Best Refurbished iPhones Under £300 in the UK (2026): Which Should You Buy?

You do not need to spend £600, £800 or more to get a capable iPhone in 2026. For many UK buyers, the refurbished market is now one of the most attractive places to shop, with models such as the iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13 and even iPhone 14 potentially available within a £300 budget.

But which refurbished iPhone under £300 actually gives you the best value? The answer depends on whether you care most about keeping the price low, getting 5G, having an OLED display, choosing 128GB storage, improving your camera or simply keeping the phone for as long as possible. This guide compares the strongest options for UK buyers.

What Can £300 Buy You in the Refurbished iPhone Market?

A £300 budget sits in a particularly interesting part of the refurbished iPhone market. Instead of being restricted to very old Apple devices, you can potentially choose between several generations with modern features such as Face ID, 5G, MagSafe, OLED displays and high-quality dual cameras.

The important thing is not simply buying the newest iPhone your budget allows. A slightly older model with more storage or in a better condition grade can sometimes be the smarter purchase.

For example, someone choosing between a cheaper 64GB phone and a 128GB model should consider how much space they need for apps, photographs, videos and downloaded media. Read our detailed 64GB vs 128GB vs 256GB iPhone storage guide before deciding.

1. iPhone 13 128GB — Best Refurbished iPhone Under £300 Overall

For most people shopping with a maximum budget of £300, the iPhone 13 is our strongest overall recommendation.

It combines Apple's A15 Bionic processor with a sharp 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, 5G connectivity, Face ID, MagSafe and a capable dual-camera system. It also starts at 128GB rather than 64GB, which is a major advantage for anyone planning to keep their phone for several years.

Why the iPhone 13 is such good value

The iPhone 13 sits in a sweet spot. It feels significantly more modern than many older budget iPhones while avoiding the higher prices attached to newer generations.

For social media, streaming, messaging, photography, navigation, banking apps, gaming and general everyday use, the A15 Bionic processor remains extremely capable.

The 128GB base storage also makes it easier to recommend than a 64GB iPhone for someone who takes lots of photographs and video or intends to keep their device for several years.

Best for: Most buyers, students, families, everyday photography and anyone looking for the strongest balance between price and longevity.

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2. iPhone 14 128GB — Best Choice If You Can Spend the Full £300

If you find an iPhone 14 at or just below the £300 mark, it deserves serious consideration.

The standard iPhone 14 retains the familiar 6.1-inch OLED design but brings an enhanced version of the A15 Bionic chip, camera improvements and additional safety features.

It is not a dramatic transformation over the iPhone 13, which is why the iPhone 13 can still offer better value when there is a significant price difference. However, when both models are close in price, choosing the newer iPhone 14 becomes much easier to justify.

We've compared these generations in more detail in our refurbished iPhone 13 vs iPhone 14 UK buying guide.

3. iPhone 12 — Best Refurbished iPhone Around £200

The iPhone 12 is one of the most important steps up from Apple's older budget models because it introduced several features that still make it feel modern today.

You get a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, A14 Bionic processor, 5G connectivity, Face ID and MagSafe compatibility.

Compared with the iPhone 11, the switch from an LCD to an OLED display is immediately noticeable. Blacks are deeper, contrast is stronger and the overall screen experience feels more premium.

The biggest consideration is storage. Many lower-priced refurbished iPhone 12 devices have 64GB. That can be enough for light users, but 128GB is preferable for anyone who keeps lots of photos, videos or games on the phone.

Best for: Buyers wanting OLED, 5G and MagSafe while keeping the budget around £200.

4. iPhone 11 — Best Refurbished iPhone Around £150

The iPhone 11 remains one of the easiest budget iPhones to recommend when keeping the purchase price low is the priority.

Its A13 Bionic processor handles everyday apps well, while the 6.1-inch display gives you plenty of room for browsing, video, social media and navigation.

The dual-camera system also gives the iPhone 11 an Ultra Wide camera alongside its main camera, making it considerably more versatile than many cheaper older iPhones.

Where does the iPhone 11 compromise?

The main differences compared with newer options are its LCD display rather than OLED, lack of 5G and lack of MagSafe.

But those features are not essential for everyone. If your priorities are WhatsApp, calls, email, social media, YouTube, banking, maps and general photography, the iPhone 11 can still make a great deal of sense.

Best for: Parents buying an iPhone for a child, light-to-moderate users, first-time iPhone buyers and shoppers who want to stay around £150.

iPhone 11 vs 12 vs 13 vs 14: Which Gives You the Most for Your Money?

Is 64GB Enough in 2026?

For light users, 64GB can still work. If you mainly stream music and video, keep photographs in cloud storage and do not install many large games, it may be enough.

However, 128GB is the safer choice for most buyers. Camera files, messaging attachments, apps and downloaded media gradually consume storage, and choosing more capacity can make the phone easier to live with over a longer ownership period.

This is another reason the iPhone 13 128GB stands out so strongly in the sub-£300 category.

What About Battery Health on a Refurbished iPhone?

Battery condition should always be considered when buying any pre-owned smartphone. Rechargeable batteries naturally wear as they age, so battery condition can vary between individual devices even when they are the same iPhone model.

Do not judge a refurbished phone purely by its cosmetic grade. Cosmetic condition describes how the phone looks; battery condition relates to the battery itself.

For more detail, read our iPhone battery health buying guide.

Which Refurbished Condition Should You Choose?

One of the easiest ways to get a newer iPhone without increasing your budget is to choose a lower cosmetic grade.

A Good-condition iPhone 14 can therefore be a better purchase for some buyers than a Pristine older model at a similar price. If you use a case anyway, cosmetic marks may matter much less than getting the newer phone.

Unlocked vs SIM-Free: What Should You Buy?

An unlocked iPhone gives you the freedom to use a compatible SIM from the network of your choice rather than being tied to one particular mobile provider.

This can be particularly useful when combining a refurbished handset with a competitively priced SIM-only plan.

If you're unsure about the terminology, see our SIM-free vs unlocked phones UK guide.

Should You Buy an Older Pro iPhone Instead?

Sometimes an older iPhone Pro appears below £300. That can be tempting because Pro models may offer premium materials, additional cameras and other higher-end features.

However, do not automatically assume that an older Pro is better than a newer standard iPhone.

Compare the processor generation, battery condition, storage capacity, software compatibility, device age and condition grade. For many everyday buyers, a newer standard iPhone 13 or iPhone 14 can be the more sensible long-term purchase.

Best iPhone Under £300 for a Child or Teenager

For a younger user, the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 are particularly attractive because they keep the purchase cost lower while still providing access to mainstream apps, strong cameras and Apple's familiar interface.

If the phone is expected to last several years, stretching the budget to an iPhone 13 may make more sense, particularly because 128GB storage provides more room for photos, videos, games and school apps.

Best iPhone Under £300 for Photography

If photography is important, prioritise the iPhone 13 or iPhone 14 if your budget allows.

Both give you capable Main and Ultra Wide cameras, Night mode and strong video recording. The iPhone 14 provides additional image-processing improvements, while the iPhone 13 remains an excellent balance between camera capability and price.

Best iPhone Under £300 for Long-Term Use

If you want to keep your next phone for several years, buy as new a generation as your budget reasonably allows—but do not ignore storage and condition.

Our preferred order for long-term ownership within this price category is:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best refurbished iPhone under £300?

For most buyers, the iPhone 13 128GB offers the best balance of performance, storage, camera quality, 5G connectivity and price. If an iPhone 14 is available within your £300 budget, it is also an excellent choice.

What is the best refurbished iPhone around £200?

The iPhone 12 is our preferred choice around £200 because it offers a 6.1-inch OLED display, 5G and MagSafe while remaining significantly cheaper than many newer iPhones.

Is the iPhone 11 still worth buying?

Yes, particularly when price is the main consideration. It remains useful for everyday tasks and offers Face ID, a large 6.1-inch display and a versatile dual-camera system. Buyers wanting OLED, 5G or MagSafe should move up to the iPhone 12.

Should I buy an iPhone 12 or iPhone 13?

Choose the iPhone 12 if you want to spend closer to £200. Choose the iPhone 13 if your budget can stretch further and you want newer performance, strong battery life and 128GB base storage.

Is a refurbished iPhone better value than buying new?

For buyers who do not need the latest generation, refurbished devices can provide access to premium Apple hardware at a significantly lower purchase price. Always compare the model, storage, cosmetic condition, warranty and seller before buying.

Final Verdict: Which Refurbished iPhone Under £300 Should You Buy?

There is no single answer for every buyer, but there are four clear sweet spots.

For most UK shoppers, the refurbished iPhone 13 128GB is our overall winner. It delivers enough performance and modern features to feel premium without pushing into the prices associated with much newer models.

Shop Refurbished iPhones at Tech Market

Tech Market offers refurbished iPhones across multiple generations, storage capacities, colours and cosmetic condition grades, allowing you to choose the balance of price and appearance that works for you.

Every applicable Tech Market device is professionally checked by our in-house team and backed by a 1-year warranty for added peace of mind.

Stock and prices change regularly, so browse today's availability before deciding which model offers the best value for your budget.

Prices and availability can change and examples in this guide should be treated as indicative. Check the relevant Tech Market product page for current pricing, stock and specification before ordering.