Refurbished iPhones

Shop Refurbished iPhone (UK): Unlocked & SIM-Free Apple reconditioned iPhones for sale at Cheap & Best Prices! Included āœ… 12-Month Warranty āœ… Free Delivery āœ… Certified Quality. āœŒļø85% minimum battery health. Order today & save more!

Overview

Refurbished iPhones — Up to 40% Off

Apple has been making iPhones since 2007, and the core philosophy hasn’t changed: build hardware and software together so tightly that nothing else comes close.


That obsession is why iPhones hold their value longer than almost any other smartphone. A three-year-old iPhone still runs the latest iOS, still gets security updates, and still sells for more secondhand than most Android flagships do, brand-new.


At The Big Phone Store, a refurbished iPhone typically costs 40% less than buying new. If you are looking for an iPhone refurbished in the UK, you can buy our reconditioned iPhone models with total confidence. You get the same device, the same software support and the same build quality — just without the new-phone premium.


iPhones sold, last 12 months

TrustPilot reviews about our iPhones

iPhone return rate

Repeat buyers

32,000+

1,400 — 4.8ā˜…

>1.4%

19%



Which Refurbished iPhone Is Right for You?

Pick

Model

Why

Our take

Best for camera

iPhone 15

The iPhone 15 is the best camera choice for most refurbished buyers because it brings Apple’s 48MP Main camera, 24MP/48MP super-high-resolution photos, sensor-shift optical image stabilisation, Smart HDR 5, improved portraits, Night mode and 4K Dolby Vision video.

This is the Apple iPhone refurbished model we’d recommend if you take lots of photos of family, products, holidays, pets, nights out or social content. You get a clear camera upgrade over older models without needing to jump to a Pro model.

Best for battery

iPhone 14 Plus

The iPhone 14 Plus is built for customers who want less battery anxiety. Apple lists it at up to 26 hours of video playback and up to 100 hours of audio playback.

This is the easy recommendation for commuters, parents, drivers, heavy WhatsApp users, Netflix watchers and anyone who forgets to charge overnight. In refurbished iPhone UK buying, battery condition matters more than the spec sheet, which is why our testing and minimum battery health standards are such a big part of the recommendation.

Best value

iPhone 13

The iPhone 13 still gives most buyers what they actually need: a sharp 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, A15 Bionic performance, 5G, strong cameras and iOS 26 compatibility. We highlight its A15 chip and OLED display as key everyday strengths.

This is the ā€œdon’t overpay for features you won’t noticeā€ iPhone. It feels modern, runs smoothly, takes great photos and still has strong software life ahead of it. For customers moving from an iPhone 8, XR, 11 or SE, it feels like a proper upgrade. It is the safest value recommendation for most people looking to buy an iPhone, refurbished.

Best for first-timers

iPhone SE 2022

The iPhone SE 2022 gives customers a familiar home-button design, 5G and Apple’s A15 Bionic chip in a compact, affordable package. We would describe it as a ā€œcompact, no-nonsense iPhoneā€ for people who want reliable everyday performance without paying for a large-screen flagship.

This is perfect for first-time iPhone buyers, children, older users, work phones or anyone who wants Apple reliability without changing how they use their phone. It is a lower-risk reconditioned iPhone because it is affordable, easy to use, familiar in the hand and still powerful enough for everyday apps.



Our Best-Selling Refurbished iPhones

Ranked by units sold, last 12 months.

iPhone 14 Pro Max — from Ā£329.99

It’s simple, reliable, and a complete standout for reliability. This is one of the phones our Marketing team uses for social media posts, and we wouldn’t swap it for anything. For customers looking for an Apple iPhone refurbished UK option with a premium camera, big display and excellent everyday performance, this is one of our strongest recommendations.

7,700 sold Ā· Popularity score: 92/100

iPhone 13 — from Ā£169.99

Best for someone who wants a modern iPhone that feels like a proper upgrade, but does not want to pay the latest iPhone price. It is one of the easiest apple refurbished phones to recommend because it balances price, performance and remaining software support so well.

6,300 sold Ā· Popularity score: 87/100

iPhone SE 2022 — from Ā£99.99

This is a perfect entry point into the Apple family. It’s a low-cost route to a reliable phone, and the performance still feels up to date. For anyone comparing an iPhone reconditioned model against buying new, the SE 2022 shows how much value a professionally tested device can offer.

5,100 sold Ā· Popularity score: 81/100

ā€œI’ve used the iPhone 14 Pro Max to do plenty of our social media posts, professional photos and way more, I’ve never once been disappointed. I’ve actually been able to leave the professional camera on my desk because the 14 Pro Max gives me a similar result, it’s impressive.ā€
— James Taylor, Social Media Architect at The Big Phone Store.



Grade Guide — What to Expect from an iPhone

Every grade is fully functional. Every refurbished iPhone we sell, at every grade, has passed our full diagnostics. The difference is cosmetic only.


A few things worth knowing about how we grade before you look at the table:


We resolve all performance issues before cosmetic assessment. The grade reflects the device’s true finished condition, not a quick visual check.


If a device sits between two grades, we under-grade it. What arrives is always at least as good as described, and almost always better.


Around 90% of iPhones retain their original screen. Where a screen replacement is needed, we fit premium OLED matched to Apple’s original specification, not cheaper alternatives that trigger Apple’s parts warning notifications.


Every battery is tested and logged before grading. We replace any battery below our minimum threshold before the device is assessed. That is one of the key differences between a professionally tested apple reconditioned iPhone and a used phone bought from an unknown seller.

Grade

What it looks like

Common wear on iPhones

Battery health on arrival

Best suited to

Like New

No marks visible at normal viewing distance. Glass back and frame in near-pristine condition.

Effectively none at this grade

100%

Buyers who want as-new, or buying as a gift

Pristine

Micro-scratches only, visible under direct light or close inspection, not in normal use

Hairline marks on the aluminium or titanium frame; glass back typically clean

85%+

Near-new condition without the Like New price

Very Good

Light scratches visible at certain angles

Frame corners and the area around the rear camera module

85%+

The sweet spot — better condition than expected at a strong price

Good

Noticeable scuffs and scratches; heavier cosmetic wear

Frame marks visible; rear glass may have light scratches; screen typically cleaner than the body

85%+

Budget-first buyers, or anyone putting the phone straight into a case



Best iPhone at Each Grade

Grade

Best model

Why

Like New

iPhone 15

Like New makes the most sense on a newer model because the price saving versus buying new still matters, but the phone should feel close to fresh out of the box. If you want an Apple refurbished iPhone UK choice that still feels premium, this is the grade and model combination to look at.

Pristine

iPhone 14

Pristine is the grade we would steer many buyers towards if they want the phone to look excellent but do not need to pay the Like New premium, which makes the iPhone 14 its ideal iPhone counterpart.

Very Good

iPhone 13

Very Good iPhone 13 is arguably the best all-round refurb buy. The device still feels modern, supports iOS 26, has an OLED display and strong A15 performance, while the grade keeps the price sensible. This is the grade/model combination for customers who want the best balance of condition and value from a reconditioned Apple iPhone.

Good

iPhone SE 2022

Good condition makes sense on the SE 2022 because it is often bought for practical reasons: first phone, work phone, spare phone, school phone or budget iPhone. Cosmetic marks matter less if the phone is going straight into a case, making it a smart way to buy reconditioned iPhone models on a tighter budget.



By Budget

Budget

Best pick

Why

Under £100

iPhone SE 2020

The best low-cost iPhone for customers who want Apple reliability, 5G and everyday speed without paying for a larger screen. It is ideal for children, first-time iPhone users, work devices or anyone who prefers Touch ID.

Under £250

iPhone 13

The strongest value pick for most buyers. It gives you the full-screen iPhone design, OLED display, Face ID, strong camera performance, A15 Bionic speed and iOS 26 compatibility, while staying much cheaper than newer models. If you are searching for an Apple UK refurbished iPhone, this is one of the easiest models to recommend.

Under £500

iPhone 16

The best choice if battery life and screen size matter more to you. It is great for streaming, maps, long workdays, travel and those who do not want to keep reaching for a charger. For customers who want a newer apple iphone reconditioned model, it gives you a more current feel while still avoiding the full cost of buying new.



Common Questions About Refurbished iPhones

What battery health will my iPhone have when it arrives?

Our Quality Control logs, not manufacturer estimates, show iPhones leave us with an average battery health of 85%. Apple considers anything above 80% to be within normal range. Most of our stock ships well above that.

This is why buying a professionally tested refurbished iPhone UK model from The Big Phone Store is different from buying a used device privately. Every battery is checked, logged and held to our minimum standard before dispatch.

Does The Big Phone Store use genuine Apple components?

98% of iPhones leave us with 100% genuine Apple parts. Where a screen replacement is needed, we fit premium OLED matched to Apple’s original spec, not cheaper alternatives that affect display quality or trigger Apple’s parts warning in Settings.

Battery replacements use genuine cells. Our Quality Charter sets this as a non-negotiable: we won’t repair it if it won’t last.

That is especially important when comparing an Apple refurbished iPhone or reconditioned iPhone online, because the quality of testing, parts and repair work can vary massively between sellers.

How long will my refurbished iPhone receive software updates?

Apple supports iPhones with iOS updates for around six years from launch, longer than almost any Android manufacturer. We list the exact expected end-of-support date on every product page.

The most popular model in our range right now, the iPhone 14 Pro Max, is supported until at least 2029.

The iPhone 14 Pro Max — 7,700 units sold in the last 12 months.

This model consistently wins because it hits the best balance of price, spec and remaining software support. It is also one of the strongest choices for customers looking for an Apple iPhone refurbished device with a premium camera and long-term usability.



About Apple & Our Expertise

Apple doesn’t compete on specs the way other manufacturers do. Where rivals chase headline numbers: megapixels, RAM, battery size, Apple engineers its own chips, writes its own operating system, and designs both around each other.

The result is a phone that ages more gracefully than the numbers suggest, and feels consistent in a way that’s hard to quantify but easy to notice.

That loyalty is reflected in the second-hand market. iPhones depreciate more slowly than almost any Android device, which means a refurbished iPhone gives you more phone per pound than almost anything else we sell.

We’ve been buying, testing and grading iPhones since 1999. They consistently rank as our top-selling brand. iPhones arrive in better average condition than most other brands we handle. Apple’s build quality means glass backs and aluminium frames wear predictably, and genuine parts are widely available, which keeps our repair quality high.

Our refurbishment process is fully in-house at our Wolverhampton facility. Every iPhone follows a fixed workflow, and if a fault appears later, we can trace it to the exact step and fix the root cause.

We only stock UK-spec, CE-approved devices. This matters because non-UK models can carry firmware and network differences that customers often misattribute to grading. We remove that variable entirely, so when you buy an iPhone refurbished UK model from us, you know it has been prepared for UK customers, UK networks and UK expectations.

ā€œIt sounds really complicated and specialised, so to put it simply, if it doesn’t meet every strict standard we set, there’s no way we’ll send it out to a customer. Ever.ā€
— Lucie Lomberska, Warehouse Executive



What Customers Say About Our iPhones

1,400 five-star TrustPilot reviews mention iPhones specifically. Our Q4 2025 sentiment analysis across all devices showed the most common themes in positive reviews were:

Theme

Share of positive reviews

Customer service

32.1%

Delivery

27.8%

Quality / as described

21.2%

Price

19.8%

Battery health

5.5%

ā€œExtremely quick response to order. Phone shipped in 11 minutes and delivered very promptly via Royal Mail the next morning. As happened with a previous iPhone purchase a few years ago. Both items were in pristine condition as described.ā€
— NC, verified buyer

The most common criticism in the wider refurbished iPhone market is battery health not matching expectations.

We address it directly: every iPhone has its battery tested and logged before grading, we replace anything below our minimum threshold, and the grade-by-grade data above comes from our own QC records.

In 2025, we also published updated grading definitions in plain English, backed by short videos showing what each grade looks like in practice.

You can also visit our Wolverhampton store to inspect and test devices in person before buying. For customers unsure whether to buy new, used, or an iPhone reconditioned by a specialist, seeing the devices in person can make the decision much easier.



iPhone Warranty, Returns & Delivery

iPhones hold their value and tend to be used for longer than most phones. A standard 12-month warranty covers you for the first year, but given the price point and the lifespan of an iPhone, it’s worth upgrading.

Our lifetime warranty in particular makes sense here. On a phone that could easily run for five or six years, it’s the closest thing to total peace of mind on a refurbished device.

  • 12-month warranty on every refurbished iPhone — upgradable to 24 months, 5 years or lifetime

  • 45-day no-quibble returns — full refund or exchange

  • 95% of post-sale issues processed within 24 hours, 100% resolved within 48–72 hours

  • Free next-day delivery on orders over Ā£150, dispatched from our Wolverhampton facility

  • Replacement Sent First — if your iPhone develops a confirmed fault and needs replacing, we dispatch the replacement before you return the original. You stay connected while we sort it.

  • Optional PIER insurance — covers loss, theft and accidental damage, for anything outside standard warranty terms

Our packaging is worth a mention too. We upgraded to a foil-laminated, reinforced box with bubble-bag cushioning specifically to protect devices in transit.

Since the redesign, transit damage incidents dropped by 80%. Your iPhone arrives in a gift bag with a microfibre cloth, because refurbished shouldn’t feel like anything less than perfect.


Customer Reviews

We value the opinions of all of our customers, and we're sure that you do too! If you're still unsure about buying the iPhones you want, take a look at the reviews our customers have left for us.

4.9 stars 4.9/5
Based on 1634 customer reviews
T
Tracy 5 months ago
5 stars

Got my refurbished phone gang busting ast week! It looks and works like it’s brand new. Super speedy and the battery life is amazing. Shipping was quick too. I'm really happy with my purchase.

Value for money

5 stars

Overall performance

5 stars

Phone condition

5 stars

Battery

5 stars

Delivery speed

5 stars

Recycled packaging

5 stars
M
Michael 5 months ago
5 stars

Love my new phone! It looks like new and runs super fast. I couldn't believe how good the price was for such a quality phone. It even came unlocked, which was perfect since I'm switching carriers. The team was really nice when I asked a question over the phone. Very happy!

Value for money

5 stars

Overall performance

5 stars

Phone condition

4 stars

Battery

5 stars

Delivery speed

5 stars

Recycled packaging

5 stars
A
Alistair 5 months ago
5 stars

I'm thrilled with my purchase! The iPhone looks just like new and works perfectly. I was looking for a powerful phone at a fair price, and I found it here. The buying process was easy and trouble-free. Truly a great way to save money and get a fantastic device!

Value for money

4 stars

Overall performance

5 stars

Phone condition

4 stars

Battery

5 stars

Delivery speed

5 stars

Recycled packaging

5 stars

Frequently Asked Questions

The Big Phone Store is the perfect place to buy a refurbished Apple iPhone because we prioritise quality and customer satisfaction. Every device undergoes thorough testing and inspection to ensure it meets the highest standards. With competitive pricing, our reconditioned iPhones are a smart, cost-effective option.

Additionally, purchasing from The Big Phone Store is eco-friendly, helping to reduce electronic waste. Our excellent customer service and warranty options ensure a smooth, worry-free shopping experience.

Yes. A fully certified refurbished iPhone from a trusted seller is as reliable as a new one. Every device we sell passes a 90‑point diagnostic, includes a battery health guarantee, and is backed by a 12‑month warranty. We’ve shipped thousands of refurbished iPhones across the UK with returns kept to a minimum.

Yes. Models like the iPhone 14, 15, 16 and 17 series are powerful enough to last years. Even older models like iPhone 12 and 13 still perform well for everyday use.

Yes - you’ll save money, get warranty protection, and reduce e-waste.

Yes. Second-hand phones are sold as-is.

Refurbished phones are inspected, tested, cleaned, reset, graded and warrantied.

When purchasing a refurb iPhone, it's important to check the device's condition, storage capacity, and specifications to ensure it meets your needs. Luckily, The Big Phone Store website provides all the detailed information you need to make an informed choice.

Every iPhone comes with a 12-month warranty as standard. At The Big Phone Store you can upgrade to 24 months

Batteries are replaced when needed. All devices meet our battery health standard (85%+ and 90%+ on Like New). A 100% battery upgrade is available at checkout.

Refurbished Phones are more affordable because they are pre-owned devices that have been returned, repaired, or restored to full working order. Often, components such as the battery or screen are replaced, and each phone is rigorously tested to ensure top quality.

At The Big Phone Store, we price all our refurbished iPhones competitively, offering you the best value possible. These devices provide a cost-effective alternative to buying brand new phones, allowing you to enjoy premium technology at a reduced price, while also helping to minimise electronic waste.

The Refurbished iPhone 13 is currently one of the best balances of price and performance.

Yes. All iPhones we sell support modern iOS versions. Higher-end models support the longest updates.

Yes, as long as you choose a trusted seller like The Big Phone Store. Every iPhone we sell is certified, tested, and verified with PhoneCheck / CheckMEND.

  • Fully Certified Refurbished Phone (tested, data-wiped, and ready to use)

  • USB Charging Cable

  • SIM Pin Tool (where applicable)

  • Free Microfibre Cleaning Pouch

  • Presented in a Premium Gift-Ready Box

  • 12-Month Standard Warranty

Refurbished iPhones are often 20–50% cheaper than new models depending on grade and age.

We offer flexible payment plans with Klarna, Clearpay, Paypal and Bank Transfer. This means you can choose the option that suits you, including spreading the cost to make your purchase even more affordable.