A refurbished iPhone 16 hits the sweet spot for most users. It has the same A18 chip and Camera Control as the Pro, minus the price and the extras you probably won't use. Buy it refurbished and you get that balance for even less, with every unit checked at 90 points and battery-backed at 85%+
At a glance
The iPhone 16 is a strong choice if you want a newer iPhone with Apple Intelligence support, better performance, and more camera control than the iPhone 15. It keeps the same familiar 6.1-inch size, but adds the A18 chip, Camera Control, the Action button, a better Ultra Wide camera and longer battery life.
For buyers upgrading from an iPhone 12, 13, 14 or 15, the main difference is how much more capable the phone feels. Camera Control gives you quicker access to photos and video. The Action button lets you set a shortcut for the feature you use most. Apple Intelligence support also makes the iPhone 16 a better long-term choice than older standard iPhones.
For buyers comparing used, second-hand and refurbished options, the key risks are condition, battery health, hidden faults and aftercare. A professionally refurbished iPhone at The Big Phone Store costs significantly less than new, and gives you the same premium Apple experience with clearer grading, testing, warranty and returns support.
Best for: Anyone who wants a current-generation iPhone with Apple Intelligence and a versatile camera
Performance: A18 chip — fast, efficient and built to handle Apple Intelligence features
Camera: 48MP dual camera with 2x optical zoom and improved low-light performance
Battery: Up to 22 hours of video, reliable all-day use
Software: iOS 26 supported, many years of updates still ahead
Consider a newer model if: you want more advanced video tools
Apple announced the iPhone 16 on 9 September 2024 at its “Glowtime” event. The launch was built around Apple Intelligence, with Apple positioning the iPhone 16 as the first standard iPhone designed around its AI features.
The iPhone 16 also brought two Pro-style controls to the standard model: the Action button and the new Camera Control. That made the standard iPhone feel less like a small yearly refresh and more like a practical upgrade for people who take lots of photos, use shortcuts, or want a phone ready for newer iOS features.
Apple Intelligence also gave the iPhone 16 launch one of its stranger headlines. Some AI-generated notification summaries got the wrong end of the stick. The Guardian mentions one notification claiming that darts player Luke Littler had won the world championship before the match had even begun! Apple later changed how AI summaries were labelled and gave users more control. Despite the initial hiccup, Apple Intelligence has become one of the defining features of the iPhone 16 era.
According to research company Counterpoint, the iPhone 16 became one of the strongest-selling standard iPhones in 2025, showing just how well-loved this model is.
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Based on what customers actually bought over the last 6 months.
Apple iPhone 16 — out of 171 models sold
Best-selling Apple phone #16 of 37 Apple phones we sellPositions are based on our own store order data, not the wider market.
How The iPhone 16 Compares
The iPhone 16 builds on the iPhone 15 rather than replacing the whole design. The biggest upgrades are the A18 chip, Apple Intelligence support, Camera Control, Action button, better Ultra Wide camera and longer battery life.
Feature | Technical Upgrade | What You Notice Day to Day |
|---|---|---|
Apple Intelligence | A18 chip built to support Apple Intelligence | You can use newer AI features, including writing and photo tools, to make everyday phone use more efficient. |
Camera Control | New side control for camera access and settings | You can open the camera faster, take photos quickly, and adjust controls without swiping through the options. |
Action button | Replaces the Ring/Silent switch and can be set to open shortcuts | You can easily open the torch, voice memo, Translate feature, or any other shortcut you use often to personalise your iPhone 16 experience. |
Processor | A18 chip, up from A16 Bionic in iPhone 15 | Apps, games and iOS features feel faster. It gives the phone stronger long-term support for newer software features, so you won’t fall behind on new updates. |
Camera system | 48MP Fusion camera with 2x Telephoto option, plus improved 12MP Ultra Wide with autofocus and a vertical camera layout | You still get sharp main-camera photos, but the Ultra Wide is more useful for close-up shots and macro photography of small details. |
Battery life | Up to 22 hours video playback, compared with up to 20 hours on iPhone 15 | You get almost a full 24 hours of uninterrupted phone usage, especially useful if you stream, travel, or use maps often. |
Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 support | You may notice faster downloads, smoother streaming and better performance in busy homes with lots of connected devices. |
Colours | New teal and ultramarine options | The iPhone 16 uses a bolder colour range than the iPhone 15, including new shades of blue to express your personal style. |
Screen Note: The iPhone 16 still has a 60Hz display. If you want the smoothest scrolling and ProMotion, the iPhone 16 Pro is the better choice.
The Big Phone Store Team Summary: The iPhone 16 is the better pick over the iPhone 15 if you want Apple Intelligence support and plan to keep the phone for longer. If you mainly want a cheaper iPhone with USB-C and a good camera, the iPhone 15 may still make more sense.
The iPhone 16 is the standard iPhone I’d point people to if they want something that feels properly current. Our customers often ask about Apple Intelligence because it's the biggest software difference between the iPhone 16 and older standard iPhones. The iPhone 15 is still a good phone, but the iPhone 16 feels more ready for the next few years, mainly because it supports Apple Intelligence.
The Camera Control takes a bit of getting used to, but it makes sense if you take a lot of photos. The bigger difference for most people is Apple Intelligence support. If you’re spending more because you want the phone to last, that matters.
Who Should Buy The iPhone 16?
I’d recommend the refurbished iPhone 16 for anyone upgrading from an iPhone 12, 13, 14 or older. You will immediately notice the speed, battery life, camera controls and newer software support. Those looking for the most up-to-date features as well as a long-lasting and stylish phone are sure to love the iPhone 16. It’s also an ideal option if you intend to trade in your phone in the future.
Who Should Avoid The iPhone 16?
If you already have an iPhone 15, the iPhone 16 is better, but the upgrade only makes sense if you care about Apple Intelligence, easier controls or better long-term support. If you’re on a tight budget, it might not be the best option. If you want stronger zoom photography, higher-end video features or the best gaming performance, the iPhone 16 Pro is a better fit.
— James Taylor, Content Growth Architect at The Big Phone Store
Find a cheap iPhone 16 deal across our grades, colours and storage options.
Grades: Like New, Pristine, Very Good, Good
Colours: Black, White, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine
Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Every grade (condition) of device we sell at The Big Phone Store is fully working. The grade describes cosmetic condition only, and all devices go through a 90+ point check before dispatch.
Like New is the cleanest cosmetic option and includes 100% guaranteed battery health. Choose it if you want the best condition available.
Pristine has very light signs of use and suits buyers who want a cleaner-looking phone for less.
Very Good may show light marks, but still gives you full iPhone 16 performance.
Good shows more visible wear and is best if you want the lowest price on a fully working modern iPhone.
Cosmetic wear on the iPhone 16 usually occurs around the aluminium frame, USB-C port and Camera Control area. Good condition models may show visible marks in those places, while Pristine models should have only very light signs of use.
Feature | Technical Details | Why it Matters |
|---|---|---|
Screen | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, 2556 × 1179 resolution at 460 ppi, Dynamic Island, up to 2,000 nits peak outdoor brightness | Sharp text, deep blacks and strong outdoor brightness. It keeps the familiar standard iPhone size, so it works well for one-handed use. |
Camera | 48MP Fusion Main camera, 12MP Ultra Wide with autofocus, 2x optical-quality Telephoto option, Camera Control, macro photography and spatial photo support | Easier camera access, sharper everyday photos, and more flexible close-up shots than the iPhone 15. Great for those taking photos of nail art, insects, or other small details. |
Battery Life | Up to 22 hours video playback, with minimum 85% battery health on our devices | This phone should last a full day with regular use. Ideal for travel and those who rely heavily on their phone. |
iOS | Launched with iOS 18 and supports current iOS updates, including Apple Intelligence features where available | A better choice than older standard iPhones if you want newer software and AI features, as well as longer support. |
Dimensions | 147.6 mm × 71.6 mm × 7.80 mm, 170 g | Almost the same size and feel as the iPhone 15, for a comfortable and familiar experience. |
Every iPhone 16 from The Big Phone Store comes with at least 85% battery health, well above Apple’s 80% replacement threshold. This is the highest minimum battery health of any refurbished seller. Like New devices have 100% battery health guaranteed, and you can purchase a brand new battery for any phone at checkout.
Over the last 12 months
Try the iPhone 16 Plus for a larger screen and longer battery life.
Try the iPhone 16 Pro for a more powerful phone with premium features.
Try the iPhone 16 Pro Max for a larger, more powerful phone with the longest battery life.
Try the iPhone 17 if you want to splash out on the newest model with a premium screen.
Apple Intelligence
The main reason to choose the iPhone 16 is Apple Intelligence support. Older iPhones are still good refurbished options, but they miss out on new Apple Intelligence AI features and will stop receiving iOS updates sooner. That makes the iPhone 16 a better long-term choice if you want newer iOS features and longer software support. For those embracing developments in AI technology, this phone provides a valuable contribution to daily life.
The other highlight is Camera Control. It will not matter to everyone, but for people who take photos often, it makes the camera feel quicker and more direct.
If you're still undecided, we have dozens of other iPhone models available. See our range or get in contact!
For the iPhone 16, we pay close attention to Camera Control because it's a physical control that affects how people use the camera. We check the button response, click behaviour and touch interaction so it does not feel loose, inconsistent or unresponsive.
We use a trusted diagnostics platform called Phonecheck to perform 90+ checks on every device.
85%+ battery health confirmed and USB-C charging tested
Display brightness, colour and full-screen touch response
Face ID — tested, not assumed
Front camera and video
Speakers, microphone and haptic feedback
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and mobile signal
All buttons, sensors and MagSafe response
IMEI and network history check via CheckMEND
Previous owner’s data fully erased
iCloud and other account locks removed
Lost, stolen and blacklist status checked
Only devices that pass every required check are approved for sale. If a device doesn’t meet our standards, it won’t be sold. Each reconditioned iPhone 16 we sell is tested, cleaned and graded in-house before dispatch.
There is a big difference between a second-hand iPhone 16 and a refurbished one, but in both cases it's important to be careful. From years of working with used phones, we know a cheap iPhone 16 can come with risks that are not obvious from photos. The main issues are weak battery health, unclear grading, hidden faults, poor replacement parts, blocked phones and sellers listing stock they do not actually have.
Don't just look at the cost. When buying a used iPhone 16, watch out for these common pitfalls.
Risk to Watch Out For | The Issue | What it Means for You |
|---|---|---|
Non-UK or imported models | Some phones may not be intended for the UK market. | You'll pay marginally less upfront, however the phone may sell for as little as 10-20% of its original value later on. Whilst you'll make a small saving to start with, you'll take a huge hit when it's time to dispose of the device, because imported devices are seen as a risk for buyers. |
Phones that are not actually in stock | Some sellers list phones before they physically have them ready to send. | Your phone is your lifeline, and we understand this well. Do you really want to purchase from a company who has a reputation of taking your money and then making you wait for weeks, or in some cases months for your device? |
Weak battery health | A phone can look clean but still have a worn battery. | Many of our competitors don't even mention battery life, and the battery you get is left up to chance. Who wants to spend good money on a device that only turns on for a few hours? Our minimum battery health is 85%, and you can upgrade to 100% at checkout for much cheaper than a high-street battery replacement would cost. |
Hidden faults | Camera, Face ID, sensors or charging port issues may not show in photos. | Many sellers cut costs by not testing your device properly, or in some cases not at all. We believe that every customer deserves a fully functional device from day one, which is why our return rate is one of the lowest in the industry. |
Poor-quality replacement parts | Cheap screens, batteries or camera parts can affect how the phone feels and performs. | Mobile phones are precisely built and sensitive devices. Some sellers use cheap phone parts that are more likely to break or become faulty. We use genuine Apple parts in 95% of the iPhones we repair. On the rare occasion that third-party parts are used, these will be of the highest quality possible, and only for screens and batteries. See our quality charter. |
Blocked, locked or finance-flagged phones | Risky sellers may list phones that later turn out to be blocked, iCloud locked, finance-flagged or not fully reset. | What might seem like a good deal initially could cost you further down the line when the phone is blacklisted from use. We check that your phone hasn't been reported stolen, isn't on the police register, doesn't belong to another company, isn't hacked, and doesn't have any viruses. |
Weak aftercare | Some sellers offer limited support once the phone has been delivered. | If something goes wrong and you need quick support, you may be stuck talking to an AI chatbot. In some cases, the customer support team may live in a different timezone and can't help you when you need it most. Our award-winning team is here to help you by phone, WhatsApp, email and more. |
The Big Phone Store has been refurbishing phones since 1999, and every device is tested, graded and shipped from our UK operation. The reason customers come back is simple: real stock, clear grading, minimum 85% battery health and UK support from people you can actually speak to.
If you're looking for an iPhone 16 refurbished in the UK, here’s why you should choose us:
What Matters | How We Help | Why it Matters to You |
|---|---|---|
Experience | Refurbished electronics specialist since 1999 | No one has more expertise in this industry than us. We’ve been refurbishing phones since before the iPhone existed. |
Trust | A 4.80 Trustpilot rating with over 5000 reviews | We have 86,140 reviews across all platforms. You can become one of our many satisfied customers today. |
Security | Devices are data-wiped, network status and device history are checked for blacklisting, theft, loss or outstanding finance (using CheckMEND) | Our checks help protect you from blocked, stolen or finance-flagged phones. Unlike with unverified sellers, there’s no risk of being scammed or ripped off. |
Quality | 90+ point quality check | We refuse to sell devices that don't work the same as if they were new. Your device is ready to go straight out of the box. |
Support | UK-based customer support | Get help from real people who won the Best Customer Service (Consumer) award at the MNA 2026, beating major brands such as EE. We actually pick up the phone; no confusion or waiting around. |
Stock | Website stock means actual stock | Unlike other sites, all devices on our website are in stock and ready to ship from our warehouse today. No false listings or seller delays. |
Device Quality | Every part of the process is done in-house | We have full control over the refurbishment process. Unlike others who outsource their process, we confirm the quality of the devices ourselves, so you get a consistently good experience every time. |
Every Apple iPhone 16 refurbished at The Big Phone Store includes a 12-month warranty as standard, which you can upgrade to 2 years, 5 years, or lifetime. You also get free UK delivery for any order over £30 and a 45-day returns process.
Yes. Our refurbished iPhone 16 devices are SIM-free and unlocked for compatible UK networks.
No. A used phone is usually sold as-is by a private seller. A refurbished iPhone 16 is professionally tested, data-wiped, graded and sold with warranty cover.
Yes. Apple lists the iPhone 16 with a 48MP Fusion main camera and a 12MP ultra-wide camera, giving you more photo flexibility than a single-camera model.
Yes. The iPhone 16 includes Camera Control, which helps you open camera tools and adjust photo or video settings more quickly.
You get at least 85% battery health as standard. Like New phones include 100% guaranteed battery health.
That depends on the grade you choose. Like New and Pristine look cleaner. Very Good and Good may show more signs of previous use, but all grades are fully functional.
Yes. Every refurbished iPhone 16 includes a 12-month warranty as standard, with upgrade options where available.
Yes. The A18 chip, OLED display, USB-C, 5G, Camera Control and dual-camera system make the iPhone 16 a strong everyday phone for calls, apps, photos, streaming, browsing and travel.
