With the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro on the market, previous-generation iPhones are now more affordable. This means you can get hold of a cheap iPhone with last year’s tech, without paying the latest prices. Pretty neat right?
Granted, you won’t get the latest chip in an older and cheaper iPhone or the latest features, but you’ll still get a powerful phone that will do plenty of what you need for less. Our top choice, for instance, is the iPhone SE which runs an A15 Bionic chip, 5G connectivity, and a decent set of features.
1. iPhone SE
The iPhone SE is the absolutely cheapest iPhone you can buy new at $429, making it one of the best iPhones to buy. Despite rocking an old design that’s been around since the iPhone 6, this handset features Apple’s latest A15 Bionic chip. That means this phone is lightning-fast, can play every Apple Arcade game with ease, and will connect to 5G networks. The only things that hold back the cheapest iPhone are its small 4.7-inch screen, singular 12MP wide-angle camera and it doesn’t feature MagSafe, though you can still wireless charge this device.
2. iPhone 14
The iPhone 14 is about a year old now, but it's still a powerhouse of an iPhone. The phone starts with 128GB of storage, and is powered by the incredible Apple A15 chip. Because of this package with a 6-core CPU and a 5-core GPU, there isn't a single app that won't be blown away by the iPhone 14. The best part is that Apple is still selling this phone new, which means you can pair it with Apple Care+, ensuring you don't have to worry about cracking your screen or the phone getting stolen. Purchasing that option will make it a little more expensive, but it's totally worth it for the peace of mind, especially if you don't want to shell out hundreds of dollars down the line to replace the phone if you drop it on concrete – we've definitely been there.
3. iPhone 13 Mini
If you want the latest and greatest from Apple’s newest iPhone 13, just get yourself the mini version for $599. The iPhone 13 Mini is a bit smaller than Apple’s other handsets with only a 5.4-inch screen, but if you have smaller hands you might find having a more compact handset to be beneficial. It still packs Apple’s latest A15 Bionic chip, 5GB, plus a 12MP wide and 12MP ultrawide camera for the best iPhonegraphy.
4. iPhone 12
The iPhone 12 might be running last year’s A14 Bionic chip, but this phone processor still offers plenty of power. In fact, almost everything about this $599 phone is nearly as good as the latest model including the 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD display, plus its 12MP wide and ultrawide cameras. You also still get the modern iPhone creature comforts of 5G connectivity and MagSafe.
5. iPhone 11
If you haven’t jumped on the 5G bandwagon just yet, the iPhone 11 might be a great handset for you. For $499 you get a phone with a still very capable A13 Bionic processor and fantastic-looking 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD display. You also get two 12MP wide and ultrawide cameras capable of recording 4K 60fps video. The rounded design might be a bit older, but it’s easier to hold for some who dislike the boxier design of the latest iPhones.
Where to buy refurbished iPhones
While a brand new iPhone can be expensive, you can save quite a bit of money by buying a refurbished device. Apple has its own official store for refurbished iPhones, and they're covered by an extensive guarantee. But even if you don't want to buy directly from Apple, you can easily get a refurbished iPhone from online tech retailers like Best Buy and Amazon.
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Kevin Lee is IGN's SEO Updates Editor. Follow him on Twitter @baggingspam.
