Who Has the Cheapest iPhone Deals in the US in 2026?
The cheapest iPhone deal in the US depends on whether you buy unlocked or on a carrier plan. Compare Apple's own price with Best Buy, Walmart and Target, count membership, trade-in and plan costs, then go through ShopBack before you pay.
Published: 8 October 2026 · Last updated: 8 October 2026 · Author: Mirabelle Chew, Shopping Editor, ShopBack US
In the US in 2026, no single store always has the cheapest iPhone. For an unlocked phone, Apple's own price is the baseline, with the iPhone 17e starting at $699 on Apple.com at the time of writing, and Best Buy, Walmart and Target usually win on sale events, memberships and store cards. Carrier deals with a trade-in often have the lowest upfront cost, but they tie you to a plan. Compare total cost, then go through ShopBack before you pay.
The numbers that matter, at the time of writing: Apple lists the iPhone 17e from $699, the iPhone 17 from $929 ($899 with carrier activation), the iPhone Air from $1,099 and the iPhone 18 Pro from $1,199. Best Buy lists My Best Buy Plus at $29.99 a year and My Best Buy Total at $199.99 a year (Best Buy announcement, June 4, 2026). Walmart+ costs $98 a year or $12.95 a month. Target's Circle Card takes 5% off Target purchases at checkout, according to Target.
ShopBack US is a cashback site for shoppers in the United States. Before you pay for an online order, go through ShopBack, and part of what you spend on an eligible order comes back to you as cash. You can sign up for ShopBack in a couple of minutes before your next phone purchase.
Who has the cheapest iPhone deals?
The cheapest iPhone deal is the one with the lowest total cost for the exact model, storage size and plan you want, on the day you buy. That total has three parts: the phone price, any plan you have to sign up for, and any membership or fee you would not otherwise pay. For most US shoppers, the comparison comes down to four places:
- Apple sets the baseline price for unlocked phones and runs its own trade-in and Certified Refurbished store. According to Apple, refurbished iPhones come with a new battery and outer shell and a one-year limited warranty. Apple is also on ShopBack US.
- Best Buy sells iPhones with carrier activation and has member pricing and rewards for My Best Buy Plus and Total members. Total includes product protection plans, including AppleCare+, according to Best Buy.
- Walmart often has low prices on prepaid and older iPhone models. Many Walmart iPhone listings are tied to a specific carrier, so read the listing title before you buy.
- Target suits shoppers who already hold the Target Circle Card, which takes 5% off Target purchases at checkout, according to Target.
The quick rule: if you want an unlocked phone, start with Apple's price and check whether Best Buy, Walmart or Target beats it that day; if you are happy to stay on one network, compare carrier trade-in deals; if you want the lowest spend overall, look at a refurbished or prior-year model.
Other places that sell phones in the US include warehouse clubs Costco and Sam's Club, carrier Verizon, prepaid carrier Mint Mobile and brand store Samsung for Android phones, all on ShopBack US.
Cell phone deals: what makes an iPhone cheap
The shelf price is only part of what an iPhone costs. Before you compare stores, settle three things.
Model. Apple's current US line-up at the time of writing runs from the iPhone 17e at $699 to the iPhone 18 Pro Max at the top. If you mostly message, browse and take photos, the cheapest current model is often enough.
Storage. Each step up in storage adds to the price. On Apple.com, the iPhone 17e ranged from $699 to $899 and the iPhone Air from $1,099 to $1,699 depending on storage, at the time of writing. Pick the size you will actually use, and use cloud storage if you need more later.
Unlocked or carrier. An unlocked phone works with any compatible carrier and lets you use a low-cost prepaid plan. A carrier phone is usually cheaper upfront but comes with conditions. On Apple.com, the iPhone 17 cost $30 less when activated with a carrier at purchase, at the time of writing.
| Model on Apple.com | Starting price (at the time of writing) |
|---|---|
| iPhone 17e | $699 |
| iPhone 17 | $929, or $899 with carrier activation |
| iPhone Air | $1,099 |
| iPhone 18 Pro | $1,199 |
Prices are Apple's own list prices and can change. Store and carrier prices differ by day.
Cell phone deals in 2026: when prices usually drop
Cell phone deals in the US in 2026 cluster around a few dates:
- Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Black Friday 2026 is Friday, November 27, and Cyber Monday is Monday, November 30. Phones and carrier promotions are usually part of the week's deals.
- After new models launch. Apple launches new iPhones each fall. Older models are often discounted at retailers and carriers in the months that follow.
- Each store's own events. Best Buy, Walmart and Target run their own sale events through the year, and member pricing at Best Buy can apply outside big events.
If you need a phone now, check the current promotions at each store on the same day rather than waiting for a date that may not suit you. Our US sale calendar lists the main US sale windows in one place.
Cell phone deals: the best deals in the US for 2026 by type of buyer
| You want… | Where to look first | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The lowest upfront cost and you will stay on one network | Carrier deals at Apple, Best Buy or the carrier | Trade-in bill credits can cut the monthly cost, but they run over up to 36 months |
| An unlocked phone at a fair price | Apple, then Best Buy, Walmart and Target on the same day | Apple's price is the baseline; stores sometimes beat it during events |
| The lowest spend overall | Apple Certified Refurbished, or a prior-year model | New battery and one-year warranty on Apple refurbished phones, according to Apple |
| Protection and a long return window | Best Buy with My Best Buy Plus or Total | 60-day return window on most products for members; Total includes AppleCare+ |
| A phone paid with a store card | Target with the Circle Card | 5% off at checkout, according to Target |
Figures are from each company's own pages and announcements at the time of writing and can change.
Best Buy vs Walmart cell phone deals: price comparison in 2026
Best Buy and Walmart are two of the stores many US shoppers compare for a phone. Compare the same model, storage size and carrier at both on the same day, add any activation fee, and count a membership fee only if you would pay it anyway.
Where Best Buy is strong. Best Buy sells iPhones with carrier activation and has staff who can set up the line in store. According to Best Buy's June 4, 2026 announcement, My Best Buy Plus costs $29.99 a year and includes 1% back in Best Buy rewards on eligible purchases (6% with the My Best Buy Credit Card), free two-day shipping, member prices and an extended 60-day return window on most products. My Best Buy Total costs $199.99 a year and adds product protection plans, including AppleCare+, plus 24/7 tech support. The free My Best Buy tier includes free standard shipping.
Where Walmart is strong. Walmart is often strong on prepaid phones and older iPhone models at lower price points. Walmart+ costs $98 a year or $12.95 a month and includes free shipping on items sold or shipped by Walmart.com. Many Walmart phone listings are tied to a named carrier, so check that the carrier suits you before you compare prices.
| Best Buy | Walmart | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical iPhone strength | Carrier-activated current models, member pricing | Prepaid and older models |
| Paid membership | Plus $29.99 a year; Total $199.99 a year | Walmart+ $98 a year or $12.95 a month |
| Member rewards | 1% back in Best Buy rewards on eligible purchases (Plus and Total) | Check Walmart+ terms for current perks |
| Protection | Total includes AppleCare+ | Check the listing for protection options |
| Returns | Extended 60-day window on most products for Plus and Total | Check Walmart's return policy for phones |
How to choose. For a current iPhone on a major carrier, Best Buy's member perks and return window are worth weighing. For a prepaid or older iPhone, Walmart is usually the first place to check.
Best Buy, Walmart and Target cell phone deals in the US: the official programs
Each store runs its own program, and using it is part of getting the lowest price.
Best Buy: My Best Buy. Three tiers: free My Best Buy with free standard shipping, Plus at $29.99 a year and Total at $199.99 a year, according to Best Buy. Plus and Total members earn 1% back in Best Buy rewards on eligible purchases.
Walmart: Walmart+. $98 a year or $12.95 a month. Members get free shipping on items sold or shipped by Walmart.com and early access to some sales.
Target: Target Circle and the Circle Card. Target Circle is free to join. The Target Circle Card takes 5% off Target purchases at checkout, in store and online, according to Target, with some restrictions. Target Circle 360 costs $99 a year, or $49 a year with a Target Circle Card saved to your account. Target's Price Match Guarantee covers a lower price on the identical item at Target.com, in Target stores or with a Target Circle deal, within 14 days of purchase.
Apple: Trade In and Certified Refurbished. Apple gives credit toward a new iPhone when you trade in an eligible device, and its carrier deals pair a trade-in with an eligible plan. According to the AT&T terms on Apple's iPhone page at the time of writing, those credits are applied over 36 months, need an eligible unlimited plan, carry a $35 activation or upgrade fee, and stop if you cancel service.
Where ShopBack fits before you pay for an iPhone
Going through ShopBack takes a few seconds and adds cashback to the same order. Your effective price is what you pay minus the cash ShopBack returns. Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles.
A phone is a large purchase, so even a small rate counts. Illustrative example: on a $699 iPhone at an illustrative 2%, about $14 comes back, so the effective price is about $685. The real rate is different for each store and category and changes over time, so check the live rate on each store's ShopBack page: Best Buy, Walmart, Target and Apple. Walmart works differently: ShopBack pays a fixed cash amount on eligible Walmart orders, so your effective price there is what you pay at checkout minus that amount; the live amount is on Walmart's ShopBack page.
Each store has its own terms, and for phones they matter:
- Category rules. Phones, carrier activations and gift cards can be treated differently from other categories. Read the Terms section on the store's ShopBack page before you count on cash back for a phone.
- Promo codes. Codes from outside ShopBack can stop an order from tracking. If you use a code, use one featured on the store's ShopBack page.
- In-store purchases. A phone bought at the register without an online order does not go through ShopBack. An online order for store pickup is still an online order.
The routine is the same at every store:
- Pick the model, storage size and whether you want it unlocked or on a carrier.
- Compare the total cost at Apple, Best Buy, Walmart and Target on the same day.
- Open the winning store's page on ShopBack US and tap through to the store.
- Pay in the same session, for delivery or pickup.
For a full checklist, see how to make sure you are getting the best price online.
Paying with a store card or rewards card
Store cards and rewards cards are each store's own program. Paying with the Target Circle Card or the My Best Buy Credit Card usually still works with an order you started on ShopBack, but check the merchant's terms on its ShopBack page first, because some payment methods or store-credit redemptions can be excluded. A general rewards credit card usually earns its own points as normal; check your card issuer's terms for how phone purchases are treated.
Frequently asked questions
Who has the cheapest iPhone deals in the US?
No single store is always cheapest. For an unlocked iPhone, Apple's own price is the baseline (the iPhone 17e started at $699 on Apple.com at the time of writing), and Best Buy, Walmart and Target usually win on sale events, store memberships and store cards. For the lowest upfront cost, carrier deals with a trade-in often win, but they tie you to a plan for up to 36 months. Before you pay online, go through ShopBack so your effective price drops.
What is the cheapest new iPhone in 2026?
On Apple.com at the time of writing, the iPhone 17e was the lowest-priced new model, starting at $699. The iPhone 17 started at $929, or $899 when activated with a carrier at purchase, the iPhone Air started at $1,099 and the iPhone 18 Pro started at $1,199, according to Apple's store pages.
Is Best Buy or Walmart cheaper for cell phone deals?
It depends on the phone and the plan. Best Buy is strong for carrier-activated iPhones and member perks, with My Best Buy Plus at $29.99 a year including 1% back in Best Buy rewards and a 60-day return window on most products, according to Best Buy. Walmart is often strong on prepaid and older models, and Walmart+ costs $98 a year. Compare the same model, storage and carrier on the same day.
Are carrier iPhone deals really cheaper?
They can lower the upfront cost, but the saving usually arrives as monthly bill credits. According to the AT&T terms on Apple's iPhone page, trade-in credits are applied over 36 months, need an eligible unlimited plan, and stop if you cancel service, leaving you to pay the remaining device balance. Add up the plan cost for the full term before you decide.
Is a refurbished iPhone a good deal?
Often, yes. According to Apple, every Apple Certified Refurbished iPhone comes with a new battery and outer shell, all accessories, free shipping and returns, and Apple's standard one-year limited warranty. Compare the refurbished price with the newest budget model before you buy.
Does Target price match iPhones?
Only against Target's own prices. According to Target, its Price Match Guarantee covers an identical item found for less at Target.com, in Target stores or with a Target Circle deal, at the time of purchase or within 14 days after, and exclusions apply.
When are cell phone deals best in 2026?
Cell phone deals in the US usually peak around Black Friday, which falls on November 27, 2026, and Cyber Monday on November 30, 2026. Prices on older models also tend to fall after Apple launches new ones each fall.
Should I buy an unlocked iPhone or a carrier iPhone?
Buy unlocked if you want to switch plans freely or use a low-cost prepaid plan. Buy through a carrier if you plan to stay on one network for two to three years and can use a trade-in. Unlocked phones usually cost more upfront, while carrier deals usually cost more over the plan term.
How does ShopBack lower the price of an iPhone?
Going through ShopBack takes a few seconds and adds cashback to the same order. Your effective price is what you pay minus the cash ShopBack returns. On a $699 phone at an illustrative 2%, about $14 comes back, so the effective price is about $685. Check the live rate and phone terms on the store's ShopBack page before you buy. Walmart pays a fixed cash amount on eligible orders instead, so your effective price there is what you pay at checkout minus that amount; the live amount is on Walmart's ShopBack page.
Is cashback the same as store reward points?
No. Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles. Store programs such as My Best Buy rewards follow their own terms and can only be spent at that store.
Key takeaways
- No single US store always has the cheapest iPhone; compare total cost for the exact model, storage and plan.
- Apple's list prices are the baseline: iPhone 17e from $699, iPhone 17 from $929, iPhone Air from $1,099, at the time of writing.
- Carrier trade-in deals cut the upfront cost but run as bill credits over up to 36 months.
- Best Buy lists Plus at $29.99 and Total at $199.99 a year; Walmart+ is $98 a year; Target's Circle Card takes 5% off at checkout.
- Before you pay for an online order, go through ShopBack US, and check each store's phone terms on its ShopBack page.
Sub-guides
Related reads
Shop phones on ShopBack US: Best Buy · Walmart · Target · Apple · Verizon
Disclaimer
The views and recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author. Phone prices, carrier promotions, trade-in values, membership fees, return policies and card benefits vary by retailer and change over time. Cashback rates on ShopBack vary by store and campaign; check the current rate and terms on each store's ShopBack page before you buy.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional or financial advice.
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