7 Ways to Make Buying the New iPhone 14 More Affordable
If you’re an Apple fan eagerly awaiting the new iPhone release every year, you’ve probably already ordered your iPhone 14. And maybe even a new Apple watch. Congrats!
But if you’ve only recently talked yourself into upgrading your old iPhone, you’ll be looking at the price tag for Apple’s iPhone 14 with the usual sticker shock dread.
Can you afford to upgrade to the iPhone14 or iPhone 14 Pro Max?
While the newest generation of iPhones is usually more expensive than the last, there are silver linings this year that make the higher cost of the latest Apple iPhone 14 worth it.
How Much Does the iPhone 14 Cost?
The Apple iPhone 14 starts at $799, with the larger 6.7-inch display of the iPhone 14 Plus set at $999. All models released this year have significant upgrades in battery life, emergency services via satellite and crash detection. There’s an improved, ultra-wide camera for low-light performance and steady video capture with action mode, too.
Apple also offers the iPhone 14 Pro, which starts at $999. The pro models have the always-on display and ditch the sim tray for a dynamic island. If you want the best Apple offers, including an awe-inspiring camera, you’ll find it in the iPhone 14 ProMax with a 6.7-inch display — starting at $1,099.
If shelling out a thousand dollars on a smartphone isn’t in your budget, there are ways to still upgrade and save on the iPhone 14.
7 Ways to Save Money on an iPhone 14
Regardless of which iPhone 14 you have your eye on, these are our best tips to knock some dollars off that price tag.
- Trade in your old iPhone
- Switch carriers
- Get the standard iPhone 14
- Watch for seasonal promotions
- Finance a new iPhone
- Be patient
- Start a sinking fund
1. Trade in Your Old iPhone
The most significant discounts on new iPhones involve trading in another eligible device. Apple allows customers to do this directly, or you can do a trade-in at most retailers or through cell phone carriers. Trade-in offers range from $720 for last year’s iPhone 13 ProMax to $40 for an iPhone 7.
Be aware that trade-in values depend on your iPhone’s verified condition. The same model might fetch a very different price if it’s in poor vs. good condition. So read the fine print — or visit the Apple Store — to determine what you’ll be offered before you commit.
2. Switch Carriers
Some of the best deals on the new iPhone 14 are for new customers who switch cell phone carriers. If you’re already in the market for a new mobile phone provider, this might be the right moment to transfer service and pick up a new plan.
For instance, T-Mobile is promoting a free iPhone 14 Pro with free Apple TV+ as long as customers choose the Magenta Max plan and provide a qualifying device as a trade-in.
3. Get the Standard iPhone 14
If you’re upgrading from an older iPhone, the base model iPhone 14 with 128 GB of storage will feel like living large. You’ll pay $300 less for it than the iPhone Pro Max, but get all the new tech like emergency SOS, fun lock screen options and superior video playback.
Use Apple’s comparison page to get a bird’s eye view of how the iPhone 14 models compare to each other and previous iPhones. Then decide what’s worth it and what you can do without.
4. Watch for Seasonal Promotions
Winter is coming, and with it come holiday promotions. Once the bluster of Apple’s big launch dies down, keep a weather eye out for Black Friday or Cyber Monday sales and other seasonal promotions on the iPhone 14.
While most of the promotions this time of year are on older smartphone models like the iPhone 12 or the iPhone 13, you could see some incentives from retailers looking to drive holiday traffic.
5. Finance a New iPhone
Of course, you’re welcome to finance a new iPhone. Most cell phone carriers prefer to package deals this way, with an additional monthly charge for the new iPhone on top of your plan cost.
If you have an excellent credit score, you can probably qualify for a 0% interest-free rate through Apple or one of its financing partners.
6. Be Patient
As with most new technology, patience pays off. If you can sit tight and wait until next year, you’ll reap the rewards of discounts on more recent models and deeper savings on refurbished iPhones.
Always deal with Apple directly or a reputable, certified Apple retailer when purchasing refurbished iPhones or other used Apple products.
7. Start a Sinking Fund
Don’t bite off more than your budget can chew. Start a sinking fund now to set aside money for a new iPhone 14, and you could have the funds to treat yourself by the holidays.
For instance, if you want to purchase an iPhone 14 Plus or an iPhone 14 Pro, you need to set aside roughly $85 over the next 12 weeks to buy one by the end of December.
Plunking down a thousand dollars on the new iPhone may not be in your immediate future. But with a bit of planning and savings, you can afford to upgrade your smartphone and live your best battery life before the new year.
Kaz Weida is a senior writer with The Penny Hoarder.
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