Refurbished iPhone Colors: Which Is The Best To Get?
This guide breaks down every color across the current refurbished lineup and tells you which shade makes the most sense for how you actually use your phone.
- TL;DR – Which iPhone Color is Best When Buying Refurbished?
- Does iPhone Color Actually Matter When Buying Refurbished?
- Refurbished iPhone Colors by Series
- iPhone 16 Series Colors
- iPhone 15 Series Colors
- iPhone 14 Series Colors
- iPhone 13 Series Colors
- Does iPhone Color Affect Resale Value?
- Should You Care About Color If You Always Use a Case?
- The Smartest Color to Buy for Each Type of Buyer
- Bottom Line…
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Does iPhone color affect the price when buying refurbished?
- Does iPhone color change how visible the Dynamic Island looks?
- Which refurbished iPhone color is easiest to keep clean?
- Does “Midnight” look black or navy on a refurbished iPhone 14?
- Is there a color difference between the iPhone 15 standard and iPhone 15 Pro?
- Does the color of a refurbished iPhone affect its iOS update lifespan?
TL;DR – Which iPhone Color is Best When Buying Refurbished?
- Best for resale: Black, Midnight, or Natural Titanium. Neutral shades are best for resale value.
- Best for hiding wear: Dark matte finishes. Midnight and Black Titanium mask fingerprints on the glass, though scuffs show more on the frame.
- Things most guides don’t tell you: Apple’s color names are often misleading in real life. “Midnight” looks black. “Natural Titanium” photographs warmer than it looks in your hand. And if you use a case, the back color is largely irrelevant anyway.
Choosing an iPhone color, whether you’re buying new or refurbished, is more than a style decision.
And for many, selection-paralysis, whereby you’re overwhelmed by the options, is a very real thing.
Here’s how to make the selection of color for your next iPhone A LOT simpler:
The finish and color you choose affects fingerprint visibility, resale value, and whether the phone looks fresh or tired after a year of daily use.
Now, all you have to do is figure out what’s most important to you.
Does iPhone Color Actually Matter When Buying Refurbished?
Color affects three things that actually matter: resale appeal, how wear shows over time, and whether the phone looks “current” as it ages.
It doesn’t affect performance, software support, or camera quality one bit.
If you’re shopping from KYM’s vetted refurbished phone database, the core question is: am I keeping this for two-plus years, or flipping it in twelve months?
For most people browsing the best refurbished iPhones right now, the honest answer is: go neutral unless you’re confident you’ll love the phone long enough not to care about resale.
Refurbished iPhone Colors by Series
Here’s a breakdown of color options across the most popular refurbished iPhone generations.
iPhone 16 Series Colors
Recommended Picks
iPhone 16 Pro Max 512GB – Desert Titanium – Unlocked
Pro iPhone power at half new price with years of updates ahead.
- Display: 6.9 inches Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz
- Processor: Apple A18 Pro
- RAM: 8GB
- Main Camera: 48MP Fusion + 48MP UW + 12MP 5x Tele
- Huge 120Hz OLED display
- A18 Pro crushes all tasks
- Pro cameras with 5x zoom
- All-day 4685mAh battery
- 20W charging is slow
- Heavy at 227g
Go for this if you need iPhone Pro Max size, cameras, and endless updates without new prices. Refurb from Back Market at under $930 saves big over retail. Grab 256GB or higher—you'll thank me later.
iPhone 16 Plus 128GB – Teal – Unlocked
Big-screen iPhone power at half new price from refurb.
- Display: 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2796×1290
- Processor: Apple A18
- RAM: 8GB
- Main Camera: 48MP Fusion + 12MP Ultra Wide
- Huge sharp OLED screen
- A18 power lasts years
- 6-7 years iOS updates
- All-day battery life
- Large 199g size not for everyone
- No 120Hz display
Big-screen iPhone lovers get flagship battery and updates without new prices—perfect from an older phone. Refurb saves $300+ via Back Market's testing. Go for it, grab 256GB for future-proofing.
iPhone 16 Pro 256GB – Desert Titanium – Unlocked
Six years of updates and pro cameras—at nearly 40% off new.
- Display: 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz
- Processor: Apple A18 Pro
- RAM: 8GB
- Main Camera: 48MP + 48MP + 12MP triple camera
- Triple camera with real optical zoom, not cropped.
- Seven years of iOS updates guaranteed—2032 is ages away.
- A18 Pro processor overkill in the best way.
- 120Hz OLED display stays responsive and bright.
- No fast charging—wireless only or standard wired.
- Overkill processor if you're not a power user.
This is the phone to buy if you want genuine pro-level optics and the security of knowing your software won't lag in five years. Buying refurbished from Back Market at £619–£809 makes the already-strong value case a no-brainer. Pick this if you shoot often enough to notice the zoom and plan to keep the phone past three years.
iPhone 16 128GB – Black – Unlocked
Flagship iPhone power at half the new price.
- Display: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz
- Processor: Apple A18
- RAM: 8GB
- Main Camera: 48MP Fusion + 12MP 2x Telephoto
- Long 6-7 years of iOS updates
- Compact reliable build
- Solid A18 performance
- Good everyday cameras
- 60Hz display lags rivals
- Battery average for heavy use
This is for iOS loyalists wanting flagship basics and long support without full price. Refurb from Back Market saves you $300+ easily. Go for it—grab 256GB if you can, storage lasts longer than regrets.
The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus launched in Black, White, Pink, Teal, and Ultramarine.
The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max come in Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, and Desert Titanium.
The Pro finishes are worth understanding before you buy.
Black Titanium is the darkest and sharpest-looking of the four.
- Natural Titanium sits in a warm gray-beige zone that photographs lighter than it looks in hand.
- White Titanium is clean but a fingerprint risk on the titanium band.
- Desert Titanium is the most distinctive, leaning gold in warm light.
iPhone 15 Series Colors
Recommended Picks
iPhone 15 Pro Max 1000GB – Black Titanium – Unlocked
Pro iPhone power at half price with years of updates left.
- Display: 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz
- Processor: Apple A17 Pro
- RAM: 8GB
- Main Camera: 48MP + 12MP + 12MP triple camera
- A17 Pro crushes all tasks
- 6-7 years of iOS updates
- Strong triple cameras
- All-day battery life
- 20W charging feels slow
- Heavy at 221g
Go for this if you want the biggest iPhone screen and pro performance with updates for years ahead. Refurb saves over $500—grab 256GB or higher for storage you won't outgrow. Buy it now from Back Market.
iPhone 15 Plus 256GB – Green – Unlocked
Big-screen iPhone power at mid-range prices from Back Market.
- Display: 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz
- Processor: Apple A16 Bionic
- RAM: 6GB
- Main Camera: 48MP + 12MP dual camera
- Huge 6.7-inch OLED screen
- A16 chip still handles everything
- All-day battery life
- 6-7 years of iOS updates
- Stuck at 60Hz refresh rate
- No telephoto lens
Big-screen iPhone fans should grab this for reliable performance and endless updates. Refurbished from Back Market saves you $400+ easily. I'd recommend the higher storage option—you'll thank yourself later.
iPhone 15 256GB – Pink – Unlocked
iPhone 15's A16 power and 6+ years of updates at refurb prices.
- Display: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz
- Processor: Apple A16 Bionic
- RAM: 6GB
- Main Camera: 48MP + 12MP dual camera
- A16 chip still handles everything smoothly
- 6-7 years of iOS updates guaranteed
- IP68 build survives real life
- 48MP camera reliable for daily shots
- 60Hz display lags behind 120Hz rivals
- Battery average for heavy users
This is for anyone needing a dependable daily driver with long support on a budget. Refurb from Back Market at under $580 delivers huge savings without compromises on basics. Buy the 128GB unless you hoard files—it's plenty.
The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus introduced frosted matte back glass for the first time on the standard models.
Colors: Black, Blue, Green, Yellow, and Pink. The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max came in Black Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, and Natural Titanium.
The frosted finish on the standard 15 is a serious upgrade over the glossy back on older models.
Blue Titanium is subtle enough to read as either gray or blue depending on the light, which keeps it versatile.
iPhone 14 Series Colors
Recommended Picks
iPhone 14 Pro Max 512GB – Silver – Unlocked
Pro-grade iPhone power at under $600 from Back Market.
- Display: 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz
- Processor: Apple A16 Bionic
- RAM: 6GB
- Main Camera: 48MP + 12MP + 12MP triple
- 6-7 years of iOS updates
- A16 chip still flies
- 48MP camera holds up
- All-day battery
- Heavy for one-handed use
- No USB-C port
Grab this if you want Pro Max screen and cameras with years of updates, without new-phone costs. Back Market refurbs at $415-$563 deliver huge savings and reliability. Go for 256GB—storage regrets hurt more than the small premium.
iPhone 14 256GB – Purple – Unlocked
iPhone 14's A15 power and iOS 18 support at under $300 refurb.
- Display: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz
- Processor: Apple A15 Bionic
- RAM: 6GB
- Main Camera: 12MP + 12MP dual camera
- A15 still handles everything smoothly
- iOS 18 support for years ahead
- IP68 build survives real life
- Solid cameras for everyday snaps
- 60Hz display lags behind 120Hz rivals
- Battery average for heavy users
Budget iOS users upgrading old phones should pick this for reliable performance and long updates. Refurb from Back Market at $266-$418 beats new prices easily. Go for 128GB minimum—I'd never regret the extra space.
iPhone 14 Plus 256GB – Starlight – Unlocked
Big-screen iPhone battery life at under $400 refurbished.
- Display: 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz
- Processor: Apple A15 Bionic
- RAM: 6GB
- Main Camera: 12MP wide + 12MP ultra wide
- All-day-plus battery life
- Long iOS updates ahead
- Large sharp OLED screen
- Solid build and water resistance
- 60Hz refresh rate lags rivals
- Slow 20W charging
Big battery fans upgrading from older phones should jump on this—years of updates keep it fresh. Refurb savings from Back Market hit 40-50% off new prices. Go for it, I'd take the higher storage option.
The iPhone 14 and 14 Plus shipped in Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, Product RED, and Yellow.
The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max came in Space Black, Silver, Gold, and Deep Purple.
Midnight is the standout here.
It looks black in almost every real-world setting, which gives you the versatility of a black phone without being labeled as such.
Deep Purple on the 14 Pro is still one of the best colors Apple has ever shipped on a Pro model: dark enough to be professional, distinctive enough to stand out.
iPhone 13 Series Colors
Recommended Picks
iPhone 13 Pro 128GB – Graphite – Unlocked
Pro cameras and 120Hz screen at half new price.
- Display: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz
- Processor: Apple A15 Bionic
- RAM: 6GB
- Main Camera: 12MP triple rear
- 120Hz OLED display still smooth
- A15 Bionic handles all tasks
- Pro cameras excel in low light
- iOS 18 with years of updates
- 20W charging lags behind rivals
- Battery not the longest now
iPhone loyalists upgrading from older models will love the pro cameras and long software support without flagship cost. Refurb at $300-425 from Back Market saves 50%+ and includes warranty. Go for it—pick 256GB if you can.
iPhone 13 Pro Max 128GB – Alpine Green – Unlocked
Pro-level iPhone power at mid-range prices via refurb.
- Display: 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz
- Processor: Apple A15 Bionic
- RAM: 6GB
- Main Camera: 12MP + 12MP + 12MP triple
- 120Hz ProMotion display
- A15 Bionic still fast
- Pro triple cameras
- All-day battery
- Heavy at 240g
- 20W charging slow
Grab this if you want Pro Max size, cameras, and iPhone updates without new-phone prices—refurb is the way. Savings hit hundreds from Back Market. Go for it over mid-range Androids; I'd pick 256GB for the value.
The iPhone 13 and 13 Mini launched in Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Pink, Green, and Product RED.
The iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max came in Alpine Green, Sierra Blue, Gold, Graphite, and Silver.
Alpine Green on the 13 Pro is genuinely beautiful in person and has aged well.
Sierra Blue is softer and more muted than you’d expect from photos.
Graphite is the safe professional pick.
If you want the safest all-round choice on the 13 series, Midnight or Graphite are the low-risk options.
Tech Tip: iPhone color is one of Apple’s quieter generation markers. The Pro lineup in particular tends to get a signature shade per year: Deep Purple in 2022, Blue Titanium in 2024. If you spot a phone and want a rough year-check, the color can sometimes tell you which generation you’re holding before you even open Settings.
Does iPhone Color Affect Resale Value?
Yes, and the gap can be meaningful.
Neutral finishes like Black, Midnight, Graphite, and Natural Titanium consistently attract the broadest range of buyers on the secondhand market.
It’s not that bright iPhones are harder to sell outright.
It’s that they take longer and often command slightly lower prices because fewer buyers are willing to overlook a color they don’t love.
If you’re planning to upgrade and resell within 12 to 18 months, this matters.
If you’re keeping the phone for three years, it matters much less.
The practical rule: buy neutral for resale, buy personality for longevity.
Which iPhone Colors Hide Wear Best?
Dark matte finishes win here. The frosted black backs on the iPhone 15 and the matte Black Titanium on the Pro models are the best at masking daily grime, smudges, and light surface marks.
But there’s a catch.
Very dark finishes on the frame and edges can make scuffs and micro-scratches more visible than, say, a Silver or Starlight model, which blends minor marks into the finish more easily.
You’re trading one type of visible wear for another.
Lighter colors like Starlight and White Titanium show fingerprints on the glass more readily but tend to look cleaner on the frame after a year of use.
The physics here are simple: contrast.
A small scuff stands out more against black than against silver.
Wear by Finish Type
| Finish Type | Fingerprints on Glass | Frame Scuffs | Overall Aging |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Matte (Midnight, Black Titanium) | Low | More visible | Clean from a distance |
| Light / Silver (Starlight, White Titanium) | Higher | Less visible | Frame ages gracefully |
| Bright Color (Pink, Yellow, Blue) | Medium | Variable | Can look dated faster |
| Titanium (Natural, Desert) | Medium | Low | Ages well, hides oils |
Are Apple’s Color Names Actually Accurate?
Rarely. Apple’s naming is marketing, not a literal description of what you’ll see in real life.
Here are the ones most likely to catch you out when buying a refurbished iPhone online.
- Midnight: Described as a very dark navy. Looks almost completely black in normal indoor lighting. Most people would call it black.
- Starlight: Positioned as a warm silver-white. In reality it’s a cool off-white that reads as silver in most conditions.
- Natural Titanium: Sounds warm. Looks like a muted warm gray in most lighting. Less golden than the name implies.
- Desert Titanium: This one is more accurate. It does lean gold-beige in warm light, though it still reads more champagne than sand.
- Deep Purple: A deep jewel tone on the 14 Pro. More accurate than most, though it reads as charcoal in low light.
- Sierra Blue: Very muted. Reads almost gray outdoors. Not the bold blue you might expect from photos.
The lesson: always look for real-world photos and hands-on reviews before purchasing online.
Product page renders are almost always lit to maximize the shade’s appeal.
Did You Know? Apple has quietly retired color families and reinvented them under new names. Space Gray disappeared after the iPhone 12 era, replaced by Graphite, then Space Black, then Midnight, then the various Titanium dark finishes. If you’re comparing colors across generations, you’re often looking at the same practical tone with a new name.
Should You Care About Color If You Always Use a Case?
Honestly, not much. If you keep a case on your iPhone 90% of the time, the back color has almost zero day-to-day impact.
What matters more in that scenario is resale: the color affects future buyers even if it doesn’t affect you.
There’s one exception worth noting. The front bezels are often the same regardless of back color.
On most modern iPhones, bezels are black or white regardless of what’s on the back.
Even a Yellow iPhone 14 has the same face you’re staring at all day.
Put it toward a higher storage tier instead. You won’t see the back anyway, and 256GB will always beat 128GB in practice.
If you’ve got questions about which storage tier is right for you, the refurbished phone FAQ hub covers it in detail.
The Smartest Color to Buy for Each Type of Buyer
If you care most about resale value
If you’re keeping the phone for three or more years
Buy whatever color you’ll still enjoy looking at. The resale gap shrinks the longer you hold. Deep Purple, Alpine Green, and Ultramarine are all colors people still talk about years after launch. If it makes you happy every time you pick it up, that has real value.
If you use a case religiously
Pick the lowest-cost available color and put the saving toward a higher storage tier. You won’t see the back anyway.
If you want to look “current”
The dark finishes are timeless. Seasonal brights date faster. If longevity of appearance matters, neutral is always the right call.
If you’re buying as a gift
Black or Midnight. Full stop. It’s the safe universal choice across every age group and style preference.
Bottom Line…
Color is the most personal part of the iPhone buying decision and the one that objectively matters least to performance.
Lock down the model, storage size, and battery health first, then worry about color.
A Midnight iPhone 15 with 87% battery health beats a Yellow one at 74% every single time.
Browse KYM’s expertly vetted refurbished listings to see what’s in stock, and don’t compromise on specs to get your preferred shade.
Pro-Tip: Apple’s titanium bands can pick up oils from your skin and temporarily shift in tone. It’s not damage. Wiping with a soft cloth brings it straight back. If a Black Titanium or Natural Titanium phone looks subtly “off” in a listing photo, it may just need a clean before you write it off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does iPhone color affect the price when buying refurbished?
Sometimes, yes. Popular neutral shades like Black and Midnight tend to have more stock competition, which can keep prices slightly lower. In practice, the difference is rarely more than a few pounds. Storage tier and battery health affect price far more than color does.
Does iPhone color change how visible the Dynamic Island looks?
The front bezel color determines this, not the back. The Dynamic Island on the 14 Pro onwards blends into a black front bezel regardless of back color. On white-front models, it appears as a dark cutout against a lighter surround, which some people find more noticeable.
Which refurbished iPhone color is easiest to keep clean?
Dark matte finishes handle everyday use best. The frosted glass backs on the iPhone 15 series and the titanium bands on the Pro models resist fingerprint transfer better than the polished glass of older models.
Does “Midnight” look black or navy on a refurbished iPhone 14?
Black. In the vast majority of lighting conditions, Midnight reads as a very dark black with only the faintest hint of blue-black depth in direct sunlight. If you want a black iPhone and only see Midnight listed, buy it without hesitation.
Is there a color difference between the iPhone 15 standard and iPhone 15 Pro?
Yes, and it’s significant. The standard iPhone 15 uses matte frosted glass in consumer colors: Black, Blue, Green, Pink, Yellow. The 15 Pro uses brushed titanium in more muted professional tones. The Pro finishes are more understated and age more gracefully. The standard 15 colors are brighter and more characterful.
Does the color of a refurbished iPhone affect its iOS update lifespan?
Not at all. Software support is tied entirely to the model, not the finish. An iPhone 15 Pro in Desert Titanium gets the exact same iOS update lifespan as one in Black Titanium.
Ready to find your next phone? Browse the latest refurbished iPhone deals or explore the full refurbished smartphone hub to compare models, grades, and prices.