Buying an iPhone during Black Friday is a ritual for some, but for others, it's just a giant headache. You're basically scrolling through endless pages of "free" offers that aren't actually free. Or you're squinting at trade-in values wondering if your cracked screen is worth a dime. Honestly, black friday iphone deals 2024 were some of the most aggressive we've seen in years, mostly because carriers were desperate to get people onto those expensive 5G Titanium plans.
If you were looking for a straight-up price cut on a box with no strings attached, you probably left disappointed. Apple doesn't really do "sales." They do "gift cards." But if you knew where to look—Walmart, Best Buy, or the smaller prepaid guys—the savings were real. You just had to be okay with a bit of fine print.
What Really Happened With Black Friday iPhone deals 2024
The big story this past November was the iPhone 16. It was barely two months old when the sales hit. Usually, Apple keeps the newest tech at full price, but the carriers went nuclear. AT&T and Verizon were essentially handing out iPhone 16 Pro models for "free" with eligible trade-ins.
Wait. Not actually free.
You’ve gotta stay on a 36-month installment plan. If you leave early, you owe the balance. It’s a lock-in. But for people who don't plan on switching carriers anyway? It was a steal. Verizon even threw in a "free" iPad and Apple Watch with some iPhone 16 Pro deals, though you had to pay for the monthly data lines for those extra gadgets. That’s how they get you.
👉 See also: The First Telephone Ever Made: What Actually Happened in 1876
The Refurbished Loophole
If you didn't want a 3-year contract, the smart move was the refurbished market. Sites like Back Market and even Amazon’s Renewed store saw huge traffic. An iPhone 14 Pro for under $550? That was a reality. For a lot of folks, a two-year-old Pro model is actually better than a brand-new "base" model because you get the better screen and the extra camera lens.
Retailer Specifics: Who Won?
Walmart was kiiinda the dark horse this year. They weren't just doing the carrier stuff; they were giving out eGift cards. We're talking up to $450 in Walmart credit if you bought a phone through them. If you buy your groceries there anyway, that’s basically cash in your pocket.
Best Buy did something similar but with smaller amounts, usually around $100 or $150. Target was a bit quieter, focusing more on the older iPhone 13 and 14 models, which they were trying to clear out of the backroom.
The "Apple Store" Trap
Every year, people flock to the official Apple Store expecting a 20% off tag. It never happens.
📖 Related: The Blue Whale Challenge Challenges and Why the Panic Was Mostly Smoke
Apple’s "Shopping Event" is basically a gift card giveaway. Buy an iPhone 15, get a $75 gift card. Buy an iPhone 14, get $50. It’s nice if you need to buy AirPods later, but it doesn't lower the price of the phone you’re holding in your hand right then. Most experts agree: Apple is the last place you should buy an iPhone on Black Friday unless you absolutely value that "in-store experience" above actual savings.
Why the iPhone 15 Was the Real MVP
While everyone was chasing the 16, the iPhone 15 deals were actually more logical. It has the Dynamic Island. It has USB-C. It’s basically the "modern" iPhone.
During the peak of the 2024 sales, the iPhone 15 was sitting at around $599 at some retailers. That’s a $100 drop from its already reduced MSRP. When you factor in a decent trade-in, some people were walking away with this phone for basically nothing out of pocket and no massive monthly bill.
- iPhone 16 Pro: Best for those who want the latest camera and are okay with 36-month contracts.
- iPhone 15: The "Goldilocks" zone. Modern features, better price.
- iPhone 13: The budget king. It was available for as low as $399 at some spots (looking at you, Walmart).
Prepaid Carriers Stole the Show
Total Wireless and Straight Talk were doing something wild. They were selling the iPhone 13 for $99. Yes, $99. You had to buy a couple of months of service, but even then, the total cost was under $200. For a kid's first phone or a backup, you couldn't beat it. Boost Infinite also had a "one price" plan where for about $65 a month, you got the phone and the service bundled together.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest mistake? Thinking that "Trade-in up to $1,000" applies to your beat-up iPhone 11.
✨ Don't miss: The Best Mic Stand With Phone Holder Setup For When You Actually Need To See Your Screen
To get that $1,000, you usually need a "Tier 1" trade-in. That means an iPhone 14 Pro or 15 Pro in near-perfect condition. If you have an older phone, your "deal" might actually only be $300 or $400. Still good! But not the "free" phone the billboard promised. Always check the trade-in value table before you drive to the store.
Actionable Strategy for Future Sales
If you missed out or are looking ahead, here is the blueprint. First, check your current carrier’s loyalty offers. Sometimes they have "targeted" deals that are better than the public Black Friday ones. Second, don't ignore the "older" new phones. The iPhone 14 is still a beast and will be supported by iOS for years. Third, always calculate the 36-month total cost. A $0 phone on a $90/month plan is $3,240 over three years. A $800 phone on a $25/month prepaid plan is $1,700 over three years. Do the math.
The best way to handle these deals is to look at the total cost of ownership, not just the "due today" price. Often, the "cheaper" deal at the Apple Store with no contract ends up being the winner in the long run.
Next Steps:
Check your current phone's battery health and screen condition. If it's below 80% or cracked, your trade-in value will tank, so it might be worth a cheap repair before the next big sale cycle starts. Keep an eye on the "Prepaid" aisles at big-box stores; they often run these "stealth" clearances on iPhones long after Black Friday ends.