If you’re looking to buy a new iPhone but don’t really want the iPhone 17, finding something on a tight budget can be difficult. Sure, Apple is offering the iPhone 17e for $599, but not everyone will find it an attractive phone. Luckily, there are lots of great options if you want to buy second hand. Here are five great options for different needs.
#1 – iPhone 15 Pro
If you’re looking for high-end features like a ProMotion display, Apple Intelligence, and a telephoto lens, the iPhone 15 Pro is the best overall choice if your budget allows.
Powered by the A17 Pro chip (still used in the latest generation iPad mini), it excels in Apple Intelligence features and provides plenty of power for years to come.
As of this writing, the unlocked 128GB iPhone 15 Pro is available for purchase from Amazon Renewed for $487, cheaper than the new iPhone 17e and packed with a ton of premium features. If you want a larger screen size, you can spend $85 more to buy the unlocked iPhone 15 Pro Max with double the storage for $572, but it’s beyond your budget.
#2 – iPhone 15
If you want the cheapest iPhone with USB-C or a dynamic island, the iPhone 15 is your best bet. It has a great 48MP camera sensor, and if you want a physical mute switch, the iPhone 15 is the last iPhone to offer it. Battery life is very good and it comes in a very attractive color lineup.
Currently, you can buy an unlocked 128GB iPhone 15 for $389 on Amazon Renewed, making it an under $400 option for a fairly complete iPhone package. If you prefer a bigger phone, you can get the 128GB iPhone 15 Plus for $408.
#3 – iPhone 13 mini
If you’re a fan of small phones, the iPhone 13 mini is definitely the best option for you. Because Apple has given up on making smaller iPhones. Powered by the A15 Bionic chip, it still has decent performance, but you’ll need to use the Lightning charging port. In any case, thanks to its excellent 800 nit OLED display and excellent camera system, this phone doesn’t feel all that dated despite being four years old.
The iPhone 13 mini currently sells for around $230 in a 128GB configuration, making it one of the cheapest iPhones on this list and something special.
#4 – iPhone 14 Plus
On the other hand, if you want the cheapest big iPhone (at least one that’s not too old), the iPhone 14 Plus remains the best overall choice. It has a powerful camera system, even stronger battery life, and comes in a variety of colors, including a stunning yellow finish. This phone is the successor to the aforementioned iPhone 13 mini.
There’s not much to say about the iPhone 14 Plus. It’s a solid device with all the features you’d expect from a big-screen iPhone. It’s currently available on Amazon Renewed for around $309, making it a great value option.
As an honorable mention, you might also want to consider the iPhone 13 Pro Max. It offers high-end enthusiast features such as ProMotion, a telephoto camera lens, and a stainless steel build. It costs about $409 for 128GB.
#5 – iPhone SE 3
Last but not least is the iPhone SE 3. It has an A15 chip and 5G, making it a phone fit for 2025, but in a fairly outdated form factor. Like the iPhone 8, it still has a 4.7-inch LCD screen and home button. It also only has one rear camera. That said, if you want just the bare minimum features on your iPhone, you can find the iPhone SE 3 for a pretty cheap price.
Get the iPhone SE 3 on Amazon Renewed for just $129. If you want an iPhone, this is as cheap as it gets, but still a pretty good deal. 64 GB of storage might be a bit demanding, so you can also opt for 128 GB for $179 if you think it will work better.
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