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Best iPhone deals and sales for January 2023

Bruce Brown
By

It’s a new year, which means it’s probably time for a new phone. Apple is still the most popular smartphone brand in the U.S. While Android smartphones combined may command a moderately larger global market share, no single brand alone — including Samsung — outpaces the venerable iPhone. It’s no secret that iPhones aren’t cheap, but if you need a new one and are hungry for smartphone deals, we can help. We’ve got a curated handful of the best iPhone deals and carrier offers right now, offering savings on everything from the iPhone SE to the iPhone 13. We also include savings available when you buy a recent model new or refurbished iPhone, which can be the best deals of all. The newest iPhone, the iPhone 14 series is now available and has already pushed down prices of earlier models.

Apple iPhone 13 (128GB, Verizon) — $5.00 a month for 36 months

An iPhone 13 in white color option.

Why Buy

  • Fast performance
  • Excellent photography and video recording
  • Great battery life
  • Best value among the latest iPhones

Apple announced its iPhone 13 lineup at the California Streaming event last September, but we all knew it was coming. The 13 lineup included a full suite of phones, including the standard model, a smaller Mini with similar specs, a beefed-up Pro and a super-beefy Pro Max. As with previous releases, the standard iPhone 13 is the one we recommend for most people, as it hits the sweet spot in terms of size, price, and performance.

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All of the phones have a Super Retina XD display, with the standard iPhone 13 measuring 6.1 inches (the same size as the iPhone 12). Apple really hyped up the new camera in the iPhone 13 as well. It has improved light sensitivity for better low-light photos and videos. The Pro and Pro Max have Ultra Wide, Wide, and Telephoto cameras, although the standard and Mini do not. However, the photo apps themselves did get improvements with the upgrade to iOS 15, including a new Cinematic Mode. Smartphone photographers have a lot to like in the iPhone 13.

The iPhone 13 Mini was the cheapest of the bunch, launching at $699, while the standard iPhone 13 launched at $799. As Apple’s latest phone, your best bet for scoring iPhone deals on these newer models is with carrier signup offers, which can even get you one for free. That’s a fantastic bargain if you’re looking to switch carriers, upgrade to an unlimited plan, and/or have an older device you want to trade in toward something new. Note that the iPhone 13 Mini is no longer available on Apple’s website and there will be no iPhone Mini 14, according to Apple.

Apple iPhone SE 3rd Gen (64GB, Verizon) — free with unlimited plan

The 2022 iPhone SE with some other Apple devices.

Why Buy

  • Great performance thanks to A15 Bionic chip
  • The most affordable new iPhone
  • Pocket-friendly design
  • Surprisingly good camera

If the ever-growing price tags and screen sizes of flagship iPhones have you down, you’re not alone. In 2020, Apple heeded the cries of fans and finally brought back the beloved iPhone SE for its second generation, which is an excellent mid-range alternative to the much pricier flagships. The new third generation was just announced at Apple’s Spring Event 2022. The new model comes loaded with the A15 Bionic chip, giving the SE the same six-core CPU as the flagship iPhone 13. Overall, it’s 2.2 times faster than the iPhone 8.

Along with the chipset, some other improvements that the 2022 iPhone SE bring to the table include 5G capability, a longer battery life (a notorious issue that plagued the second-gen SE), additional camera features, and a stronger glass front and rear. It still sports a pared-down camera module compared to its flagship counterparts, along with the chunky “forehead and chin” bezels of the iPhone 8, but for the money, the third-gen iPhone SE gives you a lot of phone, and it’s by far the cheapest entry point into the iOS ecosystem if you don’t want to buy refurbished.

The third-gen iPhone SE specs and design aren’t anything ground-breaking, but what should really grab your attention is the phone’s retail price of just $429. That’s an incredible value for a new Apple mobile. If you want a new iPhone and don’t want to pay flagship (or retail) prices, the iPhone SE is an easy choice.

iPhone 11 Pro Max 64GB (Unlocked) — $414, was $850

A hand holds an Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max showing apps on the screen.
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Why Buy

  • Great battery life with fast charging
  • Vibrant 6.5-inch Super Retina display
  • Smooth and intuitive iOS experience
  • Excellent camera module

When the iPhone 11 series launched in 2019, to say we were impressed is an understatement. At the time, our review team declared that the iPhone 11 Pro Max was not just the best iPhone ever made but the best smartphone ever made, period. That’s quite a bold statement, but it’s not one that we would make if it weren’t true. Now, in 2022, two new iPhone flagship generations have been released since the iPhone 11 was rolled out, but the 11 Pro Max is still a fantastic device, and it’s cheaper than ever now.

Following the 2018 iPhone XS series, the iPhone 11 was the first generation to feature a “Pro Max” model, which stood as a premium plus-sized upgrade over the standard flagships. It’s no surprise that the iPhone 11 Pro Max was the most expensive of the 2019 launch, and that has continued with the iPhone 13. Nonetheless, these high-end flagships boast some pretty amazing features, and if you’re willing to opt for a last-gen model, you can get a ton of phone for not nearly as much as you’d have paid even a year or two ago.

The iPhone 11 Pro Max is fitted with a 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR display with a 2,688 x 1,242 resolution, so it’s slightly smaller than the newer iPhone 12 Pro Max. It’s nonetheless not what you’d call a small phone by any means, and it’s definitely weighty in the hand. That’s thanks to the powerful hardware and superb camera module that’s packed in there, along with the generous battery that delivers all-day power without a hitch. At release, pricing for the iPhone 11 Pro Max started at $1,099, but ongoing iPhone deals are your chance to grab a one for far less.

Apple iPhone 13 (256GB) Carrier Locked — $830, was $1,000

The rear panel of the Apple iPhone 13.
Dan Baker/Digital Trends

Why Buy

  • Pay upfront in a single payment
  • Carrier locked
  • Excellent photography and video recording
  • Great battery life

Because we’ve already described the iPhone 13 in detail above, there’s no reason to revisit it all here. This is the same iPhone 13 with various storage options, in several colors, and in your wireless carrier of choice. It’s not unlocked, which means once you purchase and sign a contract — with the carrier you choose — you’re locked into that contract. It’s a traditional mobile purchase.

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