Apple’s new, and budget friendly iPhone 16e has been around for a few weeks and it finally became available to buy for everyone in the UK, as retailers add it to their ‘buy now’ stock. The device, which Apple CEO Tim Cook said ‘completes the iPhone 16 range that customers have been loving’ is the newest edition on the block, and we’ve rounded up the best places to buy it.
The iPhone 16e comes with a boosted battery life, the fast performance of the A18 chip, Apple Intelligence and a 48MP 2-in-1 camera system, for a lot less. We’re helping shoppers pinpoint the best places to buy it from as Sky Mobile, O2, Argos, Vodafone and more add the new iOS model to its stock.
So, let’s get to it. If you want to lock in to a data contract then Sky Mobile or Mobiles.co.uk are our favourites – and we explain why below. While Amazon is currently offering a competitive deal for outright buyers, which comes with a 60-day freebie to Audible.
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Sky Mobile typically offer longer contracts – at 36 months – but shoppers can switch up their device after 24-months, which is handy if you want to upgrade in a few years time. Sky Mobile prices start at £20 for the handset, one of the cheapest around.
Shoppers can then add data on for as little as £7 – which’ll get you 3GB. – plus we love (and sure shoppers will too) that it’s cut upfront fees to £0. Moving onto our next top retailer for contract shoppers: Mobiles.co.uk.
Thanks to its shorter 24-month contract this is one of our favourites. One deal which caught our eye is the 100GB data plan, priced at £28.99 per month with a small upfront fee of £9.
Three Mobile is another retailer we’d recommend as they only charge interest on bundled airtime plans. Rivals O2 also require shoppers to be locked into a fixed 36 month contract, although like Sky you can unlink data and the handset after 24-months. The retailer is currently offering a £72 discount on all its airtime plans, which would knock £2 off per month for new iPhone shoppers – this is available until March 19.
Vodafone is another one on our list and shoppers can choose between a 24 month or 36 month contract, all of their airtime plans are 24 months long. It’s currently giving away a free £100 bonus to anyone who trades in an older phone when buying an iPhone 16 too.
Anyone who wants to buy the new iPhone on its own, without a data plan, should head to this Amazon page and retailers including Carphone Warehouse – who are known to offer both SIM plans and an ‘upfront’ option for £599 – which matches Apple.
Another go-to is Argos, closely followed by Very and Currys – the last of which are handing out free Apple TV+ for three months to all iPhone 16e shoppers.
In the past, Apple’s budget range of phones usually have have the same basic design as standard iPhones but come with a smaller screen and updated internal components like processors, cameras, and sometimes battery life, which allows for the more affordable price point while still providing strong performance.
However, O2 and Virgin Media have recently hit the news due to its price hikes, which are set to affect any customers who locked into a contract will see an increase in their prices in a matter of weeks. This happens each year in line with inflation and is a common thing to look out for when shopping for a mobile contract.
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