As of September 21st, the long-anticipated iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR officially hit stores, and people are already gawking at their prices. But just because you don’t want to drop $1,000 USD or more on a phone doesn’t mean that Apple‘s hottest new product is out of reach. Whether you want to order the new iPhone now or wait until the hype dies down, here’s how to buy the new iPhone with cryptocurrency.
Apple’s Most Expensive iPhone
Three new phones have been released: the iPhone XS, the iPhone XS Max and the iPhone XR. Apple’s new premium iPhone, the XS, will have the best resolution to date thanks to OLED, organic light-emitting diode, technology. You’ll recognize this technology from the 2016 MacBook Pro touch bar.
The iPhone XS and XS Max, which have 5.8 and 6.5-inch displays respectively, are also more waterproof than earlier models. Most importantly, these new iPhones have an A12 bionic chip. In theory, this means that the iPhone XS will load graphics 50% faster than the iPhone X, all while saving battery life.
But the iPhone XS is Apple’s most expensive phone so far. Even Apple’s new entry-level iPhone, the iPhone XR, will cost $749. By contrast, the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max start off at $999 and $1,099, respectively. With 512 GB, the most expensive version of each comes to $1,349 and $1,449.
Why Buy a New iPhone with Crypto?
Why would you want to know how to buy the new iPhone with crypto in the first place? Because cryptocurrency is an increasingly popular form of investment and currency, especially for millennials. Today, 18% of college students own crypto.
And the new iPhone is the most expensive one to date. This means that potential customers might need to use significant discretionary funds to acquire it. For an increasing number of Americans, these funds could be in cryptocurrency, rather than USD.
Furthermore, you might not want to pay transaction fees for converting your BTC to USD on top of buying an iPhone. For example, the Coinbase fee for withdrawing BTC is 1.49%. This means that if you withdraw $1,000, you’re losing almost $15 in conversion fees.
Not only can you potentially save money when you learn how to buy the new iPhone with crypto, but you can become part of the movement to start accepting crypto as legitimate currencies.
Crypto Debit Cards
Want to know how to buy the new iPhone with crypto? The easiest way in America is with a crypto debit card, which can exist virtually or physically. Not only are crypto debit cards widely available, but any retailer that accepts credit and debit cards will take your crypto debit card, too.
This means that you can buy a new iPhone with Bitcoin (BTC) from virtually anyone who is selling one. For instance, Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, eBay or even the Apple Store will take a crypto debit card.
But proceed with caution. Many crypto debit cards, like Gyft, have low customer satisfaction reviews and are rumored to be scams. Additionally, there are two distinctions you should take into account when choosing a crypto debit card:
- Prepaid vs. live conversion debit cards
- Debit cards with their own cryptocurrency exchange and wallet vs. those that integrate with a pre-existing platform
We’ve provided an example of each and explain their respective fee structures. You can even use all three of these debit cards as an app since they’re all available in the App Store. However, do your own research before buying an iPhone with crypto using a crypto debit card.
BitPay: Prepaid Crypto Debit Card
BitPay is a leading Bitcoin payment processing service. In other words, the BitPay platform is one of the main ways that merchants accept Bitcoin in stores today.
In addition to their platform, BitPay offers the BitPay Card, a preloaded card that any Visa-accepting merchant in all 50 states will process. This means that in order to spend money in stores or online using the BitPay Card, you have to add funds from your crypto wallet first. And when you buy something, you cannot spend more than the amount you’ve loaded onto your card.
Though BitPay does offer its own cryptocurrency wallet, you can add funds to your BitPay Card from any cryptocurrency wallet, or even direct deposit from an employer if you’re paid in bitcoin.
But, like cryptocurrency exchanges, BitPay’s fee structure changes. Put simply, you have to pay both your cryptocurrency wallet mining fee and a “Network Cost” fee, which covers the cost of BitPay’s mining. These fees depend on the transaction volume at the time. Right now, the average Bitcoin mining fee is $0.25 according to Bitcoin Fees.
Wirex: Crypto Debit Card and Platform
Wirex is its own cryptocurrency exchange and wallet. And they offer the Wirex Visa Card, a debit card that can toggle between fiat and cryptocurrency. Any retailer that accepts Visa will also take a Wirex Visa Card payment.
Currently, the Wirex Visa Card works for fiat, Bitcoin (BTC), Litecoin (LTC), Ripple (XRP), Ethereum (ETH) and 50 other altcoins. Instead of preloading crypto or fiat onto this card, it instantly converts your crypto into fiat when you make a purchase.
Wirex gives back 0.5% in bitcoin with every use through their Cryptoback programme. Additionally, in-store, online and fiat exchanges, as well as the card itself, are free. Instead, Wirex charges $1.50 per month to keep your account open and $2.50 or $3.50 to use ATMs in and outside Europe, respectively.
Shift Card: Crypto Debit Card Without Platform
Like Wirex, Shift Card also functions anywhere Visa is accepted. However, Shift Card links to a Coinbase account, rather than functioning as its own wallet. This means that you cannot use Shift without a Coinbase account.
Shift is U.S.-based and works in 45 states. In terms of fees, it costs $20 to get your first Shift Card. Similar to Wirex, Shift charges $2.50 and $3.50 for ATM withdrawals, but it’s cheaper to withdraw in America. There is no annual fee nor BTC to USD conversion fee, but international transactions cost 3%.
Online Retailers Currently Selling the New iPhone for Crypto
Preordering an iPhone XS on Webhallen.
Knowing how to buy the new iPhone with crypto in the U.S. without a debit card is a little more complicated. In America, none of the big name iPhone XS retailers accepts cryptocurrency. But this isn’t true everywhere. Two of Europe’s largest electronic retailers process crypto payments. And Yamada Denki, Japan’s largest electronics chain, began accepting bitcoin at two locations in January 2018. Here’s where you will be able to buy iPhones internationally without converting bitcoin to fiat.
Alzashop
Alzashop is a massive Czech retailer that had 2.9 million unique customers in 2017. They ship across Europe and even ship large ticket items like BMWs and Teslas. They also sell a lot of Apple products, including new and old iPhones.
In 2017, Alzashop started accepting Bitcoin. However, Alzashop does not have its own Bitcoin platform. They’ve implemented Bitcoinpay, a program for merchant bitcoin processing.
You can buy an iPhone XS, XS Max and XR on Alzashop on September 29th, 2018. Essentially, you go through their payment system, but select Bitcoin (BTC) as your payment type.
Webhallen
Webhallen, a large Swedish electronics retailer, started accepting Bitcoin as early as 2014 and began taking Bitcoin Cash in 2018. They use BitPay’s payment platform.
Valued at $213 million USD, Webhallen is one of the most important retailers in Europe to accept cryptocurrency. According to Swedish tech magazine Sweclockers, Webhallen experienced a bump in sales when they integrated Bitcoin payments. The number of Bitcoin transactions they process is roughly equal to the number of transactions they accept for one of their smaller retail locations.
Today, you can preorder an iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR from Webhallen, which they will process on September 20th, 2018. Keep in mind that though Webhallen has dozens of stores, you can only use Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash on their website, and they only deliver to Sweden.
U.S. Retailers that Sell New iPhone for Crypto
The U.S. is far from the friendliest country when it comes to crypto. In fact, many European countries own more crypto than America, so it makes sense that it would be harder to buy a new iPhone with crypto in the U.S.
Want to know how to buy the new iPhone with crypto without a crypto debit card? Today, there no major electronics retailers where you can preorder a new iPhone that accept cryptocurrency. But this doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to find one. Here’s how to buy the new iPhone with crypto after September 21st.
Overstock
Overstock is one of the oldest and largest American retailers to accept cryptocurrency. They sell everything from surplus and new cars, electronics and furniture to hotel rooms and pets. You can find dozens of new, refurbished and unlocked iPhones at low prices.
Since the new iPhone has not gone to market, you cannot buy it on Overstock yet. And how quickly you’ll be able to find a new iPhone XS on Overstock will depend on how well they sell. Currently, interest in the iPhone XS is lower than it was for the iPhone X. It’s also lower than demand for the iPhone XS Max and the more affordable iPhone XR. In essence, the worse the iPhone XS fares in stores, the sooner it will be available on Overstock.
Overstock accepts over 40 different cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin and DASH. This is because they’ve integrated ShapeShift, a cryptocurrency exchange platform, into their payment processing.
In September 2018, Overstock announced that they’re creating their own crypto wallet and exchange. In 2019, customers will be able to invest and trade Bitcoin via a Bitsy wallet in Overstock. They can then use that Bitcoin to buy a new iPhone—all on the same platform.
Newegg
Newegg is another massive online electronics retailer that accepts cryptocurrency. This California-based company resells computers, iPhones and their components at bargain prices. Newegg was in the top 200 of Forbes‘ America’s Largest Private Companies in 2017.
Newegg has accepted payment in Bitcoin since 2014. Only recently, however, did they start taking Bitcoin from Canada, too. Newegg uses BitPay to process its payments.
Like Overstock, you cannot preorder a new iPhone XS on Newegg. But considering the company’s focus on personal electronics, specifically Apple product resales, it won’t be long after September 21st that Newegg sells its first new iPhone.
A Decentralized, Anonymous Market
Drugs, guns and music aren’t the only things you can buy in legally grey online marketplaces. Today, you can purchase an iPhone X and older models on OpenBazaar, a decentralized marketplace that sells just about anything.
But keep in mind that OpenBazaar works like eBay used to, meaning that you cannot preorder an iPhone XS. Instead, you have to wait until someone offers one. This will probably be soon considering that OpenBazaar is the most popular bitcoin marketplace and extends to 183 countries.
Why would you want to know how to buy the new iPhone with crypto on a decentralized black market? For starters, OpenBazaar accepts over 50 types of cryptocurrency. Want to buy an iPhone with Monero or DASH? You can do this on OpenBazaar.
Additionally, OpenBazaar doesn’t have any fees. This means that the buyer can pay less and the seller makes more. By comparison, eBay takes 9% of the sale and Amazon charges individuals $0.99 per sale or $39.99 per month for businesses.
How to Access OpenBazaar
Accessing OpenBazaar is slightly more difficult than these other retailers. First, you have to download it and set up a profile (time zone, language and which currency you would like to see prices in). You can also choose to remain completely anonymous.
As OpenBazaar isn’t a cryptocurrency exchange, but it requires Bitcoins, you have to integrate a crypto wallet with your profile. After you’ve done all this, you can search for what you want just like any other online retailer.
How to Buy the New iPhone with Crypto
If you’re in Europe, you can order the new iPhone with crypto right now from a few online retailers. But if you’re asking how to buy the new iPhone with crypto in America, the answer is a little more complicated. Of course, you can still buy HTC’s Exodus 1, a smartphone you can only buy with crypto.
In the U.S., you need a crypto debit card to order an iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max or iPhone XR. Prepaid cards and those linked directly to your wallet will both work, but make sure you do your research before deciding where to put your crypto. You can now buy an iPhone XS with crypto, thanks to retailers that accept crypto like Overstock, Newegg and OpenBazaar.
Though Apple remains wary of crypto, integrating cryptocurrency with Apple products has never been easier. And now that you know how to buy the new iPhone with crypto, you can download crypto collective wallets on your new iPhone.
