Where to Buy an iPhone: The Best Places for Deals and Trade-Ins

Start with Apple and other major retailers and consider prepaid carriers or authorized resellers

By
Sam Costello
Sam Costello
Sam Costello
Writer
  • Ithaca College
Sam Costello has been writing about tech since 2000. His writing has appeared in publications such as CNN.com, PC World, InfoWord, and many others.
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Updated on January 9, 2025

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iPhone 15, iPhone 14, and iPhone 13 resting in the sun
Photo:

Sophia Stark / Unsplash

The iPhone is among the most significant consumer electronics products ever, and everyone wants one. The question is not whether to buy an iPhone but where to buy one.

You can go directly to the source and buy an iPhone from Apple's online or retail stores, but you have many other choices about where to buy your iPhone.

Have any old iPhones laying around that you no longer use? Turn them into cash to put towards buying a new model. Learn how in Where to Sell Your Used iPhone, iPad, or iPod.

Best Overall

Apple

Apple
PHOTO: Apple
View on Amazon View on Apple
Pros

  • The official source for iPhones.

  • Convenient customization and ordering online.

  • Nearly 500 store locations for in-person purchses.

Cons

  • Very few sales or deals.

You can, of course, purchase an iPhone at any of Apple's nearly-500 retail stores across the globe. The Apple Store is equipped to sell you an iPhone and activate the phone service that is required to use the iPhone (you can do that at most other stores, too). Plus, you can get lots of great accessories.

Visit the list of Apple Stores on the company website to find the locations closest to you, or buy it online.

Best for Deals

Amazon

Amazon
PHOTO: Amazon
View on Amazon
Pros

  • Many unlocked models.

  • The latest models available.

  • Occasional deals during various sales events.

Cons

  • Comparing models not as convenient as Apple's site.

Of course the world's largest retailer can sell you the world's most popular phone. How could it not? All iPhones you buy from Amazon come unlocked, meaning you can use them with any phone company.

Best for Trade-Ins

Major Phone Carriers

Major Retailers
PHOTO: Getty Images
View on Verizon Wireless View on Att.com View on T-mobile.com
Pros

  • Possible to buy accessories too.

  • Best route for upgrading to the latest model.

  • New customers might get deals on new plans.

Cons

  • Not as advantageous if not trading in or a new customer.

With over 2,200 AT&T stores in the U.S., AT&T stores are more widely spread than Apple stores. These stores sell iPhones that work on the AT&T network (big surprise, right?) and activate them on site.

T-Mobile is the last of the four major U.S. phone companies to start carrying the iPhone in 2013. As a result, you can now buy all current iPhone models at T-Mobile's retail and online stores.

As for Verizon, the U.S.'s biggest cellphone company began selling the iPhone at its retail stores on Feb. 10, 2011.

While each major phone company has its own official stores, there are also lots of companies that resell phones and services for multiple carriers. These authorized resellers can be good locations to buy the iPhone. Not every authorized reseller location will have the iPhone, but don't ignore these businesses just because they're not carrier-owned.

Best for Monthly Savings

Prepaid Wireless Stores

Prepaid Wireless Stores
PHOTO: Getty Images
View on Boost Mobile View on Cricketwireless.com View on Metrobyt-mobile.com
Pros

  • Possible to find more recent models.

  • Money-saving opportunities.

Cons

  • Mostly older models only.

  • Not as much variety as other options.

The iPhone is also available through a number of pre-paid phone companies in the U.S., including Boost Mobile, Cricket, Straight Talk, and Virgin. 

There are some trade-offs with pre-paid companies, but if you're willing to make them, you'll probably save some money on your monthly bill compared to the major phone companies.

As with the pre-paid carriers, regional carriers are smaller phone companies that offer options that the major providers don't: In this case, service to rural and remote areas. Phone prices are roughly the same as the major carriers, though monthly plans differ.

Best Major Tech Retailer

Best Buy

Best Buy
PHOTO: Best Buy
View on Best Buy
Pros

  • Compare various models.

  • Easy online or in-person purchases.

  • Choose a service plan too.

Cons

  • Some search filtering options unavailable.

  • No huge discounts for the most part.

In 2008, Best Buy became the first major retailer besides Apple and AT&T to be authorized to sell the iPhone. Though you won't find big discounts or sales here, Best Buy does occasionally run promotions that increase value and sells used iPhones at a discount. 

Best Big-Box Option

Target

Target logo
PHOTO: Target
View on Target
Pros

  • Buy an iPhone and an AT&T plan at once.

  • Target stores are numerous.

Cons

  • Only available for in-person purchases.

Another major big-box retailer that's in on the iPhone business. You can buy an iPhone and service plan from AT&T or Verizon at its nearly 1,700 U.S. stores. Target only sells the iPhone in-store, though, so while you can learn about it online, you'll have to head into a store to buy it.

Best Discounts on Prepaid Deals

Walmart

Walmart
PHOTO: Walmart
View on Walmart
Pros

  • Possibility to get great deals not seen elsewhere.

  • Buy phone with Straight Talk service at once.

Cons

  • Only pre-paid service available.

The world's largest retailer began selling the iPhone in 2009 and now offers the hardware along with the Straight Talk prepaid service. Occasionally, Wal-Mart offers discounts on iPhones that you won't see elsewhere. Its sibling company, Sam's Club, also offers the iPhone.

Best for Used Models

eBay

eBay logo
PHOTO: eBay Inc.
View on Ebay
Pros

  • Potentially very low prices and great savings.

  • Possible to find more recent and older iPhones too.

Cons

  • Must exercise caution to find reputable dealers.

  • Might not be great for finding brand-new phones.

  • Need to activate service elsewhere.

Another option for used iPhones is eBay. Like other sites that buy and sell used iPhones, eBay can be a source for the lowest prices on pre-owned models.

And even though the quality is generally very good here, remember that these phones will be used and sometimes without a warranty. As always, you'll need to activate through Apple or a phone company, and make sure you're buying from a highly rated dealer.

Craigslist can be another source for great deals on a like-new or new iPhone. But be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.

Things to Consider When Shopping for an iPhone

Every store or website that sells the iPhone sells the same models for roughly the same price. So, you're choosing based on convenience or minor, limited-time promotions.

While there's no single rule about what makes one store better than another for buying an iPhone, some factors that might make a store the best place for you to buy an iPhone include:

  • Promotions: Because everyone sells the same iPhone for about the same price, retailers sometimes offer bonus promotions to get you to choose them. If you watch for deals, you could snag a free case, gift card, or another incentive.
  • Existing Relationship: Sometimes, the best place to buy an iPhone is the easiest—which may be your current phone company. Buying a new phone from your current company ensures a smooth transition.
  • Trade-In Value: Some retailers will offer a trade-in credit for your old phone to discount the price of the new one. The more trade-in cash you get, the better a deal may be.

Should I Wait for a Sale to Buy an iPhone?

Nope. That's because the iPhone almost never goes on sale. Apple tightly controls the prices of its products, and because the products are in such high demand, they don't need to have their price cut to sell.

From time to time, there are small sales—often around the holidays—or a single retailer may temporarily discount a few models. You'll rarely save more than 10 percent off an iPhone's retail price, and often less than that, so there's not much reason to wait for a sale.

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