On Black Friday, the Fight Between iPhone 14, 15, 16, and 16e Gets Serious: 15 and 16e Offer Better Value, While 14 and 16 Remain Expensive, and Only Make Sense if They Drop Significantly in Price During Promotions, for Those Wanting a New, Updated iPhone Without Breaking the Monthly Budget.
The Black Friday of 2025 has turned into an official arena for those looking at iPhones but don’t want to sell a kidney in the process. With the iPhone 17 still ridiculously expensive, the real competition is between iPhone 14, iPhone 15, iPhone 16, and iPhone 16e, all officially “old,” but with very different prices and features.
From the prices checked between September and November, the scenario became clear: iPhone 15 and iPhone 16e stand out for their value, while iPhone 14 and iPhone 16 are still too expensive for what they offer. In other words, on Black Friday, it’s not just about looking for the red tag, it’s knowing which model is truly worth the money.
Why Look at Older Models on Black Friday
Apple has already released the iPhone 17, but it remains out of reach for many. The trick is to take advantage of Black Friday to target the “older” models that are still new in the box, with warranty, a lower price, and years of system updates ahead.
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According to the survey:
- iPhone 15 was priced at around R$ 4,700 in November
- iPhone 16 hovered around R$ 5,200
- iPhone 16e was available for about R$ 3,800
- iPhone 14 still cost around R$ 4,200, despite already being discontinued
In other words, there are older models priced higher than newer ones. On Black Friday, this only changes if prices genuinely tumble.
iPhone 15: The “Down-to-Earth” Choice on Black Friday
If the idea is to not take risks and not spend everything, the iPhone 15 is the perfect middle ground this Black Friday. It:
- Runs iOS 26, the most recent system
- Is expected to receive updates until 2028 or 2029, following Apple’s 5 to 6 years standard
- Was the first iPhone with USB C, retiring the Lightning
- Provides a very modern experience without charging like a top-of-the-line device
In practice, the iPhone 15 is the right iPhone for those wanting something current, with good support time and a less aggressive price than the iPhone 16. If it appears on Black Friday for below the R$ 4,700 previously seen in November, it becomes a great deal.
iPhone 16e: Affordable Mid-Range with a Premium Look
Among all, the smartest option for value is the iPhone 16e. It was designed as the “new SE,” but came with another name and a savvy mid-range look:
- Price in November: around R$ 3,800, lower than the iPhone 14
- Runs iOS 26
- Is expected to receive updates until 2030 or 2031
- Has the A18 Bionic chip, the most advanced from Apple
- Features a huge battery life, according to the cited tests
- Is compatible with Apple Intelligence, the brand’s artificial intelligence
Here, things change levels: the iPhone 16e is simpler in screen and camera, but excels in processing power and battery. Among the features related to Apple Intelligence are:
- Photo editing with removal of people and objects
- Integration of Siri with ChatGPT
- Text review
- Recording and transcription of calls
- Creation of artificial images
All of this in a device with only one rear camera and a more basic screen, but plenty of power. It’s the typical iPhone that doesn’t stand out much in the showcase, but impresses in features and price, especially if it drops even further on Black Friday.
iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 16: Which Makes More Sense?
Many people arrive on Black Friday with the classic question: should I get the iPhone 15 at a lower price or stretch to get the iPhone 16?
The iPhone 16 offers two clear advantages over the 15:
- Runs Apple Intelligence, just like the 16e
- Keeps the USB C and cameras similar to the 15
The problem is the price: in November, the iPhone 16 was priced at around R$ 5,200. According to the analysis made in the guide, it only becomes worthwhile on Black Friday if it drops below R$ 5,000.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 offers USB C, iOS 26, a good camera, and excellent update longevity at a lower price. In other words:
- If the focus is to pay less and still get a good device, the 15 is the sensible choice
- If Apple Intelligence is a priority and the Black Friday discount is genuinely substantial, then the 16 comes into consideration
Why iPhone 14 and iPhone 16 Don’t Shine in Value
This is where the less glamorous part of the story comes in. The iPhone 14 and iPhone 16 are not worth what they are asking in most offers seen before Black Friday.
- iPhone 14:
- About R$ 4,200 in November
- Has already been discontinued
- Many offers involve used devices
- Costs more than the iPhone 16e, which is newer, has Apple Intelligence, A18 Bionic chip, and more iOS update time
- iPhone 16:
- Around R$ 5,200
- Has similar cameras to the 15
- Offers USB C and Apple Intelligence
- Only makes sense if Black Friday drives the price down to below R$ 5,000
In summary: paying more for the iPhone 14 than for the 16e makes no sense, and paying full price for the iPhone 16 without a significant discount also doesn’t add up.
iOS Updates and Fear of Falling Behind
One point that many people forget in the excitement of Black Friday is for how long the iPhone will receive system updates.
Apple typically provides 5 to 6 years of new iOS for each model.
This leads to a rough estimate like this:
- iPhone 15, launched in 2024, is expected to receive updates until 2028 or 2029
- iPhone 16e, launched in 2025, is expected to be updated until 2030 or 2031
The older the model, the sooner it stops receiving new iOS features and functionalities, including those related to Apple Intelligence.
This is why paying a high price for the iPhone 14 on Black Friday is like getting in line to become obsolete faster.
How Not to Fall for Black Friday Traps When Choosing an iPhone
To avoid becoming a statistic of “I bought the wrong thing on Black Friday,” the logic in this duel between iPhone 14, 15, 16, and 16e is quite straightforward:
- iPhone 16e is the value champion, if it maintains or improves the price around R$ 3,800
- iPhone 15 is the balanced choice for those who want something current, with USB C and good update time, in the range of R$ 4,700 or less
- iPhone 16 only joins the game if it drops below R$ 5,000 in Black Friday promotions
- iPhone 14, based on November prices, is not worth it, especially when the 16e is cheaper and more modern
In the end, Black Friday is not just about finding a “high discount,” it’s about paying less for something that will last longer and provide more features.
And here comes the clever question to close the article: when it comes to facing this Black Friday, will you bet on the value of the iPhone 16e and iPhone 15, or do you still think of paying more for an iPhone 14 or iPhone 16 just for the newer name on the box?

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