead of trading it in, which usually puts $100 to $250 more toward the new one. Carrier “free iPhone” deals can work, but only if you stay on the plan for the full 24 to 36 months.
What an iPhone Costs New vs. Used Right Now
Every iPhone has the same apps, the same App Store, and the same iOS updates no matter where you buy it. The only thing that changes is the price, and the gap between new and used got wider this year. Apple raised the iPhone 17e, iPhone 16, iPhone 17, and iPhone Air by $100 each on September 9, 2026, and it discontinued the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max. The details are in iPhone 17 Price Increase: What It Means for Used Buyers.
| New From Apple | Apple Price | Used Alternative on Swappa | Typical Used Sale Price | You Save About |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17e (256GB) | $699 | iPhone 17e (256GB) | $516 | $180 |
| iPhone 16 (128GB) | $799 | iPhone 16 (128GB) | $526 | $270 |
| iPhone 17 (256GB) | $899 | iPhone 17 (256GB) | $723 | $175 |
| iPhone Air (256GB) | $1,099 | iPhone Air (256GB) | $704 | $395 |
| iPhone 18 Pro (256GB) | $1,199 | iPhone 17 Pro (256GB) | $911 | $290 |
| iPhone 18 Pro Max (256GB) | $1,299 | iPhone 17 Pro Max (256GB) | $1,021 | $280 |
Used prices are Swappa’s average sale prices on September 23, 2026, and they move every week with condition, storage, carrier, and demand. Swappa’s 3% buyer fee is already included in the listing price. Check current Swappa prices for the exact model you want.
Tip 1: Buy One or Two Generations Back
The steepest part of an iPhone’s depreciation happens in its first year or two, and the person who bought it new pays for it. Buying one or two generations back lets you skip that cost while keeping years of iOS updates.
The sweet spot in 2026 is the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 generations. A used iPhone 15 typically sells for around $390 and a used iPhone 15 Pro for around $495. Both run iOS 27, and the iPhone 15 Pro and every iPhone 16 model also run Apple Intelligence.
Go older only with care. Apple’s iOS 27 support list reaches back to the iPhone 11 and iPhone SE (2nd generation), and the iPhone XR, XS, X, 8, and older no longer get updates. They are cheap for that reason. Used iPhone Buyer’s Guide: Every Generation Ranked (2026) ranks each generation by what you give up, and Best Cheap iPhones in 2026: Top Picks Under $300 covers the budget end.
Tip 2: Skip the Pro Unless You Will Use It
The Pro models add a telephoto camera, pro video features, and on the Pro Max, the biggest battery. The standard models have closed most of the rest of the gap: the iPhone 17 has a 120Hz ProMotion display, starts at 256GB, and is rated at up to 30 hours of video playback, which is more than the iPhone 16 Pro.
Ask yourself whether you shoot zoomed photos or pro video often enough to pay for them. If not, a standard model is the easiest $200 to $300 you will save. If battery life is the real reason you want a Pro Max, iPhones With the Best Battery Life in 2026, Ranked shows which cheaper models come close. For a direct comparison of the new Pro against used alternatives, see iPhone 18 Pro vs. Used iPhone 16 and 17: Which to Buy.
Tip 3: Buy the Storage You Actually Use
Storage is where a new iPhone quietly gets expensive. On the iPhone 18 Pro, going from 256GB to 512GB adds $200, and 1TB adds $600. Before you pay for more, check what you use now under Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Most people who are not shooting a lot of 4K video are well served by 256GB, especially with iCloud for photos.
The storage premium is smaller on used phones. A used iPhone 17 Pro Max typically sells for around $1,020 at 256GB and $1,130 at 512GB, so doubling the storage costs about $110 used instead of $200 new.
Tip 4: Buy Unlocked and Consider a Cheaper Plan
An unlocked iPhone works with any compatible carrier, including prepaid carriers and MVNOs whose plans often cost far less than the big three. It also resells to more buyers later, which protects your resale value. Every US iPhone from the iPhone 14 on is eSIM-only, so moving to a new carrier is a digital transfer rather than a SIM card swap. eSIM and Used Phones: What to Know Before You Buy explains how that works on a used phone.
Before you buy, confirm the phone supports your carrier’s network with Will This Used Phone Work on My Carrier?. For the difference between unlocked and carrier-locked phones, see Unlocked vs. Carrier-Locked Phones: What It Means When Buying Used.
Shop Unlocked iPhones on Swappa
Should You Buy Your iPhone From Apple?
You can buy an iPhone from Apple, from your carrier, as an Apple Certified Refurbished unit, or used from a marketplace like Swappa. Here is how the options compare.
| Where You Buy | What You Pay | Warranty and Returns | The Catch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Store | Full price, with monthly installments available | One-year Apple limited warranty, AppleCare+ eligible, 14-day returns | The highest price for any given model |
| Your carrier | Full price, often discounted through monthly bill credits | Apple warranty; carrier return policy | Credits usually require a premium plan and 24 to 36 months on it, and the phone is locked until it is paid off |
| Apple Certified Refurbished | A modest discount off new | One-year Apple warranty; every unit gets a new battery and outer shell | Limited models and colors, and the savings are small next to used |
| Used on Swappa | Typically 30% to 60% less than new | Returns if not as described; One-Year Limited Warranty on select listings | You check the listing details yourself, such as battery health |
Buy from Apple if you want a brand-new phone, the newest model on day one, or AppleCare+ from the start. Paying in full for an iPhone from Apple, without carrier financing, also gets you a phone you can use on any carrier.
Buy from your carrier only if you are sure you will stay. A “free” iPhone is usually full price, paid back to you as bill credits spread over 24 to 36 months, and it typically requires a trade-in, a more expensive unlimited plan, or both. Leave early and the remaining credits stop, and you owe the rest of the phone’s balance. Are Carrier Trade-In Deals Worth It? covers the math.
Consider Apple Certified Refurbished if you want a like-new phone with Apple’s warranty and a fresh battery, and you are comfortable paying close to new. Refurbished vs. Used: Which Is the Better Deal? compares the two.
Buy used if the goal is to spend the least for a phone that works like new. On Swappa, real people approve listings before they go live, and some listings from participating sellers include a One-Year Limited Warranty. How that warranty works is covered in Swappa’s One-Year Limited Warranty: How Seller Warranties Work.
Tip 5: Sell Your Old iPhone Instead of Trading It In
The iPhone you have now is the easiest discount on the next one. Trade-in programs from Apple, carriers, and buyback sites are fast, but they pay less than a buyer will.
| Your Current iPhone | Typical Swappa Sale Price | Trade-In Quote (Unlocked) | Difference Before Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 13 (128GB) | $242 | $131 | About $110 |
| iPhone 14 (128GB) | $283 | $146 | About $135 |
| iPhone 15 (128GB) | $387 | $226 | About $160 |
| iPhone 15 Pro (128GB) | $494 | $297 | About $195 |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max (256GB) | $754 | $509 | About $245 |
Sale prices and trade-in quotes are from Swappa’s price guide on September 23, 2026. Selling on Swappa costs a 3% seller fee plus payment processing (PayPal is 3.49% plus $0.49), and listing is free. On a $387 iPhone 15 sale, that comes to roughly $26, which still leaves you well ahead of the trade-in.
To get the most for your phone, see How to Sell Your Used Phone for the Most Money, and check what yours is worth in How Much Is My iPhone Worth? 2026 Used Values by Model. Apple Trade-In vs. Selling Your iPhone or Mac compares Apple’s offer head to head. Wipe the phone properly before you ship it, following How to Wipe an iPhone Before Selling It (the Right Way).
Trade-in still has a place. If your iPhone has cracked glass or water damage, it will not pass Swappa’s listing criteria, and Swappa Trade-In gets you a quote from vetted buyback partners, including for damaged phones.
Tip 6: Time Your Purchase and Your Sale
Used prices tend to soften in the weeks after a September launch, as people who upgraded list their old phones. This year that wave is mostly Pro models, because Apple launched only the iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, and the foldable iPhone Duo. The standard iPhone 18 is expected in spring 2027, which is when more standard-model phones will come onto the used market.
If you are selling, do it early rather than late. Every month you wait, your phone is worth a little less. Best Time to Sell Your Phone (Before Value Drops) covers the timing in detail.
What to Check Before You Buy a Used iPhone
A low price only saves money if the phone is right. Before you buy:
- Confirm the IMEI is clean with Swappa’s free IMEI check.
- Make sure the phone is not locked to the previous owner’s Apple Account. iCloud Activation Lock: How to Avoid It on a Used iPhone explains what to look for.
- Check battery health on the listing, and read iPhone Battery Health: What to Check on a Used iPhone for what the numbers mean.
Swappa listings must have a clean IMEI, be fully paid off, be ready to activate, and be free of activation locks, water damage, and cracked glass. Every device must have a fully functional battery, and iPhone sellers must disclose battery health below 80% when Apple’s service message is showing. Payments run through PayPal, with buyer and seller protection, or Stripe for select sellers, and support is available 24/7/365. If a phone arrives not as described, you are entitled to a return and refund.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to get an iPhone?
Buy a used iPhone one or two generations old, unlocked, with the storage you actually need, and sell your current iPhone yourself to cover part of the cost. A used iPhone 16 typically sells for around $525 on Swappa, compared with $799 new from Apple.
Is it cheaper to buy an iPhone from Apple or a carrier?
The phone costs about the same at full price. Carriers discount it through monthly bill credits, but those usually require a premium plan and 24 to 36 months of service, and you lose the remaining credits if you leave early. Buying used is cheaper than either for the same model.
Are carrier free iPhone deals worth it?
Only if you were already planning to stay on that carrier and that plan for the full term. The phone is paid back to you as bill credits over 24 to 36 months, often with a required trade-in or a more expensive plan. Add up the plan cost over the whole term before you compare it with buying an unlocked phone outright.
How much can you save buying a used iPhone?
Used electronics typically cost 30% to 60% less than new, depending on the model, age, storage, and condition. On Swappa in September 2026, a used iPhone 16 sells for about $270 less than a new one and a used iPhone Air for about $395 less.
Is it better to trade in or sell my old iPhone?
Selling usually pays more. On Swappa’s price guide in September 2026, an iPhone 15 sold for about $160 more than its trade-in quote and an iPhone 16 Pro Max for about $245 more, before fees. Trade-in makes more sense for a damaged phone or when you need the money immediately.
Is Apple Certified Refurbished cheaper than used?
It is usually cheaper than new but more expensive than used. Apple Certified Refurbished iPhones come with a new battery, a new outer shell, and Apple’s one-year warranty, which is what the extra cost pays for. A used iPhone in good condition costs less for the same model.
Spend Less Without Settling
The formula has not changed, even as new prices have gone up: buy one or two generations back, choose the model and storage you will actually use, stay unlocked, and sell your old iPhone instead of trading it in. Done together, those steps can cut hundreds of dollars off your next iPhone without giving up anything you would notice day to day.
