Apple’s budget phone just got even cheaper in 53p a day offer

A fresh price cut from Sky makes Apple’s affordable iPhone even more accessible

Budget-conscious Apple fans have been handed a major boost this week as Sky Mobile rolled out its latest retail discount. Leading the charge is Apple’s 2025 addition to its budget-friendly ‘e’ series, the iPhone 16e, which has fallen to £16 (was £17) over 36 months.

According to the provider’s latest storefront updates, this price drop on the sleek 128GB Black edition of the device nets consumers an overall lifetime saving of £60 on the hardware contract alone. While there is a £12 upfront cost to get the deal, the reduced monthly payment of £16 works out at just 53p a day for the new iPhone.

Originally launched by Apple as a high-performance yet accessible alternative to the standard iPhone line, the iPhone 16e features a premium 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display and is fully optimised for Apple Intelligence. Packed with the advanced A18 chip and a sharp 48MP Fusion main camera, the handset brings flagship-level features down to a mid-range budget.

Sky’s latest promotion is structured around its popular “Sky Swap” 36-month contract system. For an upfront cost of just £12, buyers secure the handset, with the flexibility to swap and upgrade to a brand-new phone at no extra cost after 24 months

To complete the plan, the monthly phone cost is paired with a Sky Mobile SIM data package. The base tier includes a 100MB data plan at no extra charge, while heavy internet users can opt to upgrade to higher-tier data plans, such as 10GB or 50GB allowances. As an added incentive, Sky is currently offering several of its standalone data plans at half price for the first three months.

Other offers include the iPhone Air, which has been cut to £28 (was £31) for the 256GB model. This delivers a total saving of £108 over the 36-month contract period. Additionally, the iPhone Air 512GB has also dropped to £28 a month (it was £31).

Released in September as part of the iPhone 17 lineup, the model is Apple’s thinnest-ever iPhone. This super slim design features a bright OLED display, an advanced dual-camera system, long-lasting battery life and the latest A-series chip for fast, efficient performance.

Elsewhere, Currys-backed retailer Mobiles.co.uk is offering the iPhone 16e for £23.99 per month with a £9 initial payment, which includes 500GB data as standard without additional charges. That said, purchasing the handset outright typically proves most cost-effective, with Amazon now selling it for £499.

One buyer called the iPhone 16e a “great phone” as they said: “Battery life is amazing, lasted two low usage days with 39%, could probably go the third. Got the minimal design with a single camera while retaining the fast speed of the higher-end models.”

Another added: “If you want a modern iPhone without paying Pro-model prices, the Apple iPhone 16e focuses on the essentials, fast performance, excellent battery life, and long software support. The trade-offs are mostly around premium extras like a high-refresh display, MagSafe and additional cameras – which I don’t need.”

A third said it was ‘brilliant for the money’ as they explained: “I’m so happy with this iPhone 16e. It’s the perfect size, battery seems to last ages. It’s lightweight and will last ages.”

Some were less impressed, however, with one three-star review noting: “Really disappointed with the battery life on this phone…I expected far better battery life from a new phone. I do not stream films or watch loads of reels of videos. I scroll Facebook, check emails, WhatsApp, take photos now and then, full charge in the morning, and by the evening I’m down to 50%.”

Most buyers seem to be happy with the budget-friendly iPhone 16e. Another buyer said: “Amazing phone. Can see why so many have purchased. It’s quick, great size to hold in one hand.

“Easy to set up, it’s iOS, so what more do I need to say. When playing music, the sound is great. Everything about the phone functions great. Solid phone, would recommend.”