2026 Smartphone Buying Guide: New vs Refurbished?

What Phone Should I Buy?

Yes, you can buy a new phone. But the smarter move right now, given the state of the global economy, the eye-watering cost of flagship devices, and potentially your bank account and current financial outlook (if it’s anything like mine), is to go refurbished.

You get the same hardware, the same performance, and pay a fraction of the price.

We have a full range of expertly vetted refurbished phones that covers pretty much every possible budget and requirement, so check that out to see what’s available right now.

Or, if you’d like to know more about smarter ways to buy phones in 2026, keep reading to find out exactly which models are worth your money.

Why Buying Refurbished Is The Smartest Way To Buy Phones

The new phone market has a dirty secret: the hardware leap between generations is shrinking every year.

An iPhone 15 Pro Max and an iPhone 17 base model cost roughly the same money right now but the 15 Pro Max gives you a better display, better zoom, better build quality, and it still runs Apple Intelligence.

That’s why I run an iPhone 15 Pro Max, not Apple’s new base model. It’s also why before that I ran an iPhone 13 Pro Max when the iPhone 15 Pro Max was the new kid on the block.

Refurbished phones, when bought from a reputable source, go through full testing, grading, and restoration before they ship. It’s better for your wallet and this circular tech revolution is better for the planet too.

Also, keep in mind that refurbished phones ARE NOT like normal used phones.

Here’s why:

• A certified Grade A device is functionally indistinguishable from new.
• You get the same lithium-ion battery performance, the same NAND flash storage, the same logic board.
• The only thing that’s different is the price tag; it’s like 40% cheaper in most cases.

Here’s what you actually gain by going refurbished:

• 40–80% less than the equivalent new device, depending on model and condition
• The same OS and security updates as a new phone for as long as the manufacturer supports that model
• A warranty — reputable refurbishers include at least 6–12 months coverage as standard
• A significantly lower carbon footprint — manufacturing a new smartphone generates the vast majority of its lifetime emissions; going refurbished sidesteps nearly all of that

If you’ve got questions about how the refurbished grading system works, our refurbished phone FAQ hub covers everything.

Refurbished iPhones: The G.O.A.T of The Refurbished Market

When someone asks me what refurbished phone to buy, I tell them the same thing: get an iPhone. Not because I’m an Apple fanboy, but because the math works out better in nearly every case.

Apple supports its iPhones with major iOS and security updates for longer than virtually any Android manufacturer.

That directly translates to longevity, better resale value, and fewer security risks on a second-hand device. In my 15+ years of being a technology journalist, I’ve tested hundreds of phones from every brand. Apple’s iPhones are just more reliable.

Yes, they still have issues. But compared to Android phones, they’re basically seamless when it comes to bugs, issues, and quality control problems.

Buy a refurbished iPhone 15 today and you’re looking at updates well into the 2030s. You can only say the same thing about a select, few handsets from Google and Samsung.

The iPhone 15: Best for Most Buyers

The refurbished iPhone 15 is the phone we recommend to the vast majority of people right now. Dynamic Island, USB-C, a 48MP main sensor, and A16 Bionic performance — all available at a price that makes a new mid-range Android look overpriced.

128GB is workable for most users, especially if you use cloud storage. But if you shoot a lot of video or photos, step up to 256GB where possible.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max: Best for Creators

If video is your thing, TikTok, YouTube, short-form content, or professional shoots, the refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max is in a class of its own at its current refurbished price point.

You get a 5x optical telephoto, ProRes video recording, Action Button, and a 120Hz ProMotion display.

It also qualifies for Apple Intelligence. Compared to a brand new iPhone 17 base model, the Pro Max wins on almost every spec that matters for serious creators.

Our guide to the best refurbished phones for content creators goes deeper on why.

The iPhone 14 Plus: The Honest Budget Pick

The refurbished iPhone 14 Plus is where we draw the budget line on iPhones.

Big 6.7-inch screen, all-day battery, A15 Bionic — it’s a genuinely capable phone that still has years of iOS support ahead of it. Don’t go older than this if longevity matters to you.

Hard floor: iPhone 12. We won’t recommend anything older. iPhone 11 and below have lost iOS support — that’s a security risk we’re not willing to gloss over.

Battery health note: Always check battery health before buying. Any unlocked refurbished iPhone should show battery health in Settings > Battery. Aim for 85% or above, and check our guide on iPhone iOS update lifespan to understand exactly how long your model will stay supported.

Refurbished Samsung Galaxy: Flagship Hardware at a Serious Discount

Samsung makes the best Android hardware right now, full stop. AMOLED displays, powerful Snapdragon chipsets, genuinely flexible camera systems.

On a refurbished budget, you can access S-series and Ultra hardware that was out of reach at launch.

The caveat? Software longevity is more variable than iPhone. Not necessarily worse, Samsung now promises seven years of OS updates on S24 and newer, but it requires more due diligence per model.

Galaxy S24 Ultra: The Case for Going Big

The Galaxy S24 Ultra is the phone Samsung built for people who want everything — and on the refurbished market, it makes a compelling argument.

At launch this was a £1,299 device. Refurbished, you’re accessing that same hardware for significantly less.

That’s a 200MP main sensor, a built-in S Pen, a 6.8-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED display running at 120Hz, and a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset — one of the fastest mobile processors ever put into a consumer device.

The camera system is genuinely formidable.

You get a 5x optical telephoto and a 10x optical zoom running simultaneously via two separate periscope lens modules.

For landscape photographers, sports shooters, or anyone who needs serious reach without carrying additional kit, nothing else on the refurbished market at this price touches it.

It also benefits from Samsung’s seven-year update commitment, meaning an S24 Ultra bought today should receive OS and security support through to 2031.

That’s a meaningful number when buying second-hand — it gives you real confidence in the device’s long-term viability.

Pair that with the titanium frame, IP68 water resistance, and 5,000mAh battery, and this is a phone built to go the distance. Storage options include 256GB and 512GB if you shoot a lot of video or store media locally.

The one honest caveat: the S24 Ultra is a large, heavy phone with a lot of features casual users will never touch. If the S Pen and pro-level zoom system aren’t on your list, the standard Galaxy S24 is a smarter, more focused buy. But if you want the best Samsung has ever made at a refurbished price, the Ultra is hard to argue with.

Galaxy S24: Best Android for Longevity

The refurbished Galaxy S24 is the sweet spot for Android buyers who want long-term value.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, seven years of promised updates, and a tight, refined form factor. It’s the Samsung equivalent of the iPhone 15; not the flashiest, but the most sensible.

The S24 in 128GB hits a more accessible price point. Go 256GB if you’re a heavy user.

Galaxy S23: The Value Sweet Spot

If budget is the primary driver, the refurbished Galaxy S23 gives you excellent day-to-day performance with a capable triple camera system.

It’s showing its age slightly against newer models, but for the money, it’s hard to argue with.

Avoid: Galaxy S21 and older as a daily driver. The update window is closing fast, and we’ve seen enough degradation on ageing Samsung flagships to be cautious about recommending them.

What to watch on refurbished Samsung

• Carrier-locked vs unlocked: More Samsung devices ship carrier-branded. Always prioritise unlocked where possible — it affects update timing and flexibility.
• Software updates remaining: Check the exact model year against Samsung’s published update schedule. Don’t assume; verify.
• For creators: Samsung’s video is detailed and flexible, but it processes footage differently to iPhone. If you’re shooting for professional output, read our comparison of the best phones for video recording before committing.

Refurbished Google Pixel: Outstanding Photography, With Caveats

Google’s Pixel range runs the purest version of Android on the market, gets day-one OS updates straight from Google, and has some of the most impressive computational photography available on any phone.

The camera software alone — Magic Eraser, advanced HDR, Best Take — puts it ahead of most rivals on stills.

But I’m going to be straight with you: Pixel hardware has a less clean track record than iPhone or Samsung.

Screen burn-in, modem inconsistencies, and battery degradation have cropped up more frequently across certain Pixel generations than we’d like.

The seven-year software support commitment you get on newer models (Pixel 8 and up) is admirable; whether the hardware lasts that long is a separate question.

Pixel 9 Pro XL: Best Pixel to Buy Right Now

The refurbished Pixel 9 Pro XL is the strongest Pixel recommendation we can make. It’s new enough to have years of updates ahead, the Tensor G4 chip handles on-device AI processing cleanly, and the camera system is genuinely exceptional.

Also worth considering: the Pixel 9 Pro XL in Porcelain and 512GB variants for heavy users.

Pixel 8 Pro: Still Solid, Watch the Battery

The refurbished Pixel 8 Pro is a capable camera phone with strong AI features and a clean Android build. It’s our bottom-tier recommendation within the 8 series, go for it if the price is right, but be diligent on battery health.

Pixel 7 / 7a: We treat this as the absolute floor. Acceptable short-term if the price reflects it, but we wouldn’t recommend it as a primary device in 2026.

Critical Pixel caveat: Google’s certified refurbished programme does not guarantee a replacement battery. Unlike some Apple-certified refurb routes, a “like-new” battery is not a given on a refurbished Pixel. Check battery health explicitly before purchase.

Refurbished Phone Comparison: iPhone vs Samsung vs Pixel

Know Your Mobile Verdict

Buying refurbished is a logical response to a market that’s been inflating new phone prices beyond what most buyers can reasonably justify.

And if you’ve read this far and you want my advice, as someone who has been covering this kind of stuff since 2009, I’d recommend either the iPhone 15 if you want to keep your costs down or the iPhone 15 Pro Max if you want the best possible performance.

The hardware inside a refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max, Galaxy S24, or Pixel 9 Pro XL is the same silicon that was winning benchmarks and review scores when these phones launched.

Buy smart. Buy unlocked. Check battery health. Use a retailer that offers at least a 12-month warranty and a 30-day return window.

And don’t buy older than the models outlined above; end-of-life software support is the one thing you genuinely cannot work around.

Pro-Tip: If you’re torn between a new mid-range phone and a refurbished flagship, the flagship wins almost every time. The camera system, display quality, and build on a refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max or Galaxy S24 Ultra will outlast and outperform a brand-new budget device at the same price — often by years. Spend once, spend smart.