Beware: That viral $0.01 iPhone 16 Pro Black Friday deal isn’t as sweet as it seems
But don’t worry, there are still some decent iPhone deals to be found.
It's becoming a Black Friday tradition. Every year we see the latest and greatest iPhone reduced to just $0.01 in what looks like a phenomenal deal. At this very moment you can indeed purchase the iPhone 16 Pro Max for just $0.01 at Amazon. But when something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
Tech journalists across the world are once again waxing lyrical about the deal, with many neglecting to mention that not only does it tie the buyer to a contract of monthly payments, but said contract lasts 36 (thirty-six!) months. Which, by my own Sherlockian calculations, is three whole years. So, while the deal might suit some in specific circumstances, it probably isn't a great option for everyone – even if it is on the best iPhone for photography.
$1,199 $0.01
Save $1,198.99... sort of:
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is available for $0.01 up-front on Amazon, when signing up for a Boost plan. In our review, we called the iPhone 16 Pro Max impressive in terms of power and ease of use, with the new 48MP camera improved from last year and the new Camera Control button offering a great upgrade for photographers.
Release date: September 2024
Now, let's crunch some numbers shall we? 36 months is a long time for a phone contract, with most over here in the UK lasting between 12 and 24 months. With this deal, the 256GB model has a monthly cost of $67.78, while the 512GB model bumps that up to $73.33. At 36 months, that means you're paying between $2,440 and $2,639 in total. The 256GB iPhone 16 Pro Max costs $1119, so you're looking at an extra $1320 at least – which you may consider reasonable for a monthly plan over three years but there are also network issues to consider.
Use more than 30GB in the 'unlimited' data plan, and speeds could be throttled. And this is coming from a network that, as our reviews editor Erlingur helpfully points out, enjoys a Trustpilot rating of 1.3.
Of course, there are some for whom this deal might be useful – if you have deep pockets but fancy reducing the up-front cost, sure, knock yourself out. But if you're looking for a genuinely good deal in cash terms, I'd recommend checking out one of the less splashy deals below. These might cost more than a cent, but you'll probably thank yourself in 36 months' time.
Get a $100 gift card: hile not a discount as such, a free $100 gift card with an iPhone 16 purchase at Best Buy is a great deal. You could spend it on an accessory such as a case, or, I don't know, literally anything else!
Save $50: While it might not feature the camera upgrades and Camera Control button that the 16 packs, the iPhone 15 is still a super powerful device, and it brings the Dynamic Island to the base-level iPhone for the first time.
Save up to $920: If you're not wedded to an iPhone, you could save big on the S24 Ultra this Black Friday – especially with a trade-in deal at Samsung. It's a sliding scale for discounts, depending on the model you have to trade in. But you could trade in another brand's phone and get the newest, most powerful Samsung device in its place.
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Save 38%: If you love the iPhone, you might also love this deal on the best earbuds Apple has to offer. They have never been this cheap, ever. Offering rich sound and seamless integration with Apple devices, we like these AirPods a lot. In fact, some of the team have them and use them every day.
Price comparison: Best Buy $159.99 | B&H Photo $234.99
For the best deals in your area, take a look at our constantly updating iPhone deals widget below. And for more great Apple offers, take a look at our roundup of the best MacBook Black Friday deals.
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We curate the best offers on creative kit and give our expert recommendations to save you time this Black Friday. Upgrade your setup for less with Creative Bloq.
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