After Apple announced the iPhone 16 on September 9, 2024, it cut the iPhone 15’s U.S. starting price from $799 to $699. That made the iPhone 15 Apple’s lower-priced standard iPhone—not permanently its cheapest iPhone. The $599 iPhone 16e took the lower-price role when it went on sale February 28, 2025, and Apple discontinued the iPhone 15 in September 2025.
What changed after the iPhone 16 launch?
Apple’s $100 price cut created a two-tier standard lineup: buyers could pay $699 for the previous-generation iPhone 15 or $799 for the new iPhone 16. These are U.S. starting prices; sales tax, retailer discounts, trade-ins, and carrier promotions can change the amount a buyer actually pays.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Apple iPhone 15, 128GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed) | $410.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Apple iPhone 14, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed) | $308.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Apple iPhone 15, 128GB, Blue - Unlocked (Renewed) | $410.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Apple iPhone 15, 128GB, Pink - Unlocked (Renewed) | $415.79 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Apple iPhone 15 Plus, 128GB, Pink - Unlocked (Renewed) | $438.00 | Buy on Amazon |
“Entry-level” can mean different things. The iPhone 15 was the lowest-priced standard iPhone in Apple’s lineup for a time. That did not necessarily make it the cheapest iPhone Apple sold, nor did it turn the phone into a traditional budget design. The iPhone SE remained a lower-cost, older-style option before the 16e arrived.
| Date | Lineup change | What it meant for buyers |
|---|---|---|
| September 22, 2023 | The iPhone 15 went on sale at a U.S. starting price of $799. | It was a standard-generation model, not a discounted previous-generation option. |
| September 9, 2024 | Apple announced iPhone 16 and reduced the iPhone 15’s U.S. starting price to $699. | The iPhone 15 became the lower-priced standard model; iPhone 16 started at $799. |
| February 28, 2025 | The iPhone 16e became available at $599. | The iPhone 15 no longer held Apple’s lowest new-iPhone price point. |
| September 9, 2025 | Apple announced iPhone 17 and discontinued iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus from its direct lineup. | Remaining iPhone 15 stock could still be sold elsewhere, but Apple no longer listed it as a current model. |
| August 18, 2026 | Apple’s U.S. store listed iPhone 17e from $599 and iPhone 16 from $699. | The iPhone 15 was no longer in Apple’s new-phone lineup. |
Sources: Apple’s iPhone 15 specifications, MacRumors on the price reduction and discontinuation, The Associated Press on iPhone 16e pricing and availability, and Apple’s U.S. iPhone store.
#1 Best Overall
- 6.1inch Super Retina XDR display. Aluminum with color-infused glass back. Ring/Silent switch
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A16 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU
- Advanced dual-camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. 4X optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 26 hours video playback. USB C, Supports USB 2. Face ID
What did the iPhone 15 offer at $699?
The lower price applied to a previous-generation mainstream phone, not a stripped-down model. Apple’s specifications list a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, Dynamic Island, an A16 Bionic chip, USB-C, and IP68-rated water and dust resistance. Its rear cameras are a 48-megapixel main camera and a 12-megapixel Ultra Wide camera; the main sensor also provides a 2x telephoto option. Storage configurations were 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB.
That mix suited someone who wanted an OLED screen, USB-C, and more camera flexibility than a single-camera budget model, while accepting an older chip and foregoing Apple Intelligence. For many buyers, the meaningful question was not whether the iPhone 15 was “cheap,” but whether those features were worth choosing over a newer or more deliberately limited model at a similar effective price.
Source: Apple iPhone 15 technical specifications.
How did the iPhone 15 compare with the iPhone 16?
The iPhone 16 cost $100 more at the U.S. starting prices when the iPhone 15 was reduced. Whether that difference was worthwhile depended on the buyer’s priorities and the actual offer available—not just the two list prices.
Rank #2
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
| Consideration | iPhone 15 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price in the post-launch U.S. lineup | $699 | $799 |
| Apple Intelligence | Not supported; the phone uses A16 Bionic. | Supported on eligible software versions and languages; check Apple’s current feature requirements. |
| Camera flexibility | 48MP main camera plus 12MP Ultra Wide; 2x option from the main sensor. | Newer model; consult Apple’s comparison page for the precise feature differences. |
| Chip and hardware generation | A16 Bionic; previous generation. | Newer generation, which may matter to buyers prioritizing newer capabilities and a longer likely feature runway. |
The price figures above are U.S. starting list prices, not guaranteed transaction prices. A carrier offer can depend on a qualifying plan, trade-in eligibility, installment term, and bill credits; compare the total cost and whether the phone is locked. Apple’s comparison page provides model-level specifications, while Apple has not promised a fixed number of software-support years for either phone.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsSource: Apple’s iPhone 15, 16e, and 16 comparison.
Why the iPhone 16e changed the entry-level question
The iPhone 16e launched at a $599 starting price and became available February 28, 2025. It paired a 6.1-inch display with a newer, Apple Intelligence-capable platform, giving Apple a less expensive new model than either the iPhone 15 or iPhone 16. But it was not a feature-for-feature iPhone 15 replacement: the iPhone 15’s Ultra Wide camera and other hardware distinctions matter to buyers who value that particular mix.
Rank #3
- 6.1inch Super Retina XDR display. Aluminum with color-infused glass back. Ring/Silent switch
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A16 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU
- Advanced dual-camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. 4X optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 26 hours video playback. USB C, Supports USB 2. Face ID
This created a different trade-off. The iPhone 15 offered a more conventional two-camera setup and mainstream feature set at its reduced price; the 16e emphasized a lower price and newer AI-capable hardware while making other compromises. A buyer who does not care about Apple Intelligence may value the iPhone 15’s camera flexibility more. Someone who does care should verify Apple’s current eligibility and language requirements rather than assume every iOS feature runs on every iPhone.
Sources: The Associated Press on iPhone 16e pricing and positioning and Apple’s model comparison.
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What should buyers consider now?
As of August 18, 2026, Apple’s U.S. store listed iPhone 17e from $599 and iPhone 16 from $699. The iPhone 15 is no longer a current model sold directly by Apple, but it may remain available from carriers, retailers, refurbishers, or private sellers. The right comparison is therefore between a particular iPhone 15 offer and the current alternatives—not the old $699 list price in isolation.
Rank #4
- 6.1inch Super Retina XDR display. Aluminum with color-infused glass back. Ring/Silent switch
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A16 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU
- Advanced dual-camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. 4X optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 26 hours video playback. USB C, Supports USB 2. Face ID
| Option | Consider it if… | Check before buying |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17e | You want Apple’s current least-expensive new iPhone at the listed U.S. starting price. | Whether its feature set fits your needs; the store price and availability on purchase day. |
| iPhone 16 | You prefer a standard model and want newer-generation hardware. | Whether the $699 starting price is still current and whether a promotion changes the gap. |
| iPhone 15 from a retailer | You want its OLED display, Dynamic Island, USB-C, and Ultra Wide camera at a substantial discount, and Apple Intelligence is not a priority. | New versus refurbished condition, warranty, battery health, return period, storage, carrier lock, and total price. |
| Apple-certified refurbished iPhone | You want an older model through Apple’s refurbishment channel, if a suitable configuration is available. | Inventory and price fluctuate; verify the exact model, storage, and current terms. |
For any used or refurbished iPhone 15, verify Activation Lock is removed, check carrier-unlock status and battery condition, and get the return and warranty terms in writing. A low sticker price can be poor value if the device is locked, has a worn battery, or lacks a meaningful return option. Apple’s refurbished inventory changes frequently, so a listing is not a promise that a particular configuration will remain available.
Apple’s current model and price listings are on its U.S. buying page. Refurbished availability can be checked at Apple Certified Refurbished iPhone.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to compare an offer with a carrier promotion
A discounted older phone is not automatically the cheaper purchase. Compare the complete cost over the same period, including the required plan and any monthly credits, and account for the value of a trade-in. An advertised “free” phone can depend on all of those conditions.
Best Value
- 6.7inch Super Retina XDR display. Aluminum with color-infused glass back. Ring/Silent switch
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A16 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU
- Advanced dual-camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. 4X optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 26 hours video playback. USB C, Supports USB 2. Face ID
- Compare the amount you will pay for the device across the full installment term, not just the advertised monthly charge.
- Check plan requirements, activation fees if applicable, trade-in condition rules, and how long bill credits continue.
- Confirm whether the device is locked and what conditions apply before it can be unlocked.
- Compare storage tiers and coverage terms; a lower starting price may be for less storage or a different condition.
Apple Trade In is another way to calculate an upgrade’s effective cost, but estimates and promotional credits depend on the device and current offer. Verify the amount and terms directly before relying on them: Apple Trade In.
What discontinuation does—and does not—mean
Apple discontinued the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus from its direct lineup after announcing iPhone 17 on September 9, 2025. That means Apple stopped listing them as current new models; it does not mean remaining retailer stock vanished or that software support ended on that date. Availability and condition vary across new, Apple-certified refurbished, retailer-refurbished, and used devices.
Discontinuation alone does not establish a precise end date for iOS updates. Nor does general iOS compatibility mean every hardware-dependent feature, including Apple Intelligence, is available on the iPhone 15. Check Apple’s current compatibility information for the particular software feature you care about.
Source: MacRumors on Apple’s iPhone 15 discontinuation.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
