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 £205 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 £205 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.

iPhone 13

Name: iPhone 13
Brand: Apple
Price: 197.00 GBP
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.44 (86220 reviews)

(86,220 reviews)

£197.00

before trade-in

Save £402.00

Free delivery by 27 - 28 Jul

Restored professionally

Based on up to 100-points of inspection

Often bought together

iPhone 13

Red • 128 GB • Physical SIM + eSIM

Refurbished price:£197.00

Versus £599.00 new

Back Market Case iPhone 13 and protective screen - GRS 4.0 Recycled plastic - Blue

Refurbished price:£31.00

Total price: £228.00

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Customer reviews for iPhone 13

Overall rating

86,220 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

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
Andrea C.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 24/11/2025, United Kingdom.
We love the new refurbished iPhone 13. Delivery was super quick and loads of info available to tell us what to do and how. The phone itself was as described, in excellent condition, and works like new. We're so pleased, as this is our first ever iPhone. Thank you Back Market.
iPhone 13 128GB - Midnight - Unlocked
iPhone 13 128GB - Midnight - 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
12/11/2025
Richard A.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 12/01/2026, United Kingdom.
Ordered a "fair" condition iphone 13, with a new battery fitted. Device was ordered and received within 3 working days. Pleasantly surprised at how good condition the phone was in and with the replacement battery operates like new. Pleased that I ordered from Back Market and highly recommend the easy and straightforward purchasing procedure.
iPhone 13 128GB - Midnight - Unlocked
iPhone 13 128GB - Midnight - 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
01/01/2026
Thoraya I.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 17/05/2026, United Kingdom.
came with very fast shipping which was 1 day even though didn’t pay for express shipping it came installed with a screen protector and very clear instructions on what to do and came with a charger and clear case will definitely recommend to everyone
iPhone 13 256GB - Starlight - Unlocked
iPhone 13 256GB - 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
10/05/2026
Carolyn L.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 04/01/2025, United Kingdom.
We purchased a Fair condition phone for our daughter for Christmas. It is in fantastic condition. She is extremely happy with it. Absolutely no complaints about anything so far. The battery power is good and everything works perfectly. I'm considering a reconditioned phone when mine needs replacing. I was always a bit dubious about secondhand phones, but this has changed my mind.
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
13/12/2024
Peter O.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 21/07/2026, United Kingdom.
iPhone 13 arrived in 48 hours. Phone in very good condition. First time with an Apple as I always considered them too expensive. However a refurbished one is a sensible price and I am delighted with it. Buying through Back Market was so easy and a very satisfactory experience. Would definitely use them again and recommend to others.
iPhone 13 128GB - Midnight - Unlocked
iPhone 13 128GB - Midnight - 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
14/07/2026
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

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 £205 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 £205 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

173 gWeight
RedColour (official name)
YesCompatible with latest Update
13,676 cmHeight
Physical SIM + eSIMSIM card
12 megapixelsFront camera
NoSD Card Slot
Super Retina XDR OLEDScreen type
2021Year of Release

The iPhone 13 is a robust smartphone that combines performance and style, making it an excellent choice for users looking for a reliable device. Released in September 2021, it features a sleek design and powerful internals, ensuring it remains relevant even as newer models are introduced.

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
Connectivity: 5G compatible for ultra-fast downloads.

Who is this for?

The iPhone 13 is ideal for students, professionals, and casual users who want a powerful smartphone without needing the latest features. It offers a solid balance of performance and usability, making it suitable for everyday tasks, social media, and photography.

Pros & Cons:

Pros	Cons
Powerful A15 Bionic chip for smooth performance.	No telephoto lens for advanced zoom capabilities.
Impressive camera system with Night mode.	Design is similar to previous models.

Why refurbished?

Opting for a refurbished iPhone 13 allows you to enjoy a high-quality smartphone while being environmentally conscious. Each device is rigorously tested to ensure it meets Back Market’s quality standards. Learn more about our quality standards.

Weight: 173 g
Colour (official name): Red
Compatible with latest Update: Yes
Height: 13,676 cm
SIM card: Physical SIM + eSIM
Front camera: 12 megapixels
SD Card Slot: No
Screen type: Super Retina XDR OLED
Year of Release: 2021
OS: iOS
Mobile network: 5G
Width: 7,15 cm
Foldable: No
SAR body: 0.98
Main camera: 12 megapixels
Storage: 128 GB
Serie: Apple iPhone 13
Brand: Apple
Memory (GB): 4 GB
SAR head: 0.99
Carrier compatibility: Unlocked
Resolution: 1170 x 2532
Screen size (in): 6.1
Model: iPhone 13
Camera Type: Double (2x)
Manufacturer Ref: A2633
Depth: 0,75 cm
Connector: Lightning
Colour: Red

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iPhone 13

Restored professionally

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Pairs well with

Customer reviews for iPhone 13

Overall rating

Rating details

Reviews

Reviews

Kristeen S.

Andrea C.

Richard A.

Thoraya I.

Carolyn L.

Peter O.

Huda H.

Popular searches

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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