Don't wait! You can snag the iPhone 16e for free when you prepay for only two months of service

Even though the iPhone 17e is nearing its release, which pretty much will put the existing iPhone 16e into retirement, I can’t overlook the prices I’m seeing for the 16e right now. As much as I love the $599 starting cost of the iPhone 17e, nothing sounds better than free.

That’s because you can currently get the iPhone 16e for $0 at Cricket — which isn't something I often encounter with prepaid devices. In the mobile world, this is unheard of, considering older devices typically only see price cuts of about $100. Compared to the $599 starting cost for the iPhone 17e, you really shouldn’t pass up this iPhone 16e deal. Here’s why.

Apple iPhone 16e: was $599 at Cricket Wireless

Cricket Wireless has the best iPhone 16e deal going on right now that brings the price down to $0. The only stipulation is that you'll need port in an existing number and prepay 2 months of service, which adds another $120 cost. All told, you're paying $120 plus tax at checkout for the iPhone 16e and two months of unlimited service.
Price check: $149 @ Boost Mobile

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While this deal practically gives you the iPhone 16e for free, you still need to port in an number and prepay 2 months of service with it. Now, in order to unlock it, the phone needs to be active on Cricket Wireless for six month — and only then you can proceed with unlocking it to use with another carrier.

In my iPhone 17e review, I highlighted how similar these two phones are, especially regarding their cameras. Side-by-side photo samples show practically identical results. That’s because the iPhone 17e simply recycles the same cameras found in the iPhone 16e.

Another reason I recommend this deal is that the 16e offers the same display and battery performance as the newer model. In fact, I was surprised that the iPhone 16e lasted several minutes longer than the iPhone 17e in our battery drain test. Furthermore, the iPhone 16e’s display actually turned out to be a smidge brighter in our testing.

Finally, the iOS 26 software experience is identical between the two. That’s the beauty of Apple’s ecosystem — the experience is unified across the lineup. Not only does the older iPhone 16e gain the same personalization tools as the iPhone 17e, but it also has access to the same Apple Intelligence features, like the updated Visual Intelligence integrated into the screenshot function.

Sure, there are incentives to pick the iPhone 17e. It features the newer A19 chip, which outperforms the iPhone 16e’s A18, and it finally adds MagSafe for faster wireless charging and compatibility with MagSafe accessories. But considering the massive price gap between $599 and $149, I would gladly choose the iPhone 16e.