The Best iPhone Smartphones to Buy Under $700
Getting a genuine iPhone experience for under $700 means picking your trade-off carefully in 2026: newest chip with fewer features, or older Pro-level hardware at a steep discount. Here are 7 of the best ways to buy into iOS without crossing the $700 mark, from brand-new budget models to renewed Pro-tier picks.
1. Apple iPhone 17e
Price: $599
Apple's newest budget iPhone is the lowest-priced entry point with full Apple Intelligence support and a modern design, replacing the 16e as the go-to budget pick for 2026.
Specs:
- Display: OLED, modern flat-edge design
- Chipset: Apple A19
- Storage: 256GB base storage
- Software: Full Apple Intelligence support, longest support runway of any budget iPhone
Why Buy It: The only current-generation budget iPhone with full AI features — the smartest new-iPhone buy under $700.
2. Apple iPhone 16
Price: Around $679–$729 (frequently discounted closer to $650)
The standard iPhone 16 shares its A18 chip and 6.1-inch OLED display with the pricier iPhone 17, making it a genuine bargain once retailers discount older-generation stock.
Specs:
- Display: 6.1" OLED
- Chipset: Apple A18 (identical to iPhone 17)
- Software: Apple Intelligence added via later iOS update
- Trade-off: No ProMotion 120Hz display
Why Buy It: Nearly identical core hardware to the current flagship non-Pro model, at a meaningfully lower price once discounted.
3. Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Price: Around $650–$700 (discounted from $829.99 retail)
For buyers who want the iPhone 16's hardware in a larger form factor, the Plus model regularly dips into this price range through carrier and retailer promotions.
Specs:
- Display: Larger OLED panel vs. standard iPhone 16
- Chipset: Apple A18
- Battery: Larger capacity than the standard iPhone 16
Why Buy It: The best pick for anyone who wants a bigger screen without paying Pro Max pricing.
4. Apple iPhone 15 Pro (Renewed)
Price: Around $650–$699
Independent testing named the renewed iPhone 15 Pro the single best phone under $700 overall, delivering roughly 95% of the flagship experience for close to half the original cost.
Specs:
- Build: Titanium construction
- Chipset: A17 Pro
- Camera: Full Pro-level camera system
- Condition: Certified renewed/refurbished
Why Buy It: The best price-to-performance ratio on this entire list — genuine Pro-tier hardware at a fraction of its original cost.
5. Apple iPhone 14 Pro (Refurbished)
Price: Around $550–$650
Still widely available and highly rated by Consumer Reports and Reddit alike, the refurbished 14 Pro retains the Dynamic Island and Pro camera system that made it a standout at launch.
Specs:
- Display: Dynamic Island
- Chipset: A16 Bionic
- Camera: Full Pro camera system
- Trade-off: Lightning port instead of USB-C, older Face ID module
Why Buy It: The top-rated second-hand Pro pick — still enough hardware for every current iOS task.
6. Apple iPhone 15 (Renewed)
Price: Around $500–$600
A balanced middle-ground pick, the renewed iPhone 15 brings USB-C and a modern camera system without the Pro-tier price premium.
Specs:
- Port: USB-C
- Camera: Modern main sensor, strong everyday photography
- Condition: Certified renewed
Why Buy It: A dependable, modern iPhone experience with real savings over buying new, for buyers who don't need Pro camera features.
7. Apple iPhone 13
Price: Around $300–$400
Still one of the best values in Apple's entire lineup, the iPhone 13 remains fast and responsive for everyday use years after its original release.
Specs:
- Chipset: Apple A15 Bionic
- Performance: Smooth app loading and multitasking
- Camera: Still competitive with newer models for everyday shots
Why Buy It: The lowest-cost genuine iPhone experience on this list — ideal for buyers who don't need the latest features.
Quick Buying Tips
- Apple Intelligence support is now a real differentiator — only the iPhone 17e and newer standard models offer it out of the box.
- Renewed and refurbished iPhones (through Apple-certified or reputable third-party sellers) offer the single biggest jump in value per dollar in this price range.
- USB-C is now standard on the iPhone 15 and later — worth prioritizing if you want cable compatibility with modern Android devices and laptops.
- Titanium builds (iPhone 15 Pro and later Pro models) offer a noticeable durability and weight advantage over older aluminum designs.
Final Thoughts
Whether you want the newest AI-ready hardware (iPhone 17e), the best value on Pro-level features (iPhone 15 Pro Renewed), or simply the lowest price for a genuinely capable iPhone (iPhone 13), there's a smart way to get into iOS under $700 in 2026 for nearly every priority.
