Are unlocked iPhones cheaper on Black Friday?

If you’re looking for the best iPhone sale for this Cyber Monday or Black Friday, you’ll likely find deals similar to years past at most major retailers. However, the best deals usually require some sort of contract or trade in with a carrier like Verizon, AT&T or T-Mobile. For example, in 2021 Verizon was offering the iPhone 13 for up to $800 off with an eligible trade-in (likely needing to trade in an iPhone 12 Pro for the full amount) and an unlimited plan. Unfortunately, these carriers tend to dominate Black Friday smartphone offers, so your options to save money on discounted iPhones are limited to newer models, contract deals and stock availability.
 

Alternatively, you can save just as much or even more when you shop for refurbished iPhones on Back Market on Black Friday or any day of the year for that matter. And to give you even more freedom, Back Market has plenty of options for unlocked iPhones so you can get the phone you want without committing to a specific carrier (great for travelers and nomads alike!) 
 

So yes, while you’ll likely see the “biggest discount” on iPhones offered by carriers and retailers on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, you’re better off shopping with no strings attached and still landing an amazing deal of up to 70% off on popular iPhone models. Here are a few current prices* on unlocked iPhones we offer to give you a better idea:

*Updated Nov 2022

• iPhone 13: Starting at $569 (22% off)
• iPhone 12: Starting at $368 (41% off)
• iPhone 11: Starting at $282 (43% off)
• iPhone XR: Starting at $219 (27% off)
• iPhone SE: Starting at $77 (66% off)

If you’re already locked into a carrier contract and you’re just looking to upgrade, you’ll find even better deals and lower prices on refurbished carrier locked iPhones on our site. The only thing left for you to decide is which iPhone is the best match for you.

Since the iPhone XR was released in 2018, there are already a lot of unlocked models floating around on the refurbished market. This is a great phone to nab right now, even when it isn't Black Friday or Cyber Monday. If you want to read more about iPhone XR deals and price drops go ahead and click on the previous link :)

It’s really quite simple: the iPhone 11 is almost identical to the iPhone XR, except it has a more advanced camera system and a slightly newer processor inside. If you’re willing to spend a little more money to have an additional lens in your iPhone camera, consider buying the iPhone 11 over the iPhone XR. Note: that additional lens may not sound like much, but the iPhone 11 also has a “night mode” for taking extra clear photos at night without the flash.

The unlocked iPhone X and unlocked iPhone XS both have a smaller size than the XR and 11, but I honestly prefer this form factor because it’s easier to use one-handed. These models also come equipped with OLED displays, which result in slightly more vibrant colors. Some users, however, may prefer the more neutral displays on the XR and 11. The 11 and XR also feature more battery life than the sleeker X and XS.

See those links above? They link to user guides, just in case you want to learn more about what it's like to use these phones on a day-to-day basis :D

The iPhone SE is one of the newer iPhones on this list, but it has that classic iPhone design that many of us have come to know and love.

We have great deals all year round, so there really is no rush to buy on any specific shopping holiday. But if you are set on buying something for this shopping season, you can find more of our Black Friday electronics deals and Cyber Monday tech deals by clicking on those links :)