By looking at alternatives to buying the latest iPhone, you can save money and get what you need. Here are 6 ways to get a cheap iPhone.
So you’re one of the millions: you’d love to own an iPhone and you don’t want or need a cell phone contract. Or, signing a contract is fine, but you’d like to get your hands on a device without forking over at least half your paycheck or more. In short, you want a cheap iPhone.
So, what to do? If you want the latest model, you’re pretty much going to pay full price. Of course, you could track down that guy who’s high jacked a delivery truck straight out of the largest Apple factory in China, and made his way to NYC... and is now selling snazzy digits at a lemonade stand around the corner in the Bronx. I wish I had his number, too. Alas, I don’t. But anyhow.
If you want to get a legal cheap iPhone for the right price, you'll be buying a slightly older model, like an iPhone 5, or a used one.
These days they’re calling them “refreshed iPhones”, and if they haven’t actually been in the shower, this can be a great way to go.
Here are 6 ways to get a cheap iPhone:
1) Get a Brand New iPhone 5 With a Contract for $0
You can get an iPhone 5 in Canada for $0 by signing a contract . You agree to pay “X” amount per month for cell phone service with Bell, Rogers, Fido, or any other major service provider for a certain period of time, and because of this, you get the phone “for free”.
Related: Hate em' or Love em', Here Are 7 of the Cheapest Cell Phone Plans in Canada
2) Get a Brand New iPhone 6 With a Contract for $0-200
Buying a new iPhone 6 with a contract is also still cheaper than dishing out the dough for an iPhone 7 . You can get one for $0/16GB or $200/64GB at Best Buy.
3) Make Sites Like Kijiji and Craigslist Your Best Friends
If you want something badly enough, you’re willing to work for it. If you don’t see exactly what you want now on Craigslist or Kijiji in terms of iPhones, set up an email alert . This let’s you keep abreast of new items being posted. Alerts are sent directly to your email and hence, you avoid having to check back in and search the sites manually.
4) Buy One Refurbished or Used From a Large Seller
Sites like getitmint.com and getorchard.com sell refurbished and used iPhones for considerably less than new.
Why go with a middleman? You get extra peace of mind. Someone behind these companies tests the phones for sale to make sure that they work. And, furthermore, if you have a problem with your new-to-you device, you know where to find the seller.
5) Actually Pay Full Price for an Unlocked iPhone and Save
You can actually save money by buying a brand new iPhone at full price. How? Phone companies have created a system whereby it can be more expensive to pay into a lengthy contract, than to buy new and own outright.
Thankfully someone has done the math on this. Check out Phillip Jang’s post for the Times Colonist .
Related: Apple Launches iPhone 7 With an Advanced Battery Life, Breakthrough Camera System and Water/Dust Resistance
6) Check Out Black Friday Deals
Black Friday offers loads of deals on almost everything. Some are bigger finds than others, but you may strike it lucky .
