Which iPhones Have 5G?

Every iPhone from the iPhone 12 (2020) onwards supports 5G. That includes every model in each generation — Mini, standard, Plus, Pro, and Pro Max.

Here’s the full 5G-capable lineup as of 2026

Series	Models	5G
iPhone 17	iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air	✅
iPhone 16	iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16, iPhone 16e	✅
iPhone 15	iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15	✅
iPhone 14	iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14	✅
iPhone 13	iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Mini	✅
iPhone 12	iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini	✅
iPhone SE 3	iPhone SE (3rd gen, 2022)	✅
iPhone 11 & older	iPhone 11, XS, XR, X, 8, and earlier	❌

Browse the full range of quality pre-owned iPhones across every budget tier.

Which Refurbished iPhone Should You Buy in 2026?

Every 5G iPhone from the iPhone 12 onwards qualifies on the connectivity front, but not every one of them makes sense as a purchase in 2026.

The iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 series are both ageing toward end-of-support which is fine if the price is right, but not something to pay much for.

The real sweet spot right now for value for money on the refurbished markets sits across the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 series, with specific models serving different buyers.

Best for Most People: iPhone 15

The iPhone 15 is the refurbished recommendation that covers the majority of buyers in 2026.

It brought USB-C to the standard iPhone for the first time (a big practical upgrade over the iPhone 14’s Lightning), runs on the A16 Bionic chip — the same silicon that was in the iPhone 14 Pro — and has a longer software support runway ahead of it than anything in the 14 range.

For most people — general use, social media, streaming, reasonable camera quality — the iPhone 15 hits every mark without the premium of the Pro models.

Available in blue, green, yellow, pink, and black. If you want more screen real estate without moving to Pro, the iPhone 15 Plus gets you a 6.7-inch display at a price that undercuts the Pro Max considerably.

Best for Camera and Video: iPhone 15 Pro Max

If camera quality and video performance are driving your decision, don’t compromise — go straight to the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

It’s the first standard iPhone to support 4K 120fps ProRes video recording, uses a 5x tetraprism telephoto lens (versus the standard 15’s 2x optical), and its titanium chassis is noticeably lighter than the Pro Max iPhones that came before it.

For anyone creating content — whether that’s YouTube, short-form video, or professional photography — this is the refurbished iPhone to have.

The 256GB tier is the minimum worth considering for serious shooters; the 512GB and 1TB options are in the database for high-volume shooters. See our guide to the best used phones for content creators for a broader look at how these stack up.

Best Budget Pick: iPhone 14 / iPhone 14 Plus

The iPhone 14 is the honest budget option for anyone who wants 5G and a fully supported Apple device without paying iPhone 15 prices. It runs on the A15 Bionic — same chip as the iPhone 13 Pro — and will continue receiving iOS updates for several more years.

The trade-off is Lightning rather than USB-C, and a camera system that doesn’t match what the 15 offers. But for calls, messaging, navigation, and everyday tasks, it delivers everything most users actually need. The iPhone 14 Plus adds a larger display and meaningfully better battery life for a modest step up in price — one of the most underrated value plays in the refurbished market.

If budget is your primary constraint, our affordable refurbished phone picks covers the wider landscape including Android alternatives.

Is 5G Dangerous?

No. This comes up repeatedly, so it’s worth being direct about the science.

5G operates using non-ionising radiation, the same category as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and AM radio. Non-ionising radiation does not carry enough energy to damage DNA, which is the mechanism by which radiation causes cancer. Ionising radiation (gamma rays, X-rays, UV from the sun) does. 5G does not.

5G does not pose a danger to human health, according to the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). Independent professional engineers, at the IET’s request, specifically investigated the claim that 5G poses a greater health risk than previous generations of mobile phone technology. The conclusion: “emphatically no” – Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)

The WHO, Public Health England, and every major health body that has reviewed the evidence has signed off on 5G as safe.

The rat study that circulated in 2018 — which used doses orders of magnitude higher than any human would ever receive, for nine hours a day over two years — actually found that the irradiated rats lived longer than the control group.

The study’s lead researcher concluded no risk to human health at real-world exposure levels.

Radio waves from your 5G iPhone are less energetic than the visible light hitting your eyes as you read this.

Know Your Mobile Verdict

5G is now table stakes for any refurbished iPhone worth buying in 2026. The real question is which 5G iPhones still have meaningful software support ahead of them.

That eliminates the iPhone 11 and older from both angles simultaneously.

For refurbished value, the iPhone 15 series is the target: long software runway, USB-C, proven hardware, and prices that have come down considerably.

The iPhone 14 series remains a legitimate budget entry point. Anything older than that, buy with eyes open and a low price expectation.

Pro Tip: When comparing refurbished iPhone listings, cross-reference the iOS support timeline before the price tag. A cheaper iPhone 13 that goes end-of-life in 12 months costs more in practice than an iPhone 15 that’ll stay current until 2029. That’s the calculation most buyers miss — and our refurbished phone FAQ guide walks through exactly how to make it.