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iPhone SE (2016) Would I be getting ripped off if I decided to buy an iPhone SE at the price of $349 unlocked?

Dekema2

Dekema2

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jul 27, 2012
858
450
WNY or Utica
I am currently stuck under a family plan with a 5 year old iPhone 5s that has a faulty digitizer (when screen brightness is increased, pink and red lines vertical lines populate the screen). The insurance would give the 5s or 6 depending on what is in stock, but I don't want the 5s again and I don't like the 6 form factor. That leaves an insurance upgrade out of the question for me.

When I go to the AT&T store their prepaid plans are modest, but still pricey to me. Who would pay $30/mo for a gigabyte of data? At the same time they offer the SE at around $200 under these plans.

Verizon is even more ridiculous and I didn't even consider their offer.

For a phone that's almost 2 years old and is supposed to be an "entry level" iPhone, why does it have a premium price? What's the easiest way to get this phone under a reliable plan, as cheaply as possible?

It also helps to know that I don't have credit and am not really interested in the installment/rent-a-phone programs, unless that's the only viable option.
 
Dekema2 said:
I'm looking into that now. What carriers are the cheapest and most reliable, offhand? The low cost ones like T-Mobile? Or the cheaper prepaid ones?
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I don't know about the prices for all the carriers, as I use Verizon. I was with Sprint for way too long before that.

If you are a person that doesn't really make calls on the phone, and don't make many texts while using cellular, take a look at T-Mobile. They have a plan for $3.00 a month that includes 30 mins of calling or texts a month. If you primarily used WIFI, this may fit your need. You could also look at Ting, Straight Talk, Sprint, Metro PCS, Cricket, Boost, and some of the other carriers.
 
i bought at 16GB refurbished at Walmart over the holidays for under $150. It said locked but was unlocked and new. I got another one that was unlocked also but had 10 months warranty left. Be careful to buy the one shipped by walmart and not by a third party seller as you can easily return to Walmart.
Here's one for $142. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Apple-iPhone-SE-16GB-Refurbished-Locked/54188796

edit: Don't get a 6, not enough memory, the lowest you should get is 6s or SE.
 
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conifer said:
i bought at 16GB refurbished at Walmart over the holidays for under $150. It said locked but was unlocked and new. I got another one that was unlocked also but had 10 months warranty left. Be careful to buy the one shipped by walmart and not by a third party seller as you can easily return to Walmart.
Here's one for $142. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Apple-iPhone-SE-16GB-Refurbished-Locked/54188796

edit: Don't get a 6, not enough memory, the lowest you should get is 6s or SE.
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That sounds like a great idea, but it's out of stock.
 
i see a gold one for 142 that turns to 199 in cart. Maybe you can call Walmart and get it adjusted back down to 142.


Here's a new 32gb locked to ATT on Amazon for $219. Says fulfilled by Amazon so if you have a month to return if not as advertised. https://www.amazon.com/BRAND-NEW-AP...rd_wg=WikEk&psc=1&refRID=0WGBMSZ8D5HPWCN32WM1

edit: for some perspective, the SE is about 2 years old. Used to be very hard to get a 2 year phone new for under $300, a 1 year for under $400.
The small size, the 16GB being less desirable and having the plus version also flood the market so there are now 2 and now 3 iPhone variants a year, make this a lot easier.
 
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Dekema2 said:
When I go to the AT&T store their prepaid plans are modest, but still pricey to me. Who would pay $30/mo for a gigabyte of data? At the same time they offer the SE at around $200 under these plans.
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IMO ATT Prepaid should only be considered if you want their $40/mo 6gb plan, which is a good value.

Any other plan of theirs you can get a better value, on the same ATT network, with Cricket Wireless. For example... Cricket's $30/mo plan gives you 2gb of data and you don't have to pay any taxes or fees.

OP if you end up liking any Cricket Wireless plans, they sell the iPhone SE brand new for $160: https://www.cricketwireless.com/cell-phones/smartphones/apple-iphone-se-32gb-space-gray.html
 
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Personally, I think the SE is a steal at 350.00, but it’s always better if you can get it cheaper. It’s a great device.

I was able to get a 64gb a week after release from Best Buy for 399.00, and it was worth every penny. But that’s just my take.

I bought an 8 yesterday on T-mo’s 200.00 off deal, and plan on swapping some pocket time. 55+ plan is 2 lines unlimited for 60.00, if you can qualify.
 
Search Amazon, eBay, Swappa etc. I bought my SE as seller refurbished from eBay with AppleCare for only $87 shipped unless you want to wait for a refresh on SE line rumored this year
 
I would not pay that price fo a SE these days and I love mine. Between swappa, pre paid deals, etc you can find one a lot cheaper even unlocked ones.
 
Banglazed said:
Search Amazon, eBay, Swappa etc. I bought my SE as seller refurbished from eBay with AppleCare for only $87 shipped unless you want to wait for a refresh on SE line rumored this year
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At this junction, that’s what I would do as well, wait to see if there’s a refreshed SE 2, which could Debut as little as next month or in between June WWDC 2018. But the current SE can be found on sale for around $150.00
 
Relentless Power said:
At this junction, that’s what I would do as well, wait to see if there’s a refreshed SE 2, which could Debut as little as next month or in between June WWDC 2018. But the current SE can be found on sale for around $150.00
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This is also where I find myself. It's just about sim swap time and am looking forward to going back to the SE. I would pay $350 today for NIB if I couldn't find a mint refurb for less.
 
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The OP didn't mention how much data he actually needed, other than $30 for 1 gig was too much.

In the short term, could signup for ATT Prepaid, get the phone for $149. $30/month for 6 months until it can be unlocked makes it approximately (not counting taxes) $330. Cheaper than buying the 32GB iPhone outright, and could consider the service for free.

Cricket is similar pricing but with 2GB/data.

Going this route for 6 months is cheaper than buying outright, and gives more time to decide on where to go from there.
 
Doesn't AT&T allow you to buy the prepaid SE for $200, just pay for 1 month of prepaid, and then switch it over to a normal plan after that first month? I seem to remember them saying something like that.

Anyway, I wouldn't pay $350 for that phone today especially considering it might get updated in the next few months. I'd stick with your current 5S for a few more months if you can stand it. I'm also still using a 4.5 year old 5S.
 
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