Apple Vs. Carrier: Where Should I Buy My iPhone?

Purchasing a new iPhone can be stressful. You want to find the best deal while making sure your phone will work with your wireless carrier. In this article, we'll help you decide whether you should be your iPhone from Apple or your wireless carrier!

Benefits Of Buying From Apple

Buying an iPhone directly from Apple seems like an good choice, and there are many benefits to doing so. For instance, you’ll receive a personal, in-store setup from an Apple expert. There’s also less pressure from the salespeople at Apple because they don’t work on commission. However, phones purchased directly from Apple can sometimes be more expensive than buying them from a carrier as part of a data plan deal.

One of the biggest benefits from purchasing an iPhone from Apple is that it's unlocked. An unlocked iPhone is compatible with any wireless carrier, giving you more freedom to switch carriers. Apple also has a 14-day return policy. If you don't like the phone, you can return it within two weeks and get a full refund!

Benefits Of Buying From Your Carrier

If buying from Apple doesn’t seem like the best fit for you, consider purchasing from your carrier. The rates for iPhones differ between carriers, but you'll usually get a better deal from your carrier than you will from Apple. Carriers often offer big discounts on phones to incentivize you to switch to their network. Apple doesn't offer discounts or buy one, get one deals.

These savings come at a price — most of the time, wireless carriers will lock the phones they sell. This means your iPhone will only work on their cellular network, making it more difficult to keep your iPhone if you decide to switch wireless carriers.

You're also more likely to find pushy salespeople if you visit a wireless carrier's retail store. These employees do work on commission, so they'll try to steer you towards an expensive phone and overpriced accessories. If you plan on visiting a retail location, do your research ahead of time so you know exactly what you want when you walk through the doors. This will help you navigate conversations with the salespeople you'll meet. Never buy iPhone accessories from your wireless carrier either — you can get much better deals on Amazon!

Like Apple, most wireless carriers have a 14-day return policy. However, this can vary from carrier to carrier, so make sure to ask while you're buying your new iPhone. Because of the various deals that you can get from bundling your phone in with your data plan, this is generally the best option as long as you know exactly what you want. We make it easy to know what you want before you walk through the doors of the carrier's store. Our cell phone comparison tool can help you find the phone you want with the data plan from the carrier that you need.

So, Where Should I Buy My New iPhone?

Ultimately, that's up to you. If you're happy with your wireless carrier, purchase your new iPhone directly from them. You'll get a better deal and you won't need to worry about whether or not the iPhone is unlocked.

If you think you're going to switch wireless carriers in the near future, purchasing from Apple is probably the best option. You'll pay a little more in the short-term, but save yourself the headache of trying to have the phone unlocked.

Regardless of where you purchase your iPhone, we recommend doing so online. Wireless carriers offer online exclusive discounts, and you can avoid the pushy salespeople.

Ready For Purchase!

Buying a new phone can be a daunting task, but reviewing all of your options beforehand will help save you money and make sure you're comfortable before making the final decision. Make sure to share this article with your friends and family before they decide whether to purchase a new iPhone from Apple or their wireless carrier. Where do you prefer to buy your new devices? Let us know in the comments below.