At a Glance
- Apple’s $599 iPhone 16E can cost $0 with the right trade-in and carrier plan.
- Top offers reach $830 off, dropping monthly payments as low as $2.
- Only two colors-white or black-and three storage tiers: 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB.
Why it matters: Budget shoppers can snag flagship-grade features without paying full price.
Apple’s iPhone 16E launched on Feb. 28, delivering Apple Intelligence, a 48-MP camera, and all-day battery life for $599. Retailers and carriers are already slashing that sticker through trade-ins and bill-credit bundles that can make the phone free.
Trade-In Steals Up to $830
Apple direct trade-ins peak at $670 for an iPhone 15 Pro Max, while Xfinity tops the chart with $830 off when you add a line, upgrade, or pick its Premium Unlimited plan. The catch: you must trade in any old phone.
- 128 GB model → free after credit
- 256 GB model → free after credit
- 512 GB model → $69 after credit
Carrier Deals at a Glance
| Carrier / Store | Max Credit | Monthly Cost (128 GB) | Trade-In? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity | $830 | $0 | Yes |
| Visible | $660 | $0 | Yes |
| Apple Store | $670 | $0 | Yes |
| Best Buy (Verizon) | $600 | $0 | Yes |
| Best Buy (AT&T) | $384 | $6 | No |
| AT&T Installment | $528 | $2 | No |
| Boost Mobile | $500 | $100 | No* |
| Walmart (AT&T) | $540 | $15 | No |
| Walmart (Verizon) | $50 | $17 | No |
*Requires Unlimited Premium plan; option to pay full price and get a free year of service instead.
Inside the 16E: Flagship Features, Lower Price
- 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display
- A18 four-core chip plus Apple-designed C1 5G modem
- 48-MP rear camera with 2× telephoto zoom; 12-MP selfie cam
- Dedicated Action Button launching Visual Intelligence
- 128 GB base, 256 GB at $699, 512 GB at $899
News Of Losangeles reviewer Patrick Holland clocked day-and-a-half battery life, writing, “The iPhone 16E can definitely make it through a day on a single charge and, depending on how you use it, it’ll likely make it through a day and a half before needing to be plugged in.”
Color & Accessory Options
The phone ships only in white or black. Apple’s silicone case sells for $39 in winter blue, fuchsia, lake green, black, and white.
How to Pick the Best Deal
- Check your current phone’s trade value on Apple or carrier sites-older models still fetch $300-$500.
- Do the math on bill credits; most stretch across 36 months.
- No trade? AT&T drops the 16E to $2-$6 a month on select unlimited plans.
- Want instant gratification? Boost sells the handset for $100 up front when you prepay for its Unlimited Premium plan.
## Key Takeaways
- Prices already start $200-$400 below flagship iPhones.
- Trade-ins stack with carrier credits, pushing total savings past $800.
- Color choice is limited, but performance and Apple Intelligence match pricier siblings.
- Credits require sticking with the same carrier for three years; leaving early triggers the remaining balance.
Shoppers willing to trade an old device-or switch to a qualifying unlimited plan-can walk away with Apple’s latest budget iPhone for zero dollars down and pocket-size monthly payments.
