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The Best Refurbished Phones To Buy Right Now

We track current refurbished phone deals, software support, price drops, and long-term value so you can buy flagship hardware without paying flagship money.

992 phones trackedUpdated 29 April 2026By Richard Goodwin

Start here

The Refurbished Phones We'd Buy First

These are the broad winners. Each one has a clear job, a sensible remaining support window, and enough current inventory to make it worth recommending.

Shortcut the choice

Shop By What Actually Matters

Different buyers need different phones. These routes send visitors to the highest-intent commercial pages instead of letting every guide compete for the same broad keyword.

Live deal layer

Today's Best Refurbished Phone Deals

This section pulls from the refurbished phone database, so the page acts as a buying hub as well as an editorial recommendation page.

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Top-Rated Refurbished Phones Available Now

1
Galaxy S24 Ultra 512GB – Yellow – Unlocked
Samsung / 512GB / Unlocked

Galaxy S24 Ultra 512GB – Yellow – Unlocked

Flagship S Pen power at half the new price.

$640.00 Save $564.00 (47%) 9.2/10

Go for this if you need S Pen, big screen and pro cameras without new-phone prices. Refurb from Back Market at $545-$655 with 12-month warranty is a no-brainer. I'd pick 256GB for the storage headroom.

2
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL 512GB – Beige – Unlocked
Google / 512GB / Unlocked

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL 512GB – Beige – Unlocked

Pixel 9 Pro XL's top cameras and 7-year updates at half price.

$695.00 Save $584.01 (53%) 9.2/10

Camera lovers and long-term Android users should pick this for unbeatable software support at refurb prices. You're saving over 50% from Back Market with full flagship perks. Go for it over new—go 256GB or higher for storage breathing room.

3
Google Pixel 8 128GB – Gray – Unlocked
Google / 128GB / Unlocked

Google Pixel 8 128GB – Gray – Unlocked

Pixel 8's AI camera smarts at 70% off new price.

$253.00 Save $505.01 (72%) 9.2/10

This is for anyone wanting Pixel cameras and long updates without new-phone prices. Back Market refurb saves 72% with 12-month warranty. Go for it—grab 128GB unless you hoard files.

4
Galaxy S23+ 256GB – Black – Unlocked
Samsung / 256GB / Unlocked

Galaxy S23+ 256GB – Black – Unlocked

A big-screen flagship with elite battery life at a mid-range price.

$259.99 Save $740.00 (74%) 9.2/10

If you want a big-screen Samsung flagship but don't want to pay $1,000, this is the one to buy. The battery life is superb and the performance holds up perfectly today. I'd go for the 256GB version to make sure you have enough room for photos and 4K video.

By brand

Best Picks By Ecosystem

iPhone is still the safest refurbished buy

Apple's long update runway, strong resale values, and predictable hardware support make recent iPhones the easy default for most people.

Samsung and Pixel are strongest when recent

Prioritize Galaxy S24/S25 or Pixel 8/9 models if you want Android, camera strength, and a proper software support window.

Best Refurbished iPhone Deals

Best Refurbished Android Deals

1
Google Pixel 8 128GB – Gray – Unlocked
Google / 128GB / Unlocked

Google Pixel 8 128GB – Gray – Unlocked

Pixel 8's AI camera smarts at 70% off new price.

$253.00 Save $505.01 (72%) 9.2/10

This is for anyone wanting Pixel cameras and long updates without new-phone prices. Back Market refurb saves 72% with 12-month warranty. Go for it—grab 128GB unless you hoard files.

2
Galaxy S24 Ultra 512GB – Purple – Unlocked
Samsung / 512GB / Unlocked

Galaxy S24 Ultra 512GB – Purple – Unlocked

Flagship S Pen power at half the new price.

$618.00 Save $781.00 (56%) 9.2/10

Go for this if you need S Pen, big screen and pro cameras without new-phone prices. Refurb from Back Market at $545-$655 with 12-month warranty is a no-brainer. I'd pick 256GB for the storage headroom.

3
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL 256GB – Black – Unlocked
Google / 256GB / Unlocked

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL 256GB – Black – Unlocked

Pixel 9 Pro XL's top cameras and 7-year updates at half price.

$511.00 Save $584.01 (53%) 9.2/10

Camera lovers and long-term Android users should pick this for unbeatable software support at refurb prices. You're saving over 50% from Back Market with full flagship perks. Go for it over new—go 256GB or higher for storage breathing room.

Buying rules

How To Pick A Refurbished Phone Without Overthinking It

The old guide content has been condensed into the practical checks that actually matter before you buy.

Buy recent, not ancient

The safest refurbished phones are recent flagships with several years of software updates left. iPhone 13 and newer, Pixel 8 and newer, and Galaxy S23/S24/S25 are the sweet spots.

Prioritize unlocked models

Unlocked phones are easier to activate, easier to switch carriers with, and usually easier to resell later.

Check warranty and returns

A good refurbished deal should include a warranty, clear condition grading, and a return window. A cheap phone without those protections is not really cheap.

Storage matters more than color

128GB is fine for most people. Go 256GB if you shoot lots of video, keep phones for years, or install big games.

Buyer FAQ

Refurbished Phone Questions, Answered

Short answers for common buying objections, built into the template instead of bolted on as a long legacy article.

What is the best refurbished phone for most people?

For most buyers, a recent iPhone is still the safest refurbished phone because iOS support is long, resale value is strong, and the experience is predictable. The iPhone 15 is the best all-rounder; the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the premium pick.

Is it safe to buy a refurbished phone?

Yes, if you buy from a reputable seller with warranty, returns, clear condition grading, and unlocked network status. Avoid listings with vague condition notes, no return window, or unclear carrier locks.

Which refurbished Android phone should I buy?

Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy flagships are the strongest Android choices. Prioritize Pixel 8/9 or Galaxy S23/S24/S25 models because they have better cameras, stronger performance, and more software support left.

How much should I spend on a refurbished phone?

Most people should spend enough to get a recent flagship rather than the cheapest possible phone. Budget buyers should look under $300; value buyers are usually best served around $300 to $600; premium buyers can still save heavily versus buying new.

Why are the prices showing in pounds?

KnowYourMobile detects your market and shows the most relevant available offer. If you are in the UK, the page can show UK Back Market prices in GBP. Visitors in the US should generally see US pricing when US offers are available.

Final check

The Smart Move: Buy Recent, Buy Vetted, Avoid Paying New Prices

For most people, the sweet spot is a recent iPhone, Galaxy, or Pixel flagship bought refurbished after the first big depreciation drop.