Is a refurbished iPhone 13 still worth it in [year] ?

The refurbished iPhone 13 is still a smart buy in 2026. It runs on Apple's A15 Bionic chip, which handles streaming, banking, photography, and everyday tasks without complaint. The real question most buyers have isn't whether it works; it's how much longer Apple will keep updating it, and the answer is comfortably a few years yet. It starts from £184 on Back Market, compared to £1,259 new.

How long will Apple keep supporting the iPhone 13?

Apple typically supports iPhones for around five to six years from launch. The iPhone 13 came out in 2021, which puts it in the middle of that window. It's currently running iOS 18 and should receive at least one or two more major updates. You're not buying a phone that's about to get left behind.

Should I save money on an iPhone 13, or stretch to an iPhone 15?

If USB-C and Dynamic Island matter to you, stretch to the iPhone 15. If they don't, the 13 is the sharper buy. The iPhone 14 is the awkward middle option here: it shares the same A15 Bionic chip as the 13, which means you'd be paying more for a marginal step up. The 15 is the more meaningful leap, but if the budget is tight, the 13 at £184 does the job.

What battery health should I expect from a refurbished iPhone 13?

Back Market's minimum accepted battery health for smartphones is 80%, so you won't receive a device below that threshold. Battery health between 80-85% is perfectly functional for most daily users. If you use your phone heavily throughout the day, there's an option to add a new battery at checkout.

Is buying a refurbished iPhone 13 better for the environment?

Meaningfully, yes. Making a new smartphone requires around 266 kg of resources and roughly 89,100 litres of water on the manufacturing phase, before the phone reaches your pocket. Choosing a refurbished iPhone 13 instead avoids around 77 kg of CO2 emissions compared to buying new, on that same manufacturing phase. That's not a vague claim: it's what happens when a phone that already exists gets a second life instead of a new one being made.

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iPhone 13

Name: iPhone 13
Brand: Apple
Price: 198.00 GBP
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.45 (88754 reviews)

(88,754 reviews)

£198.00

before trade-in

Save £401.00

iPhone 13

(88,754 reviews)

£198.00

before trade-in

Save £401.00

Deals available

See limited deals and price drops

Free delivery by 24 - 25 Sept

Express delivery by 23-24 Sept from £5.00

Restored professionally

Based on up to 100-points of inspection

Customer reviews for iPhone 13

Overall rating

88,754 verified reviews

Rating details

Accessories
4.3/5
Appearance
4.6/5
Battery
4.3/5
Lens & Camera
4.6/5
Overall performance
4.4/5
Packaging
4.5/5
Shipping
4.6/5

Reviews

Huda H.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 09/04/2026, United Kingdom.
Really happy with this purchase. The phone arrived in very good condition, just a tiny mark on the side which isn’t noticeable at all once you put a case on. I chose the new battery option and it’s 100%, so it feels like a brand new phone. Everything works perfectly and my daughter is so happy with it. Would definitely recommend.
iPhone 13 128GB - Pink - Unlocked
iPhone 13 128GB - Pink - Unlocked
See item
Condition
Fair
Signs of wear. The body may have a few visible scratches and dents. Items with screens may have light scratches.
Purchased
08/03/2026
Evan S.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 07/07/2026, United Kingdom.
the phone looks brand new, not a single mark on it and it has 100% battery health. couldn’t be happier with it
iPhone 13 128GB - Green - Unlocked
iPhone 13 128GB - Green - Unlocked
See item
Condition
Premium
Close to perfection. The body may have tiny micro-scratches. For items with screens, the screen will be flawless.
Purchased
03/07/2026
Barbara K.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 21/06/2026, United Kingdom.
I ordered a fair condition iPhone 13 with a new battery. The condition of the phone was excellent and I am very happy with it.
iPhone 13 128GB - Blue - Unlocked
iPhone 13 128GB - Blue - Unlocked
See item
Condition
Fair
Signs of wear. The body may have a few visible scratches and dents. Items with screens may have light scratches.
Purchased
06/06/2026
Elizabeth S.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 06/08/2026, United Kingdom.
I bought an iPhone 13 128GB Starlight ‘Fair’ condition phone for my daughter, and she is delighted with it. It has barely any scratches - only a small little one on the top left corner that is barely visible - and works as well as a new iPhone would. We had no trouble with it apart from when we first unboxed it and put it on to charge it took a very long time to fill up, but it charges absolutely fine now that she is using it more. I was so happy with my purchase that I ordered the exact same one for myself, as my old Honor 9 Lite was reaching the end of its life. There was no problem transferring and I and my daughter are both very happy with the purchases. We will definitely buy from here again, thank you BackMarket📱!
iPhone 13 128GB - Starlight - Unlocked
iPhone 13 128GB - Starlight - Unlocked
See item
Condition
Fair
Signs of wear. The body may have a few visible scratches and dents. Items with screens may have light scratches.
Purchased
10/07/2026
Jasmine S.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 08/09/2026, United Kingdom.
Contrasting reviews across back market made me worried that a phone in Fair condition would look very used however I was pleasantly surprised. I was very happy and surprised that it already had a screen protector and came with a case. I can't see any scratches on the phone. only some scrapes on the sides and signs of wear around the camera. Battery health is at 85% because I did not order a new battery which is not bad at all. thankyou very much!
iPhone 13 128GB - Pink - Unlocked
iPhone 13 128GB - Pink - Unlocked
See item
Condition
Fair
Signs of wear. The body may have a few visible scratches and dents. Items with screens may have light scratches.
Purchased
06/09/2026
Kristeen S.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 24/06/2026, United Kingdom.
Love my new / refurbished iPhone 13 the colour is amazing I took it from the box , you would think it was brand new, not a mark nothing . Absolutely 💯 thank you back market . The price was fantastic & delivery was fast
iPhone 13 128GB - Pink - Unlocked
iPhone 13 128GB - Pink - Unlocked
See item
Condition
Good
Light signs of wear. The body may have light micro-scratches. For items with screens, the screen will have no scratches.
Purchased
10/06/2026
Ken L.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 24/03/2026, United Kingdom.
First time using Back Market. I bought an iPhone 13 in excellent condition — it looks almost brand new, was well packaged, and the battery health is 100%. It’s my son’s first phone and he’s really happy with it. I’ll definitely use Back Market again.
iPhone 13 256GB - Blue - Unlocked
iPhone 13 256GB - Blue - Unlocked
See item
Condition
Excellent
Almost no signs of wear. The body may have very light micro-scratches. For items with screens, the screen will have no scratches.
Purchased
08/03/2026

iPhone 13 questions, answered

The refurbished iPhone 13 is still a smart buy in 2026. It runs on Apple's A15 Bionic chip, which handles streaming, banking, photography, and everyday tasks without complaint. The real question most buyers have isn't whether it works; it's how much longer Apple will keep updating it, and the answer is comfortably a few years yet. It starts from £184 on Back Market, compared to £1,259 new.
Apple typically supports iPhones for around five to six years from launch. The iPhone 13 came out in 2021, which puts it in the middle of that window. It's currently running iOS 18 and should receive at least one or two more major updates. You're not buying a phone that's about to get left behind.
If USB-C and Dynamic Island matter to you, stretch to the iPhone 15. If they don't, the 13 is the sharper buy. The iPhone 14 is the awkward middle option here: it shares the same A15 Bionic chip as the 13, which means you'd be paying more for a marginal step up. The 15 is the more meaningful leap, but if the budget is tight, the 13 at £184 does the job.
Back Market's minimum accepted battery health for smartphones is 80%, so you won't receive a device below that threshold. Battery health between 80-85% is perfectly functional for most daily users. If you use your phone heavily throughout the day, there's an option to add a new battery at checkout.
Meaningfully, yes. Making a new smartphone requires around 266 kg of resources and roughly 89,100 litres of water on the manufacturing phase, before the phone reaches your pocket. Choosing a refurbished iPhone 13 instead avoids around 77 kg of CO2 emissions compared to buying new, on that same manufacturing phase. That's not a vague claim: it's what happens when a phone that already exists gets a second life instead of a new one being made.

Everything you ever wanted to know about the iPhone 13

Durability
Overall performance
Camera
Screen quality

2021Year of Release
173 gWeight
12 megapixelsFront camera
BlueColour (official name)
BlueColour
Apple iPhone 13Serie
NoFoldable
128 GBStorage
0.98SAR body

The iPhone 13 is a reliable smartphone that continues to impress with its solid performance and vibrant display. Launched in September 2021, this model combines modern technology with user-friendly features, making it a great choice for a variety of users.

Key features:

Release Date: September 2021
Display: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR
Processor: A15 Bionic chip
Camera: Dual 12MP camera system with Night mode
Operating System: Ships with iOS 15, upgradable to the latest version

Who is this for?

The iPhone 13 is ideal for students, professionals, and everyday users who need a dependable smartphone for communication, photography, and entertainment. It offers a great balance of performance and features, making it suitable for those who don’t require the latest model but still want an efficient device.

Pros & Cons:

Pros	Cons
Excellent camera for high-quality photos.	No telephoto lens for advanced zoom capabilities.
Bright and vibrant display enhances media consumption.	Limited customization compared to some Android devices.

Why refurbished?

Opting for a refurbished iPhone 13 allows you to enjoy a high-quality smartphone without the new device price tag. Back Market ensures that all refurbished devices undergo thorough testing to guarantee reliability and excellent condition. Learn more about our quality standards.

Year of Release: 2021
Weight: 173 g
Front camera: 12 megapixels
Colour (official name): Blue
Colour: Blue
Serie: Apple iPhone 13
Foldable: No
Storage: 128 GB
SAR body: 0.98
SD Card Slot: No
Manufacturer Ref: A2633
Compatible with latest Update: Yes
Resolution: 1170 x 2532
Memory (GB): 4 GB
Screen type: Super Retina XDR OLED
Carrier compatibility: Unlocked
Connector: Lightning
Mobile network: 5G
Model: iPhone 13
Screen size (in): 6.1
SAR head: 0.99
Main camera: 12 megapixels
SIM card: Physical SIM + eSIM
OS: iOS
Brand: Apple

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Customer reviews for iPhone 13

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Reviews

Huda H.

Evan S.

Barbara K.

Elizabeth S.

Jasmine S.

Kristeen S.

Ken L.

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iPhone 13 questions, answered

Is a refurbished iPhone 13 still worth it in 2026 ?

How long will Apple keep supporting the iPhone 13?

Should I save money on an iPhone 13, or stretch to an iPhone 15?

What battery health should I expect from a refurbished iPhone 13?

Is buying a refurbished iPhone 13 better for the environment?

Everything you ever wanted to know about the iPhone 13

Durability

Overall performance

Camera

Screen quality

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