What the Original iPhone 5 Cost at Launch
The original iPhone 5 price was set by Apple at $199 for the 16GB model when it arrived in September 2012, with a two-year carrier contract. The 32GB version launched at $299, and the 64GB model started at $399. Without a contract, the full retail price was $649 for 16GB, $749 for 32GB, and $849 for 64GB. These figures placed the iPhone 5 squarely in the mid-to-premium smartphone range of its era, competing directly with Samsung's Galaxy S III and other flagship devices.
More from this site
Keep reading the latest coverage
How the iPhone 5 Price Dropped After Launch
Apple typically reduces the price of older iPhones once a new model is announced. Within a year, the iPhone 5 was replaced by the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C in September 2013. At that point, Apple dropped the 16GB iPhone 5 to $99 with a contract and discontinued the higher-storage tiers. Unlocked prices also fell, often landing around $450 to $500 for the 16GB model in the months that followed. Carriers and retailers ran additional promotions, pushing subsidized prices even lower through 2014 and 2015.
Comparison of Launch and Post-Discount Prices
| Storage | Launch Price (Contract) | Launch Price (Unlocked) | Price After iPhone 5S Launch (Contract) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16GB | $199 | $649 | $99 |
| 32GB | $299 | $749 | Discontinued |
| 64GB | $399 | $849 | Discontinued |
What the iPhone 5 Is Worth Today
As a vintage device, the original iPhone 5 price on the secondary market is a fraction of its original cost. Working units in good condition typically sell for $30 to $80, depending on storage, color, and whether the device is locked or unlocked. Models with original packaging, pristine screens, and unactivated batteries can command slightly higher prices from collectors. Units that are damaged, heavily worn, or non-functional may only be worth a few dollars as spare parts. Pricing depends heavily on the platform used for the sale and the buyer's interest in a functional legacy device.
Factors That Influence the Current Value
Several details shape what someone pays for an iPhone 5 today. The most important is functionality: a device that powers on, connects to Wi-Fi, and holds a charge reliably sells for more than one with a broken screen or dead battery. Color matters as well, with black and white models being the most common and thus less collectible than special editions. Storage capacity has limited practical value now, since the device cannot run modern apps or iOS updates smoothly, but collectors sometimes prefer the 64GB model for completeness. Finally, iCloud lock status and activation lock removal directly affect price; a clean, unlocked unit is far more desirable than a locked or reported-stolen device.
Why People Still Buy and Sell the iPhone 5
Despite its age, the iPhone 5 still moves in small numbers for several reasons. Some buyers want a dedicated music player or a basic emergency phone that works on 3G and 2G networks. Others purchase it as a parts donor for friends or family members who need a specific screen, battery, or dock connector. Collectors value it as the model that introduced Apple's taller 4-inch display and Lightning connector, both of which defined the iPhone's design for years. The original iPhone 5 price, while modest in today's dollars, represents a turning point in Apple's pricing strategy and remains a reference point for anyone studying the company's evolution.
The original iPhone 5 price of $199 with a contract made it one of the most influential smartphones of 2012. Whether you are evaluating it as a collector's item, a budget backup device, or a historical benchmark, its current worth reflects its age, condition, and the enduring interest in Apple's early touchscreen era.