Battery reviews for refurbished smartphones, by verified buyers

Do refurbished phone batteries on Back Market really last? What battery health can you expect when your phone arrives? Will it get you through a full day, and how does a refurbished battery compare with a new one? Let's start with battery capacity.

Overall rating

36,256 verified reviews

Reviews

  • Merrily R.

    Verified purchase

    Reviewed 05/08/2026, United Kingdom.

    Absolutely fantastic, I was stocked on how quickly and efficiently everything went. Basically I crashed my previous iPhone 13 mini green and the whole backside was cracked - but everything else was functional. I looked up back glass replacement prices and then compared to BackMarket options and it was cheaper for me to trade my broken iPhone for the same refurbished phone rather than pay t replace the backside! I chose "fair condition" option for the new phone but when I received it I could not see any wear and tear at all - maybe a few unnoticeable microscopic bits upon examination with a magnifying glass - it feels like a brand new phone - the battery is better than my last phone and it is not cracked. This was a perfect solution for me who wanted to keep the original small phone and did not want to upgrade. Will definitely also get a refurbished laptop from these guys later when I need one because they do such a good job and it feels great not to give money to Apple again and fall into this scam with apple care. Bravo BackMarket - well done and looking forward to doing business later as well!

    Condition

    Fair

    Purchased

    28/07/2026

  • Linda F.

    Verified purchase

    Reviewed 03/09/2026, United Kingdom.

    I’m delighted with refurbished iphone 15 and the ease of ordering and quick delivery. Received well packaged within 2 days of ordering. Phone came with 100% battery charge and screen and case with not a mark on them and in excellent condition. Along with the phone the package also included USB-C charger cable, stylus, nib to remove SIM, a cheekysmiley pop up phone holder and leaflet with simple instructions on how to transfer data from old iPhone by Apple Quick Start. As a ‘senior’ technophobe I thought the transfer process may be beyond my capabilities but all went relatively smoothly (with a few blips of my own doing!) All data etc transferred within an hour. This time included unpairing Apple Watch from old phone and pairing with new. Also time spent verifying banking apps. on a new device. I definitely recommend Backmarket if you want to upgrade your phone with a great saving. Had phone a week and so far so good. Delighted 🤩

    Condition

    Good

    Purchased

    22/08/2026

  • Daniel J.

    Verified purchase

    Reviewed 15/09/2026, United Kingdom.

    I cannot recommend Back Market highly enough after a flawless buying experience. I ordered an iPhone 17 in "Premium" condition as a gift for my wife, and the service was spectacular from start to finish. The delivery speed was outstanding. It was shipped immediately via DPD and arrived on my doorstep the very next working day, complete with an accurate one-hour delivery slot tracking link. The physical condition of the phone is absolutely immaculate. I inspected the screen and outer chassis under bright light and it looks completely as new, without a single micro-scratch or blemish anywhere (for clarity in the attached photos the phone has been fitted with a Spigen screen protector and a heavy duty protective case BUT the screen was flawless before fitting it). The biggest win, however, was checking the internal diagnostics: the battery health sits at a perfect 100% maximum capacity and the cycle count confirmed the battery had never even been charged before arrival. It is effectively a brand-new, factory-original phone at a fantastic refurbished price point. After a nightmare experience with a different independent retailer, Back Market has been a breath of fresh air. Complete buyer protection, ultra-fast shipping, and a truly pristine product. 5 stars all day long!

    Condition

    Premium

    Purchased

    11/09/2026

  • Deolinda C.

    Verified purchase

    Reviewed 17/07/2026, United Kingdom.

    Got my iPhone 15 plus delivered within a few days of ordering, I ordered a refurbished in very good condition. It was! It was in excellent condition. The battery life is amazing! Around 24 hours. Charging back up is quick. It also came with the charger Second time buying from Backmarket Great service

    Condition

    Good

    Purchased

    07/07/2026

  • Darren D.

    Verified purchase

    Reviewed 29/06/2026, United Kingdom.

    I've been really impressed with the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The performance is excellent, the battery comfortably lasts all day, and the display is outstanding. The camera system is a significant step up from my previous phone, producing fantastic photos in a wide range of lighting conditions without needing to understand lots of camera settings. The S Pen is a useful addition, and the overall build quality feels premium. Despite having so many features, the phone is straightforward to use, which is something I particularly appreciate. Buying a refurbished device was also a great decision. The phone arrived in excellent condition, looked virtually brand new, and performed exactly as expected. It's reassuring to know I've saved money while also making a more environmentally friendly choice. Overall, I would highly recommend both the Galaxy S25 Ultra and purchasing a refurbished model. It's an excellent phone and represents fantastic value for money.

    Condition

    Excellent

    Purchased

    17/06/2026

  • Lorna P.

    Verified purchase

    Reviewed 12/09/2026, United Kingdom.

    This is the second time I've purchased a refurbished phone from back market. My S20+ lasted years, but after I dropped it the usb and sim card slot stopped working, so I decided it was time for an upgrade. The S23 Ultra arrived in perfect condition, not a single mark on it. The battery life is great. It doesn't heat up during intensive use like my old S20 either. The optional insurance is brilliant too, it takes the worry away if anything happens to the phone. I would definitely purchase from Back Market again, and I recommend them to everyone I know looking for a new phone. I do have it in a robust case to protect it from any accidental drops. The second picture shows it next to my old S20+ for size comparison.

    Condition

    Premium

    Purchased

    31/08/2026

  • Tristan T.

    Verified purchase

    Reviewed 09/01/2026, United Kingdom.

    Back Market Turned a “Refurbished” iPhone 12 Into My Daily Driver—And I’m Genuinely Blown Away I’ll be honest: when people hear “refurbished,” they usually expect compromises. Scuffs. Battery anxiety. That one annoying flaw you can’t unsee. This iPhone 12 from Back Market completely shattered that stereotype. I ordered a Product (RED) iPhone 12, 128GB, and what arrived felt less like a secondhand phone and more like Apple quietly sent me a brand-new unit on the side. Condition: The phone arrived in exceptional condition. The glass is clean, the frame is flawless, and if you told me this device had never been used before, I’d believe you without hesitation. No scratches, no dents, no “refurbished tells.” It looks premium because it is premium. Performance: This is where the iPhone 12 still flexes hard. The A14 Bionic chip is absurdly smooth—apps open instantly, multitasking is effortless, and everything from social media to photo editing runs without a hiccup. This phone doesn’t feel like it’s “keeping up.” It feels like it’s leading. Display & Design: The OLED display is gorgeous. Deep blacks, vibrant colors, and razor-sharp clarity that makes content pop. The flat-edge design still looks modern and feels solid in the hand. And the Product (RED) finish? Stunning. It’s bold, clean, and turns heads without trying. Battery & Reliability: Battery life has been excellent for daily use—calls, streaming, browsing, and content creation. This is the kind of phone you trust to get you through the day without babysitting a charger. The Back Market Experience: This is where the real magic happens. Back Market didn’t just sell me a phone—they delivered confidence. Clear grading, fast shipping, eco-friendly impact, and a device that exceeded expectations in every way. It’s rare to feel like you got more than you paid for, but that’s exactly what happened here. Final Thoughts: If you’re on the fence about refurbished tech, let this be the review that pushes you over. This iPhone 12 proves that smart buying doesn’t mean settling—it means winning. Back Market has officially earned my trust, and this phone has earned its place as my go-to device. This isn’t just a good deal. It’s proof that premium tech, sustainability, and performance can coexist—and absolutely thrive. Highly recommended. No hesitation. No regrets.

    Condition

    Excellent

    Purchased

    06/12/2025

  • Angelo A.

    Verified purchase

    Reviewed 03/10/2026, United Kingdom.

    Amazing! Better than what I expected. Device is at 91% battery health which is soo good and with only small marks of dots on the volume buttons and very tiny dots on top of the frame and not a problem as I put a case. I did see 2 scratch marks on the screen but it’s hard to see unless ur trying to find it up close other than that the iphone is clean. I expected scratches on the frame and on the screen for fair condition. 3rd time buying from BackMarket and first time from seller 4gadget!

    Condition

    Fair

    Purchased

    25/09/2026

  • Sultana S.

    Verified purchase

    Reviewed 24/09/2026, United Kingdom.

    Brilliant. Received the phone (iPhone 17e) the very next day. I chose the ‘premium’ condition and honestly it looks 100% new, not a single scratch or defect. I checked the battery health and it’s at 100% capacity with only one cycle. I basically bought a brand new iPhone 17e for £200 cheaper than actually buying it new.

    Condition

    Premium

    Purchased

    16/09/2026

  • Chris H.

    Verified purchase

    Reviewed 14/10/2026, United Kingdom.

    Fantastic! Quick delivery and the phone was as good as a brand new one. Paid for premium as I’m quite fussy. Phone is immaculate, battery 100% and 0 cycles. Feeling pretty smug I didn’t buy a brand new one ☺️

    Condition

    Premium

    Purchased

    05/10/2026

  • Bradley W.

    Verified purchase

    Reviewed 21/09/2026, United Kingdom.

    Device arrived, grabbed myself an excellent condition iPhone 16 Pro 256GB for £665 and it came with 90% battery life and zero major scratched at all. The service provided by Back Market was excellent. Smooth ordering process, and surprisingly, an even smoother trade-in process. My phone arrived in its own box but at the same time arrived with their kit they provided to sent my phone off to the repairer who purchased my iPhone 13 Pro 256GB (which was in a poor condition) for £165. Easy to follow instructions, money was received in 4 business days after postage. So after trading in my old phone, I get what feels like a brand new 16 pro for £500. Genuinely got nothing bad to say about the product, the process or the support. Cheers guys, will definitely be buying from here in the future :)

    Condition

    Excellent

    Purchased

    10/09/2026

  • 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📱!

    Condition

    Fair

    Purchased

    10/07/2026

  • Sumeyra S.

    Verified purchase

    Reviewed 05/08/2026, United Kingdom.

    I am very happy with my order. The phone is really ergonomic, light, and very easy to carry. The quality is great, and it looks beautiful. I truly love it. I ordered a Premium iPhone Air(light color) and it feels like it has never been used before. It is just like an open-box item. The battery cycle was at zero, there are no scratches at all, it is clean and everything is completely original with no replaced parts. It arrived safely in its original box. I've been using it for almost a month now, and I am extremely satisfied. This was my first time buying from Back Market, and the seller exceeded all my expectations. A big thank you to the seller.

    Condition

    Premium

    Purchased

    15/07/2026

  • Mihaela S.

    Verified purchase

    Reviewed 11/07/2026, United Kingdom.

    I ordered the excellent condition and it came looking brand new! I ordered it on Thursday and it came Saturday. Phone is in amazing condition, battery capacity is on 89% but I have no issues with that, seems good to me for a refurbished phone. I would definitely recommend this seller. Also a cable came in the box 👍🏼😁

    Condition

    Excellent

    Purchased

    09/07/2026

  • Aurelie D.

    Verified purchase

    Reviewed 28/05/2026, United Kingdom.

    I was skeptic at first, but it came with no scratches and with a battery health of 86% definitely recommended it! Back market is the best for a refurbished phone!! Also I’ve put a screen protector bc I’m clumsy

    Condition

    Excellent

    Purchased

    09/05/2026

  • Caroline F.

    Verified purchase

    Reviewed 05/06/2026, United Kingdom.

    I have been wanting the iPhone 15 Plus for ages and now I finally have one. I purchased the condition as Excellent and it most definitely is, not a scratch or mark on it and the battery is great too. It runs smoothly and transferred all my data very quickly over from my old iPhone. Delivery was speedy too. Please do protect it though and purchase a case, a screen and camera protector. I’m so happy with it and I will definitely buy from BackMarket again. Pics uploaded and a short video regarding quality 🥰

    Condition

    Excellent

    Purchased

    30/05/2026

  • Eric F.

    Verified purchase

    Reviewed 14/07/2025, United Kingdom.

    This was my first time purchasing a refurbished mobile, and after much pondering I settled on the Dark Red S22 Ultra 128gb, they said the the screen was flawless, and that's how it arrived, absolutely pristine condition, like brand new, not a mark anywhere on the screen or body, the battery came charged at more than 80%, and of course it had the built is S pen, I couldn't be more pleased with it it, delivery was quick and it came very packaged, along with excellent communication and great buying experience. Black Market come highly recommend

    Condition

    Excellent

    Purchased

    02/07/2025

  • Julia G.

    Verified purchase

    Reviewed 06/10/2026, United Kingdom.

    Phone is amazing. Ordered a good condition but there is no marks or scratches on the body. Screen is perfect no scratches. Battery life is 100%.

    Condition

    Good

    Purchased

    26/09/2026

  • Keeva B.

    Verified purchase

    Reviewed 29/09/2026, United Kingdom.

    Genuinely in brand new condition. Battery Health at 100% with 1 cycle count. Just waiting for my trade-in to be processed now, so we’ll see how that goes.

    Condition

    Premium

    Purchased

    26/09/2026

  • Dior M.

    Verified purchase

    Reviewed 10/05/2026, United Kingdom.

    For a fair condition iPhone 17 pro the body of the phone is immaculate with only minor unnoticeable marks/scuffs the other good thing is that the battery health is at 100% making the phone more useful for uni/college purposes & content creation

    Condition

    Fair

    Purchased

    29/04/2026