You don’t need to spend $1,000+ on an iPhone to get a big screen, strong cameras and years of updates and care-free ownership.
The refurbished market has several Pro Max models under $500, and the newer ones still feel fast for everyday stuff like browsing, streaming, messaging and taking photos.
Seriously, the difference between one of these and a new iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max is close to $1000 in some cases.
That’s an incredible amount of money, especially if all you use your phone for is the basics.
These are six refurbished picks below, ordered newest through to oldest (and cheapest):
- They cover four generations, topping out with the iPhone 14 Pro Max
- The iPhone 15 Pro Max and newer models currently sit above $500 inside our database, so the iPhone 14 Pro Max is the newest model in this roundup.
Prices can change, so check the deals below and see how much you could save on your next iPhone today.
The Best Refurbished Pro Max iPhones Under $500
The iPhone 14 Pro Max is the best overall buy here. Drop down to the iPhone 13 Pro Max if you want to stay below $400, or consider the iPhone 12 Pro Max only if keeping the upfront cost as low as possible matters most.
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1
iPhone 14 Pro Max
128GB · Deep Purple $466The best overall option. You get a large OLED display, 120Hz ProMotion and a flexible camera system. Check that 128GB gives you enough storage before buying.
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2
iPhone 14 Pro Max
128GB · Gold $466The same phone and price as the Deep Purple model. Choose between them based on colour, cosmetic grade and battery condition.
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3
iPhone 13 Pro Max
128GB · Graphite $388.34Our value pick. It still gives you a large 120Hz display, strong battery life and a triple-camera system with optical zoom for under $400.
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4
iPhone 13 Pro Max
128GB · Alpine Green $390Only $1.66 more than the Graphite model. Pay the difference if you prefer the colour or this listing has the better condition grade.
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5
iPhone 12 Pro Max
128GB · Pacific Blue $310The cheapest route to a 6.7-inch Pro Max. Its age means battery condition and remaining software support matter more than the colour or cosmetic grade.
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6
iPhone 12 Pro Max
128GB · Graphite $320The same hardware as the Pacific Blue model for $10 more. Unless its condition or battery is better, the cheaper listing makes more sense.
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Our recommendation: get the iPhone 14 Pro Max if your budget reaches $466. The iPhone 13 Pro Max is the smarter value buy below $400. Whichever model you choose, check the battery condition, cosmetic grade, warranty and return policy before paying.
You don’t have to pay $1,000+ for a new phone. Buying refurbished saves you, on average, 40% to 50%.
Which means you skip the inflationary price hikes, side-step the 2026 memory cost crisis, and still get the flagship performance and specs you want.
Recommended Options For 2026Need More Help?
What’s the cheapest refurbished iPhone Pro Max?
Older models cost less, obviously, although you need to consider how much support is available. The iPhone 11 Pro Max collection and iPhone 12 Pro Max collection are good places to start if price is your main concern, just be wary that these models are fast approaching their end-of-life status, whereby Apple will no longer issue sofwtare updates for them.
For a newer option with better support lifespan, compare deals on the iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Which refurbished iPhone Pro Max is the best value?
The iPhone 13 Pro Max is a good middle ground between price and age. If you’d rather spend less, check the iPhone 12 Pro Max deals. Me? I’d stretch ever so slightly past the $500 mark and go with an iPhone 15 Pro.
I bought a 256GB iPhone 15 Pro Max refurbished earlier this year (pictured above) and it has been a fantastic update from my ageing iPhone 13. I paid $550 for it, but I’d argue it was well worth the extra $50.
Can I buy a refurbished iPhone Pro Max for under $500?
You can pick up quite a few Pro and Pro Max models for less than $500 in 2026, here’s all the current sub-$500 Pro Max models:
Is a refurbished iPhone Pro Max cheaper than buying new?
My god, yes. This is the main reason why I’ve only bought refurbished phones, mostly iPhones, since 2018. I do not want to pay the best part of $1000 for a new phone, not when the difference is barely noticeable.
A new iPhone 18 Pro Max will cost you $1199, whereas a refurbished iPhone 16 Pro Max or iPhone 15 Pro Max will set you back well below $700. Browse the iPhone Pro Max collections to compare current prices across generations.
Should I buy an iPhone Pro or Pro Max?
The Pro Max has a larger screen, while the standard Pro is easier to carry and may cost less refurbished. If you don’t need the bigger display, compare the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro with their Pro Max equivalents before deciding.
Pro models, both new and refurbished, are cheaper too. You do miss out on a bit of extra battery life, but I wouldn’t call this a deal-breaker. Right now, I think the iPhone 14 Pro is one of the best value options on the market.
Which refurbished iPhone Pro is the cheapest?
Older models tend to be the most affordable, although I would avoid the iPhone 11 series entirely. It’s basically at its end-of-life and the hardware is now starting to show its age.
For the optimal mix of bang-for-your-buck and performance, check out the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro collections for lower-cost options, or check the iPhone 14 Pro deals if you want a newer model.
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