Why now is the best time to buy an Apple iPhone in the UK

For several months, the anticipated Apple iPhone 17 series has been grabbing all the attention in news headlines: When exactly is the Apple iPhone 17 going to hit the UK market? What innovative features can we expect from the new iPhone 17 models? And is there any truth to rumors about a foldable version being released?

Once again, the brand-new premium Apple iPhone has made its appearance with a high price point. If, however, you’re seeking a new iPhone but aren’t quite ready to invest heavily in the latest top-tier model, you’re in for good news! Right now is an ideal moment to buy an Apple iPhone.

Generally speaking, if you wait a few days following the release of the latest Apple iPhone, you’ll often find that older models have their prices lowered. This is because Apple typically reduces the price of its previous models to clear the way for its new flagship. For instance, in September 2024, when the Apple iPhone 16 series was launched, Apple dropped the prices of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus by £100 each.

Additionally, if you’re interested in the Apple iPhone 16e, which we’ve previously suggested as a great value pick, then there’s absolutely no better moment than the present.

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Jump to:

What is the best time to buy an iPhone in the UK?
Which iPhone is best value for money in the UK?
Best Apple iPhone 16e deals available today
What is the cheapest iPhone to buy outright in the UK?
Should I wait for the new Apple iPhone 17?

What is the best time to buy an iPhone in the UK?

Generally speaking, major sales periods like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Amazon’s Prime Days, and even their spring and July sales are ideal opportunities to purchase a new smartphone. However, keep in mind that during these big events, competition for the best deals can be intense. An often overlooked time to secure a fantastic smartphone deal is immediately following the release of a new model, when you might find more competitive pricing due to less demand compared to the sales periods.

To illustrate, consider the recently launched Apple iPhone 17. Typically, when Apple releases a new smartphone series such as this one, they reduce the prices of their previous models or even cease production of certain older devices.

Instead of waiting for the newest Apple iPhone release, consider purchasing a slightly older model instead, such as the Apple iPhone 16e, which we believe offers the best value. Currently, there are some fantastic deals available on this device.

Regularly, we advise checking out the Apple iPhone that catches your interest, and if you find an offer or discount that appeals to you, feel free to make the purchase.

Which iPhone is best value for money in the UK?

The Apple iPhone 16e is the best value for money.

The Apple iPhone 16e, belonging to the SE series, functions similar to high-end Apple phones (iPhone models with a higher price tag), but comes at a more budget-friendly cost.

The Apple iPhone 16e enters the market with a lower retail price of £599, making it £100 less expensive than the Apple iPhone 16, priced at £699, and £200 cheaper than the Apple iPhone 17, which begins at £799.

In mid-February this year, you might recall the unveiling of the Apple iPhone 16e – a model from the SE series, rebranded as ’16e’. Notable features include a dual camera system, headlined by the 48MP Fusion camera that’s also available on the Apple iPhone 16. The device runs on the A18 chip, which was the latest generation at the time until the release of the A19 chip for the Apple iPhone 17. It is also compatible with Apple’s AI system, known as Apple Intelligence.

Upon its launch, the Apple iPhone 16e was the initial SE model to boast an all-display front, leading to the removal of the fingerprint sensor integrated within the ‘Home’ button and its replacement with Face ID, a feature similar to that found in more recent Apple iPhone versions.

On our pre-order page for the Apple iPhone 16e, we found that this model rivaled the high-end Apple iPhone 16 in many aspects. One of the standout features was the integration of ChatGPT into the Writing Tools and Siri, which is a significant advantage. The camera quality was also as impressive as that of the flagship iPhone 16. At that time, we suggested that customers consider purchasing the more affordable Apple iPhone 16e over the pricier Apple iPhone 16 due to its impressive features.

Based on our conviction that the Apple iPhone 16e offers the most bang for your buck, we’ve rounded up some fantastic offers that are worth a look.

Best Apple iPhone 16e deals available today

Save up to £702 on the Apple iPhone 16e at Vodafone

Here’s the scoop: Customers who purchase the Apple iPhone 16e from Vodafone stand to benefit from a total saving of up to £702. This savings package encompasses a £288 reduction on airtime, a £90 discount on the device itself, and an additional £324 when you exchange an eligible smartphone, with a bonus of £100 thrown in for good measure.

Reason for choosing it: At Vodafone, we appreciate that customers, whether new or long-standing, can immediately secure a guaranteed discount by utilizing the Trade-in Tool within the My Vodafone app.

Save up to £702 on the Apple iPhone 16e at Vodafone

Save £50 when you buy the Apple iPhone 16e outright at Currys

What’s going on: The Apple iPhone 16e originally retails for £599, but Currys has discounted it by £50, bringing its price down to £549.

Here’s why we went for it: At Currys, buying smartphones comes packed with extra benefits: you get three months of Apple TV+, Apple Music, Apple Fitness+, and Apple Arcade at no cost, a free Voxi SIM card and 60GB data when you buy a SIM-free device, and enjoy a three-for-two deal on selected mobile accessories.

Save £50 when you buy the Apple iPhone 16e at Currys

Get 12 months half price on your airtime plan at Three UK

At a glance: If you pick a 30GB data plan along with the new Apple iPhone 16e at Three UK, enjoy a 50% discount for 12 months on a 24-month contract.

The reason we selected it: All qualified Three UK customers have the opportunity to enjoy benefits like a pound for barista-made drinks at hundreds of local cafes, five pounds off when you spend twenty pounds at hundreds of restaurants and takeaways including Papa John’s, and three pounds adult tickets at Cineworld.

Get 12 months half price on your airtime plan at Three UK

What is the cheapest iPhone to buy outright in the UK?

In the UK, you’ll find a wide variety of previously owned Apple iPhone models available for purchase. However, when it comes to new stock from most UK retailers, the newest Apple iPhone model on offer is typically the iPhone 13.

The Apple iPhone 13 will set you back from £425 at UK retailers.

The new Apple iPhone 13 is equipped with a 12MP dual camera setup featuring an ultrawide lens and 4K video capabilities, boasts a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR screen, offers wireless MagSafe charging, and incorporates Face ID technology for enhanced security.

Should I wait for the new Apple iPhone 17?

Anticipation for pre-orders of the Apple iPhone 17 is building up, yet it raises a question: Should you hold off on purchasing a new smartphone now?

As a cinema devotee, I can’t help but marvel at Apple’s unwavering dedication to user experience each year. It’s as if they can predict our needs before we realize them ourselves! The forthcoming Apple iPhone 17 is no exception, boasting a cutting-edge internal cooling system and an astonishingly swift refresh rate for smoother performance. In comparison, the Apple iPhone 16 – with its standard 60Hz refresh rate (except for the Pro version) – pales in comparison to the upcoming Apple iPhone 17’s adaptive 120Hz ProMotion display. This means scrolling and animations on the new model will glide along effortlessly, delivering a cinematic experience right at your fingertips!

As a movie buff eagerly anticipating the next generation of my beloved iPhone, I’m thrilled to share that there’s been an upgrade in the heart of the new iPhone 17 – the chipset. Whereas it previously sported an A18, this time around we’re stepping up to the A19 Pro! The A19 Pro not only boasts a more powerful GPU (graphic processing unit), but it also comes with a whopping 12GB of RAM, which is double the 8GB found in its predecessor, the iPhone 16. And if that’s not enough to get your cinematic adrenaline pumping, how about a 24MP camera? That’s a significant leap from the 12MP camera on the iPhone 16 – ready for capturing those stunning movie moments with even more clarity and detail!

If you rely on your smartphone for all kinds of activities – from work to leisure like gaming, video editing, and content creation; and if staying up-to-date with the latest Apple technology is important to you, it might be a good idea to wait for the release of the upcoming Apple iPhone 17.

If you’re considering purchasing a new iPhone, the Apple iPhone 16e is an excellent option due to its impressive features such as the dual camera system, intelligent AI capabilities, and powerful A18 processor.

2025-09-11 14:06