There was a time when the September Apple Event felt like Christmas. I’d watch the livestream, eyes glued to the screen, ready to drop £1,200 on the latest “Pro Max” model just to have the newest camera sensor and a slightly faster chip.
But as I sit here in 2026, perfectly content with my “new-to-me” iPhone 15 Pro Max that I bought “refurbished,” I’ve come to a realization: I’ll probably never buy a new phone again.
Here is why I’m never buying a brand-new phone again, and why you might want to think about doing the same too.
The “Base Model” Price for “Flagship” Tech
Right now, you could go to the Apple Store and spend roughly $799 on the latest standard iPhone. The non-Pro model. You know, the one most people use.
Or, you can do what I did.
I picked up a 24-month-old iPhone 15 Pro Max for nearly the same price as that brand-new base model.
By choosing a “slightly older” flagship, I got pro-grade specs and camera tech for the price of a mid-range Android phone.
Here’s what I got:
- The ProMotion Display: 120Hz scrolling that makes the new base models look like they’re lagging.
- The Titanium Build: Lighter, stronger, and feels more premium than any standard aluminum frame.
- The Periscope Zoom: A professional-grade camera system that the base models still haven’t caught up to.
- Apple Intelligence: not really a deal-breaker but it’s nice to have.
- One of the best damn camera modules on the planet: Even by today’s standards, the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s camera is more than enough for professional content creation.
And I paid Base Model money for all this. Also: keep in mind that it’ll get 8 years of support from Apple which will take me well into the 2030s.
Here’s how it breaks down, support-wise (that includes iOS updates and security updates):
- 6 Years of Major iOS Updates: You’ll be getting the latest features (including the full suite of Apple Intelligence) until at least 2029 or 2030.
- 2+ Years of Security Updates: Even after the flashy new features stop, Apple keeps the “lights on” with critical security patches until roughly 2032.
That is over half a decade of guaranteed, high-performance use. When you break that down, a refurbished Pro Max costs you about £120 per year of life.
Try finding that value in a brand-new retail box.
The “AI Divide” has been Crossed
For a while, there was a legitimate reason to buy the newest iPhone: Apple Intelligence. Older chips simply couldn’t handle the on-device processing.
And while Apple’s AI is no match for Google’s, updates are coming to make it better and more useful and if you have an iPhone 15 Pro Max (or a 16 series model) you won’t need the latest and greatest to access it.
Now, I’m not too fussed about AI or Apple Intelligence, in general, but plenty of people are so I figured it was worth noting.
Professional Refurbishing vs. “Used”
I didn’t buy my phone from a random person in a car park. I bought a Certified Refurbished device.
This is the proper way to do it. Do not use Craig’s List or Facebook Marketplace. None of the phones you see on these platforms have been reconditioned and rejigged for re-sale. They’re just someone’s old phone.
My phone arrived with a 12-month warranty, a fresh battery (tested to 90%+ health), and was physically indistinguishable from new.
I saved hundreds of pounds, and the only thing I “lost” was a white cardboard box that would have ended up in my recycling bin anyway.
We’ve reached “Peak Smartphone.” The jumps between year-over-year models are now so incremental that only the most hardcore enthusiasts can spot them.
I don’t really see why Apple (or any one else for that matter) bothers releasing new hardware every year. Obviously it’s about the money but if Apple did opt not to release any new iPhones in 2026, I don’t think anyone would care or notice.
More and more people, myself included, are holding onto their phones for longer and longer. Prior to getting the iPhone 15 Pro Max, I basically ran my iPhone 13 into the ground. I ground it down to 65% Battery Health, eked every last drop of it before even considering getting a new (refurbished) model.
If you want the best screen, the best camera, and the best AI, you don’t need to be the first owner. Save yourself hundreds, let someone else eat the depreciation, and get yourself a slightly older flagship phone for the price of a new base model.
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