The best iPhone SE deals for October 2024
Looking for an upgrade? Here are the best deals today
If you're an Apple fan on a budget, this week's best iPhone SE deals should be your first port of call. Not only is the device the cheapest in the current range from Apple, but it's been around for a while now - meaning most carriers are readily offering excellent iPhone SE deals across the board. Both prepaid and major carriers are have great options right now and we've listed and compared them all just below.
Jump to your relevant section:
1. This week's best deals
2. Mini-review
Retailing for $429 puts the new iPhone SE 2022 just a tad more expensive than its 2020 predecessor - which retailed for $399. While that's a bummer for those who were hoping this palm-friendly device was going to get cheaper, there's a lot going on under the hood with this new entry that's looking to justify that extra cost.
Primarily, a huge processor upgrade to the latest Apple A15 Bionic chip means that this small but mighty device is now (almost unbelievably) matching the iPhone 13 flagship when it comes to outright power. Not only is it super speedy, but having the latest Apple silicone allows better battery life, the latest iOS 15, and enables the device to squeeze out a few improvements to its single 12MP camera.
For those looking for a robust palm-friendly design that harkens back to older smartphone designs, it's a fantastic choice. Even better still, this week's iPhone SE 2022 deals allow you to pick it up for way cheaper than the iPhone 13 and other more expensive Apple devices.
If you'd like to read more about this device, head on down to the bottom of the page for a full specs breakdown and mini-review. Also worth checking out is our main iPhone deals page, where we directly compare this device against its more expensive siblings.
Apple iPhone SE 2022 deals
Apple iPhone SE 2022: free with unlimited plan, plus free iPad and Apple Watch at Verizon
Verizon's current iPhone SE 2022 deal offers the device for free alongside an unlimited data plan - a great option if you don't want to go down the usual trade-in route to get a discount on the device. Overall, this is a great promo but it's matched by similar promotions on the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and iPhone 15. Right now, several devices are available for free at the carrier alongside an unlimited plan, although the expensive devices are locked behind the more premium tiers. Verizon is also throwing in a free iPad 10.9 and Apple Watch SE as a bonus gift right now but note that you need a new plan and additional accessory cellular lines to be eligible for freebies.
Apple iPhone SE 2022: $5.99/mo with an unlimited data plan at AT&T
AT&T is currently offering the iPhone SE for just $6 per month alongside an unlimited data plan - a very strong option considering you don't even need the usual trade-in criteria to be eligible. That said, we've seen the carrier offer this device for as little as $3 per month in the past, so this technically isn't the best-ever deal on the device at AT&T. If you're looking to trade, we'd also highly recommend going for a more premium device - such as the iPhone 16 series, which are available with trade-in rebates of up to $1,000 off.
Apple iPhone SE 2022: was $379.99 now $179.99 with new plan at Total by Verizon
One of the cheapest iPhone SE 2022 deals you'll find anywhere on the market right now is over at Total by Verizon. This prepaid carrier is giving the device away for just $179 right now, although you will need to be porting your number over from another carrier to be eligible. You'll also need to be on either the $50/mo or $60/mo unlimited plan to get this deal, which aren't the cheapest possible plans at Total. They are, however, still much cheaper than the parent companies unlimited plans.
Apple iPhone SE 2022: $379.99 $179 with a plan at Straight Talk
Straight Talk is one of the easiest ways and cheapest ways to get yourself a new iPhone SE without paying full or trading in. Right now, all you need is a new line at the carrier and you'll be entitled to an iPhone SE for just $180, which is a fair price considering how cheap this carriers plans are. While we've seen the carrier offer the device for just $99 previously, the fact that the device unlocks after 2 months on a plan means this is still a really great option.
Apple iPhone SE 2022: get up to $650 off with a trade-in at Apple
The best, cheapest, and only route available to those looking for an unlocked device is to go via Apple itself. While there aren't any discounts on the official store, Apple runs its own trade-in program that can be useful for getting a discount while offering a convenient way to get rid of your old device. Right now, the maximum saving is $600 but you won't get anywhere near that unless you're handing over a very highly valued device - you'll only get $80 for a second-generation iPhone SE for example.
iPhone SE 2022 deals: what you need to know
OS: iOS 15 | Screen size: 4.7-inch Liquid Retina| Resolution: 750 x 1334 | CPU: Apple A15 Bionic | Memory: 4GB | Weight: 144g |Storage: 64 / 128 / 256| Battery: N/A | Rear camera: 12MP wide | Front camera: 7MP
So, it's here - Apple's new budget iOS device - is it worth it? Well, first off, if you're looking for a resoundingly powerful device for under $500 then the answer is definitely yes. The Apple A15 Bionic chip in this device is not only the same powerful processor that's found in the more premium iPhone 13 device, but it'll easily outperform most rival mid-range devices from Samsung, Google, and the like.
With the latest tech under the hood, not only are you getting super zippy performance with this small device, but you'll unlock 5G capabilities, more algorithmic-based improvements for your camera, and, on the whole, much improved battery life all around. It's quite simply a fully featured, modern iPhone for a fraction of the price of the latest iPhone 13.
Having such a powerful chip under the hood comes with a compromise, however. By far the biggest drawback of the iPhone SE 2022 is that it features essentially the same basic design as the 2020 model - which itself was based on the iPhone 8. Aside from improvements to toughen up the screen, this means you're still getting those chunky bezels and smaller 4.7-inch display. Considering even mid-range devices from the competition offer bezel-less displays and generally much bigger displays, the iPhone SE 2022 does look dated in comparison.
If you're cool with this then it's all good - this will be a great device for your needs. Not only does the new chip massively extend the life-cycle of this device thanks to its support for 5G, but Apple has guaranteed software updates for many years to come. Out the box, the iPhone SE 2022 also comes with the latest iOS 15 operating system.
Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox
Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more.
Alex is TechRadar's deals editor, specializing in getting our readers the bang bang for the buck on the tech that we know and love. He's a dab hand at covering retailer events like Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day having over seven years of e-commerce experience at Future PLC; including bylines at our sister sites T3 and GamesRadar. Alex's expertise touches on most areas of TechRadar but he has a particular love for phones, laptops, and cameras, being an avid photographer. Outside of work, you'll find him indulging his love for street and travel photography, at home working on music, or down at the local climbing gym.