Apple sells 217 million iPhones each year. It’s no surprise considering Apple always leads the pack in terms of design, performance, and features.
If you’re ready to trade in your old device and upgrade to Apple’s latest and greatest, then stay tuned for our top-ranked best ways to buy a new iPhone.
Should You Buy or Lease Your iPhone?
We’ve all noticed the upward trend of iPhone prices over the last few years. Even Apple’s budget-oriented models like the iPhone 11 or iPhone XR still started over $700.
To help more price-sensitive buyers, Apple has joined the ranks of cellular providers and now offers no-interest phone leases. What’s great about this is you can now spread the cost of a new phone over 24-months, making it much affordable.
But it does come with a few downsides. Your phone will be carrier-locked, so you won’t have as much flexibility with changing plans or switching to another network. This can be a particular headache for international travelers who want to use local SIM cards abroad.
In general, it’s better to buy your phone outright. This gives you much more freedom to move between providers and plans as you see fit. If you need to lease your phone, your credit card company or bank may be able to provide you with no or low-interest payment plan for your new iPhone.
Without further ado, here’s are the best ways to buy a new iPhone. Don’t worry; for most of these, you can still find lease options too!
1) Purchase an iPhone from Apple
There’s no better way to purchase an iPhone than through Apple. Apple makes it easy for you to go into one of their stores, try out the different models, and find your perfect match.
Apple Stores can be busy, so try to go on a weekday or off-peak hours. You’ll also want to wait a couple of weeks after a new iPhone release.
Here, you’ll not only be able to try before you buy, but the Genius Bar can help you with everything. They can sync all your data from your old phone, help you set up your new iPhone, and teach you about all the new features.
Best of all, you can get AppleCare and everything else all configured all under one roof. This means by the time you walk out the door, you’ll have everything you need to rock and roll.
The iPhone Upgrade Program
If you an AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, or Sprint customer, then you may be eligible for the iPhone Upgrade Program. With it, you pay a monthly fee for an unlocked new iPhone rather than the full price upfront. You can upgrade to a new phone once a year (after 12 monthly payments).
And you only have to pay sales tax upfront. AppleCare+ is included, and you can add Theft and Loss protection. If you always want the latest iPhone and are happy with your carrier, it’s a good option.
2) Big Box Retailers like Target, GameStop, and Best Buy
It’s hard to believe that in the internet era, it’s still better to go to the store. While you can easily order an iPhone online from Apple, heading to a physical location offers a large number of perks. Stores like Target, GameStop, and Best Buy are all great options.
Once again, it’s about trying out different phones and see how they look and feel in person. The iPhone 11 debuted with six colors. It doesn’t matter how good your monitor is; they look much different in person than on screen.
The big box shops offer a few additional advantages too. Many times, they have promotions, including store credit, accessory bundles, and other incentives to get you to buy. You won’t get as good of tech support as at the Apple Store, but it still should be more than enough to ensure you leave smiling.
3) Swappa
Who doesn’t love Amazon? With Prime, you can now get many items with same-day delivery. Unfortunately, Amazon doesn’t shine as well with new iPhones. Amazon sells what they call ‘Renewed iPhones.’
Renewed means refurbished and may save you big on your next iPhone purchase. The problem is that each phone dramatically varies in quality. It’s common to see sellers have incredibly mixed reviews. There’s no guarantee you’ll receive a perfect iPhone or something that will break down in a matter of weeks.
Swappa gives you the option to buy iPhones in any state from brand new to used and everything in between. All sellers are certified, and most come with warranties so you can be sure you’ve purchased a great new device.
And, if your new iPhone doesn’t work as described, you can easily get your money back. If you want to buy online and aren’t interested in the first two options then Swappa is the way to go. You can also sell iPhones on Swappa to fund your upgrade.
4) Carrier Stores and Websites
Purchasing an iPhone from a cellular carrier is a prime example of “there’s no such thing as a free lunch.” Most phone carriers offer amazing deals like ‘buy one get one free’ or ‘free with new phone line activation.’
You have taken these with promotions with a massive grain of salt. Cellular providers will always find a way to get their money back one way or another. If you’re okay with a lengthy contract and it doesn’t contain too many fees than go for it. Just remember your phone will be carrier-locked.
On the other hand, purchasing phones for the full price from a cellular provider isn’t a bad option. You’ll be able to try out phones and have staff assist you in setting them up. You may still be eligible for some promotions while not having to worry about an annoying carrier-locked. Now that’s a real win-win!
5) Apple Authorized Resellers
Apple authorized resellers to have permission from Apple to sell iPhones and other products. Of course, big stores like Costco and Walmart are Apple authorized Resellers, but this also includes smaller stores.
When stores have Apple authorization, you can be sure you’re purchasing a new iPhone and not some cheap imitation. Likewise, many of these places are also authorized Service Providers as well.
This means they can not only help you set up your new phone but should be able to help you fix it in case you crack a screen or run into another issue.
You’re likely not going to get any discounts at these stores, but you should be able to receive more personalized service. That’s why many people have their own neighborhood reseller they go to each time they purchase a new iPhone.
Buying a New iPhone Has Never Been Easier
Apple makes it so easy to buy a new iPhone. Whether you buy direct from them, at a big box store like Best Buy, or through an authorized reseller, you can get your hands on a new phone in no time!
You can get extra cash for your new iPhone when you sell your old device to Buyback Boss. Here are some quick links to check the value of popular iPhone models:
For more information on iPhones, technology, and more, visit the Buyback Boss Blog. Here are some different ways you might be able to get a free iPhone. We’ve also covered how to find the best iPhone deals. Unlock everything you’ve ever wanted to know about iPhones our blog now!
