Best Value iPhone Model at The Moment (Outright Purchase) ?

eraser215 on 22/02/2024 - 09:37
Last edited 22/02/2024 - 10:45 by 1 other user

My partner has inherited her dad's iPhone 12, but the Wi-Fi/Bluetooth chipset seems to be borked with an intermittent failure.

We have the choice of either replacing that chipset, which seems to cost several hundred dollars, or just buying another phone. She can't keep using her old iPhone 8 as her Apple Watch is now running software that's too new to pair it with the iPhone 8. Oops.

Where do you think the sweet spot is at the moment for iPhone purchases (both new and refurbished) from a cost/value perspective?

My thoughts:
- iPhone SE 2022 is good value when there are deals on as my partner doesn't take many photos, but is expensive at the moment
- I don't think it's worth buying an iPhone 12 or older
- iPhone 13 is next cheapest model and appears to be decent, but it was released in 2021
- iPhones are expensive!

Any thoughts on that sweet spot, or hot tips any deals you think are really good would be much appreciated. I can see that there are some realistic second hand deals on FB marketplace for near new phones, but my trust level is very low due to the prevalence of scammers on all platforms.

Thanks!

• 

  sumyungguy on 22/02/2024 - 09:39

  +1

  Is she OK with 64GB? iPhone 12 is the last model with this storage option which makes it solid value.

• 

  87percent on 22/02/2024 - 10:05

  I think 13 Pro is the sweet spot now

• 

  bobokingdom on 22/02/2024 - 10:39

  +1

  I think iPhone 15 at $300 off from Telstra is a good deal. Most likely you can use for a couple of years and still sell it $700 - 800.

• 

  jv on 22/02/2024 - 10:44

  -4

  Best value iPhone model at the moment

  iPhone 8

  • 

    eraser215 on 22/02/2024 - 10:53

    +2

    Doesn't meet my criteria as it won't pair with the apple watch on current apple watch software. Did you just write this for the downvotes?

    • 

      jv on 22/02/2024 - 11:19

      -2

      Doesn't meet my criteria

      Meets the title request…

• 

  eraser215 on 22/02/2024 - 10:59

  … And this deal just turned up! Will browse shortly. https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/832545

  • 

    sumyungguy on 22/02/2024 - 11:07

    Rarely any bargains on those eBay promotions as the sellers jack their prices.

    • 

      eraser215 on 22/02/2024 - 11:32

      +1

      iPhone 13 in excellent condition for 615.42?

      https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/203889596576?itmmeta=01HQ73JCBGM…

      • 

        sumyungguy on 22/02/2024 - 11:43

        I've never purchased from Green Gadgets, but I concur that appears a good find

        • 

          eraser215 on 22/02/2024 - 12:11

          +1

          @sumyungguy: They have a good reputation based on other posts here on OzB. I just pulled the trigger on an iPhone 13 128GB as new for 638. I reckon that isn't bad.

• 

  AustriaBargain on 22/02/2024 - 12:21

  +2

  Not being interested in photos or a big screen is a big money saver for iPhones. I'd still buy new though to save the hassle of replacing the battery any sooner if you're going to try and keep it as long as possible. A new battery for most iPhones isn't all that expensive through Apple, compared to buying a new phone anyway, but the bother of getting it done is annoying.

• 

  JimB on 22/02/2024 - 13:27

  Unless she wants the latest and greatest camera, I'd repair the iPhone 12.

  Actually even if she wants the iPhone 15, I'd repair the iPhone 12 and then sell it.