iPhones are some of the most popular devices, whether you love a bit of luxury or if you want a simple phone to use day to day. However, iPhones are known to be one of the most expensive devices on the market, with some iPhones now retailing for around $2,800 brand new. This is far from affordable for many people if you’re looking to buy outright, or even when broken down over a 12, 24, or 36-month payment plan from a major telco.
This guide will take a look at the cheapest iPhone on the market right now, and whether a cheap iPhone is the right choice for you.
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What is the cheapest iPhone Apple sells?
The iPhone 16e is currently the cheapest iPhone that you can buy directly from Apple, with prices starting at $999 outright for the 128GB size. This replaces the iPhone SE model, which is no longer available directly through Apple but stock may still be available to purchase from authorised resellers and refurbishment sites.
It’s a ‘budget’ iPhone with all the modern technology of the new iPhone 16 series with Apple Intelligence and a range of other features. You can pick it up with 128GB, 256GB or 512GB storage.
The iPhone 16e is on the cheaper end when compared with other iPhones, especially its iPhone 16 counterparts, but let’s take a look at the price differences between models. Below, you’ll find how the iPhone 16e stacks up against other iPhones on price alone. All the prices in this list reflect the RRP when released for lowest storage sizes, and any discontinued devices have prices based on refurbished values and reseller prices:
- iPhone SE (2022): $719
- iPhone 16e: $999
- iPhone 11: $999
- iPhone 12 Mini: $1,199
- iPhone 13 Mini: $1,199
- iPhone 12: $1,349
- iPhone 13: $1,349
- iPhone 14: $1,399
- iPhone 15: $1,499
- iPhone 16: $1,399
- iPhone 14 Plus: $1,579
- iPhone 15 Plus: $1,649
- iPhone 16 Plus: $1,599
- iPhone 13 Pro: $1,699
- iPhone 14 Pro: $1,749
- iPhone 15 Pro: $1,849
- iPhone 16 Pro: $1,799
- iPhone 13 Pro Max: $1,849
- iPhone 14 Pro Max: $1,899
- iPhone 15 Pro Max: $2,199
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: $2,149
Postpaid offers you might like
The following table shows a selection of sponsored SIM Only plans on Canstar Blue’s database with links to referral partners.
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1 Month Contract (1 month min. cost $20) SIM Only Postpaid
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80GB Data/month |
$20.00 Cost/month |
Go to Site |
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1 Month Contract (1 month min. cost $16.50) SIM Only Postpaid
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40GB Data/month |
$16.50 Cost/month |
Go to Site |
How to get the cheapest iPhone
If you don’t want to pay $999 upfront, you can also buy the iPhone 16e bundled with a phone plan. Telstra, Vodafone and Optus offer the iPhone 16e coupled to phone plans over either a 12, 24 or 36-month payment period.
The following table compares a selection of 24-month 128GB iPhone 16e plans as published on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of their standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our phone plan comparison tool to compare plans from a range of providers.
Should I get an iPhone 16e?
An iPhone 16e might be a good choice for you if you don’t want to spend more than $1,000 on a brand new iPhone. For comparison, the retail price of the 128GB iPhone 16 in Australia is $1,399, which is $400 more expensive than the iPhone 16e model. If you don’t need all the extra features or a premium camera set-up, the 16e still offers a powerful A18 Bionic chip, Apple Intelligence and plenty of other flagship features.
The iPhone 16e is especially great if you don’t want a super-sized phone, and just because it lacks the full-screen feature of more expensive iPhones doesn’t mean it’s any less capable. The 16e features many of the new tech features of the iPhone 16 range, just in a more basic unit.
What is the cheapest iPhone 16?
If you’re looking at the 2024 iPhone 16 range, the cheapest option is their latest release, the 128GB iPhone 16e. Outright, it sports a $999 price tag, but you can pick it up on a phone plan and spread the cost over 12, 24, or 36 months of payments — if you opt for the 36-month period, you’ll pay around $28 per month, plus your selected postpaid plan.
The following table compares a selection of 24-month 128GB iPhone 16e plans as published on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of their standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our phone plan comparison tool to compare plans from a range of providers.
The following table compares a selection of 24-month 128GB iPhone 16 plans as published on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of their standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our phone plan comparison tool to compare plans from a range of providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.
The following table compares a selection of 24-month 128GB iPhone 16 Plus plans as published on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of their standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our phone plan comparison tool to compare plans from a range of providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.
The following table compares a selection of 24-month 128GB iPhone 16 Pro plans as published on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of their standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our phone plan comparison tool to compare plans from a range of providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.
The following table compares a selection of 24-month 256GB iPhone 16 Pro Max plans as published on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of their standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our phone plan comparison tool to compare plans from a range of providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.
Trade-in deals
Trading in an old iPhone to Apple might be a good idea if you’re looking to save some money and part ways with an older phone. Trading in an older model iPhone directly with Apple can get you credit on your next iPhone, or an Apple Store gift card, however there are also other mobile trade-in services you can use. Here’s some estimates on what popular models will trade-in for according to Apple as of March 2025:
- iPhone 15 Pro Max: Up to $1,135
- iPhone 15 Pro: Up to $960
- iPhone 15 Plus: Up to $715
- iPhone 15: Up to $710
- iPhone 14 Pro Max: Up to $860
- iPhone 14 Pro: Up to $685
- iPhone 14 Plus: Up to $555
- iPhone 14: Up to $525
- iPhone SE (3rd gen): Up to $185
- iPhone 13 Pro Max: up to $645
- iPhone 13 Pro: Up to $525
- iPhone 13: Up to $380
- iPhone 13 Mini: Up to $325
- iPhone 12 Pro Max: Up to $445
- iPhone 12 Pro: Up to $350
- iPhone 12: Up to $275
- iPhone 12 Mini: Up to $205
Keep in mind that these are estimated trade-in values and don’t equate to being the full trade-in value of the device — this can vary due to factors such as your phone’s condition and storage size.
How long does an iPhone last?
A new iPhone should last you about three to four years before you’ll need to buy a replacement. This time frame is wide enough for you to still be receiving updates, and for those updates to be catered to your device.
Over this time period, you’ll likely notice the phone getting generally slower, and the battery life getting worse. Typically, Apple will release updates for devices launched in the past five to six years, so this is a good window to make sure you’re still getting the latest version of iOS. For example, iOS 18 will be available on iPhones dating back to the iPhone XR, but that same device may not be eligible for the next iOS update.
Although Apple might encourage yearly upgrading, it’s simply not necessary unless your device is malfunctioning or broken beyond repair (even then, a year-old device is still covered by both Apple and consumer warranties).
What about refurbished iPhones?
Refurbished iPhones can be quite good value if you’re wanting to get an iPhone without spending a massive amount of money. Refurbished iPhones are after-market, are typically repaired and usable-quality phones, and sell for less in comparison to brand-new devices.
You’ll still get a warranty with refurbished phones if you buy from authorised retailers, with the only massive downside being that refurbished phones are rarely brand new models.
If you’re planning to try out a good-as-new iPhone, it might be worth looking for a refurbished iPhone SE 3rd Generation, or an iPhone 14 or iPhone 15. These will sell for much less than their new counterparts, because of their age and repaired nature. However, keep in mind that — as mentioned earlier — older devices will eventually be excluded from Apple software updates.
Which phones are cheaper than iPhones?
If a $999 price point is too high for you, there are other great budget phones on offer in Australia. You can get a great Android smartphone for under $200 with all the basics and necessities, or alternatively there’s plenty of great cheap phones under $400 — some of which are even 5G capable.
You’ll find a lot of brands staying well below the price points of Apple products. Keep in mind that a lot of the stuff you can do on an iPhone, you can also do on an Android device. Here’s some newer Android phones — which may also be more budget-friendly than the latest iPhone — that you might want to consider:
Editorial credit: NYC Russ / Shutterstock.com
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