Many will go after the iPhone 17E as it's Apple's latest affordable phone. But there are a lot of merits to going for a more affordable option if you're not looking for all the latest and greatest features. For Apple lovers, the obvious choice for the budget-conscious would now be the iPhone 16E. It's already fantastically priced, and you can get it for far less, possibly even for free, if you use the best iPhone 16E deals we've listed below.
Here's what you need to know. The iPhone 16E has a four-core A18 processor and a C1 5G modem. The 16E has a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display, a 48-megapixel rear camera with 2x telephoto zoom and a 12-megapixel front camera for selfies.
Like other phones in the iPhone 16 lineup, it's designed for Apple Intelligence and has a dedicated action button to launch Visual Intelligence. And CNET reviewer Patrick Holland says it also has impressive battery life. "The iPhone 16E can definitely make it through a day on a single charge and, depending on how you use it, it'll likely make it through a day and a half before needing to be plugged in," he wrote in his review. The basic model comes with 128GB of storage.
Best iPhone 16E deals
The 16E is available at Apple and several other retailers and carriers, with multiple ways to save some cash. Some offer discounts with a new line of service, and if you have an older phone you don't mind parting with, you can score substantial savings with a trade-in offer. We'll keep a close eye on offers as they come and go and update this page accordingly, so be sure to check back often.
If you order the iPhone 16E at Best Buy and sign up with a carrier, there are ways to save. If you trade-in of your old or damaged phone, it will save you up to $600.
If you're a Verizon or AT&T customer, a qualified activation will net you $100 off the phone -- no trade-in required. Plus, you'll get a couple of Apple freebies like three free months of Apple Fitness Plus, Apple Music and Apple Arcade as well as one free month of Apple TV.
If you'll be adding a line on your select Unlimited Plan, you can save up to $600, which scores you the 128GB model free.
Keep in mind stock is very low. As of now, Verizon only has the phone in the 128GB White version.
AT&T is offering $200 off the iPhone 16E when you purchase it online. That brings the phone down to $400. And if you're coming from a different carrier, AT&T will give you $800 per line to break your contract. Plus if you want some accessories, you can get 30% OtterBox accessories when you purchase this phone.
Order your iPhone 16E at Boost Mobile and sign up for the Unlimited Premium plan ($60 a month), and you can snag a new iPhone for as little as $150. You can also pay full price for the phone up front, which will get you a free year of service.
Visible isn't offering any direct deals at the moment, but trading in your old phone can save you as much as $660.
You can order the iPhone 16E from Walmart for just a little more than $12 per month for 36 months with an eligible AT&T activation.
Xfinity is offering a discount of up to $750 on the iPhone 16E if you add a line, upgrade an existing device or sign up for a Premium Unlimited plan. You can save up to $500 with an eligible trade-in, or up to $400 without a device to trade-in. Note that you must have Xfinity Internet to qualify for Xfinity Mobile. Also, only the 128GB is in stock right now.
How much does the iPhone 16E cost?
There are three storage configurations for the iPhone 16E. The pricing for each model is as follows:
- 128GB: $599
- 256GB: $699
- 512GB: $899
What colors does the iPhone 16E come in?
The iPhone 16E is only available in two colors -- white or black. Apple also has a silicone case that sells for $39 and comes in five colors -- winter blue, fuchsia, lake green, black and white.
When was the iPhone 16E released?
The iPhone 16E is the first budget-friendly Apple phone since the third-gen iPhone SE hit shelves in 2022. The phone started shipping on Feb. 28, 2025.
