Apple iPhone 15 – U.S. Price List & Buying Tips
The iPhone 15 was officially released on September 22, 2023. It introduced updates like a USB-C port, the Dynamic Island interface, a 48MP main camera, and the A16 Bionic chip (in the standard model) — making it a very capable “baseline” flagship for Apple.
Because it has now been on the market for some time, pricing in the U.S. has shifted based on storage size, retailer promotions, carrier plans, and trade-in offers. Below is a snapshot of typical retail pricing.
U.S. Retail Price Guide
Here are typical full retail prices (unlocked) for the iPhone 15 in the U.S., with caveats. Use these as reference — actual price may vary with promotions, carrier deals, trade-ins.
| Storage | Typical Price* | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 128GB | US $629.99 | Shown as the starting retail on AT&T and other carriers. |
| 256GB | ~US $729.99 | Example: Best Buy listing for the unlocked 256GB model. |
| 512GB | Higher (often ~US $899 or more) | Exact benchmark varies; some sources list ~US $1,099 at launch for some variants. |
*Prices above reflect full-retail unlocked pricing before carrier subsidies or trade-in incentives.
What Affects the Price
Several factors can shift how much you’ll actually pay:
- Carrier vs Unlocked: Carriers may offer lower upfront cost if you commit to a plan or trade in an older phone. For instance, AT&T lists the iPhone 15 at $17.50/month over 36 months (for 128GB) under an installment plan.
- Storage size: Higher storage = higher price. The jump from 128 GB to 256 GB often costs ~$100+.
- Promotions & trade-ins: Especially when a new iPhone model comes out, prior models often receive discounts or trade-in offers which reduce effective price.
- Retailer vs direct Apple: Some retailers (Best Buy, Amazon etc) may run special deals. For example, Best Buy listed the unlocked 128GB at ~$629.99.
- Used / refurbished vs new: The price guide from BackMarket shows that used / “refurbished” iPhone 15 units in the U.S. are going for as low as ~$442 depending on condition.
- Tax, region & currency: U.S. pricing often excludes taxes which vary by state. If importing to another country, also consider duties & exchange rates.
Should You Buy It?
Here are some pros & cons to help decide if the iPhone 15 is a good buy for you.
✅ Pros
- Still very strong hardware for 2025: 48MP camera, USB-C port, Dynamic Island.
- With some time on market, good deals available especially via carrier promotions or trade-ins.
- Being a complete flagship (not “mini” or budget model) — so likely to be supported with software updates for several years.
⚠️ Cons
- As it is no longer the latest model, you might miss some of the newest features introduced in newer iPhones (depending on when you’re reading this).
- The full unlocked retail price remains fairly high (>$600) unless you get promotional or trade-in discount.
- If you want the “ultimate” specs (larger screen, Pro-features) you’d look at Pro models instead.
Tips for U.S. Buyers (and International Buyers)
- Check carrier deals: If you don’t require unlocked freedom, carriers often subsidize the cost if you commit to a plan or upgrade.
- Consider storage needs: 128 GB is enough for many users, but if you shoot a lot of photos/videos or keep many apps/games, 256 GB may give better long-term value.
- Watch for promotions when new models launch: When a newer iPhone is released, deals on the previous generation (like the iPhone 15) tend to appear.
- If importing to Philippines / Asia: When buying U.S. model, check compatibility of bands/5G with your local carrier, warranty status, and factor in shipping/taxes/duty.
- Buy from trusted retailer: Ensure you’re getting a genuine, unlocked device (if unlocked is what you need), with warranty or returns policy.
- Trade-in your old phone: If you have a previous iPhone, using Apple’s or a carrier’s trade-in can reduce your cost.
- Consider emerging alternatives: If budget is key, looking at slightly older iPhones, certified refurbished units, or other brands may give better value.
Summary
If you’re looking for a strong flagship iPhone experience without paying the very top new-model price, the iPhone 15 presents a solid option. Typical U.S. unlocked pricing for the 128GB model is around US$629.99, with higher storage models costing more. Carrier plans, trade-ins, and seasonal promotions can reduce the effective cost further. Just make sure to evaluate your storage needs, check for local compatibility (if importing), and compare unlocked vs carrier-subsidised options.
If you like, I can check current real-time deals (in the U.S.) for the iPhone 15 (including refurbished) and show you a list of best offers. Would you like me to pull those up?