There’s change coming for the iPhone, with Apple announcing its plans for the latest version of iOS – the software that powers the phone – and future advancements for Apple Intelligence. If you have anything older than an iPhone 11, you might find that software support has run out. If you have anything older than an iPhone 15 (and then only the Pro models), then you’re already missing out on Apple Intelligence.
There’s no need to panic, however, because there are plenty of great iPhone 16 deals out there, and a new iPhone doesn’t have to cost you the earth. The cheapest iPhone is the iPhone 16e, and you can get one for £19 a month from Sky Mobile.
This only comes with 100MB of data, but that can be bumped up to 5GB of data for an extra £6 a month on a 36-month contract, so that’s £25 a month. There’s a better deal at Mobiles.co.uk, where the iPhone 16e with 100GB data is £26.99 a month. The advantage here is that it’s a 24-month contract, although it’s worth noting that there’s a £9 upfront cost.
While the iPhone 16e is a great starting point – the highlight feature being the outstanding battery life – it loses out to the regular iPhone 16 which has a better camera on the back and Apple’s Dynamic Island on the display, so has wider appeal for many users.
The iPhone 16 is only a few pounds a month more than the iPhone 16e, so that’s likely to be the choice for many, and a downside when it comes to the price of the 16e device. The cheapest deal with data comes from Mobiles.co.uk, where the iPhone 16 can be had for £29.99 a month, with 10GB of data. That’s for a 24-month contract.
If you want to go cheaper, then GiffGaff is offering the iPhone 16 for £28.87 with 25GB of data, but this is on a 36-month contract. The iPhone 16 Pro models can also be had for less than £50 a month, with the iPhone 16 Pro Max at £44.99 a month and the iPhone 16 Pro from £38.99.
Both of these have 10GB of data, which is why they are cheaper than might be expected. Of course, you can choose more data if you wish, with all running on the ID Mobile network.
If you’re just looking to buy the iPhone 16 without a contract, there’s £100 off the price at Amazon then you can add any SIM you like. The downside of buying these cheaper deals is that there are very few perks – unlike the bigger networks, you don’t get priority tickets, discounted entertainment, coffee for £1 or anything else, which is worth highlighting for shoppers.
The iPhone 16 launched in 2024 and brought with it Apple Intelligence, leveraging the power of AI help you be more productive, with fun features like Genmoji. It runs on iOS 18.1, but it needs a powerful chip which is why it’s only supported on the most recent phones – and a reason you might want to upgrade.
The largest iPhone is the iPhone Pro Max, although there’s also the iPhone 16 Plus. The Pro models have the advantage over the regular iPhone models because they offer a telephoto lens, allowing higher-quality photos when zoomed in.
The iPhone 16 Pro models are finished in titanium for a premium lift, while the best thing about the iPhone 16 is the fresh new design, with a new camera layout on the back compared to the iPhone 15 – it looks really smart. New iPhone models are expected to be announced in September 2025 with the launch of the iPhone 17. Rumours also have it that there will be a slimmer iPhone, the iPhone 17 Air, but this is yet to be confirmed.