TL;DR: The best refurbished phones for shooting professional-looking video
You don’t need to buy the latest phone to shoot great video. These refurbished Pro Max and Ultra models give you high-end cameras and creator-friendly features for less than a new flagship.
- Best value: iPhone 15 Pro Max — Excellent 4K video, ProRes and a 5x telephoto camera, at a lower refurbished price.
- Best premium: iPhone 16 Pro Max — A newer, more capable iPhone for creators who want 4K Dolby Vision at 120fps and ProRes recording.
- Best Android: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra — 8K recording, 4K at up to 120fps and flexible zoom cameras.
What’s the best refurbished phones for video recording?
A few years ago, shooting polished video meant buying a camera and learning how to use it. Today, a good phone can handle a lot of that work on its own.
That doesn’t mean you need the newest and most expensive model. If you mostly shoot clips for YouTube, TikTok or Instagram, a recent refurbished flagship can give you excellent video quality without the price of a brand-new Pro Max or Ultra.
These are our three picks.
- The iPhone 15 Pro Max is the one we’d recommend to most people because it gives you a strong camera system and serious video tools for less.
- The iPhone 16 Pro Max is the upgrade for people who need its newer recording options
- while the Galaxy S24 Ultra is the best fit if you want Android and more camera flexibility.
1. iPhone 15 Pro Max: Best value for video
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is our main pick because it has the video features most people will actually use, without asking you to pay for the newest iPhone.
It records Dolby Vision HDR video at up to 4K and 60fps. It also supports ProRes, including 4K at 60fps when recording to external storage. That gives you room to edit and colour-grade footage later, though most people shooting everyday social clips won’t need to use ProRes at all.
The 5x telephoto camera is useful when you can’t get physically closer to your subject, while the main and ultra-wide cameras cover everyday filming, group shots and wider scenes. You also get USB-C, which makes it easier to connect external storage and accessories.
For most people, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the sensible buy here. It’s still a high-end phone with excellent video, and buying it refurbished means you can get that hardware for less than a current-generation Pro Max.
Why we recommend it:
- 4K Dolby Vision recording at up to 60fps
- ProRes support for more demanding editing
- 5x optical zoom for distant subjects
- Strong all-round camera system for video and photos
Top-rated refurbished phone deals right now
These are the refurbished phones we currently recommend the most.
Compare 900+ refurbished phones →2. iPhone 16 Pro Max: Best premium pick, still cheaper than new
If you want a newer iPhone and plan to shoot slow-motion or higher-frame-rate footage, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is the step up.
It can record 4K Dolby Vision at up to 120fps, giving you more room to create smooth slow-motion footage. It also supports ProRes recording at up to 4K and 120fps when connected to external storage. That’s a specialist option, but it gives filmmakers more flexibility than the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
The 16 Pro Max is still a large, capable phone with a versatile camera setup. But the difference won’t matter to everyone. If you mostly shoot standard 4K video for social media, the iPhone 15 Pro Max already does that very well. Choose the 16 Pro Max if you know you’ll use the higher frame rates or simply want a newer model while avoiding the cost of buying new.
Why it’s worth considering:
- 4K Dolby Vision recording at up to 120fps
- ProRes recording at up to 4K and 120fps with external storage
- A newer generation than the iPhone 15 Pro Max
- Refurbished pricing can make it far less expensive than a new Pro Max
3. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Best Android phone for video
The Galaxy S24 Ultra is the Android option for people who want a lot of camera flexibility. It records video at up to 8K and 30fps, and supports 4K recording at up to 120fps. The multiple rear cameras also give you more choice when switching between wide shots and zoomed-in footage.
Those headline numbers sound impressive, but 8K isn’t a must-have for most creators. It creates larger files and needs more storage and editing power. For most everyday video, 4K is the more practical choice.
The S24 Ultra makes sense if you prefer Android, want Samsung’s camera controls, or like having several zoom options ready to use. Buying refurbished also lets you get an Ultra model without paying the new-phone price.
Why it stands out:
- 8K video recording at up to 30fps
- 4K recording at up to 120fps
- Multiple cameras for flexible framing and zoom
- A strong Android alternative to the iPhone Pro Max
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Which refurbished phone should you buy?
- For most people, buy the iPhone 15 Pro Max. It delivers excellent 4K video and creator-friendly features, and it’s the best-value pick of the three.
- Choose the iPhone 16 Pro Max if you specifically want 4K at 120fps or the newer ProRes recording options.
- Go for the Galaxy S24 Ultra if you prefer Android and want more flexibility from its camera system.
A refurbished flagship can still shoot excellent video. You don’t need to pay for the newest phone just to make good content.
Browse more refurbished phone deals to compare models and find one that fits your budget.
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