Fancy a cheap iPhone, but the prices for a new model are too high for you? Why not try a refurbished iPhone? We have chosen for you the most interesting reconditioned models of the moment.
The best refurbished iPhones of 2022
If there is one brand that stands out when it comes to refurbished smartphones, it’s Apple. The Cupertino company has long operated its own program of refurb and offers trade-in offers for its old phones. To find a refurbished iPhone, however, you will have to go through third parties such as Backmarket, Smaaart or even Amazon. Going through this will be the only way to equip yourself with an iOS smartphone at a reasonable price.
Still, choosing the right refurbished iPhone is not necessarily easy. We have therefore chosen for you the refurbished iPhone offering the best price / performance ratio of the moment. And if you are looking for the best modern iPhone, then read our comparison of the best iPhones.
And if you’re curious to see what’s going on on the other side of the fence, don’t hesitate to take a look at our guide to the best refurbished Samsung smartphones.
Apple iphone xs The modern iPhone for small budgets
8 / 10
- The modern form factor
- The right screen
- Solid performance
Available at € 341 on Reconditioned Cdiscount
Released in 2018, the iPhone XS is a more mature version of an iPhone X, certainly innovative, but still smelling a bit of fresh paint. We therefore find a 5.8-inch screen and a pleasant design combining glass and steel. Unlike other models discussed in this guide, you don’t feel like you’re holding an “old” phone.
The screen itself is also of very good quality with, as always with Apple, perfect colors, but also a good brightness of nearly 650 cd / m2. Nothing to say about the A12 Bionic either, which has no problem running iOS 15 with perfect fluidity. As a bonus, the autonomy is more than correct, of the order of a day and a half of normal use.
Photos are another strength of the iPhone XS: the dual 12-megapixel sensor produces excellent shots in almost any situation. By quibbling a bit, we will find it average in low light, but nothing to be ashamed of.
Available under the bar of 400 euros, the iPhone XS is for us the sweet spot for who is looking for a good iOS phone that won’t blow up the bank account. And even compared to current smartphones in this price range, it is far from blushing. If you want to know more, you will have to read our full review of the Apple iPhone XS.
Apple iphone 8 Affordable iPhone
6 / 10
- A very small price
- Still solid performance
- The button !
Available at 205 € on Reconditioned Cdiscount
Released in 2017, the iPhone 8 is the most affordable iPhone we can recommend to date. Let’s say it right away: its design was already dated when it was released and even more so today. However, it remains elegant and pleasant in the hand. We particularly appreciate the presence of a physical button and the absence of a notch. The use of Touch ID is also a significant strength in these times where Face ID is slipping in the face of our masks.
From a performance point of view, the A11 Bionic processor still has nice remnants, iOS 15 is smooth and we do not notice any particular slowdown in normal use. Only the most recent games will be able to pose some problems to him. As for autonomy, count a good day. Best of all, it is also the brand’s first phone to support IQ charging.
Its main weakness, however, is the photo module made up of a single sensor. It is sufficient for daytime shots, but struggles in low light. Despite disappointing photo capabilities, the iPhone 8 is a great choice for those on a budget.
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Zero compromises
8 / 10
- The screen at the top
- Excellent autonomy
- The quality photo module
Available at € 655 on Amazon Refurbished
Do you like big screens, but don’t feel like spending more than a thousand dollars? Look no further than the iPhone 11 Pro Max. Between its 6.5-inch screen and its 226 grams, we hold a beautiful baby in our hands.
The OLED panel is always of exceptional quality, with a brightness of almost 800 cd / m2. Suffice to say that you will have no problem with readability even in direct sunlight. Only the massive notch annoys us a bit. Under the hood, we find the same A13 Bionic SoC as on the iPhone SE 2020. The chip is as convincing as ever, in all situations.
Compared to its ancestor, the iPhone XS Max, this 2019 vintage has a 25% larger battery. It is a real game changer in terms of endurance since it doesn’t have to worry about two days in light use. The only downside: a quick charge that lags a bit.
The photo module is a real success, with three sensors (including a telephoto and an ultra-wide angle) which offer real versatility on a daily basis. Above all, Apple has finally mastered the art of night mode on this generation. The rendering is natural and efficient, even if we have more details with some competitors.
Sold below 700 euros in refurbished, the iPhone 11 Pro Max is still a real high-end phone and does not have to be ashamed of its successors. We present it to you up and down in our test of the iPhone 11 Pro Max.
6 / 10
- The latest “big” iPhone with a button
- The presence of the telephoto lens
- Always fluid on a daily basis
Available at € 307 on Reconditioned Cdiscount
The big brother of the iPhone 8 shares the same A11 Bionic processor as its younger brother, but has a larger panel. With a diagonal of 5.5 inches, it also benefits from a welcome Full HD definition.
Besides the format, the most significant difference with the iPhone 8 is the presence of a second telephoto module opening at F / 2.8. While not revolutionary, the latter brings welcome flexibility to the iPhone 8 Plus when it comes to photography. Its large size also allows it to carry a larger capacity battery. In practice, you will get a day and a half off the phone without too much trouble.
If you’re a lover of physical buttons and the iPhone 8 or SE is too small for you, the iPhone 8 Plus is still a safe bet. It is also still your servant’s main phone!
Apple iPhone SE 2020 It’s in the old pots …
7 / 10
- The form factor of the iPhone 8 …
- … with modern components
- Tailored for the nostalgic
Available at € 489 on Amazon
It may be recent, but the iPhone SE 2020 vintage keeps a special place in our selection. Taking the design and format of the iPhone 8, it does however include much more modern components. This makes it the iPhone of choice for those who REALLY don’t want to do without a Home button and want to keep their iPhone for as long as possible.
Although a little dated in view of the standards of our time, the screen remains bright and extremely well calibrated. Main change compared to the iPhone 8: the use of the same A13 Bionic as on the iPhone 11. This gives it top-notch performance, although the 3 GB of RAM may be limiting during multitasking intense. Gaming enthusiasts will also appreciate the possibility of enjoying modern titles in excellent conditions, the relatively low definition being an advantage here.
As with its ancestor, its great weakness is the unique photo sensor. Comfortable in broad daylight, however, it is a bit difficult in low light. Autonomy can also disappoint since it is difficult to take a full day away from the outlet.
The iPhone SE 2020 is therefore a phone apart, old in form, but still very powerful. If you are allergic to form factor introduced by the iPhone X, we just can’t find better. For more info you can read our full review of the iPhone SE 2020.
All about refurbished iPhones
Where do refurbished iPhones come from?
As the name suggests, a refurbished iPhone has already had a first life. Its origin is varied, it can thus be a telephone returned by a customer having used the withdrawal period or a device having been returned to the after-sales service for repair. Other frequent sources are takeover offers from operators or companies that resell their fleets of telephones.
What is the difference between a refurbished and used iPhone?
The main difference between going through a repackaging company and a private seller is the warranty. Indeed, a reconditioned product must benefit from a six-month guarantee and many players go beyond the legal minimum. Amazon, for example, offers a one-year warranty. In case of problems, you can therefore call a competent after-sales service.
Why choose a refurbished iPhone?
Unsurprisingly, the main advantage of a refurbished iPhone is the price. Apple smartphones are particularly expensive, with an entry price of 489 euros for an iPhone SE 2020. For iOS enthusiasts who do not want to empty their savings, the refurbished is a good option to save money.
One of the great strengths of the iPhone is software tracking. Thus, an iPhone 6s released in 2015 benefits from the latest iOS 15 update and the functions provided by the latter! So buying an iPhone that’s a few years old doesn’t mean you’re stuck with an older operating system.
What condition is a refurbished smartphone in?
Refurbished phones are classified according to their external condition. The more the latter is damaged, the more the price drops. For our price comparison, we have deliberately chosen to only highlight products in perfect condition. No one wants to play Russian roulette and end up with a big scratch on their phone.
What is the condition of a refurbished iPhone battery?
Logically, reconditioned iPhone batteries have suffered some wear. However, none of the refurbished products are below the 80% original capacity mark. Enough to guarantee a few years of comfortable use. If you want to change the battery for a new one, Apple will charge you 55 euros for an iPhone 8 and 75 euros for a newer model.
Can I return my refurbished iPhone?
Not satisfied with your refurbished iPhone? Whatever the reason, you can invoke your 14 day cancellation period. Even better: sellers like Amazon or Backmarket give you 30 days to decide.
To follow us, we invite you to download our Android and iOS application. You will be able to read our articles, files, and watch our latest YouTube videos.