Apple’s brand new iPhone 14 has just launched with customers lining up to get their hands on the latest tech. Many rush out to upgrade their phone immediately but waiting could save you money, according to Uswitch experts.
With Black Friday and Boxing Day sales just around the corner, postponing your upgrade by a month or two could save you hundreds of pounds. Prices are at their highest after launch with very few good deals around from network providers.
There are two major events for Apple every year, one in spring with the iPhone SE and one in September with the iPhone main series announcement. Usually the best deals arrive in spring and summer as people begin to look ahead to Apple’s next launch event.
Ru Bhikha, mobiles expert at Uswitch.com, said: “The iPhone is one of the most popular yet expensive ranges of smartphones available on the market, with the Pro and Pro Max usually costing around the £1,000 mark. Getting your hands on one at the best price is an art, not a science, but pricing trends mean there are times in the year when you’re likely to get the best deals.”
Big sale events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday and January sales will bring the prices down from most third party sellers or network providers. It’s worth noting that Apple does not often offer direct discounts during these sales but instead gives gift vouchers towards your next purchase.
Buying on contract during these times can be a good deal but it is nearly always more cost effective to buy outright if you like to keep your phone for long periods of time. If you upgrade every year, getting a package deal could be better for you as networks can offer great bundles with high data usage on the new phones.
For those who aren’t desperate for the latest technology, it may be worth looking at the previous year’s model which will still be a great phone. The launch of a new phone reduces the price of the previous model and sometimes this can be a large discount.
Uswitch found that an iPhone 12 with 128GB storage cost £619.99 on the day the iPhone 13 range was launched in September 2021, yet within three weeks it was available for £549.99. This is a discount of around 10% just by waiting a few weeks as stores often try to shift the stock.
Most people upgrade their phones every two years but if you can hold out an extra year then you could get the same model for much less. Phones don't need to be upgraded yearly and consumers are likely to only see a big difference when jumping at least two generations or when Apple does a big overhaul like with the iPhone 12.
Ru added: “Before you buy an iPhone, bear in mind when the next handset will be making its debut and time your purchase around that, as it can often impact Apple’s pricing and the deals being offered by providers.” Always keep in mind that the best prices usually come when the buying rush is over.
“Don’t forget your current device will still have some value and could be used to help fund your new handset,” said Ru. “Apple estimates that an iPhone 13 is worth up to £420 as a trade-in – cutting the cost of the new iPhone 14 in half for those wanting to upgrade.”
Trade-ins not only save you money but can also be good for the planet as materials are recycled and reused. Selling your old phone privately can often get you more than a trade-in, especially if it is in good condition with all genuine parts.
The best thing to do if you’re looking for a new iPhone is to shop around and explore different buying options. Apple has an interest free pay later system or you could save hundreds of pounds buying second hand, there’s a big market so keep an eye out for flash deals and big savings.
