2026 Smartphone Buying Guide: New vs Refurbished?
·
Credentials
What Phone Should You Buy?
Most people do not need the latest phone. A refurbished flagship from the last two or three years will usually give you better performance, cameras and build quality than a brand-new mid-range phone at the same price.
Our recommendation: Start with a refurbished iPhone 15 or Galaxy S24. Both are fast, well supported and considerably cheaper than the latest models. Spend more only if you need a larger display, stronger zoom camera or professional video features.
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.
And right now, for most people, I’d point you in the direction of a refurbished iPhone 15 if you want the absolute best value for money.
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
Best iPhone 15 Deals Right Now
Every model below is unlocked and KYM Verified. Use the filters to compare prices by storage capacity.
iPhone 15 128GB – Black
The cheapest entry point into the iPhone 15 range.
iPhone 15 128GB – Green
A strong 128GB deal with a lighter, less common finish.
iPhone 15 128GB – Yellow
The bright-color option without a large price premium.
iPhone 15 128GB – Blue
A subtle blue finish with the same A16 performance.
iPhone 15 128GB – Pink
One of the most popular finishes, although it costs more.
iPhone 15 256GB – Pink
Double the storage of the base model for only $68 more.
iPhone 15 256GB – Blue
The joint-cheapest 256GB option in the current listings.
iPhone 15 256GB – Black
The safest color choice with enough room for years of use.
iPhone 15 256GB – Green
More storage and a distinctive finish for under $500.
iPhone 15 256GB – Yellow
The priciest 256GB color here, so buy it for the finish.
iPhone 15 512GB – Black
Huge storage and the largest cash saving in the range.
iPhone 15 512GB – Green
Maximum storage with a less common color, but Black is cheaper.
Prices and availability can change. Check the individual deal page for the latest condition, seller and warranty information.
The refurbished iPhone 15 is the phone we recommend to the vast majority of people in 2026.
It sits in something of a sweet spot. It’s old enough for depreciation to have knocked a decent chunk off its original price, but new enough that it still feels like a modern iPhone.
You get Dynamic Island, USB-C charging, MagSafe, a bright OLED display, the 48MP main camera and Apple’s A16 Bionic chip.
In normal use, it doesn’t feel like a three-year-old phone. Apps open quickly, the camera is reliable, video quality remains excellent and the battery should comfortably get most people through a typical day, provided you buy one with a healthy battery.
It also makes many new mid-range Android phones look rather expensive. For similar money, you can often buy a refurbished iPhone 15 with better video recording, faster performance, longer software support and a much stronger selection of cases and accessories.
The camera is another reason we rate it. The 48MP main sensor produces detailed photos with dependable colours, while the 2x crop mode gives you a useful extra focal length without needing a dedicated telephoto lens.
You don’t get the Pro model’s proper optical zoom, but for family photos, holidays, pets, food, social media and everyday video, the standard iPhone 15 is more than good enough.
There are limitations.
The display is still restricted to 60Hz, there’s no dedicated zoom camera and it doesn’t support every Apple Intelligence feature available on newer Pro models. If you already own an iPhone 14 Pro, 15 Pro or anything newer, moving to the standard iPhone 15 would make little sense.
Storage also needs some thought. The base model comes with 128GB, which is workable for most users, especially if you use iCloud, Google Photos or another cloud-storage service. It should be fine for messaging, banking, streaming, social media and a normal collection of photos and apps.
If you record lots of 4K video, download large games or keep your entire photo library on the phone, aim for 256GB. You can’t add more storage later, so paying a little extra now may save you from constantly deleting files in a year or two.
Condition matters as much as storage.
Check the battery-health guarantee, warranty length, return policy and whether the retailer uses genuine or high-quality replacement parts.
We’d take a 128GB model with a strong battery and proper warranty over a suspiciously cheap 256GB handset from an unknown marketplace seller.
For most people, though, the refurbished iPhone 15 gets the balance right. It looks modern, performs brilliantly, takes consistently good photos and should continue receiving iOS updates for years. Unless you need a zoom camera, a 120Hz display or the latest AI tools, there’s little reason to spend substantially more.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max: Best for Creators
Best Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max Deals
Compare unlocked iPhone 15 Pro Max prices by storage and finish. Every listing below is KYM Verified.
iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB
The cheapest Pro Max listing and the best choice for most buyers.
iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB
Practically the same price as Natural Titanium, so choose by color.
iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB
A safe, understated finish, although the cheaper colors make more sense.
iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB
The most expensive 256GB finish, putting it close to 512GB pricing.
iPhone 15 Pro Max 512GB
Double the base storage for just $80 more than the cheapest model.
iPhone 15 Pro Max 512GB
Plenty of space for ProRes video, photos and offline media.
iPhone 15 Pro Max 512GB
The same price as Black Titanium with a more distinctive finish.
iPhone 15 Pro Max 1TB
Four times the base storage for only $110 more. The standout deal.
iPhone 15 Pro Max 1TB
The same exceptional 1TB price with the darker Blue Titanium finish.
iPhone 15 Pro Max 512GB
Hard to recommend while the 1TB White model costs considerably less.
iPhone 15 Pro Max 1TB
Maximum storage, but the White and Blue 1TB models cost $194 less.
iPhone 15 Pro Max 1TB
A huge-capacity option, but you pay heavily for the Black finish.
Refurbished prices and availability can change. Check the deal page for current condition, seller, warranty and battery information.
If video is your thing, whether that’s TikTok, YouTube, Instagram Reels, client work or full-length productions, the refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max is one of the best creator phones you can buy for the money.
The obvious reason is its camera system. You get a 48MP main camera, an ultrawide camera and a proper 5x optical telephoto. That gives you far more freedom when framing shots than a standard dual-camera iPhone. You can shoot wide establishing footage, natural-looking talking-head video and tight product shots without relying heavily on digital zoom.
Video quality is where it really earns its place, though.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max can record 4K video at up to 60fps, including Dolby Vision HDR. It also supports ProRes, Log recording and direct recording to an external SSD over USB-C. That last feature is particularly useful for longer shoots because ProRes files are enormous. Instead of filling the phone’s internal storage, you can record straight to a compatible drive and move the footage into your editing workflow afterwards.
Apple’s stabilisation remains excellent, too. Action mode can smooth out footage recorded while walking, running or filming from a moving vehicle. Cinematic mode is there when you want shallow-depth-of-field video, although I’d use it selectively. It can look great, but the artificial edge detection isn’t perfect in every scene.
The 5x telephoto also opens up shots you simply can’t get cleanly on most non-Pro iPhones. It’s useful for concerts, events, street footage, wildlife and compressed portrait shots. You don’t need it every day, but when you do, there’s no digital substitute for having real optical reach.
Its 6.7-inch ProMotion display is another selling point. The 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling, editing and reviewing footage feel much smoother, while the large panel gives you more room for timelines, captions and colour adjustments. It’s a big phone, but that size becomes an advantage when it’s being used as a camera and editing device.
You also get the customisable Action Button. It can be set to open the camera, launch a video-recording app, activate a Focus mode or run a Shortcut. For creators, setting it to launch directly into video mode is probably the most useful option. It removes a few taps when something happens that you want to capture quickly.
Unlike the standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, the Pro Max supports Apple Intelligence. That gives it access to Apple’s newer writing, image and productivity tools, as well as AI features built into supported creative apps. I wouldn’t buy it for Apple Intelligence alone, but its inclusion should help the phone age better over the next few years.
Compared with buying a new base-model iPhone, the refurbished 15 Pro Max gives creators more of the hardware that actually affects shooting: a dedicated telephoto camera, ProRes and Log recording, faster USB data transfer, external-drive support and a larger display. A newer base model may have a later processor, but that doesn’t automatically make it the better production tool.
Go for at least 256GB. It’s enough for normal use and occasional 4K recording, but anyone shooting regularly should consider 512GB or plan on using an external SSD. High-resolution video eats storage at a ridiculous rate, especially when ProRes is involved.
There are a few reasons not to buy it. It’s large, relatively heavy and more phone than casual users need. If you only record the occasional TikTok or family video, the standard refurbished iPhone 15 will do the job for less. You should also check battery health carefully, because sustained video recording, screen use and editing can drain an older battery quickly.
For serious mobile creators, however, the iPhone 15 Pro Max remains an excellent buy. It gives you a highly capable camera system, flexible recording formats and enough power to shoot, edit and publish from one device.
Our guide to the best refurbished phones for content creators compares it with the other models worth considering.
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
| iPhone | Samsung | Pixel | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Most buyers, creators, iOS ecosystem | Spec-hunters, large screen fans | Photography fans, pure Android users |
| Software longevity | Best-in-class (6+ years on recent models) | Good on S24+, variable on older models | Strong promise, hardware durability is the caveat |
| Camera | Best-in-class for video; excellent stills | Flexible, detailed, slightly over-processed | Best-in-class for computational stills |
| Budget entry point | iPhone 14 / 14 Plus | Galaxy S23 | Pixel 8 Pro |
| Our top pick | iPhone 15 Pro Max | Galaxy S24 | Pixel 9 Pro XL |
| Hard avoid | iPhone 11 and older | Galaxy S21 and older | Pixel 6 and older |
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.