Although Prime Day doesn’t come until next month, the rumor mill has been busy at work making predictions for Amazon’s annual blowout sale (and we’re no strangers to that, ourselves). After being delayed to October 13 and 14 — Prime Day deals usually land in the summer — the big event is now landing neatly between Labor Day sales and Black Friday, and we’re anticipating a tide of some of the best bargains and discounts we’re likely to see before the year is out. We’re particularly excited about Apple deals, and if it’s time for a new smartphone, then read on to see everything we expect to see from 2020’s Prime Day iPhone deals — including some early bargains you can grab right now.
Today’s best Prime Day iPhone deals
The Prime Day iPhone deals won’t be live until mid October, but as with all things Apple, these hugely popular mobile devices are pretty much always on sale somewhere. And if you badly need a new phone, you probably need it soon, so if you can’t wait for Prime Day, then we’ve got your back with a selection of the best iPhone deals you can grab right this minute:
- Apple iPhone SE (2020) — Up to $170 off with trade-in
- Apple Store Refurbished iPhones (Various Models) — Up to $350 off
- Apple iPhone SE 64GB (2020, Verizon) — Free with unlimited plan, was $400
- Apple iPhone XS 64GB (AT&T) — $30 ($1/month) after credits with unlimited plan, was $900
- Apple iPhone SE 64GB (2020, Cricket Wireless) — $250 with number port-in, was $400
- Apple iPhone 11 64GB (AT&T) — $350 ($11.67/month) with qualifying activation, was $700
- Apple iPhone XR 64GB (Straight Talk Wireless) — $449, was $750
- Apple iPhones (Various Models, T-Mobile) — $300 to $1,000 back when you switch (some offers require eligible trade-in)
- Apple iPhone 11 Pro & iPhone 11 Pro Max (Verizon) — Up to $850 off with trade-in and new line, or $350 off without trade-in
When are the best Prime Day iPhone deals?
Amazon reserves the juiciest deals for the official Prime Day calendar dates so keep your calendars free on October 13 and 14. However, starting the week before, Amazon regularly throws out some early discounts and Lightning Deals to give shoppers a taste of what’s coming on Prime day, so savvy shoppers should stay vigilant and keep their eyes peeled during this time.
Any Prime Day iPhone deals found among these “pre-sale” bargains are likely to be just as good as those found during the event itself, or close to it, so don’t hesitate to grab one that catches your eye if it’s a model you like being offered at a worthy price. Amazon keeps limited stock on hand for Prime Day — once they’re gone, they’re gone — so there’s a good chance that early deal you saw won’t pop up again during the official sale days. If by some chance it does and it’s cheaper, you can always return the one you bought and grab it again at the lower price thanks to Amazon’s generous return policy.
What Prime Day iPhone deals to expect
As far as what Prime Day iPhone deals to expect, the largest discounts are naturally going to be (for the most part) on the latest and most expensive flagship models. That’s the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max right now — particularly the latter two — but also keep your eyes open for deals on last year’s high-end units like the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, which are still excellent phones with price tags to match.
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Last-generation models get heavily discounted during these sales too because retailers like to clear shelves of older inventory to make room for new stuff. That’s doubly true now, with Apple poised to release this year’s new iPhone 12 at its fall launch event coming at the end of October. If you’re OK with buying a phone that’s a couple of years older (this also applies to newer budget-friendly models like the iPhone SE), it’s very likely you’ll see these among these Prime Day iPhone deals. Just remember that with these last-gen phones, time is of the essence — there’s no guarantee you’ll find them that cheaply again when that old stock is finally exhausted.
Should I shop on Prime Day or wait until Black Friday?
Black Friday and Prime Day are placed only a month apart from each other this year. So if these Prime Day iPhone deals run the product you want out of stock, there’s a good possibility that Amazon won’t have the time to restock in time for Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Since demand during Black Friday is also higher, anything you purchase will see large shipping delays and in some instances, delays that may last over a month, messing with your holiday gift-giving schedule come Christmas. We also don’t predict noticeable differences in prices for these iPhones between the two events so don’t let that hold you back from jumping on these Prime Day iPhone deals.
Are any Prime Day iPhone deals too good to be true?
If you’re buying anything from the Apple brand you have nothing to worry about. That said if you’re looking to buy iPhone accessories you might not always choose to buy your product from Apple. There are a lot of options out there for iPhone cases, screen protectors, and charging cables. Just make sure that whichever brand you choose to buy from has a decent rating and tons of positive customer reviews. Be sure to put in a little research before Prime Day so you know which brands you’re looking for and what kind of case or charging cable you want. You can also always check the best Prime Day iPhone deals available here as we do the research for you.
How to choose an iPhone
There are a couple of iPhone models on the market and you’re probably wondering which iPhone is right for you. We’re here to help you decide. If you’re willing to spend the money, the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max are the best models currently available. They have a sleek, edge-to-edge display that rivals every other iPhone on the market. They also come equipped with the newest A13 Bionic Chip processor and additional camera lenses so you can get the perfect shot, even when heavily zoomed in. You can decide whether to go with the Pro or the Pro Max depending on what screen size is right for you. The Pro comes in at about 5.8 inches and the Pro Max at 6.5 inches, so if you prefer a bigger screen stick with the Pro Max. If you can’t wait for the iPhone 12 launch, this is the phone to have. That said, the Pro and Pro Max have a pretty hefty price tag and are consider a ‘luxury’ for most smartphone lovers.
If you’re looking for something a little more affordable, go with the iPhone 11. The iPhone 11 still boasts a beautiful LCD screen, albeit without HDR qualities. It also only carries two cameras but even then, it’s quite an upgrade from the iPhone XR. The iPhone 11 is also around $300 cheaper than the iPhone Pro, so if you’re okay with making a few compromises on the display and camera abilities, this is the smartphone for you.
The iPhone XR has been on the market for two years and is still considered a pretty good iPhone — if you can get a decent discount on it. Since its price is only $100 less than that of the iPhone 11 it makes no sense to make the investment unless you see a substantial discount on it during Prime Day, lowering its price to below $500. This is because though the XR has many of the same features as the iPhone 11, its single camera, and lower battery life, don’t make it worth the price — especially if you can afford the extra $100 for the iPhone 11.
For those of you that hate Apple’s integrated Face ID, go with the iPhone SE. The newest iPhone SE is an upgrade to Apple’s older iPhone 8. Like the iPhone 8, it features a small screen and thick bezel but carries the newer A13 processor, which is a clear upgrade. The Retina HD display is great too and there’s a lot to love about the single-lens camera. Though the camera is not as advanced as the Pro and you’re missing out on a longer battery life, the iPhone SE is a steal at $400 — that’s $600 cheaper than the iPhone Pro. If you’re sticking to a budget, this is the pick for you.
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