Start with Apple and other major retailers and consider prepaid carriers or authorized resellers
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The question is notwhetherto buy an iPhone butwhereto buy one.
Photo:Sophia Stark / Unsplash
Have any old iPhones laying around that you no longer use?
Turn them into cash to put towards buying a new model.
Learn how inWhere to Sell Your Used iPhone, iPad, or iPod.
PHOTO: Apple
Best Overall
Apple
The official source for iPhones.
Convenient customization and ordering online.
Nearly 500 store locations for in-person purchses.
PHOTO: Getty Images
Very few sales or deals.
Plus, you might get lots of great accessories.
Best for Deals
Amazon
Many unlocked models.
PHOTO: Getty Images
The latest models available.
Occasional deals during various sales events.
Comparing models not as convenient as Apple’s site.
PHOTO: Best Buy
Of course the world’s largest retailer can sell you the world’s most popular phone.
How could it not?
Best for Trade-Ins
Major Phone Carriers
Possible to buy accessories too.
PHOTO: Walmart
Best route for upgrading to the latest model.
New customers might get deals on new plans.
Not as advantageous if not trading in or a new customer.
These stores sell iPhones that work on the AT&T connection (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.
These authorized resellers can be good locations to buy the iPhone.
Best for Monthly Savings
Prepaid Wireless Stores
Possible to find more recent models.
Mostly older models only.
Not as much variety as other options.
Phone prices are roughly the same as the major carriers, though monthly plans differ.
Best Major Tech Retailer
Best Buy
Compare various models.
Easy online or in-person purchases.
Choose a service plan too.
Some search filtering options unavailable.
No huge discounts for the most part.
Best Big-Box Option
Target
Buy an iPhone and an AT&T plan at once.
Target stores are numerous.
Only available for in-person purchases.
Another major big-box retailer that’s in on the iPhone business.
Best Discounts on Prepaid Deals
Walmart
Possibility to get great deals not seen elsewhere.
Buy phone with Straight Talk service at once.
Only pre-paid service available.
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
Potentially very low prices and great savings.
Possible to find more recent and older iPhones too.
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.
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.
So, you’re choosing based on convenience or minor, limited-time promotions.
That’s because the iPhone almost never goes on sale.
