"Refurbished" covers everything from a phone rebuilt by its maker to a second-hand handset wiped and resold by a market stall. This guide starts with the cleanest case, Apple's own refurbished store, because its prices and conditions are public, then explains what changes elsewhere.
Apple's refurbished iPhones, October 2026
Apple's US refurbished store lists iPhones from the 15 and 16 generations. All are unlocked and come, in Apple's words, with a "brand new battery and outer shell" and a full one-year warranty, like a new phone.
| Refurbished model | Price (US) | Nearest new model at Apple | Price (US) |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 16e, 128 GB | $459 | iPhone 17e, 256 GB | $699 |
| iPhone 15 Pro, 128 GB | $679 | iPhone 17, 256 GB | $899 |
| iPhone 16, 256 GB | $739 | iPhone 17, 256 GB | $899 |
| iPhone 15 Pro Max, 256 GB | $849 | iPhone 18 Pro Max, 256 GB | $1,299 |
| iPhone 16 Plus, 128 GB | $749 | no direct equivalent | — |
Prices checked on Apple's US refurbished store on October 9, 2026. Apple's refurbished stock changes daily, and the range differs from country to country.
Where the saving is real
- The cheapest way into a current iPhone. At $459, a refurbished 16e costs $240 less than the cheapest new iPhone. It has half the storage (128 GB) and an older chip, but the same kind of single 48 MP camera.
- A Pro camera for a base price. A refurbished 15 Pro Max at $849 gives you a 5x telephoto and a large screen for less than a new iPhone 17. For photography, it is the most interesting line in the table.
- An escape from the September 2026 rise. Refurbished prices did not follow Apple's $100 increase on new older models: a refurbished 16 with 256 GB is $60 cheaper than a new 16 with 128 GB.
Where new is the better deal
A refurbished iPhone 16 at $739 is $160 cheaper than a new 17, for a phone with an older chip, a 60 Hz screen and 22 hours of video playback instead of 30. Over four years of use, $160 is $40 a year. If you plan to keep the phone a long time, the new 17 is worth the difference. The same logic applies to the 16e against a new 17e: $240 buys you twice the storage, a newer chip and a newer modem.
Outside Apple: what to check
Most refurbished iPhones are sold by independent refurbishers and marketplaces, often for less than Apple charges. The phones can be excellent, but conditions vary. Before you buy, check:
- Battery health. Ask for the figure from Settings, Battery. Below 85%, factor in a replacement. See battery health.
- Parts history. In Settings, General, About, iOS shows a "Parts and Service History" section listing replaced parts and whether they are genuine.
- Warranty. In the EU, a refurbished phone sold by a business carries the legal guarantee of conformity; one year is the minimum allowed for second-hand goods. Elsewhere, look for at least twelve months.
- Locks. Make sure Activation Lock is off and the phone is not carrier-locked.
In France, where the refurbished market is large, the gap between new and refurbished prices varies a lot by model; new vs refurbished prices in France are compared model by model.
Quick answers
Is a refurbished iPhone from Apple as good as new?
Apple fits a new battery and a new outer shell, tests the phone and gives it the same one-year warranty as a new one. Inside, it is the previous generation.
How much do you save buying a refurbished iPhone?
At Apple's US store in October 2026, between $160 and $450 against the nearest current model, depending on the model: a refurbished iPhone 16 with 256 GB costs $739 against $899 for a new 17.
What is the cheapest iPhone you can buy from Apple?
A refurbished iPhone 16e with 128 GB, at $459 on Apple's US refurbished store in October 2026. The cheapest new iPhone is the 17e at $699.
