Apple customers are nothing if not loyal, but unfortunately, iPhones are not cheap – especially if you want to pick up the latest model. So, if you’re thinking about upgrading to a new iPhone and want to do everything you can to save a bit of money, we have some tips and tricks that will help you save on your purchase, whether you’re after the premium iPhone 16 Pro Max, the new iPhone 16e, or even an older model.
1. Shop around for a good deal
Instead of buying directly from Apple, which rarely has discounts on its products, do your research and see if you can find the device you want for a better price. Even better, if you can wait for a big sale period such as EOFY or Black Friday, you’re more likely to find a good deal during this time. Amazon, The Good Guys and JB Hi-Fi are some examples of retailers that regularly have sales on iPhones, so be sure to keep an eye on their websites to check for discounts.
2. Buy an older model instead of the newest one
While it may be tempting to buy the newest iPhone, you can usually save a considerable amount by opting for an older model. The newest version is always the most expensive, and the technical differences between it and the model before it are often fairly minimal, so it’s worth comparing the features and performance between this year’s and last year’s equivalent models to decide if you really need all the shiny new bells and whistles.
If you want to compare costs, Apple’s iPhone 16 128GB costs $1,399, while the iPhone 15 128GB costs $1,249, and the iPhone 14 128GB costs $1,047. That makes the iPhone 15 a modest $150 cheaper (a bit over 10%), but the iPhone 14 is a more impressive $350 cheaper, offering a 25% discount if you’re willing to opt for the older model.
3. Finance with Apple
Apple offers finance options on many of its devices, so if you don’t want to buy a new iPhone outright, you can get a payment plan through Apple using a Latitude Gem Visa credit card which offers 0% interest on purchases over $600 for 24 months.
While this option requires applying and being approved for a credit card, it’s potentially a more cost effective alternative compared to bundling an iPhone with an expensive mobile plan from one of the major telcos. This option allows you to pay off your device in a similar fashion to those telco plans, but instead opt for a cheaper mobile plan from a smaller telco. If you’re interested in cheap mobile plans, we have guides on the best mobile plans under $20 per month and the best mobile plans under $30 per month.
4. Trade in your old phone and get money back
If you want a new iPhone, it’s worth trading in your old handset (be that an iPhone or Android) to get a bit of money back. Many phone retailers and select telcos accept trade-ins, including Apple, JB Hi-Fi and The Good Guys. Depending on the condition of your device, you could end up getting a few hundred dollars back, which you can then put towards a new device.
Wait and buy duty free if you have an international trip planned soon
While this may seem a bit far-fetched, if you want a new iPhone and you also have an international trip booked in the near future, why not make the most of duty-free and purchase your device without having to pay GST? Depending on the model, buying duty-free can save you approximately 10% to 20% – just be sure to research the normal cost first to make sure you are actually making a saving.
Want more tips on how to save on mobile phone costs? Check out our guide on 5 ways to save on your mobile plan.
