Just two days after offering a $25 gift card when purchasing an iPhone 5 on a two-year contract, Best Buy has improved their deal on Apple's latest smartphone. They're now offering $50 off all iPhone 5 models from Verizon, Sprint and AT&T.

Screen Shot 2012 12 09 at 4
16 GB iPhone 5s are now $149.99 with a two-year contract while 32 GB models are $249.99 on their online store. There were a round of discounts on iPhone 5 from various retailers, including Best Buy, just a couple days ago but this looks to be the largest discount the product has seen so far.

It doesn't appear to be possible to take advantage of the $50 discount while also receiving a $25 gift card and there's no indication how long this deal will last.

Update: Dealnews notes that Best Buy is now offering the $50 discount with 5,000 Reward Zone points (equivalent to a $100 Best Buy gift card) on the 16, 32, and 64GB iPhone 5 models. Free shipping, online orders only.

Top Rated Comments

drummingcraig Avatar
164 months ago
Great deal. Going through RewardsZone now. Is AT&T's $36 "Activation Fee," the normal/correct amount? Tx
Yes that is the standard fee regardless of where you buy.[COLOR="#808080"]

----------

My local Apple store just told me that the Best Buy phones are "refurbs".

Are they?
You were misinformed. These are brand new phones.

Anyone know if I can use this deal on an upgrade for an existing line? I've been waiting to upgrade, and I'd take the deal with a new 2 year agreement if I could do it.
Yes. They walk you thru the process just like Apple's website does.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
smkmn13 Avatar
164 months ago
Buy it here -- https://rewardzonemobile.com// -- and get another $100 in Reward Zone certificates (free to join Reward Zone, I think...?):D You do have to buy in through that specific site tho.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iMikeT Avatar
164 months ago
I used to work at a Best Buy and vowed to never shop there unless I actually have to. $50 off is tempting but I'd rather get everything I buy with an  on it directly from Apple.

Also, as an Apple fan, I like how Apple has an Apple station within Best Buy stores for exposure. However, it is saddening that these stations aren't manned by anyone who knows Apple products. Instead, they're manned by the same incompetent Best Buy employees who know little to nothing about the products and told simply to sell more accessories. Perhaps one or two Apple geniuses at these stations?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Duckit Avatar
164 months ago
This is making the iPhone 5 even more enticing....
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
drummingcraig Avatar
164 months ago
In order to buy the phone at subsudized pricing, you must at least temporarily activate the iphone on the account using an upgrade. Her current phone will be deactivated when you do that if you use an upgrade from her line. Bby can put her old device back on but she will need a new sim if she currently has a 4G phone or will need to call *228 if 3G on verizons network. Which provider are you? Do you have any other eligible lines for upgrade other than hers?

I've purchased iPhones for my wife on 2 separate Christmases, and have never been able to find a way around this. The best I could do was wait 'till Christmas Eve, but even then, her old phone stopped working and she figured it out.

Update on this...

I called my local BB this morning and inquired about the activation, and if there would be anyway to get the subsidized phone and activate it later. Spoke with a knowledgable rep who informed me that if you buy online for in-store pick up there is no way to do it. However if you walk in and purchase it in-store they can setup the phone for a future activation when they're inputing the upgrade into the computer system.

I went there this evening and walked out with a 32GB black AT&T phone still wrapped and they never messed with my wife's current phone or SIM. We'll be able to activate it when she opens it on Christmas morning and she should be none to the wiser. :)
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
unplugme71 Avatar
164 months ago
Just checked in at reward zone, and the price is back up to $199.

I went through the check out process, and was kinda shocked when the taxes came in at $67. I know taxes are high here in Cali, but anyone have any idea what the high tax is for?

Cali residents pay the sales tax on the original price of the phone, not the subsidized or discounted price. 'Perk' of living in Cali ... jk
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

apple tv 4k new orange

New Apple TV Expected Later This Year With These New Features

Saturday July 12, 2025 3:09 pm PDT by
A new Apple TV is expected to be released later this year, and a handful of new features and changes have been rumored for the device. Below, we recap what to expect from the next Apple TV, according to rumors. Rumors Faster Wi-Fi Support The next Apple TV will be equipped with Apple's own combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. He said the chip supports ...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 Complications

Apple Watch Ultra 3: What to Expect

Sunday July 13, 2025 10:30 am PDT by
The long wait for an Apple Watch Ultra 3 is nearly over, and a handful of new features and changes have been rumored for the device. Below, we recap what to expect from the Apple Watch Ultra 3:Satellite connectivity for sending and receiving text messages when Wi-Fi and cellular coverage is unavailable 5G support, up from LTE on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Likely a wide-angle OLED display that ...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 16 New Features

Friday July 11, 2025 12:40 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are only two months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models. Latest Rumors These rumors surfaced in June and July:A redesigned Dynamic Island: It has been rumored that all iPhone 17 models will have a redesigned Dynamic Island interface — it might ...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

5 Reasons to Skip This Year's iPhone 17 Pro

Thursday July 10, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series in two months, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming...
iOS 26 on Three iPhones

Here's When to Expect the iOS 26 Public Beta

Tuesday July 15, 2025 11:07 am PDT by
Apple previously announced that a public beta of iOS 26 would be available in July, and now a more specific timeframe has surfaced. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today said that Apple's public betas should be released on or around Wednesday, July 23. In other words, expect the public betas of iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, and more to be available at some point next week. Apple will be releasing...
Apple Hornsby

Apple Store Near Sydney Permanently Closing Later This Year

Monday July 14, 2025 6:14 pm PDT by
Apple today said its store at the Westfield Hornsby shopping mall, in Hornsby, Australia, will be permanently closing in October. Apple Hornsby In a statement shared with Australian tech news website EFTM (via Reddit), Apple said that it has decided not to renew its lease at Westfield Hornsby. Apple said all affected retail employees will be given the opportunity to work at Apple's nearby...
iPhone 14 Pro Dynamic Island

iPhone 17 May See 'Significant' Dynamic Island Changes

Monday July 14, 2025 12:11 am PDT by
The iPhone's Dynamic Island experience is set to undergo "significant evolution" over the next few years, according to a new rumor. Earlier this month, a report suggested that the iPhone 17 lineup will feature a redesigned Dynamic Island user interface, but little else was explained about the software changes. Now, the leaker known as "Majin Bu" appears to have corroborated this, commenting ...