The iPhone 16 was officially unveiled on September 20, 2024. Just four months later, the iPhone 16 refurbished is already available from multiple German retailers. Faster than many expected.
The question now: Should you buy now or wait for even lower prices? I looked at the data, analyzed price trends, and compared it with the iPhone 15. Here's what you need to know.
Where Can You Get the iPhone 16 Refurbished?
Good news right away: You don't have to wait for Apple's official Refurbished Store. By November 2025, the iPhone 16 refurbished was available at Vodafone for around €585. That's 31% less than the €949 retail price.
Current Availability (January 2026)
| Retailer | Available? | Price from | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vodafone Recommerce | Yes | €585 | 12 months |
| Refurbed | Yes | €620 | 12 months |
| Back Market | Yes | €599 | 12-24 months |
| Rebuy | Yes | €640 | 36 months |
| Apple Refurbished | No | - | - |
Prices vary by storage size and condition. The table shows entry prices for 128 GB in "Good" or "Very Good" condition. For more details, check our comprehensive retailer comparison.
When Will Apple Offer Refurbished iPhone 16?
According to Refurb.me, Apple typically takes 9 to 15 months after launch to offer refurbished models in their own store. For the iPhone 16, that means: earliest summer 2025, more likely fall 2025.
Third-party retailers move much faster. Most products appear 3 to 6 months after release. For very popular releases, it can take 6 to 9 months. The iPhone 16 showed up at the first retailers after just about 2 months.
Should You Buy Now or Wait?
That depends on what matters more to you: having the latest iPhone immediately or saving even more money.
The Price Data Tells a Clear Story
An analysis by Compare and Recycle shows: iPhones lose an average of 46% of their value in the first year. The range is between 20% and 51%, depending on the model and market conditions.
According to data from Makaiteetum, the iPhone 15 depreciated by 38 to 45% after one year. The iPhone 16 should follow a similar pattern.
What does this mean for you specifically?
Buy now (January 2026): €585 for iPhone 16 refurbished (31% savings)
Wait until September 2026: expected €500 to €550 (40-45% savings)
September is historically the best month for buying. Back Market's analysis of over 500,000 price data points shows: September brings an average 6% price drop. Why? Apple announces new models and the previous generation gets cheaper.
My Take
If you absolutely need the iPhone 16 because your current device is dying, buy now. 31% savings is solid. If you can wait 8 more months, you'll be rewarded with about 10 to 15% additional savings.
iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 15 Refurbished: Which Is the Better Deal?
This is the real question many people are asking. The iPhone 15 refurbished is already available from €440. That's €145 less than the iPhone 16.
The Price Difference
| Model | Refurbished Price | Savings vs. Retail |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 16 (128 GB) | from €585 | 31% (Retail: €949) |
| iPhone 15 (128 GB) | from €440 | 48% (Retail: €949) |
The difference is significant. The question is: Do the iPhone 16 features justify the €145 premium?
Feature Comparison
According to Back Market Germany, the iPhone 16 with its A18 chip offers up to 30% more performance than the A16 in the iPhone 15. Plus:
What iPhone 16 has that iPhone 15 doesn't:
A18 chip (30% faster)
Apple Intelligence (AI features)
Action Button (like the Pro model)
Camera Control Button
Software support expected until 2030/2031
What iPhone 15 offers:
USB-C (finally)
48 MP main camera
Dynamic Island
Software support until expected 2029
The big difference: Apple Intelligence. The new AI features only run on iPhone 16 and newer. If intelligent text processing, image editing, and Siri improvements matter to you, you need the 16.
Who Should Buy Which Model?
Buy the iPhone 16 refurbished if:
You want to use Apple Intelligence
You plan to keep the device 4+ years (longer software support)
Maximum performance matters to you
You want the Action Button
The iPhone 15 refurbished is enough if:
You mainly use social media, photos, and messaging apps
The €145 difference matters to you
You switch every 2-3 years anyway
You don't need the AI features
Honestly: For 90% of users, the iPhone 15 refurbished is the more economical choice. The performance differences in daily use are minimal. But if you think long-term and want the latest features, the iPhone 16 premium is worth it.
How iPhone Prices Develop After Launch
In case you're considering waiting even longer, here's the historical data.
Typical Depreciation in the First Year
The iPhone 15 price development shows the typical pattern: Just three months after launch, used devices were €150 to €200 cheaper than the retail price.
The steepest price drops happen in two phases:
- First 3 months: 15-20% drop from early trade-ins and returns
- September (new iPhone): 5-6% additional drop when the successor is announced
After about 12 to 18 months, prices stabilize. Then they only decline slowly, sometimes even rising again when availability decreases.
When Is the Best Time to Buy?
Best time: September to November (after new iPhone launch, plus Black Friday)
Good time: January to March (after Christmas returns)
Most expensive time: June to August (before new launch, supply is tight)
If you can wait until September 2026, you'll probably get the iPhone 16 refurbished for €500 to €550. That would be 40-45% savings compared to the original retail price.
The Sustainability Factor: Why Refurbished Is the Smarter Choice
Sure, saving money is the obvious benefit. But the environmental impact is almost even more impressive. Learn more about how sustainable smartphones compare.
The Numbers from the Fraunhofer Study
A study by Fraunhofer Austria and refurbed provides concrete data for iPhones. When buying a refurbished iPhone 11 instead of new, you save:
81% CO₂ emissions
88% water consumption
79% electronic waste
For the iPhone 11 Pro Max (512 GB), the researchers calculated savings of 102.6 kg CO₂. That's roughly equivalent to driving from Berlin to Hamburg.
This data is ISO 14040/44 certified, meaning it's verified according to international standards. Not marketing claims, but scientifically backed.
Supplementary Data from ADEME
According to Statista, the French environmental agency ADEME found 92% lower CO₂ emissions for refurbished smartphones. While a new smartphone requires an average of around 267 kg of raw materials, a refurbished device needs about 23 kg.
The Untapped Potential
According to the Fraunhofer study, about 119 million discarded smartphones are sitting in German drawers. 40 million of them could easily get a second lifecycle. That's pretty wild when you think about it.
The German Refurbished Market Is Growing Fast
In case you're worried that refurbished is just a niche: The numbers say otherwise.
The German refurbished market is growing rapidly: Market Research Future forecasts growth from $5.48 billion (2024) to $24.1 billion by 2035. That's 14.42% annual growth.
eCommerce Germany reports: Refurbed is expected to grow by 18.7% in 2025. The market has long gone mainstream.
According to NielsenIQ, nearly 10% of all mobile phone purchases in Germany were refurbished back in 2022. And the trend is upward.
What to Look Out for When Buying
Before you pull the trigger, here are the key points. For a complete checklist, read our iPhone refurbished buying guide.
Check Battery Capacity
The most important technical criterion. Reputable retailers guarantee at least 80% battery capacity, premium providers often 85% or more. Some replace the battery entirely. Learn more in our battery quality guide for refurbished devices.
After purchase: Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health and check yourself.
Compare Warranties
Warranty length varies significantly:
Rebuy: 36 months
Back Market: 12-24 months
Refurbed: 12 months
Vodafone Recommerce: 12 months
The more expensive the device, the more important the longer warranty. For an iPhone 16 at €585+, I'd insist on at least 24 months.
Use Your Return Rights
For online purchases, you have 14 days withdrawal rights. Use them. Test the display, camera, Face ID. If something's not right, send it back.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the iPhone 16 be available in Apple's refurbished store?
Apple typically offers refurbished devices 9 to 15 months after launch. For the iPhone 16, this means: earliest summer 2025, more likely fall 2025. Third-party retailers like Refurbed, Back Market, and Rebuy already have it available now (January 2026).
How much do you save with iPhone 16 refurbished?
Currently about 31% compared to the retail price. The iPhone 16 refurbished costs from €585, new from €949. By September 2026, prices are expected to fall to €500 to €550, representing savings of 40-45%.
Is the iPhone 15 refurbished the better choice?
For most users: yes. The iPhone 15 refurbished costs from €440, which is €145 less than the iPhone 16. It's more than enough for messaging, social media, and photos. Only if you want to use Apple Intelligence or plan to keep the device for 4+ years does the iPhone 16 premium make sense.
What warranty do I get with refurbished iPhones?
Depending on the retailer, 12 to 36 months. Rebuy offers the longest warranty at 36 months. On top of that, there's the statutory warranty of 2 years for retailer purchases in the EU. With Apple Certified Refurbished, you get 1 year Apple warranty plus the option to add Apple Care+.
What should I look out for when buying a refurbished iPhone 16?
Three things: Battery capacity (at least 80%, better 85%+), warranty length (at least 12 months, better 24+), and return rights (use the 14 days for thorough testing). Only buy from established retailers like Refurbed, Back Market, Rebuy, or Apple.
Bottom Line
The iPhone 16 refurbished is available surprisingly early. You can already get it for €585 instead of €949, which is 31% cheaper. The savings are solid, and the environmental impact is even better: 81% less CO₂ according to the Fraunhofer study.
If you can wait, the price will drop further by September 2026. If not, now is a good time. And if €145 matters more to you than Apple Intelligence: The iPhone 15 refurbished at €440 is an excellent alternative.
Compare prices for refurbished iPhones on refurbito now and find the best deal.
