The best refurbished iPhone under £500 (October 2026)
£500 buys a lot of iPhone if you go refurbished. The hard part is choosing, because the cheapest model and the best value are rarely the same phone. Here's how we'd spend it — every model below links to its page, where today's price, battery health and grade are shown up front.
| Pick | Model | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall | iPhone 15 Pro | Titanium, 120Hz, USB-C and usually the cheapest way into Apple Intelligence |
| Best for most people | iPhone 15 | Dynamic Island, 48MP camera and USB-C for noticeably less |
| Best big screen | iPhone 14 Pro Max | 6.7-inch always-on display, 3x zoom, long battery life |
| Best on a tight budget | iPhone 13 | Still quick, good battery, does everything most people need |
What actually matters when you choose
Apple Intelligence. Only the iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max and iPhone 16 or newer support it. If the AI features matter to you, under £500 that usually means the 15 Pro.
The charging port. The iPhone 15 and newer use USB-C — the same cable as most laptops, Android phones and iPads. The 14 and older still use Lightning.
The screen. Pro models from the 13 Pro onwards have a 120Hz ProMotion display that makes scrolling feel smoother. Standard models ran at 60Hz until the iPhone 17. Some people notice it straight away; plenty never do.
Battery health. On a refurbished phone this matters more than age. Every listing on our site states the minimum battery health for its grade — see battery health explained for what the number means.
What we'd skip
The iPhone 12 is fine as a first phone or a backup, but for not much more the 13 gives you noticeably better battery life. At the top of this budget the 14 Pro is good, but the 15 Pro is usually worth the small step up for USB-C and Apple Intelligence.
Buying refurbished without the gamble
Every phone we sell is unlocked, tested and graded before it leaves us, with a 24-month warranty and 14-day returns. Within 8 miles of Dewsbury we'll hand-deliver it free. Everything in stock is on the iPhone page.
Ready when you are
Phonecheck certified · 24-month warranty · insured UK delivery
Shop tested & certified phonesFrequently asked
Is a refurbished iPhone 15 Pro worth it over a new iPhone?+
For most people, yes. It has the titanium frame, 120Hz display, USB-C and Apple Intelligence support, and refurbished it costs far less than a current model new. Check the battery health stated on the listing before you buy.
Which refurbished iPhones support Apple Intelligence?+
The iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and every iPhone 16 and 17 model. The standard iPhone 15 and anything older do not.
Is an iPhone 13 still worth buying in 2026?+
As a budget phone, yes — it's fast enough for everyday apps and has good battery life. It uses Lightning rather than USB-C and doesn't support Apple Intelligence.