Getting an iPhone 16 Cheap: The Longest-Lasting Pick for a Teen

Four years of group chats, school photos and the odd drop in a hallway: that's what a phone bought for a ninth grader has to get through before graduation. It's a lot to ask, and paying the new price for it stings. The right phone one generation back can carry that whole stretch for less.

A cheap iPhone 16 is built to keep up with a teen for years. It runs Apple's A18 chip, supports Apple Intelligence and is on Apple's iOS 26 compatibility list, and Apple rates it for up to 22 hours of video playback. A Plug Certified iPhone 16 is unlocked, has battery health of 80% or higher and comes with Plug's 12-Month Warranty.

Why the iPhone 16 Is a Good Teen Pick: One Generation Back

The iPhone 16 suits a teen because it's recent enough to stay current for years and old enough to cost less than new. Apple introduced it in 2024, and Apple's store now lists newer models (iPhone 17, iPhone 17e, iPhone Air and iPhone 18 Pro) alongside it. That's why you can find an iPhone 16 below the new price while it's still on Apple's current iOS list.

Here is what the Apple iPhone 16 gives your teen, going by Apple's tech specs page (checked October 2026, not hands-on testing by Plug):

• A18 Chip: a 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine, the same chip family across the iPhone 16 series.
• Apple Intelligence: Apple's built-in AI features run on the iPhone 16. The standard iPhone 15 doesn't support them.
• Water Resistance: an IP68 rating, good for up to 6 meters for 30 minutes by Apple's spec. Handy for a phone that rides in a backpack next to a water bottle.
• Storage Options: 128GB, 256GB or 512GB.

For a phone that has to last through high school, the standard iPhone 16 is the one to price out first. For more options at other budgets, see our guide to the best iPhones for teens this holiday.

Software Updates: How Long an iPhone 16 Should Keep Going

Going by Apple's own track record, an iPhone 16 should keep getting updates through a teen's high school years, though that's a pattern and not a promise.

Apple's iOS 26 compatibility page lists the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max and 16e. The newest iOS 26 release on Apple's security page is iOS 26.7.1, from September 28, 2026, for iPhone 11 and later.

The longer view comes from older phones. Apple's security releases page shows iOS 18.7.10 going to the iPhone XS, XS Max and XR on August 17, 2026. Those phones came out in 2018, so Apple was still sending them security fixes about eight years on.

Software support works a bit like a library card with no expiry date printed on it. You can't read the last day off the card, but you can see how long the older cards have kept working.

If the iPhone 16 got similar treatment, a phone bought for a freshman this fall would still be getting security fixes after graduation. That's a fair bet, not a guarantee.

Battery Health: What a Teen's Day Does to It

Apple rates the iPhone 16 for up to 22 hours of video playback and up to 18 hours of streamed video, two hours more on each than the iPhone 15 (20 and 16 hours). Those are Apple's own test ratings, so treat them as a best case rather than a typical day.

The number that matters over four years is battery health. Apple says iPhone 15 and later models are "designed to retain 80 percent of their original capacity at 1000 complete charge cycles under ideal conditions," and adds that results depend on how the phone is used and charged.

What does that look like in a teen's life? If your teen ran the battery from full to empty once a day, 1,000 complete cycles would take a bit under three years.

Think of battery health as a water bottle that shrinks a little with time. At 100% it holds what it held new. At 80% it holds four-fifths as much, so the phone needs charging sooner.

You can read the figure yourself in Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging, under Maximum Capacity. A Plug Certified iPhone 16 reads 80% or higher there when it ships, because that's Plug's battery promise.

Camera and Video for Social Media

For filming and posting, the iPhone 16 has two rear cameras, a front camera and 4K video. Here is how they break down, per Apple's specs:

• 48MP Fusion Main Camera: the main lens, which also gives a 12MP 2x telephoto option. This means a closer shot from the bleachers without walking down to the field.
• 12MP Ultra Wide: fits the whole group, or the whole room, into one frame.
• 12MP Front Camera: for selfies and video calls.
• 4K Dolby Vision Video: up to 60 frames per second (fps), for smooth, sharp clips.

Worth knowing: 4K video fills storage fast, which matters when you pick a size.

iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15: Is the Extra Cost Worth It?

For most families, yes. Over an iPhone 15 you get a newer chip, Apple Intelligence and two more hours of rated video playback.

Feature	iPhone 16	iPhone 15
Chip	A18	A16 Bionic
Apple Intelligence	Yes	No
Video playback (Apple's rating)	Up to 22 hours	Up to 20 hours
Streamed video (Apple's rating)	Up to 18 hours	Up to 16 hours
Apple's battery design rating	80% at 1,000 cycles	80% at 1,000 cycles

If your budget is tight, a well-kept iPhone 15 is still a good phone, and the money you save can go toward more storage or a sturdy case. Our iPhone 15 cheap guide covers that route in full. The price gap between the two moves with the market, so compare the live prices for both models on the day you buy. If the budget is tighter still, our guides to a cheap iPhone 11 and the iPhone 13 mini look at older options.

Which Storage Size to Pick: 128GB or 256GB

For most teens, 128GB is enough if photos back up to iCloud and they mostly stream and share short clips.

If your teen films a lot of 4K video, keeps big games on the phone or saves shows to watch offline, 256GB gives them room to grow into over four years. The 512GB option makes sense mainly for a teen who uses the phone as their main video camera. If you're weighing an older model on storage, see our notes on the iPhone 15 with 128GB.

iPhone 16, 16e or 16 Plus?

The standard iPhone 16 is the best fit for most teens, and the 16 Plus adds a bigger screen and longer rated battery. Here is how the three compare on Apple's figures:

• iPhone 16e: one rear camera, no Ultra Wide, no MagSafe and a 4-core GPU. Up to 26 hours of video playback.
• iPhone 16: adds the Ultra Wide camera and MagSafe. Up to 22 hours of video playback.
• iPhone 16 Plus: the same features on a larger 6.7-inch display. Up to 27 hours of video playback.

All three run the A18 chip family and Apple Intelligence. For a closer look at the differences, read this comparison of refurbished iPhone 16 models. For a teen who films for social media, the Ultra Wide camera is the main reason to choose the iPhone 16 over the 16e.

How a Plug Certified iPhone 16 Brings the Price Down

A Plug Certified iPhone 16 costs less than new because it's pre-owned, and Plug tests and grades it before it goes on sale. Plug's own figure across its store is up to 70% off retail, and the saving on a given phone depends on its storage and condition.

Here is what comes with each Plug Certified iPhone 16:

• 90+ Point Inspection: Plug checks the phone before it's listed.
• 80% or Higher Battery Health: checked against the Maximum Capacity reading described above.
• Unlocked for Any Carrier: you choose the plan, or keep the one your family already has.
• Cover for a Year: Plug's 12-Month Warranty takes care of hardware and software faults under normal use.
• 30-Day Returns and Free Shipping: 30-day returns and free shipping on US orders, with Afterpay and Affirm at checkout if you'd like to pay over time.

Condition grades on these devices (Good, Great and Excellent) are about looks only. As Plug puts it, "It's all about looks."

Carrier offers on an iPhone 16 usually tie the discount to a monthly plan or a trade-in. An unlocked phone keeps the phone and the plan as two separate choices. If you'd rather spread the cost, here is how financing a refurbished iPhone 16 works.

If you'd like an outside opinion first, Wirecutter, The New York Times' product-review site, named Plug the "Best Experience" in its guide to the best place to buy used iPhones. The live price for each storage size and grade moves with the market, so check it on the day you buy, and see what the iPhone 16 costs on Black Friday if you can wait.

Setting It Up for a Teen

Apple's parental controls are built into the iPhone, and it's easiest to turn them on before you hand the phone over. Here is where to start:

• Family Sharing: you sign in as the organizer and add your teen's Apple Account, which is where the other controls connect.
• Screen Time: sets limits on apps and time, and chooses who your teen can call and message.
• Ask to Buy: sends you a request to approve before your teen downloads or buys something.
• Communication Safety: warns your teen about sensitive photos.

Apple's own Screen Time and Family Sharing help pages walk through each setting step by step.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which iPhone 16 is the cheapest?

Within any one model, the lowest price usually goes to the smallest storage in the lowest grade. In Plug's store, start with the smallest storage in Good condition, and compare prices on the day, since they move. A Good phone goes through the same inspection and carries the same warranty as an Excellent one. You get a few more visible marks on the casing.

How long will an iPhone 16 get software updates?

Years, going by Apple's past phones, and it helps to know there are two kinds of update. Yearly iOS versions bring new features, while security fixes keep the phone protected. A model can drop off the yearly list and keep receiving fixes on its older version for a while after, which is how the 2018 models are being looked after today.

Is a Plug Certified iPhone 16 as good as a new one?

Yes, in day-to-day use. What can differ from a phone fresh out of Apple's box is the casing, which may show light wear, and the battery reading. Plug's 12-Month Warranty doesn't cover accidental damage, so for a teen, a case and a screen protector are worth adding on day one.