Forget the iPhone 16e — these iPhone 16 Pro deals are way cheaper

iPhone 16 Pro Max with iPhone 16 Pro held in hand
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

The iPhone 16e ($599) is Apple's new budget smartphone. Unlike the cheaper iPhone SE 2022 ($429), Apple's new phone packs a larger 6.1-inch display, Face ID, the latest A18 chip (the same one found in the iPhone 16), a sharper camera, and Apple Intelligence.

However, before you sign up for one of the latest iPhone 16e preorders, I want to call out that there are more powerful iPhones you can get for less than $599. Yes, you'll need to jump through the usual carrier hoops — such as trading in an older phone — but some of the early iPhone 16e deals have the same requirement. So why not get a better phone in exchange? Here's five deals I recommend getting in place of the iPhone 16e.

Quick Links

Best iPhone deals

iPhone 16 Pro: free w/ new line + unlimited @ Verizon
Free Watch + iPad

iPhone 16 Pro: free w/ new line + unlimited @ Verizon
When it comes to power, the iPhone 16 Pro will leave the iPhone 16e in the dust. Right now at Verizon you can get the iPhone 16 Pro for free with a new line and Unlimited Ultimate Plan. Additionally, you'll get a free Apple Watch and iPad with your purchase. (Note: Both items will require their respective data plans). The iPhone 16 Pro packs a 6.3-inch 2622 x 1206 OLED display with 120Hz refresh, A18 Pro CPU, and 128GB of storage. Rear cameras include a 48MP main (f/1.78), 48MP ultrawide (f/2.2), and 12MP telephoto (5x, f/2.8). There's also a 12MP (f/1.9) front camera. In our iPhone 16 Pro review, we said the Pro is the best value as it packs the same 5x telephoto zoom as the larger Pro Max, but in a smaller design and for $200 less.

iPhone 16 Pro Max: $5/month w/ trade-in + unlimited @ AT&T

iPhone 16 Pro Max: $5/month w/ trade-in + unlimited @ AT&T
Get Apple's premium phone for just $5.56/month over a 36-month span. That totals just over $200! The iPhone 16 Pro Max packs a 6.9-inch 2868 x 1320 OLED display with 120Hz refresh, A18 Pro CPU, and 256GB of storage. Rear cameras include a 48MP main (f/1.78), 48MP ultrawide (f/2.2), and 12MP telephoto (5x, f/2.8). There's also a 12MP (f/1.9) front camera. In our iPhone 16 Pro Max review, we said the Pro Max is the phone to get if you want the largest screen and longest battery life. You'll need to be signed up to one of AT&T's qualifying unlimited plans to get this deal.

iPhone 16 Pro: free w/ Infinite Access @ Boost Mobile

iPhone 16 Pro: free w/ Infinite Access @ Boost Mobile
Infinite Access for iPhone is a membership plan for iPhone users. For $65/month, you get unlimited talk, text, and data under Boost Mobile. Plus, you'll get a free iPhone 16 Pro when you sign up. After 12 consecutive monthly payments, members can upgrade to the latest iPhone model at no extra cost. There is no trade-in requirement to join, which means you can keep your current iPhone or sell it to a third party.

iPhone 16 Pro: up to $500 off w/ trade-in @ Xfinity Mobile
Free $500 Mastercard

iPhone 16 Pro: up to $500 off w/ trade-in @ Xfinity Mobile
New and existing Xfinity Mobile customers can take up to $500 off the iPhone 16 Pro when you open a new line. Plus, you'll get up to a $500 virtual prepaid Mastercard to pay off any current phone contract. This latter promo is available through February 27 only.

iPhone 16 Pro Max: up to $1,000 off w/ trade-in + unlimited @ T-Mobile

iPhone 16 Pro Max: up to $1,000 off w/ trade-in + unlimited @ T-Mobile
The Magenta network is taking $1,000 off the iPhone 16 Pro Max with trade-in and T-Mobile's Go5G Next plan. Or you can get up to $830 off when you trade-in and open a qualifying voice line. Either way, you're getting Apple's top-of-the-line phone for $369 or less.

Louis Ramirez

As deals editor-in-chief at Tom’s Guide, Louis is constantly looking for ways to avoid paying full price for the latest gadgets, appliances, and apparel. With over 10 years of deals-hunting experience, Louis price checks against multiple retailers and searches high and low for the best deals to bring readers. He's also always on the look out for the best coupon codes to use when shopping. A born-and-bred New Yorker, Louis is also an avid swimmer and marathoner. His work has appeared on Gizmodo, CNET, and Time Out New York.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Read more
iPhone 16e
iPhone 16e preorders — how to get Apple’s new phone for free
iPhone 16e shown standing on table
Hurry! This carrier has the iPhone 16e on sale for just $299
iPhone 16 with deal tag
Best iPhone 16 deals — top discounts for every model
iPhone 16e front and back
iPhone 16e price — why it's way more expensive than any of us thought
iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16
iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16 — 7 things to know before you buy
iphone 16e pros and cons with green thumbs up and red thumbs down
5 reasons to buy the iPhone 16e — and 3 reasons to skip
Latest in Sales Events
Target store logo with Price Drop tag
Huge Target spring sale live from $17 — 23 deals I'm shopping on appliances, patio furniture and more
Lowe's storefront
Huge Lowe's spring sale is live — 31 deals I'd shop on appliances, patio furniture and more
Monitors on a blue background with Amazon Spring Sale tag overlaid
Amazon Big Spring Sale: The best 13 monitor deals you can get right now
Coleman Camping Deals
Huge Coleman spring sale on Amazon — 11 camping deals I’d shop now from $21
Amazon Big Spring Sale banner
17 best early Amazon Spring Sales you can shop now — here's what I'm adding to my cart
Amazon Big Spring Sale
Amazon Big Spring Sale — my 9 favorite deals on iPads, Samsung and Fire tablets
Latest in Deals
Target store logo with Price Drop tag
Huge Target spring sale live from $17 — 23 deals I'm shopping on appliances, patio furniture and more
The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom screenshot
Massive Nintendo Switch game sale live from $4 — 17 deals I'd buy now
A woman lying on her back on the Casper The One mattress
The Casper mattress I'd buy is on sale today — save 20% on the Casper The One
Lowe's storefront
Huge Lowe's spring sale is live — 31 deals I'd shop on appliances, patio furniture and more
Pixel 9 Pro XL held in the hand with price drop badge.
Not a typo! This epic deal makes the flagship Pixel 9 Pro XL the same price as the budget Pixel 9a
Monitors on a blue background with Amazon Spring Sale tag overlaid
Amazon Big Spring Sale: The best 13 monitor deals you can get right now