iphone-best-value-money

Which iPhone is the best value for money?

Updated on March 5, 2024 - Can you believe the first iPhone was only released in 2007? Neither can we. It feels as though our beloved Apple iPhone handsets have been glued to hands for life. :D For those of us who are die-hard Apple fans, the only real question at Black Friday or contract renewal time is which iPhone to choose. Looking to save a bit of cash into the bargain - and buy before Black Friday comes around? Welcome to the wonderful world of Back Market, where we'll save you serious money on the best value iPhones available. Let's dig deeper into this joyous world of affordable premium technology...

Let's set the record straight from the "get-go" - 'value' doesn't automatically equate to "cheap as chips" prices. Apple phones always command a premium price tag because of their quality build and absolute desirability. But there are cheaper models on the refurbished market, and the best place to start finding a bona fide bargain is to decide what you really need from an iPhone. Also try using our helpful smartphone comparison tool to check side-by-side different iPhone models against each other to help you decide! Here are some of our top picks below:

The iPhone SE: Beauty in a Small Package

The iPhone SE (2020) is a good choice because it operates on the Apple A13 CPU, making it as powerful as the iPhone 11 Pro Max, but for several hundreds of pounds cheaper new (or on a classic Black Friday deal.) It's a great refurbished phone too, with wireless charging, touch ID, a home button (if you aren't a fan of making expansive gestures anytime you want to like a comment), and it's waterproof. Even better, there's a wide range of options for storage and colourways, so you can look as fly as poss. ;) Why is it cheap? Because this model is basically a reboot of the iPhone 8. No R&D costs = good news for your pocket. The reviewers at 3G agreed that this is their choice of affordable compact refurbished iPhone too, meaning that we're all friends here when it comes to voting panels ;) For more details about this super little phone, then check out our iPhone SE 2020 vs iPhone XiPhone SE 2020 vs iPhone 11 and iPhone SE 2020 vs iPhone 6s comparison articles.

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iPhone 11: A flagship-featured All-rounder

For most users, the iPhone 11 will probably be a strong bet for a refurbished iPhone that is powerful, yet affordable. It has a great battery life, excellent camera, good colour options and a feature set quality that is surprisingly decent value. It's also relatively waterproof, although the screen resolution may not be crisp enough for everyone's tastes. Trusted Reviews recommend this for most people as a top choice for an affordable Apple iPhone with flagship features. Compare the iPhone 11 against other models such as; iPhone 11 vs iPhone 12iPhone 11 vs iPhone XR, iPhone 11 vs XS, iPhone 11 vs X, iPhone 11 vs iPone 12 mini.

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iPhone XR: Epic Battery Life

Perhaps your idea of superb value is a refurbished phone with a super-long battery life. If you're on the road a lot with the band (or your slightly duller corporate job) then the iPhone XR is ideal. As well as a battery that goes on for miles it comes in a range of fun bright colours, a large 6.1-inch screen, Smart HDR functionality and... a great price. Check out our review of the iPhone XR vs XS for more details.

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👉 Pit the iPhone XR against other smartphones to see its strengths and weaknesses for yourself! Here are a few popular comparisons using our handy phone comparison tools:

iPhone 11 Pro: Insane Camera Wizardry

OK, we're pushing the 'affordability' bit here, because the iPhone 11 Pro is defo pricey. But here's the thing - value is definitely about weighing up 'what you get for your money' and if photography is your thing, then the iPhone 11 Pro has a truly superb camera. Tech Radar agrees with us too (fist bump TR team.) Want a cheap one? Hey, your friends at Back Market have you covered when you pick a refurbished iPhone from our range. Far cheaper than even a Black Friday deal, you can get a top-quality, 100% functional refurbished iPhone for a song when you shop with us.

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🥇 Best value for money iPhone is..... iPhone 11 🥇

The iPhone 11 simply ticks almost all of the boxes that you would want from "decent enough" iPhone today - cheap price ✅ long battery life ✅ decent camera quality ✅ range of colours ✅ waterproof ✅ great resolution ✅ Although we've already moved 4 generations ahead since the release of the iPhone 11, this now budget-friendly iPhone has more than enough to hold you down as an adequate smartphone in today's competition.
Eloy Gómez
Sell your iPhone

Why Choose a Refurbished iPhone?

We know a lot of people sit and twiddle their thumbs, waiting for Black Friday to roll around so they can pick up a cheap phone at a bargain price. But wait, there's a better way. A more environmentally-friendly way! Dare we say, an all-round better way.... the Back Market way! Yes we sell top-quality technology from accredited, trusted refurbishment specialists who all go through a multi-point quality process for total satisfaction guarantee. You can easily find a used iPhone refurbished iPhone at Back Market at a superb price. Every phone comes with a 30-day return policy for your peace of mind, as well as a one year guarantee, minimum. We're trusted. We're quality. And we're on a mission to completely revolutionise the way you shop for used phones!

Love Tech - Save The Planet

Even better, when you choose a second hand iPhone you get to save yet another piece of plastic and metal needlessly heading to landfill. Every refurbished iPhone that we sell is guaranteed to be completely functional and tested against a stringent quality procedure. You'll love our huuuuge range of refurbished iPhones available, along with every other brand and tech gadget your heart could desire. Simply pick your refurbished iPhone model and choose the condition of appearance that you want. You'll pay accordingly, so it's a good time to weigh up whether you're more swayed by appearance or functional features. We won't judge ;)

Don't wait for Black Friday!

Roll up, roll up! At Back Market we're here 24/7, selling the finest used iPhones for sale, so you don't need to wait until Black Friday to enjoy a deep discount on a cheap phone. In fact, we'd go as far as saying that Black Friday has nothing on our deals where you can bag between 30% and 70% off a completely functional refurbished iPhone. Our reviewers agree, with a 4.3 average score! Save Black Friday deals for those Christmas panic buys, and instead treat yourself to a top-quality refurbished iPhone today - it could be in your hot little hands by tomorrow, ready for a day of scrolling, snapping, tapping and online shopping! Ready to check out our cheap iPhone deals before Black Friday? Be quick - our stocks are updated daily and our used phones fly out of the door!

Haziq

Written by Haziq,  Tech Expert for Back Market UK, Ireland & Australia

When not fighting the good fight for environmental sustainability, Haziq loves making reviews of everything and anything tech-related.

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