Buy a refurbished iPhone 16 SIM-free with 85%+ battery, 12-month warranty, 45-day returns and free UK delivery. Every device is tested and graded by The Big Phone Store, an award-winning UK refurbisher trusted since 1999.
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.
An Apple iPhone 16 refurbished at The Big Phone Store gives you those newer features at around £100 less than a brand new one, with full warranty and returns support included.
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.
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 digging through the screen. |
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. |
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 standard iPhone 16 also still uses USB 2 transfer speeds over USB-C, so wired file transfer is not the reason to upgrade.
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 our #2 best-selling model out of 29 iPhones for the past five months.
“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 is 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.”
— Steve Athwal, TBPS
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. With the new colour options, it’s especially great if you’re a fan of the colour blue.
From our 27 years of experience in refurbishment we know that newer iPhones tend to hold their value well, so it’s also an ideal option if you intend to trade in your phone in the future.
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. The 16 is still quite new, so prices are higher than the 15. If you’re on a tight budget, it might not be the best option.
Choose the iPhone 15 if you want a lower price and do not care about Apple Intelligence yet.
If you want stronger zoom photography, higher-end video features or the best gaming performance, the iPhone 16 Pro is a better fit.
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 of device we sell at The Big Phone Store is fully functional. 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.
Many customers searching for cheap iPhone 16 deals choose Good or Very Good because the difference is cosmetic condition, not core performance.
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. Like New devices have 100% battery health guaranteed.
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.
If you want to splash out on the newest model with a premium screen, check out the iPhone 17.
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 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.
Each reconditioned iPhone 16 we sell is tested, cleaned and graded in-house before dispatch.
For the iPhone 16, we pay close attention to Camera Control because it is 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 also test the Action button because it replaces the old Ring/Silent switch. A faulty Action button can affect shortcuts, silent mode and camera access, so it needs to work cleanly before sale.
Our internal refurbishment process for the iPhone 16 includes device checks across 90+ points, including:
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
Full data wipe
We do not sell every iPhone 16 we receive. Any device that fails our checks is not sold as a working iPhone 16.
From years of working with used phones, we know that buying an iPhone 16 for cheap can come with unexpected risks: the wrong market version, unclear grading, weak battery health, hidden faults, or a seller listing stock they do not physically have.
Before you buy a used iPhone 16, watch out for:
Non-UK spec or imported phones
Some sellers may supply phones that were not originally made for the UK market. This can cause issues with network compatibility, firmware or expected UK features.
Phones that are not actually in stock
Some sellers list phones before they physically have them ready to send. This can lead to delays, substitutions or receiving a different grade, colour or storage size than expected.
Weak battery health
A phone can look good but still drain quickly if the battery has not been checked properly.
Hidden faults
Issues with the camera, Face ID, speakers, microphones, USB-C port or touchscreen are not always obvious from photos.
Poor-quality replacement parts
Some refurbished phones may contain low-quality screens, batteries or components that affect performance.
Blocked or locked phones
Risky sellers may list phones that later turn out to be network blocked, iCloud locked or not fully reset.
Weak aftercare
A cheap phone is not much use if something goes wrong and you cannot get proper support, a replacement or a refund.
In 2025, we sold more than 72,000 refurbished smartphones. Quality is our priority, and it is the result of a process we have been refining since 1999.
If you're looking for refurbished iPhone 16 UK stock, 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 4.8 Trustpilot rating with over 5000 reviews | We have over 80,000 satisfied customers, and you can become one of them. |
Security | Devices are data-wiped, network status and device history are checked for blacklisting, theft, loss or outstanding finance | 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. |
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. |
Every iPhone 16 refurbished at The Big Phone Store includes a 12-month warranty as standard, with upgrade options available. 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.
