What loan? That was a cash price for the phone connected to the month-to-month prepaid carrier I already used anyways because they had a very low monthly price with no contracts... and after just 60 days it is unlocked and can be used on any network. Indeed, after a few months I did switch to another prepaid carrier that had free data.
If you take Tracfone for example, they have plans that are as cheap as about $8-15 a month depending on the term, so I don't think being locked in for 2 months on whatever carrier you already want to use is a "loan." Presumably you're using some carrier or wouldn't have a phone. Worst case scenario add $30 to the total price to use it as an unlocked phone.
This is also generally the cheapest way to buy an Android phone. However, the cheap carrier versions of flagship Android phones are often banned from getting security updates for some reason.
What price can I buy an unlocked iPhone as a one-off, without any recurring payments or carriers? That's the price that's relevant when comparing that phone's price to other phones.
I already answered that- your best deal to get an unlocked phone is to buy a locked one and pay out the 2 months service to unlock it. So add about $20-30 to the price, which still gets you a new iPhone free and clear for about $200.
The thing that makes getting an iPhone like this so much cheaper than even a base model 3rd world country targeted Android is the really long support life.
However, I can't imagine anyone actually doing that, because if you're budget conscious enough to be doing this, you'll already be using one of those low priced prepaid carriers, so the 2 month lock-in is not an extra expense.
Yes- right now on the Tracfone website I see an iPhone SE3 for $189, and single month prepaid rates of $15/mo so that would be $219 total. I'd imagine you have to really wait out the 2 months of service also before the unlock triggers. These are prepaid "burner plans," so there is no contract, you just buy months/minutes up front, and can buy the minutes as a gift card along with the phone.
However, in the past I never paid those full website rates because you can often get the pre-boxed store shelf versions of these phones new on eBay, or in person at stores for even cheaper... and the monthly service itself is also a lot less than $15/mo if you prepay for a longer period. In real life $100 total is possible for a brand new iPhone if done right, and is about what I paid for mine.
