With Thanksgiving now in the rearview mirror, the holiday shopping season is in full swing—and for many, that means hunting for the perfect smartphone deal. According to a recent analysis by NielsenIQ, a staggering 37% of tech shoppers this season have smartphones on their wish lists. Of those, more than half—54%—say they’re eyeing an Apple iPhone. That’s not exactly surprising, given Apple’s enduring popularity and the company’s reputation for sleek design and cutting-edge technology. Yet, as seasoned Apple fans know all too well, the Cupertino giant rarely offers direct discounts on its coveted iPhones, even during the bustling holiday rush.
But don’t hang up your shopping hopes just yet. There are still ways to snag a deal on an iPhone if you know where to look, and this year’s Cyber Monday has brought a particularly noteworthy offer for those in the market for a high-end device. On November 29, 2025, Amazon Renewed rolled out a rare 16% discount on the iPhone 16 Pro 128GB model—amounting to $130 off the typical price. For shoppers accustomed to Apple’s ironclad pricing, that’s an eye-catching markdown, especially considering deals on Apple’s latest phones are usually as elusive as a snowflake in July.
Of course, the discounted model is a renewed device, not brand new. But according to PC Guide, Amazon Renewed’s ‘Excellent’ rating means the phone has been thoroughly inspected and tested by Amazon-qualified technicians. Visual imperfections are minimal when viewed from an arm’s length, and the battery is guaranteed to retain at least 80% of its original capacity. Accessories may not be original, but they’re fully compatible—making this a practical choice for buyers who want a premium iPhone experience at a friendlier price.
So, what exactly are you getting with the iPhone 16 Pro? For starters, it’s all about the premium feel. The phone sports a lightweight black titanium finish that’s both durable and noticeably lighter than the stainless-steel models of the past. Its slim frame and 6.3-inch Super Retina display (with a crisp 1206 x 2622 resolution and a buttery-smooth 120Hz refresh rate) make it comfortable for one-handed use while offering ample screen space for everything from gaming to streaming to everyday multitasking. According to PC Guide, “the iPhone 16 Pro keeps Apple’s signature premium feel, constructed with Black Titanium that’s both durable and noticeably lighter than past stainless-steel models.”
Performance-wise, the device is powered by Apple’s A18 Pro chip, which delivers impressive speed for apps, photography, and graphics-heavy workloads. Whether you’re editing video, running demanding mobile games, or juggling several apps at once, the phone’s neural engines handle advanced camera processing, on-device AI tasks, and iOS 17’s latest machine-learning features with ease. The 16 Pro also offers a dependable 3582mAh battery, wireless charging, Face ID, enhanced connectivity, and a USB-C cable for modern charging convenience—aligning with Apple’s latest standards. As PC Guide points out, “the phone delivers outstanding speed for apps, photography, and graphics-heavy workloads. Whether you’re editing video, running demanding mobile games, or multitasking across several apps, it stays smooth and responsive.”
But let’s face it—scoring a good deal on an iPhone isn’t always as easy as stumbling upon a Black Friday TV doorbuster. Apple’s own website rarely features sales, and shoppers are left to scour third-party retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and carrier stores such as AT&T and Verizon. That’s where a few modern shopping hacks come into play.
First up: price tracking websites. Sites like CamelCamelCamel track the price history of products on Amazon, letting you know if the iPhone model you want is truly at its lowest price. Just type in the device you’re after, and you’ll see a timeline of prices—plus you can set up alerts for when the price drops. Other dedicated Apple trackers, such as AppleInsider’s iPhone Price Guide, 9to5Toys’ Apple tracker, and MacPrices.net, aggregate deals from across the web, not just Amazon. These tools can save you hours of manual searching and help you pounce when a rare deal appears.
For those who prefer to keep things simple, Google Chrome’s Shopping Insights feature is a handy ally. Built right into Chrome on PC, Mac, Android, and iOS, this tool lets you track the price of a product over time and receive notifications when it dips. Just look for the shopping bag icon in Chrome’s URL bar while browsing your favorite retailer’s website, tap it for insights, and opt in to track the price. You’ll get alerts straight to your device—no need to refresh deal pages every hour.
And here’s a twist: even OpenAI’s ChatGPT can be pressed into service as a shopping assistant. Ask the chatbot where to find the best deal on, say, an iPhone 16 with 256GB of storage, and it’ll serve up a list of current prices—both new and used—along with direct purchase links. As one shopper noted, “it was by far the easiest and fastest way to find iPhone deals out of all the methods above.”
Why do these deals matter so much? For one, Apple’s tight control over pricing means even a modest discount can represent significant savings. This year’s 16% markdown on the renewed iPhone 16 Pro is especially notable given the arrival of the iPhone 17 range, which has made brand new iPhone 16 Pros harder to find. For those willing to accept a renewed device—inspected and tested for quality—the savings are hard to ignore. The deal is best suited for buyers seeking Pro-level performance, premium design, and a top-tier display without paying full retail price. Content creators, gamers, students, and professionals who rely on fast performance and excellent camera quality but are open to a renewed device to save money will find the iPhone 16 Pro a compelling option.
The iPhone 16 Pro’s feature set is robust: a 6.3-inch high-resolution display, smooth 120Hz refresh rate, advanced A18 Pro processor, strong battery life, and all the conveniences of iOS 17. Even in renewed condition, it retains Apple’s hallmark blend of style and substance. And with the holiday deals season in full swing, shoppers have more tools than ever to hunt down bargains—whether they’re using price trackers, browser extensions, or the latest AI chatbots.
So, while Apple may not be slashing prices on its own site, the savvy shopper can still unwrap a deal this holiday season. With the right mix of tech know-how and a little patience, scoring a top-tier iPhone for less is no longer just a holiday wish—it’s a real possibility.
For those on the hunt, the message is clear: keep your eyes peeled, use every tool at your disposal, and you just might find the iPhone deal you’ve been dreaming of this year.
