Your cookie preferences


We use cookies and similar technologies. You can use the settings below to accept all cookies (which we recommend to give you the best experience) or to enable specific categories of cookies as explained below. Find out more by reading our Cookie Policy.

Select cookie preferences

Skip to main content

Strike while the iPhone is hot: Uswitch tips on the best time to pick a new Apple handset

With the iPhone 14 range now available, thoughts of getting a new handset will be front and centre of Apple fans’ minds – but when is the best time to update your old device? 

Deals can fluctuate throughout the year, with large discounts often available during sales events such as  Black Friday and Boxing Day. The launch of a new iPhone also causes a spike in interest for the previous device, with a knock-off effect on pricing.

With this in mind, is now the best time to buy an iPhone? Ru Bhikha, mobiles expert at Uswitch.com, shares some questions to ask yourself before purchasing an Apple handset. 

Is another Apple launch around the corner?   

  • Apple unveils its latest gadgets several times a year, with launch events in early spring and autumn, and the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in the summer. The flagship iPhone series is usually in September, while the budget iPhone SE tends to be launched at the spring event. 

  • Prices are at their highest immediately after a launch, with lots of hype but few money-saving deals on the market. 

  • Despite the regularity of iPhone launches, consumer interest can continue well into the next year, meaning the best deals don’t arrive until the spring and summer. 

  • Don’t buy the previous iPhone just before the new iPhone’s launch event, as you’ll miss out on the best deals.

Do you really need the latest iPhone?

  • When a new iPhone hits the shelves, it pushes down the price of the previous handsets. An iPhone 12 with 4GB RAM and 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 - a discount of over 10%[1]. You’re likely to quickly find better deals on the Apple store and from network providers. 

  • If you don’t need the latest tech, you will find it considerably cheaper to buy the previous handset. Apple also rolls out software upgrades to previous devices, meaning you’ll still get many of the new features being unveiled.

  • As well as launching new devices each year, Apple also will stop offering some older models to prevent too many options on the market and control its production lines. These discontinued mobiles - like the second-generation iPhone SE - can still be bought elsewhere, and often for far less.  

Are you happy with a nearly-new device?

  • Refurbished handsets are becoming more popular. They are better for the environment, and offer big savings. Refurbished phones are tested the same way as new devices, and some will have been returned without ever being used. For added peace of mind, they typically come with a one-year guarantee. Millions of people are considering buying a refurbished phone in the near future[2] and we expect that to rise as the cost-of-living crisis impacts budgets for premium handsets. 

  • Buying a refurbished iPhone and pairing it with a competitively priced SIM-only deal is a great way to save hundreds on your mobile phone package. 

Is there a big sales event around the corner?

  • While it’s unlikely you'll see the best deals for the iPhone 14 anytime soon, you could snap up a bargain later this year. 

  • Some of the best iPhone deals are unveiled in the run up to and on Black Friday (25th November 2022) and Cyber Monday (28th November 2022). It’s worth looking at the prices up to a month before these events to see how they compare once the offers start rolling in. The most popular deals may only be available for a very limited time, so you’ll need to keep your eyes peeled for reductions. You can also sign up for email newsletters from providers, as they use these to advertise deals to potential customers.

  • Apple fans looking for a bargain in the run-up to Christmas may be disappointed, as higher demand for gifts means that prices level out. The January sales are a much better time for securing a deal, especially if retailers have more stock left than anticipated.


Ru Bhikha, mobiles expert at Uswitch.com, says: “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. Keep an eye out for iPhone deals around Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the sales around or after Christmas. 

“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. 

“Don’t forget your current device will still have some value and could be used to help fund your new handset. 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. 

“iPhone fans can make significant savings on previous models, as retailers are often keen to shift stock - especially as Apple will often discontinue some of its older devices.

“Top grade refurbished iPhones, which are available at Uswitch, are a great way to save money without compromises on the quality of the handset.”

To find out which iPhone deals are available, visit Uswitch.


Notes to editors:

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Sarika Patel
Phone: 07815 635259
Email: sarika.patel@rvu.co.uk
Twitter: @UswitchPR

About Uswitch 

Uswitch is one of the UK’s top comparison websites for home services switching, including broadband, mobiles, SIM Only and insurance. We’ve saved consumers over £2.5 billion off their bills since we launched in September 2000.

In 2022, Uswitch launched its free mobile app, Utrack, to help consumers manage their home energy costs. By connecting to their smart meter, users can track their energy usage hourly, get dynamic insights and calculate potential savings with handy tips. 

Uswitch is part of RVU, a global group of online brands with a mission to empower consumers to make more confident home services, insurance and financial decisions.