Why is the iPhone 16e so cheap? (Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
NurPhoto via Getty Images
After Samsung fired the Black Friday starting pistol with its $940-off Galaxy S25 Ultra deal, other shops are quickly following suit. Verizon has just launched a deal for the iPhone 16e that knocks hundreds off the 2025 budget Apple phone.
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The telecom has several deals for people who want to sign up for a long, expensive contract. Any supposed savings made with those deals are hard to navigate because the contract length and price often wipe out whatever offer enticed you to sign up.
But the company does have a small selection of pre-paid deals that are worth your attention.
One, in particular, caught my eye: Apple’s iPhone 16e has been discounted by $300, bringing the price down to $299 without a long monthly commitment. There are, however, two things worth noting about this deal.
Why Is The iPhone 16e So Cheap?
Firstly, that $300 discount is based on the iPhone 16e’s launch price of $599. While Apple still charges that much, the budget phone (alongside the overall iPhone 16 range) has been repeatedly discounted on Amazon (renewed) and at select U.K. retailers. With that said, $300 is still a huge discount.
Secondly, to trigger the offer, buyers still have to purchase a Verizon pre-paid plan. The cheapest that I can find is $35 a month, which isn’t the best. You’ll find better deals, under $20 a month, for SIM-only plans from Mint Mobile, Lyca, and others. But you won’t find the iPhone 16e for much cheaper than that.
iPhone 16e: How Can I Unlock My iPhone To Use It With Another Carrier?
If you plan to buy the phone and then swap in your own, cheaper, SIM plan, you will have to wait for 60 days. Verizon locks its prepaid phones for two months, during which the monthly charge has to be paid. After 60 days, the device lock is removed, and you can do what you want with the phone.
An iPhone 16e for under $300 is an absolute steal, but there is a slightly annoying telecom caveat with this deal that forces customers to spend at least two months with Verizon. Even with that extra cost, the price is solid. This is also one of the few major deals available right now for the iPhone 16e, although that will change as we edge closer to Black Friday. Make sure you hit the follow button below, or follow my Facebook page, to stay up to date on genuinely good deals and the latest tech news. If you’re looking for an Android phone, Google is running a short-term $300 offer for its Pixel 10 series.
