Short answer
Yes, for most people. A refurbished iPhone works the same as a new one and costs far less, as long as the seller tests it, shows the battery health as a number, and backs it with a warranty and returns. It's not worth it if you need the newest model on launch day, or if the seller can't tell you the battery health.
Pros and cons
| Refurbished iPhone | |
|---|---|
| Pros | Much lower price than new · Same apps and iOS updates as any iPhone of that model · You own it, no contract · A tested phone with a warranty, not a stranger's promise |
| Cons | The battery has some wear (shown as a number) · Grades below Excellent have marks you can see · Not the newest model on launch day · Quality depends on the seller |
What a refurbished iPhone costs with us today
| Model | Graded from | Premium from | In stock |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17 Pro | $890 | $985 | 47 |
| iPhone 16 Pro | $535 | $655 | 228 |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | $630 | $780 | 283 |
| iPhone 15 | $305 | $420 | 132 |
| iPhone 14 | $280 | $320 | 43 |
| iPhone SE 2022 | $120 | $160 | 73 |
Graded = Excellent, Good or Fair with battery health 80% or more. Premium = Excellent with battery health 90% or more. Prices update every night.
When it's worth it
- You want a recent iPhone and would rather not pay new-phone prices.
- The phone will live in a case anyway, so a Good or Fair grade costs you nothing you'll notice.
- You'd rather own the phone outright than lease it.
When it isn't
- You want the model Apple launched this month. There are no used ones yet.
- The seller won't put the battery health in writing, or offers no warranty or returns.
- You'd be paying close to the new price for an older model. Compare first.
What can go wrong, and how to avoid it
- A tired battery sold as "good". Ask for the battery health percentage, not a word. What battery health is good?
- Replaced parts nobody mentioned. Ask which parts were replaced and whether they're original. On recent iPhones, Settings > General > About shows Parts and Service History.
- A locked phone. It should be unlocked and signed out of the previous owner's account.
- No way back. A clear return window and a written warranty matter more than a small discount.
How to check a used iPhone in 10 minutes
What you get from us
- A 32-point test: screen, battery, cameras, speakers, microphones, charging port, Face ID or Touch ID, buttons, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and cellular.
- Battery health shown as a band (90%+, 85-90% or 80-85%) before you buy.
- Graded by a person: Premium phones use original parts; Value phones name their one issue on the listing.
- Unlocked, 12-month warranty, 30-day returns and free US shipping.
- A real person in the US to text or call, 8am to 11pm Pacific, 7 days a week.
Common questions
Is a refurbished iPhone worth it?
Yes, for most people. A refurbished iPhone works the same as a new one and costs far less, as long as the seller tests it, shows the battery health as a number, and backs it with a warranty and returns. It's not worth it if you need the newest model on launch day, or if the seller can't tell you the battery health.
Is a refurbished iPhone as good as new?
It works the same. The differences are the battery, which has some wear (we show it as a number), and the look, which depends on the grade: Excellent looks close to new, Good and Fair have light or visible marks.
Do refurbished iPhones get iOS updates?
Yes. Updates depend on the model, not on whether it was refurbished. A refurbished iPhone gets the same updates as any other iPhone of that model.
How long will a refurbished iPhone last?
As long as the same model bought new, minus the time it has already been used. The battery is the part that wears; buying one with higher battery health gives you more time before it needs replacing.
How much cheaper is a refurbished iPhone?
It depends on the model and grade. With us today, iPhones start at $80 (iPhone SE 2022); see the price table above for popular models.
What's the difference between refurbished and used?
A used phone is sold as it is. A refurbished one has been tested, repaired where needed, cleaned and graded before it's sold again.
What if something goes wrong?
Every phone we sell has a 12-month warranty and can be returned within 30 days for a full refund.