- Best value for most people: iPhone 15. It is powerful, easy to use and still has years of software support, without paying Pro prices.
- Best Android options: Samsung Galaxy S24 or Google Pixel 9 Pro XL. Both bring excellent displays, cameras, battery life and useful built-in AI.
- My premium pick: iPhone 15 Pro Max. I paid just over $500 for mine; it still delivers the camera, screen and everyday speed I want, at a fraction of its launch price.
There is no single best phone for everybody. The right pick depends on what you care about most: camera quality, battery life, long software support or the lowest sensible price. These are the models we would put at the top of the list today, and why.
THE RANKINGS
Best refurbished phones: our top picks
| Rank | Phone | Best for | Why it ranks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | iPhone 15 | Most people | USB-C, strong cameras and a long support runway at a more sensible price than Pro models. |
| 02 | Galaxy S24 | Android all-rounder | Bright display, versatile cameras and a long update commitment. |
| 03 | Pixel 9 Pro XL | Camera and AI | Excellent point-and-shoot photography, clean software and seven years of updates. |
| 04 | iPhone 15 Pro Max | Premium performance | Top-tier camera flexibility and performance, with a bigger refurbished saving. |
| 05 | Galaxy S23+ | Big-screen value | Flagship speed and strong battery life at a lower entry price. |
Prices and stock change often. Treat live listings as examples, then check the exact storage, condition grade, battery terms and seller protections before you buy.
Keep comparing
iPhone 15
This is the easy recommendation: modern enough to feel current, but no longer priced like a brand-new iPhone.
You get USB-C, the Dynamic Island and a 48MP main camera. The standard iPhone 15 is also lighter and easier to handle than the Pro Max. The catch? It lacks the high-refresh ProMotion display and telephoto camera. If those matter, step up to a Pro model.
Samsung Galaxy S24
A strong compact flagship if you want Android flexibility and a bright, smooth screen.
The S24 balances performance, camera versatility and everyday size better than the larger Ultra. Samsung’s long update commitment is especially useful for refurbished buyers: you are not buying a phone already near the end of its useful life.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Choose this if you want excellent photos with little effort and a generous software support window.
Pixel processing makes everyday photos look polished without much fiddling. The XL’s larger screen suits maps, video and editing, though it is a big phone. A refurbished listing should be clearly graded and covered by a return window; check the seller’s terms, not just the headline price.
iPhone 15 Pro Max
The pick for creators and camera enthusiasts who will actually use the bigger display and extra camera reach.
It brings a titanium frame, USB-C, a fast display and a flexible camera system. Refurbished pricing can make the Pro Max easier to justify, but inspect the battery policy and cosmetic grade carefully. It is still a large, expensive phone even second-hand.
Samsung Galaxy S23+
A good way to get a large flagship screen and dependable battery life without paying S24 money.
It still feels quick for normal apps, streaming and photos. The trade-off is less time left on software support than the newer Galaxy models, so only choose it when the price makes that compromise worthwhile.
How we choose the best refurbished phones
We weigh the things that change ownership, not just launch-day specs: current refurbished pricing, remaining software support, battery and repair considerations, network freedom, warranty and returns. A phone can score well in reviews and still be a poor refurb buy if its battery is tired, its condition grade is vague or the seller offers weak protection.
What reviewers say about our premium picks
Critic reviews help us judge the phone itself. They cannot tell you whether a specific refurbished listing has a healthy battery or fair condition grade, so check the seller’s current warranty, returns and battery terms before buying.
What to check before buying refurbished
Buy a recent Pixel, not just the cheapest Pixel
My advice is to stick to the Pixel 8 series or newer. I have owned almost every Pixel generation, and I ran into frustrating hardware problems on older models, including charging ports that stopped working and screens that misbehaved. In my experience, Google got much more consistent from the Pixel 8 onwards. There is another big upside: Pixel 8 and newer phones get Google’s seven-year OS and security update commitment. Browse refurbished Pixel collections and compare the exact model before you buy.
Shop the Galaxy Ultra generation behind
Samsung Galaxy Ultra models can lose value quickly. That creates a useful refurbished sweet spot: an Ultra that is 18 to 24 months old can sometimes cost less than a new base Galaxy S model, while giving you a much bigger display, more camera hardware and performance you may never fully use. Check the current price rather than assuming the older Ultra is automatically the bargain.
Foldables are about the screen, not the camera
A refurbished Galaxy Z Fold or Google Pixel Fold gives you a big screen and a genuinely different format, often for less than launch price. The trade-off is the camera: even good foldable cameras do not match the best iPhone Pro Max or Galaxy Ultra systems. If photography is not your priority, a foldable can be a brilliant media and multitasking phone. If camera quality comes first, choose a conventional flagship instead.
Why buy refurbished at all?
The point is simple: get flagship hardware for mid-range money. I have bought refurbished phones since 2018 and have not gone back. I usually buy a Pro Max iPhone one or two generations behind the latest model; around $500 to $600 can get you the screen, battery and camera I want without paying $1,000 for a phone I mainly use for calls, messages, browsing and social media. Browse refurbished phone collections to compare current model prices.
Back Market is our usual starting point for choice across refurbished iPhone, Samsung and Pixel models. Compare the listing, seller rating, condition and final price before ordering.
Refurbished phone FAQs
Yes, if the saving is worthwhile and the phone still has years of useful software support. Check the battery policy, condition grade, warranty and returns before you order. Our refurbished retailer guide compares the main places to buy.
We recommend the iPhone 15 for most people: it has USB-C, a strong main camera and the Dynamic Island, without Pro-model pricing. If you prefer Android, compare the refurbished Samsung range with the refurbished Pixel range and choose around the camera, size and software you want.
Our pick is the iPhone 15 Pro Max. You still get flagship performance, a large display and a versatile camera system, but a refurbished model can cost far less than a new top-end iPhone. Read our iPhone 15 Pro Max buying guide, then compare the exact storage, battery terms and condition before you buy.
For a confident recommendation, do not go below the iPhone 12 series. Older models have a shorter remaining iOS support window, which can turn a low upfront price into a poor long-term buy. Start with our refurbished iPhone deals and favour newer models when the price difference is manageable.
Back Market is our usual starting point because it offers broad choice across iPhone, Samsung and Pixel models. It is a marketplace, so check the individual listing and seller, confirm the phone is unlocked, and read the warranty, return and battery terms. See our Back Market review before deciding.
Start with battery health or the seller’s battery guarantee, then check the condition grade, unlocked status, storage, warranty and return period. Compare like-for-like models and storage on our refurbished phone deals hub; the cheapest listing is not always the best value.
I recommend sticking to the Pixel 8 series or newer. I have owned almost every Pixel generation and experienced hardware faults on older models; the Pixel 8 generation is where I became comfortable recommending them. Pixel 8 and newer also qualify for Google’s seven-year update commitment, giving you a much longer runway for Android and security updates. Compare refurbished Pixel models before choosing.
Often, yes. Galaxy Ultra models can depreciate sharply, so an 18-to-24-month-old Ultra may cost less than a new base Galaxy S phone while offering a larger, brighter screen and more capable cameras. Compare the current refurbished price with the new base model and check the Ultra’s remaining software support before buying.
They are worth considering if the large inner screen is your priority. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold and Google Pixel Fold models are excellent for reading, video and multitasking, but their cameras do not match the best conventional iPhone Pro Max or Galaxy Ultra phones. If camera quality matters most, choose a regular flagship instead.
I aim for at least 90%. Once battery health gets close to 80%, you are much more likely to notice fast drain in everyday use. I learned that the hard way with an iPhone 13 at 70% health: even a couple of videos could make the percentage drop visibly. Check the retailer’s battery guarantee, and if the phone arrives materially below what the listing promised, contact the seller promptly and follow its returns process.
You can get premium screen, camera and performance hardware for around the price of a new mid-range handset. I have bought refurbished since 2018 and usually choose a Pro Max iPhone one or two generations behind the latest model. That gives me the big display, battery and camera I want for roughly $500 to $600, rather than spending $1,000 or more. Compare models in our refurbished phone collections.
