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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
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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
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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

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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)

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72 Comments

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Aug 1, 2026 9:45 PM
2.5K Comments
Joined Feb 2014
elefante72Aug 1, 2026 9:45 PM
2.5K Comments
Quote from RelaxedPenguin2752 View quoted comment :
According to straight talk chat rep 12 month to unlock on straight talk visible wouldn't work prior to unlock. Who know if that's true/ or I believe the agent. I was in Walmart today talking to the rep but he was not very knowledgeable.
Any of the VVB phones you can use across them HOWEVER you will not satisfy the unlocking requirements for the phone. If you dont care or are going to trade in, then have at it. I bought two phones on TF, activated on visible, then moved over to USM. This was only a few months ago. However that was under the old 60 day, now its one year and they dont unlock automatically. So its a paperweight outside of VVB: https://verizonvalue.com/content/.../home.html or YMMV (someone mentioned US Mobile) but if it works it would 100% need to be warp (the verizon) or dark star (att). I know however Cricket phones are real bad, they will only work on Cricket. I have literally recycled brand new phones from Cricket, they wont work on anything.

The second the FCC allowed VVB to go to 1 year almost all of them moved to 1 year, inc ATT Prepaid. I think mint may be the last holdout but I'm sure they will revert to the mean soon enough.
Last edited by elefante72 August 1, 2026 at 02:49 PM.
1
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Aug 2, 2026 11:26 AM
1.4K Comments
Joined Jun 2022
RelaxedPenguin2752
Pro
Aug 2, 2026 11:26 AM
1.4K Comments
Quote from elefante72 View quoted comment :
Any of the VVB phones you can use across them HOWEVER you will not satisfy the unlocking requirements for the phone. If you dont care or are going to trade in, then have at it. I bought two phones on TF, activated on visible, then moved over to USM. This was only a few months ago. However that was under the old 60 day, now its one year and they dont unlock automatically. So its a paperweight outside of VVB: https://verizonvalue.com/content/.../home.html or YMMV (someone mentioned US Mobile) but if it works it would 100% need to be warp (the verizon) or dark star (att). I know however Cricket phones are real bad, they will only work on Cricket. I have literally recycled brand new phones from Cricket, they wont work on anything.The second the FCC allowed VVB to go to 1 year almost all of them moved to 1 year, inc ATT Prepaid. I think mint may be the last holdout but I'm sure they will revert to the mean soon enough.
Never unlocking will be an issue for me. I'll probably go back to Mint next May when my plan expires. I've also read reviews on VVB it works on android but not Apple idk . I've never traded a phone in , don't plan to in the future and normally use them a few years. I'd keep the 13 I'm on now another year or 2 but screen is cracked Apple wants nearly 200$ for a new one, last time I went to a aftermarket screen repair it was a disaster. iPhone se3 , they used iPhone 4 or something screen , it didn't work correctly , told me no warranty and I wound up at Apple anyway .
Aug 2, 2026 3:48 PM
32 Comments
Joined Jan 2017
trinityracingAug 2, 2026 3:48 PM
32 Comments
Quote from nrjank View quoted comment :
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?
Cricket has their own deal on this phone for $9.99 as long as you prepay for 90 days of service. Total less than $200 that includes 3 months service. The service is the $60 per month plan but you can lower the plan before the billing cycle in that 4th month
Aug 3, 2026 1:38 PM
19 Comments
Joined Mar 2016
edyboomAug 3, 2026 1:38 PM
19 Comments
Where'd you find the MVNO info? I use Cricket, so I'm wondering where I can find this info in the future when I need my next phone.
Aug 3, 2026 7:49 PM
19 Comments
Joined Aug 2011
crgsaddAug 3, 2026 7:49 PM
19 Comments
Anyone know of a good unlock service that can be used to unlock this sooner than 6 months? Need to replace a broken phone not on AT&T. Thanks in advance.
Aug 6, 2026 3:54 PM
802 Comments
Joined Sep 2008
aerischanAug 6, 2026 3:54 PM
802 Comments
Has anyone tried if this will work with international eSIMs (AT&T roaming partner)?
Aug 8, 2026 4:54 PM
1.2K Comments
Joined Jan 2008
XMotoXAug 8, 2026 4:54 PM
1.2K Comments
Quote from Vic121 View quoted comment :
1 Year on Straight Talk, 6 months on AT&T Prepaid.
It's 12 months now? Or typo in original post?

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Aug 8, 2026 5:51 PM
10.6K Comments
Joined Oct 2011
jimx200Aug 8, 2026 5:51 PM
10.6K Comments
Quote from crgsadd View quoted comment :
Anyone know of a good unlock service that can be used to unlock this sooner than 6 months? Need to replace a broken phone not on AT&T. Thanks in advance.
Psim works for many. Check ebay.
2
Aug 10, 2026 2:41 PM
14 Comments
Joined Dec 2010
SeniorChangAug 10, 2026 2:41 PM
14 Comments
Quote from jimx200 View quoted comment :
Psim works for many. Check ebay.
No psim on US 16e model.
Aug 10, 2026 3:59 PM
10.6K Comments
Joined Oct 2011
jimx200Aug 10, 2026 3:59 PM
10.6K Comments
Quote from SeniorChang View quoted comment :
No psim on US 16e model.
darn and why the iphone 13 is popular since the last to have the sim tray
Aug 12, 2026 11:31 PM
65 Comments
Joined Jul 2019
techallstarAug 12, 2026 11:31 PM
65 Comments
Does the SIM swap ATT unlock method work on ATT prepaid phones like this one or is it only for postpaid plans like the $36 iPhone 12?
Aug 22, 2026 9:09 PM
17 Comments
Joined Nov 2021
SpanishPeanutsAug 22, 2026 9:09 PM
17 Comments
Can this iPhone be purchased without ever activating it and taken to Apple Store as credit for newer iPhone?

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