In one of my last articles, I wrote that the first month of autumn is perhaps the best month for buying an iPhone. Apple smartphones become cheaper with the release of new devices, which the company traditionally unveils in September. Starting in September, devices from the American brand of previous years begin to lose value. The next milestone is the New Year sales, and then the price drop slows down a bit.
In this material I want to collect all the known tricks for buying an iPhone in order to save on an expensive purchase. The guide is relevant at any time of the year, since the recommendations described in it are almost always valid.
Do you want to save money on purchasing an iPhone? That way:
Buy a used device
The most proven method. Obviously, the only thing cheaper than a used iPhone is a faulty iPhone, but the latter is only good for spare parts. At the same time, used Apple products traditionally lose value more slowly than phones from other brands.
According to a study by the smartphone sales service SellCell, the iPhone XS Max, sold two years after its appearance on the market, lost in price only 57% of its original cost. For comparison, the flagship LG V40 ThinQ has lost almost 80% of its original price in two years
Smartphones from the American brand are in great demand - just like Nokia phones were once popular until the company lost its former position in the market. But this can also be beneficial - for example, due to high demand on Internet sites, iPhones are almost always available in large quantities.
To buy a used iPhone, you need to decide on the model you want to buy, find out its usual price on the market (the average between the lowest and highest price), personally go and buy the device either from an ordinary owner or from a store that deals sale of used devices. Why personally? There is a possibility that the smartphone you are selling is of low quality; you should also check the device against the database - run through the serial number and IMEI - to, for example, make sure that the device is not stolen.
Used smartphones are obviously cheaper than new ones
The device may be of poor quality, and the seller may be a scammer (always check the smartphones you purchase in person)
Exchange iPhone
When people ask me how to buy an iPhone cheaper , but not used, I always suggest taking a closer look at an exchange device. This is a completely new iPhone , which is given in exchange for the old one under warranty when repair is impossible. The smartphone is issued in films, it is not activated, and the warranty period depends on the use of the first iPhone, which you sent in for repair.
Here's my cool trade-in iPhone 7 Plus: no complaints during the entire period of use
In general, a gift of fate - nothing less. The only negative is that such devices are sold without packaging, adapter and charging cable. But you can save a lot of money (5-10% of the official iPhone price) when buying a device that will last you more than one year.
What to do if you don't receive notifications in iOS 15
Choose the right time to buy
As I said, most often old iPhones become cheaper after new ones are released. Also, devices from Apple and other brands traditionally lose price during Christmas and other seasonal sales, during major holidays, due to store closures, and in the absence of demand for a specific model.
For example, consumers considered the price of the iPhone SE released in April 2020 to be too high (39,990 rubles). The market decided - after 4-5 months the cost of the device approached 32 thousand. 7 thousand in less than six months!
Accordingly, you should not purchase an iPhone during certain periods of the year. For example, in the summer or immediately before the announcement of new Apple smartphones (in July-August).
An example of a reasonable purchase: in April 2022, an iPhone XR with a 128 GB drive was valued at the maximum amount of 55 thousand rubles. In May, the price tag dropped slightly, then returned to previous levels, and in September it dropped to 51 thousand rubles. Conclusion - it’s profitable to buy in September
A short wait can be rewarded with a good discount of several thousand rubles
Not everyone likes to wait
The best ways to save
The Russian electronics market is one of the most expensive in the world, so the cost of gadgets from Apple is also not encouraging. However, the popularity of the iPhone is growing, forcing people to look for an opportunity to buy their favorite model.
Experts have named several ways to save money when buying your favorite smartphone.
It is important to understand that each of them, in addition to advantages, has a number of disadvantages that must be assessed in advance, being prepared for certain inconveniences.
Buy a model immediately after the next one comes out
Apple annually updates its line of smartphones, releasing a new model to the market. Accordingly, gadgets released earlier become obsolete and their prices fall. At this moment, buying a smartphone will be the most profitable, giving you the opportunity to save several thousand rubles.
The only downside is that some smartphone models no longer receive updates. When purchasing, you need to take this into account, giving preference to gadgets that are no more than 2-3 years old.
Choose the cheapest option in the store
In each store you can find an option that will fully satisfy your needs:
- M. Video – iPhone 7 Plus 32 GB (31,990 rubles), iPhone 6s (15,990 rubles), iPhone 8 64 GB (35,990 rubles);
- Svyaznoy – iPhone 7 32 GB (26,990 rubles), iPhone X 64 GB (39,990 rubles), iPhone SE 2022 64 GB (39,990 rubles);
- Goods.ru – iPhone SE 64 GB (39,069 rubles), iPhone 6s 32 GB (20,622 rubles), iPhone 7 32 GB (26,900 rubles);
- BigGeek – iPhone SE 2022 64 GB (36,990 rubles), iPhone 6s 32 GB (19,900 rubles), iPhone 8 64 GB (35,490 rubles).
There is no need to buy a smartphone at the first store you come across.
Instead, you need to carefully study the market of offers, giving preference to the most profitable one. Retail outlets often announce discounts and other promotions, which also allows you to save a lot of money.
Buy a fake
If it is not possible to purchase a real smartphone, then you can turn your attention to a fake. In some cases, it is almost impossible to distinguish it from the original, but the duration of work will be significantly shorter.
For those who are trying to decide which company is best for them, they will be given the opportunity to test the iPhone without spending extra money. The main thing to remember is that the warranty and other narrowly targeted services from Apple will not be available.
Delivery from Europe or America
Buying a new iPhone model in Europe will cost about 8 thousand rubles. cheaper, and if you get wholesale prices, the deal will be even more profitable. The main problem is to carry out the purchase.
Foreign payment systems practically do not accept our cards, but if you somehow manage to conclude a deal by making a payment, you will have to resolve the issue of delivery. It should be not only profitable, but also safe.
If you turn to the “Banderolka” delivery service for help, you can buy an iPhone 7 Plus for 52-53 thousand rubles, while Russian stores sell it for 62-63 thousand. Thanks to the convenient service, you don’t have to think about how to transfer your smartphone to country. A company employee will deliver your order within 10-15 days.
Hand-held gray iPhone
There is an opportunity to purchase a “gray” iPhone, which costs 20% less than smartphones at Apple’s official representative offices. You need to understand that this is not a fake or a restored gadget, but an original model. It just didn’t go through the certification procedure for the country to which it was brought.
Despite the attractive price, owners of “gray” smartphones often encounter unexpected problems.
If the gadget is imported from abroad, then you will need to buy an adapter for its charger, and also solve the problem of a “gray” carrier iPhone that only works with a SIM card of a certain operator. But most often such problems do not arise, since smartphones are imported from nearby countries.
Saving money when buying an iPhone often seems like an overwhelming task. But don’t be discouraged, because there are many ways that allow you to buy a smartphone with significant savings. The main thing is not to deviate from the intended goal and carefully study the market offers.
Buy a refurbished iPhone
A refurbished iPhone is a smartphone that the previous owner returned to the store due to a breakdown or returned it under a trade-in program. Apple carefully disassembles old devices, replaces damaged components, housing and screen, and then puts the device in a new box and sends it back to the market. In the US, similar smartphones cost $100 less.
In Russia you cannot buy a refurbished iPhone through the Apple website, but many stores sell such devices. For example, a new iPhone X with a 64 GB drive is priced at 50,990 rubles, the same, but refurbished device will cost 37,490 rubles.
Refurbished iPhones are delivered in a white box, have the same kit as new ones, and such devices are also distinguished by the presence of the F symbol in the serial number.
They are noticeably cheaper than virgin new devices
Not found
Buy an iPhone on the gray market
New iPhones are sold in two types of stores - official and so-called “gray”. The former cooperate directly with Apple and officially purchase products from the company's suppliers. Since iPhones are not produced in Russia, these retailers purchase them abroad, paying customs duties and other duties. Typically, these stores sell smartphones at the recommended retail price assigned by Apple. A list of authorized Apple resellers can be found on the company's website.
The second – “gray” sellers – save on iPhone purchases. They may purchase smartphones through back channels, not pay the full duty, or find another option to buy a batch of devices cheaper. Also, “gray” stores often sell gadgets produced not for Russia, but for other regions - the USA, Great Britain, Germany and others. This does not affect the performance of the device.
For these reasons, iPhones are cheaper from “gray” sellers. For example, an iPhone 11 with 64 GB of memory can be bought on the Apple website for 59,990 rubles; from unofficial dealers, a similar device costs 50,450 rubles (according to Yandex.Market data for September 2020)
I recommend looking for “gray” sellers on Yandex.Market, where the offers of gray trucks are compared with the prices of official retailers. I talked about how to buy safely and profitably on Yandex.Market here.
The price is much cheaper than official dealers
There may be a problem with the warranty - some official service centers refuse to repair iPhones manufactured for other countries for free
Get a discounted smartphone
If you are not very concerned about the appearance of the smartphone, then you can look for a new device, but with minor defects. For example, with a small chip on the frame or with an incomplete set (no headphones or charging cable).
Section of discounted iPhones in the re:Store store.
Also, sometimes stores give display samples of iPhones at a cheaper price - such smartphones are presented on display, potential buyers have touched them. The discount on discounted devices can range from several thousand to several tens of thousands of rubles.
I do not recommend buying display samples of an iPhone with an OLED display (all Apple smartphones after the iPhone X, not counting the iPhone XR, 11 and SE). Such devices usually have a screen that is constantly on on display, which causes the display to burn out.
We get a large discount, turning a blind eye to some cosmetic shortcomings of the smartphone
In some cases, iPhones on display may have serious defects, such as a burnt-out display or a dead battery.
Buy an iPhone on credit or in installments on favorable terms
Yeah, dirty jokes about the kidney and all that. I don’t recommend buying an iPhone “for a long time”, because this way you lose the pleasure of purchasing it. Imagine, you pay off a two-year loan within two years, and during this time new smartphones come out - it’s a shame. Therefore, I advise you to agree to short-term loans and pay them off in advance - for example, 5-6 months in advance.
Many stores or banks offer installment plans. In fact, the buyer does not save, but does not overpay for the product - in order to attract customers, the store makes a discount and takes the interest on itself. However, in some cases, by repaying the loan early, you can actually save several thousand rubles.
Screenshot: “T—J.”
I have nothing against loans and installments for iPhone. The main thing is to approach the loan wisely and send payments to the bank on time.
Some credit offers allow you to save a little money on your iPhone purchase
If you do not make timely loan payments, the bank may fine you or even sue you
Cashback for purchasing an iPhone
Modern bank cards offer different cashback conditions . I'm sure you have several. Here's some advice: if you're planning to buy an iPhone, look at the current offers that are in your personal account. Perhaps by buying an iPhone a little more expensive, you will be able to get more back, which will be more profitable for you.
You won't be able to save crazy amounts of money on buying an iPhone, but it's quite possible to get something back
There are also proven cashback services that work as browser extensions. They detect rewards opportunities on the store page, allowing you to cash back twice. Use it and don't thank me!
Still have questions? Come to our Telegram chat - we’ll be happy to discuss!
Buy a smartphone at a promotion (for example, with cashback)
One of the options is to grab a smartphone at a good price from official dealers. However, you should be careful, since most often the promotions of retailers are imaginary, that is, they do not provide any benefit. If you see a profitable promotion, then check how much the smartphone costs in other stores, for example, using the Yandex.Market service or e-Katalog.
There are several types of shares. The first is that the smartphone is simply sold cheaper than the usual price. In this case, the buyer does not need to take any additional actions other than directly purchasing the device. Second, you need to purchase a certain accessory. In this case, the store offers a compromise - you spend money on headphones, protective glass or an external battery, and the seller reduces the cost of the iPhone.
Third, the store offers cashback, that is, part of the funds is returned to the buyer’s card or to his account in the store.
Let's look at a specific example: an iPhone XR with 64 GB of memory costs 46,990 rubles at MTS. As a gift for a purchase, the operator offers cashback in the amount of 2,300 rubles - this money can be spent either on communications or buying accessories
Promotions allow you to save several thousand rubles on purchasing an iPhone from official dealers
As a rule, promotions are not very profitable and are created only to attract the attention of buyers
How to buy an iPhone profitably
Unfortunately, in retail chains you will not be able to spend bonuses accumulated in your personal account. But there is another way: let’s say you often fly with Aeroflot. For purchasing tickets you should be awarded bonuses that can be spent on goods from the catalog. Among them you can find not only all kinds of souvenirs and gadgets, but also certificates for purchases in electronics stores. Yes, the rate at which Aeroflot miles are converted into rubles is kind of crazy.
Check your bonus accounts in loyalty programs. It is possible that accumulated points can be exchanged for certificates
However, if you haven’t looked at your personal account on the airline’s website for a long time, I advise you to check your balance - perhaps you can exchange bonuses for a gift certificate at the conditional Eldorado. This feature also works with other services where it is possible to exchange bonuses for rewards. If you save, consider it earned.
Preparing for an Invasion: How to Protect Yourself Using iPhone
Exchange your old smartphone for a new one at an additional cost
Trade-in programs, when you hand over a used device and get a discount on a new one, are popular in the USA and European countries. Apple specifically supports such programs, for example, by stimulating future iPhone SE buyers. So, in America, under the trade-in program, you can buy an SE for 229 instead of 399 dollars (a discount of 170 bucks).
But most often it is more profitable not to trade-in the device, but to sell it yourself on Avito and other platforms. For example, at MTS, when returning an iPhone 8 Plus with 64 GB in the condition of a new smartphone, the store will offer a discount of 13 thousand rubles.
On Avito, a similar device in new condition can easily be sold for 25-30 thousand rubles, there are options for 35-37 thousand rubles.
This option is suitable for those who don’t want to worry about selling their old iPhone
As a rule, stores will not offer decent money for used smartphones
Trade in your old iPhone and buy a new one
Got an old iPhone lying around? Trade-in it at a profit and get a discount on the promotion
Remember I told you about trade-ins? Let's say you have an old iPhone SE lying around, but you don't really have time to sell it. You can trade-in your smartphone without losing much money. Often the discount is combined with other promotions and promotional codes, as a result of which you get a good profit when purchasing a new iPhone . Use trade-in wisely - in some situations it really helps out.
Share in the comments what other ways are there to buy an iPhone cheaper ?
Travel for an iPhone to another country
In the mid-2000s, when iPhones were not yet officially sold in our country or were in short supply, some buyers went to another country to buy devices. For example, they bought devices from the USA and sold them in Russia with markup. The problem was that the “Americans” did not work with Russian SIM cards, and the first smartphones brought in had to be unlocked using a makeshift method.
Read more about the iPhone unlocking phenomenon in Leonid Parfenov’s “Namednya”. Timecode: 1:41.
Now in some markets some iPhones can actually be bought cheaper than in Russia. However, in most cases, the final cost of a device purchased in another country will be higher or slightly lower than the cost of a similar iPhone in our country. For example, if you deliberately go to the USA to buy an iPhone, then the trip will definitely not pay for itself.
But it makes sense to go abroad for an iPhone. For example, St. Petersburg residents have mastered traveling to Finland, where some iPhone models are cheaper than in Russia. For example, the iPhone 11 Pro costs €1,679 in stores in Finland; the return for a citizen of the Russian Federation will be €251. In Russia, a similar device costs 131,990 rubles, in Finland it turns out to be €1,428, or about 114 thousand rubles. At the same time, the cost of a trip to Helsinki by train is about two thousand rubles in both directions.
Also, at one time, intermediary services were especially popular in Russia, helping to purchase iPhones and other equipment in American and European stores. But, again, in most cases, Apple smartphones are cheaper in our country.
You can make a profitable purchase by receiving a tax deduction
In foreign countries, iPhones are rarely cheaper than in Russia
How to save money when buying an iPhone in installments
There are many ways to purchase an iPhone, but the most optimal option is installments. Stores selling Apple products systematically make tempting offers that allow customers to save money.
In M.Video
On the eve of the New Year holidays, the store announced several attractive promotions. You can buy the iPhone you like on an installment plan, which applies to all products. It is available for 10, 12, 18 and 24 months. Both promotions are valid from November 6 to December 31, 2022.
In Svyaznoy
The store constantly operates various programs, including “Instalment”. Just select the smartphone model you like, add it to your cart and click “Buy in installments.” Then you will have to decide on a bank for cooperation, wait for a response from it and receive the treasured gadget. The main advantage of this option is that you do not need to overpay interest for registration and make initial payments.
