There are certainly no shortage of iPhone deals if you're on the hunt for the latest devices. But there are also options for slightly older devices, including deals that significantly undercut those on the newest phones.
For example, over at the prepaid carrier Straight Talk, you can currently get the still-excellent iPhone 16e for just $349 (was $599) when you pair it up with a new line on one of the carrier's reasonably priced unlimited plans.
Unlike some deals, this particular discount isn't tied to a trade-in rebate, although you will need a line on the Silver Unlimited plan tier or higher to be eligible. Luckily, that's one of the best plans at the carrier since you can get it really, really cheap by buying a full year upfront for $360.
While that's a hefty outlay, your plan will average out to just $30/mo over the duration of a year, which is currently one of the cheapest unlimited plans on the market. Combined with the $150 discount on the phone, you're potentially saving a total of $330 with this particular deal at StraightTalk.
Note that you can still get a discount on the phone with the carrier's pay-monthly option, but the plan won't be as cheap on average.
Get a cheap iPhone 16e at Straight Talk
Is the iPhone 16e still worth buying?
Under normal circumstances (full price), I'd say skip the iPhone 16e in favor of the new iPhone 17e. It's a direct upgrade from the previous iteration, and, at $599, it's the same price.
With that said, if you're getting a discount, then the iPhone 16e is still a great option. You're still getting a powerful chipset (the A18), a 48MP camera, and a decent 6.1-inch display that looks better than its specs would suggest. It's still a very modern device, and one that can easily keep up with the competition from Samsung, Google, and other popular brands with budget-oriented devices.
If you're interested in learning more about the device, then you can check out our full iPhone 16e review, which includes in-depth specs, sample images, and our overall score.