Find out why buying an iPhone directly from Apple might be a better option than purchasing from your carrier, Amazon, Best Buy, or other retailers.
Note that while buying from Apple offers obvious benefits (as we’ll see below), there are instances where your carrier or other online stores may offer a much better price, particularly for iPhone models that are one or two generations old.
Secondly, we are primarily comparing buying from Apple versus your carrier. However, many of these tips also apply if you’re purchasing from Amazon or other retailers.
Easy trade-in option
You can trade in your iPhone with your carrier or through companies that specialize in this, like Gazelle, Swappa, and Ucell. However, if you want the most hassle-free experience, the Apple Trade-In Program is definitely worth considering.
You can trade in your current iPhone when purchasing a new one on Apple’s website or in-store, receiving instant credit toward your new device.
The iPhone will be all yours
If you can pay for a new iPhone upfront, you should consider buying it directly from Apple. When you buy an iPhone through a carrier on contract, you agree to pay monthly installments for 12, 24, or 36 months.
In some cases, the total amount paid over these months may end up exceeding the cost of the device. Additionally, even if you sell the iPhone to a friend, you’ll still be responsible for continuing the monthly payments.
And don’t forget that carriers lock these iPhones to work only with their SIM.
You can switch network providers and plans with an unlocked iPhone
Another major advantage of buying directly from Apple is you can get an unlocked iPhone by selecting the “Connect to any carrier later” option on the purchase page.
If you purchase from Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or other carriers, your iPhone may be locked to that specific carrier only for the length of the contract.
Now, the original carrier will unlock your iPhone for use with other carriers once you have paid off all your monthly installments. However, the experience may not be seamless, and you may have to visit the carrier store or contact their support team.
Also see: 14 things that can negatively impact your iPhone resale value
Everything with Apple is clear and straightforward
When you buy a product from Apple’s website, details such as model, storage capacity, color, AppleCare+ coverage, are clearly listed, allowing you to make informed choices.
However, the same isn’t always true for third-party websites. Since different sellers list iPhones on these platforms, there have been instances where descriptions were incorrect, leading to confusion and incorrect purchases.
You can choose from all the options
When you shop at Apple’s official website or store, you can choose from every available combination of colors, storage options, and sizes. While it’s true that you might not be able to get your desired color and storage option on launch day, if you’re willing to wait or shop after the initial rush, you’ll likely be able to get the exact model you want.
In comparison, you may have noticed that your carrier or favorite third-party seller—whether online or offline—may not always have all the color and storage options. As a result, you might have to settle for a black, 256 GB iPhone, even though you were hoping for a blue one with 128 GB storage.
You don’t have to worry about fraud
The possibility of getting a counterfeit iPhone, a refurbished iPhone, an already activated iPhone, or something else instead of a new iPhone is extremely rare when you order online with Apple. And even if you receive a different product, like this user getting a Mac mini instead of an iPhone 16 Pro, you can rest assured that Apple Support or the local Apple Store will fix it immediately.
But when you order from other places, especially lesser-known, obscure sites, you may not get an original iPhone. Additionally, there have been a number of cases in various countries where the seller’s warehouse or courier people have delivered a bar of soap or an empty box instead of an actual iPhone box.
Usually, these scams are done on the courier or outsourced warehouse level, but you can be confident that if this happens for an order from Apple.com, they will sort it out instead of leaving you helpless or banning your account as Amazon did.
Cashback and other offers
If you have an Apple Card, you get 3% cashback on every purchase made using Apple’s online and offline stores.
Additionally, Apple partners with banks, and depending on your country, you may receive attractive discounts when purchasing directly from Apple. For example, in my country, Apple has teamed up with three major banks to offer nearly a 5% instant discount when using credit cards from those banks.
During major festivals, you might get free AirPods, discounted AirPods, or free Beats earphones when purchasing from Apple. While these offers are rare and vary from one country to another, it’s worth keeping in mind when shopping during major holidays.
Note: Unlike iPad and Mac, education discount isn’t available when buying iPhones.
iPhone Upgrade program
Apple’s iPhone Upgrade Program is a great option for users who upgrade to the new model every year and purchase AppleCare+ with their phone.
Once you enroll in the iPhone Upgrade Program, you don’t have to pay the full cost of your iPhone and AppleCare+ coverage upfront. Instead, you pay over 24 months at 0% interest. After 12 monthly installments, you become eligible to upgrade to the latest iPhone model. You can learn more about the program when purchasing from Apple’s online or offline store or on this page.
Apple offers a no-questions-asked return policy
Apple has an easy 14-day return policy in the United States, Europe, and other (though not all) markets. So, if you don’t like the new device or want to exchange it for a different size, color, or storage tier, you should be able to do that without issues.
Easy chat and phone support
One of the best things about Apple is its well-trained in-store staff and equally helpful customer support representatives available through online chat and phone calls. Additionally, it’s easy to contact an actual human, rather than getting stuck in computerized menus or AI bot replies.
So, if you ever face an issue with your order or need help making a purchase, you can rest assured that official help is just a call or click away.
Bonus tip: Great refurbished devices
Finally, if you want to save money, you can learn about Apple’s official refurbished store. Every refurbished iPhone from Apple has a new battery and carries the same warranty as a new device. So, instead of buying a second-hand iPhone from elsewhere, you can get it directly from Apple with full peace of mind.
Next, check out: 15 things to do before selling, giving away, or trading your iPhone or iPad