Apple shocks fans with big price cuts on iPhone 16 series — but there is a catch

Apple has now begun selling used iPhone 16 models on its own store, including the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max, with their prices ranging from about one-tenth to over one-fifth off. This is a rare opportunity for buyers who want a lower price but still need Apple’s support.

The base iPhone 16 now sells new for less than its launch cost, but the used unit drops the price even more. The Plus model follows the same path. The Pro and Pro Max are no longer sold new, so the used price is set far below their launch prices. This opens a door for fans who missed the Pro line when it was still sold new.

Apple says these phones are not worn-out junk. Each one is unlocked and ships with a fresh shell and a fresh battery. The phone comes in a plain box with a USB-C cable. There is no charger brick, but that is now the norm.

Each unit is cleaned, tested, and backed by the same base cover as a new phone. Buyers can add AppleCare+ or AppleCare One for extra peace of mind, and the company claims these phones look and work like new ones, which helps explain why the price cut is not huge.

For many users, a new shell and a new battery matter more than the box or the launch date. If the screen is clean and the cell is fresh, the day-to-day use will feel the same.

The prices tell the full story—the iPhone 16 drops from a launch cost of $799 to $619 in this used form. The Plus falls to $699. The Pro now sits at $759, while the Pro Max lands at $929. These cuts look sharp at first glance, but rivals still sell new phones for less.

Still, many buyers trust Apple more than any third-party seller—the full cover, clean build, and known source lower the risk, and for fans who want an iPhone 16 and plan to keep it for years, this may be the safest way to save cash. This is a calculated move by Apple to attract cautious buyers who want value, not flash.