Slickdeals is community-supported.  We may get paid by brands for deals, including promoted items.
Missed This Deal? Get alerts when similar deals are posted.
expired
Vic121 57.4K Views
Jul 27, 2026 6:41 PM

AT&T Apple iPhone 16e, 128GB, Black - Prepaid Smartphone AT&T Locked $199 in store activation or $299 + Free Shipping at Walmart

$199

$599

66% off
Walmart
Visit Walmart

Why are you downvoting this deal?

Good Deal?
72Comments
Save
Share
Deal Details
Walmart and AT&T Prepaid have a deal where if you purchase and Activate in store on an AT&T prepaid plan(Min $45) you can get the iPhone 16e for $199. Total of about $244 excluding Tax.

Without In-Store activation it is $299 + Tax out the door Brand new in Box with full 1 year Apple Warranty or 60 days to add Apple Care.

Note:
- This phone requires 12 months of Active AT&T Prepaid service to Unlock.

- This device can work on AT&T Postpaid out of the box as well. Does not count towards Unlock time

- This device also can be used on AT&T MVNO's without needing to be unlocked. MVNO's that are useable without needing to be unlocked: Cricket Wireless, US Mobile Dark Star(AT&T only), Red Pocket GSMA only, H2O Wireless, Boost Mobile AT&T eSim (Unconfirmed), Consumer Cellular(AT&T). (MVNO service does NOT count towards unlock period)

- This iPhone does NOT need to be activated and can be used as a Wi-Fi only device.

Note 2: Can be used as a Trade in at Apple for $310 in credit towards an unlocked iPhone.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/APL-IP...pe=REGULAR
Product Info
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Product Info
Community Notes
About the Poster
Walmart and AT&T Prepaid have a deal where if you purchase and Activate in store on an AT&T prepaid plan(Min $45) you can get the iPhone 16e for $199. Total of about $244 excluding Tax.

Without In-Store activation it is $299 + Tax out the door Brand new in Box with full 1 year Apple Warranty or 60 days to add Apple Care.

Note:
- This phone requires 12 months of Active AT&T Prepaid service to Unlock.

- This device can work on AT&T Postpaid out of the box as well. Does not count towards Unlock time

- This device also can be used on AT&T MVNO's without needing to be unlocked. MVNO's that are useable without needing to be unlocked: Cricket Wireless, US Mobile Dark Star(AT&T only), Red Pocket GSMA only, H2O Wireless, Boost Mobile AT&T eSim (Unconfirmed), Consumer Cellular(AT&T). (MVNO service does NOT count towards unlock period)

- This iPhone does NOT need to be activated and can be used as a Wi-Fi only device.

Note 2: Can be used as a Trade in at Apple for $310 in credit towards an unlocked iPhone.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/APL-IP...pe=REGULAR

Community Voting

Deal Score
+73
Good Deal
Bad Deal

Why are you downvoting this deal?

Community Reviews

The iPhone 16e deal is mainly about getting an AT&T locked 128GB phone at a lower upfront price, with eSIM use possible right away on some carriers. The strongest appeal is the discounted in store activation price, but it comes with prepaid service requirements and a much longer unlock timeline than expected, now cited as 12 months of paid AT&T service. Walmart activation is highly inconsistent, with some stores lacking the right wireless setup or ringing the phone up at full price. The model also has no physical SIM, so it is a fit only if the carrier lock and activation hurdles are acceptable.

  • Apple trade-in acceptance reportedly does not require the device to be carrier-unlocked.

  • AT&T prepaid unlock eligibility can be checked by inserting a non-AT&T SIM card into the iPhone.

  • AT&T prepaid unlock policy requires 12 months of paid AT&T service, which provides a clear timeline for planning.

  • The phone can reportedly be eSIM activated on US Mobile right away after purchase.

  • Walmart stores reportedly may not activate the phone in-store, which can prevent getting the advertised $199 deal.

  • Keeping the phone locked for 12 months reportedly makes the deal not worthwhile for buyers planning to switch sooner.

  • The $199 in-store price reportedly requires activating on AT&T prepaid, otherwise the out-the-door cost can be $299.

  • AT&T's unlock requirements reportedly include not being active on another AT&T account, which can complicate switching plans.

Common Questions (5)

Join The Conversation

Share your experience with the Slickdeals community

Share information with the community. Please follow our Community Guidelines and be kind!

72 Comments

Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.

Jul 27, 2026 8:18 PM
129 Comments
Joined Jul 2015
mehrdadkradJul 27, 2026 8:18 PM
129 Comments
can you activate it for 1 month on att and then use it for a trade in on T-Mobile later
Jul 27, 2026 8:21 PM
53 Comments
Joined Jul 2022
DealSeekerATLJul 27, 2026 8:21 PM
53 Comments
So is it like -
Purchase the phone plus 1 month activation of $244 and then keep the phone in your drawer for 6 months with no more monthly recharge and it gets activated after 6 months?
2
Jul 27, 2026 8:22 PM
3.6K Comments
Joined Jan 2015
kevinaaaJul 27, 2026 8:22 PM
3.6K Comments
Do we need to pay anything extra to activate it?
Jul 27, 2026 8:25 PM
565 Comments
Joined Dec 2003
nrjankJul 27, 2026 8:25 PM
565 Comments
ok i'd be taking it right to cricket, so the att month doesnt' help me. but it might give me an opportunity to port out a landline i'm been meaning to save. so how does $245 or $299 compare to other deals for a 16e or thereabouts?
Jul 27, 2026 8:28 PM
297 Comments
Joined Sep 2015
sbimosJul 27, 2026 8:28 PM
297 Comments
1. Can this be done at Costco ATT to get Costco bonuses? If so, assuming I have to buy a 2nd month of service to be active when Costco issues reward/s ~30 days later.

2. Will I still be unlocked at 6 months if I stop service after only 1 or 2 months?
4
Pro
Jul 27, 2026 8:30 PM
4K Comments
Joined Oct 2013
freshsqueezed
Pro
Jul 27, 2026 8:30 PM
4K Comments

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank

Quote from DealSeekerATL View quoted comment :
So is it like -
Purchase the phone plus 1 month activation of $244 and then keep the phone in your drawer for 6 months with no more monthly recharge and it gets activated after 6 months?
Device Unlock Eligibility Requirements
  • Active Service: Your device must have at least 6 months of paid active service on the AT&T prepaid network.
  • Good Standing: The phone must not be reported lost, stolen, or tied to any fraud.
  • Account Status: The device must not be currently active on a different AT&T account.
3
Jul 27, 2026 9:34 PM
327 Comments
Joined May 2024
JoJoStandsUpJul 27, 2026 9:34 PM
327 Comments
Quote from Vic121 View quoted comment :
Well you would have to activate one month on AT&T prepaid for the $199 deal in store, otherwise it's $299 out the door with no activation and can be eSim activated on US mobile right away.
If I activated it on Red Pocket, would it still unlock after 6 months?
3
2

Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.

Jul 27, 2026 10:15 PM
8 Comments
Joined Sep 2019
ThriftyBoundary109Jul 27, 2026 10:15 PM
8 Comments
So is the out of pocket $469 +tax and 6mo time = 199 + 6mo x 45/mo + tax ? Any way to get a lower out of pocket?
Jul 27, 2026 10:41 PM
61 Comments
Joined May 2025
SlayerX11Jul 27, 2026 10:41 PM
61 Comments
Quote from guppygem View quoted comment :
When will these phones unlock?
att says 6 months, but then OP i believe said you can use it on cricket, which as of 7/1 is a year.
Jul 27, 2026 10:42 PM
61 Comments
Joined May 2025
SlayerX11Jul 27, 2026 10:42 PM
61 Comments
Quote from DealSeekerATL View quoted comment :
So is it like -
Purchase the phone plus 1 month activation of $244 and then keep the phone in your drawer for 6 months with no more monthly recharge and it gets activated after 6 months?
naw i believe metro is the only one that does that and maybe other tmobile related services
Jul 27, 2026 10:43 PM
61 Comments
Joined May 2025
SlayerX11Jul 27, 2026 10:43 PM
61 Comments
Quote from ThriftyBoundary109 View quoted comment :
So is the out of pocket $469 +tax and 6mo time = 199 + 6mo x 45/mo + tax ? Any way to get a lower out of pocket?
get the metro offer. requires a trasnfer of number thou. it's 150 i believe. then in a year it auto unlocks.
1
Pro
Jul 27, 2026 10:51 PM
1.7K Comments
Joined Jun 2020
BeigeStew7045
Pro
Jul 27, 2026 10:51 PM
1.7K Comments
Quote from NotSoCMart View quoted comment :
"can be used on any AT&T MVNO out of the box with no unlock required on these carriers: Cricket, Red Pocket GSMA, US Mobile Dark Star, etc."

I have US Mobile; is there anything special I need to do to take advantage of this deal?
You would probably only be able to use it on US Mobile with Dark star and would not be able to switch to any of the other networks until the phone is unlocked. However, I'm not sure if being on ATT with US mobile would qualify for unlocking.
Pro
Jul 27, 2026 10:55 PM
1.4K Comments
Joined Jun 2022
RelaxedPenguin2752
Pro
Jul 27, 2026 10:55 PM
1.4K Comments
Quote from Kheiri23 View quoted comment :
I'm intrested in Straight talk version does anyone know if visble service works on it while locked
I'd like to know that also , got on annual plan with visible in May.
Jul 27, 2026 11:55 PM
1 Comments
Joined Jul 2026
RelaxedIdea4776Jul 27, 2026 11:55 PM
1 Comments
Quote from akshay_bombay View quoted comment :
Were you be able to activate this phone in store and get this price ? I went to 4 stores and they said they dont do activation in store now .
I also went to few Walmart store they told me they don't activate it.

Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.

Jul 28, 2026 1:15 AM
2 Comments
Joined Apr 2011
phxstudioJul 28, 2026 1:15 AM
2 Comments

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank

To anyone interesting in AT&T pre-paid who is interested in the unlocking policy. It looks like it was recently updated. I've copied & pasted it below:

https://www.att.com/support/artic...KM1008728/

Unlock requirements

An AT&T Prepaid® device can be unlocked if it:
  • Has 12 months of paid AT&T service
  • Isn't active on another AT&T account
  • Hasn't been reported as lost, stolen, or involved with fraud
See if your AT&T Prepaid device is unlocked

SIM card: You can check your device unlock status by inserting a non-AT&T SIM card into your device. If you see a message saying that the SIM card is not compatible with the AT&T network, your device is still locked.
eSIM: You'll need to request a device unlock, according to your device type.
3

Join The Conversation

Share your experience with the Slickdeals community

Share information with the community. Please follow our Community Guidelines and be kind!