A new iPhone for over 1,000 euros? Not necessary. Buy a refurbished iPhone and save not just money, but also 77 kg of CO2 – roughly equivalent to driving from Berlin to Hamburg.
But which refurbished iPhone to buy? iPhone 13, 14, 15, or the brand new 16? In this buying guide, I'll show you which refurbished iPhone matches your usage, what to watch out for when buying, and how to properly use your rights as a buyer.
What Does It Mean to Buy a Refurbished iPhone?
Refurbished isn't the same as "used from eBay classifieds". A refurbished iPhone has been professionally restored – tested, cleaned, repaired. Defective parts? Replaced. In the end, you get a device that works flawlessly and comes with full warranty coverage.
That's the difference from private purchases: warranty. Reputable sellers offer at least 12 months, many even 24 or 36 months. When you want to buy a refurbished iPhone, you have the same rights as when buying new – an important point many don't know.
Under EU law, when purchasing refurbished devices you have the same 2-year legal guarantee as with new devices. More on that later.
Which Refurbished iPhone to Buy: Model Comparison
You want to buy a refurbished iPhone, but which model? Here are the key differences at a glance:
| Model | Refurbished Price | Chip | Camera | iOS Support Until |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 13 | €450–550 | A15 Bionic | Dual 12 MP | ~2028 |
| iPhone 14 | €550–650 | A15 Bionic | Dual 12 MP, Photonic Engine | ~2029 |
| iPhone 14 Pro | €650–750 | A16 Bionic | Triple 48 MP ProRAW | ~2030 |
| iPhone 15 | €780–900 | A16 Bionic | Dual 48 MP, USB-C | ~2031 |
| iPhone 16 | €850–950 | A18 | Dual 48 MP, Action Button | ~2032 |
Prices are for "Very Good" condition with 128 GB storage (as of January 2026).
What the Table Doesn't Tell You
The numbers are one thing. The real question: What do you actually need?
An iPhone 13 with the A15 chip is still fast enough for 95% of users. The difference to the A18 in the iPhone 16? You won't notice it in daily use. Social media, streaming, and office apps run smoothly on both.
The camera is another story. The 48 MP sensors in the iPhone 15 and 16 make a real difference in low light and when zooming. But for Instagram Stories, the 13 works just fine.
Which iPhone Fits You?
Students or Teenagers? The iPhone 13
The iPhone 13 is your best choice for WhatsApp, TikTok, and recording lectures.
Why?
Costs €450–550 refurbished
Gets at least 2 more years of iOS updates
Camera is plenty good for social media
Battery lasts through a school day
The iPhone 14 is worth it if you want the better emergency SOS via satellite feature (available in Germany since 2023). The roughly €100 premium is justifiable for that.
Our tip: Buy "Good" condition and put the phone in a case. You save another €50–80 and won't see the small scratches anyway.
Content Creators, Listen Up: iPhone 14 Pro
You need the 14 Pro if you post regularly on Instagram, film TikToks, or take product photos for your Etsy shop.
Why the 14 Pro?
48 MP main camera with ProRAW
Cinematic Mode in 4K
Action Mode for stabilized videos
Available refurbished from €650
The iPhone 15 Pro is interesting if you edit a lot of video footage. The USB-C port makes data transfer faster (finally!). But it also costs €200–250 more refurbished.
I'd go for the 14 Pro. Camera quality is nearly identical, but you save quite a bit.
Professionals Planning Long-Term: iPhone 15
Need a device that lasts 4–5 years, handles video conferences without issues, and will still run current apps in 3 years? The iPhone 15 is the sweet spot.
Why?
USB-C finally standard (matches your MacBook charger cable)
About 5 years of iOS updates
48 MP camera even in the standard model
Battery easily lasts a full workday
The math: A refurbished iPhone 15 costs €850. Divided by 5 years of use, that's €170 per year. An iPhone 13 for €500 divided by 2 years equals €250 per year. The 15 is cheaper long-term.
Sustainability Is Your Priority?
Every refurbished iPhone helps, but let me make the numbers clear:
According to a study by the French environmental agency ADEME, a refurbished smartphone saves 77 kg of CO2 compared to a new device. That's equivalent to a 385 km car journey. Or 243 kg of raw materials that don't need to be extracted from the earth.
Why is the difference so dramatic? 75–80% of a smartphone's carbon footprint comes from manufacturing, not usage. A refurbished iPhone skips that phase entirely.
As Sheila Aggarwal-Khan from the UN Environment Programme says: "Solutions that encourage durable, reusable products are a profitable, innovative way forward."
What You Need to Know Before Buying
Before you buy a refurbished iPhone, you should know three critical factors.
Condition Grades Aren't Standardized
Pay attention, this is important: There's no unified definition for condition grades in Germany.
"Like New" at Seller A looks different than at Seller B. The European Consumer Centre explicitly warns against treating these terms as standards.
Generally, it roughly means:
Like New / Grade A: No visible signs of use
Very Good / Grade B: Minimal scratches, only visible on close inspection
Good / Grade C: Visible signs of use, but works flawlessly
My advice: Always read the seller's exact description. Our condition grades explained in detail show you what to watch for. Ask if something is unclear. And if you're putting the iPhone in a case anyway, skip the premium for "Like New."
The Battery Is the #1 Wear Part
Apple replaces batteries for free if capacity drops below 80% within 12 months.
But that's just the minimum. Reputable refurbished sellers have higher standards. Coolblue, for example, guarantees at least 85% battery capacity on their refurbished iPhones.
What to watch for:
Battery health should be at least 85%
Some sellers like Swappie with new batteries install new batteries as standard – ideal for maximum longevity
Ask before buying if the information is missing
Especially when you want to buy a refurbished iPhone, battery capacity is the most important factor for your device's longevity.
iOS Updates Determine Lifespan
An iPhone without current updates is a security risk. And eventually, your favorite apps won't work anymore either.
Apple typically supports iPhones for 5–6 years. That means:
| Model | Released | iOS Support Ends |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 13 | 2021 | 2027–2028 |
| iPhone 14 | 2022 | 2028–2029 |
| iPhone 15 | 2023 | 2029–2030 |
| iPhone 16 | 2024 | 2030–2031 |
So if you buy a refurbished iPhone 13 today, you have about 2 years of secure usage. It'll keep working after that, but you'll miss new features and eventually security patches too.
Your Rights When Buying – Stronger Than You Think
Many hesitate to buy a refurbished iPhone because they think: "If something breaks, I'm out of luck."
Wrong. EU law is on your side.
The 2-Year Legal Guarantee
Under EU law, you have 2 years of legal guarantee with professional sellers. This applies to new AND refurbished devices equally.
In the first 12 months (extended in Germany from the usual 6 months), the seller must prove that a defect wasn't already present at delivery. Not you, the seller.
What Does This Mean Concretely?
Your iPhone arrives with a defective speaker? The seller must repair or replace it. Battery fails after 8 months? Same deal. You just need to prove you reported the problem.
Additional Warranties
Many sellers offer their own warranties on top of the legal guarantee:
Rebuy: up to 36 months
Back Market: 12 months (marketplace, varies by seller)
Refurbed: 12 months
Swappie: 12 months
These warranties are in addition to the legal guarantee. Our seller warranty comparison shows all details clearly.
What Can Go Wrong? An Honest Assessment
I won't sugarcoat this. Refurbished isn't risk-free. Stiftung Warentest tested nine refurbished shops in 2022 and ordered 45 devices.
The result: 9 out of 45 devices (20%) had defects. Broken speakers, camera issues, SIM locks, blocked security updates.
But
Quality varied significantly by seller. Rebuy performed best with a quality rating of 1.8 (German grading where 1.0 is best). Six out of nine shops were rated "good" overall.
What You Can Learn From This
The seller is more important than the model. An iPhone 14 from a bad shop is a bigger risk than an iPhone 13 from a good one.
Test upon delivery. Check immediately: speakers, camera (front and back), touchscreen, all buttons, Face ID, charging port. Best to record it on video.
Document everything. Photos of the condition on arrival. Screenshot of battery health. Save it to the cloud.
Use the return period. Most sellers offer 30 days. Use them. If something shows up after 2 weeks, send it back.
Where Should You Buy a Refurbished iPhone? Seller Comparison
Based on Stiftung Warentest and our research:
| Seller | Overall Grade | Quality Grade | Warranty | Special Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rebuy | 2.2 | 1.8 | up to 36 months | German company, strict testing |
| Back Market | 2.5* | varies | 12 months | Marketplace with many sellers |
| Refurbed | 2.4* | 2.2 | 12 months | Plants a tree per device |
| Swappie | – | – | 12 months | iPhones only, always new battery |
| Apple Certified | – | 1.0 | 12 months | New battery, new casing, 15% discount |
*Marketplace rating, individual sellers may vary
Rebuy was rated 2.2 by Stiftung Warentest and offers up to 36 months warranty. Learn more about Rebuy including current iPhone offers.
Refurbed combines sustainability with quality and plants a tree per device sold. View Refurbed profile with iPhone offers.
Back Market is a marketplace with many sellers. Our Back Market seller overview shows what to watch for.
When to Choose Which Seller?
Safety above all: Apple Certified Refurbished. Expensive (only 15% discount), but zero risk.
Best value for money: Rebuy. Top Stiftung Warentest result, long warranty.
iPhone specialist: Swappie. Focuses only on iPhones, new batteries.
Maximum selection: Back Market. Largest inventory, but quality varies by seller.
Sustainability matters: Refurbed. Tree per device, strict seller selection.
The Cost Check: What Do You Actually Save?
Here are the concrete savings compared to new prices (as of January 2026):
| Model | New Price | Refurbished (Very Good) | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 13 | ~€699 | ~€500 | 29% |
| iPhone 14 | ~€849 | ~€600 | 29% |
| iPhone 14 Pro | ~€1,149 | ~€700 | 39% |
| iPhone 15 | ~€1,099 | ~€850 | 23% |
| iPhone 16 | ~€1,199 | ~€900 | 25% |
The biggest savings are on Pro models and older generations. An iPhone 14 Pro for €700 instead of €1,149? That's €449 saved. When you want to buy a refurbished iPhone, price comparison is especially worthwhile for Pro models.
Stiftung Warentest found savings of over €300 on the Samsung Galaxy S20 and €230 on the iPhone 11 during their test purchases.
The Best Refurbished iPhone 2026: My Recommendation
If you ask me which refurbished iPhone to buy: For most people, the iPhone 14 is the best compromise. You get 4–5 years of iOS updates, a solid camera, and pay under €650.
The iPhone 13 only makes sense if you're really tight on cash or only plan to use the device for 1–2 years.
Buying an iPhone 15 or 16 refurbished is worth it mainly for power users who need USB-C or want the latest camera tech.
Conclusion
Buying a refurbished iPhone in 2026 is no longer a last resort. It's a smart decision. You save 25–40% compared to new prices, have the same rights as when buying new, and do something for the environment along the way.
The most important tip: Choose the right seller. A good shop is more important than the model. Rebuy, Refurbed, Swappie, and Apple Certified are safe options.
Which model is right for you depends on your budget and requirements. For most people, the iPhone 14 is the sweet spot. Those who want to save should grab the 13. Those planning long-term should invest in the 15.
Ready to buy your refurbished iPhone? Compare current prices at refurbito now and find the best deal.
As of January 2026. Prices may vary by seller and availability.
