Which Refurbished iPhone Should You Buy in 2026? iPhone 11 vs 12 vs 13 vs 14
In 2026 the best refurbished iPhone for most people is the iPhone 13: it has the battery life and camera of a modern phone, runs iOS 26, and costs around £195 refurbished. If you want to spend less, the iPhone 12 gives you the same OLED screen and 5G for about £139. If you want the phone to last as long as possible, the iPhone 14 has the most years of updates left. The iPhone 11 is the cheapest way into current software but has no 5G and an LCD screen.
Quick answer: Best value: iPhone 12. Best all-rounder: iPhone 13. Longest life: iPhone 14. Tightest budget: iPhone 11. Avoid the iPhone XR and X unless it is a second phone, because they no longer receive iOS updates.
The range at a glance
Prices are our refurbished prices as of October 2026 and vary by grade, storage and colour. Current prices are on each collection page.
| iPhone 11 | iPhone 12 | iPhone 13 | iPhone 14 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refurbished price from | about £125 | about £139 | about £195 | about £235 |
| Released | September 2019 | October 2020 | September 2021 | September 2022 |
| Screen | 6.1in LCD | 6.1in OLED | 6.1in OLED | 6.1in OLED |
| Chip | A13 Bionic | A14 Bionic | A15 Bionic | A15 Bionic (5-core GPU) |
| 5G | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| MagSafe | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rear cameras | 12MP wide + ultra-wide | 12MP wide + ultra-wide, Night mode on both | Sensor-shift stabilisation, Cinematic mode | Larger sensor, Photonic Engine, Action mode |
| Battery (Apple video playback) | Up to 17 hours | Up to 17 hours | Up to 19 hours | Up to 20 hours |
| Storage we stock | 64GB, 128GB | 64GB, 128GB | 128GB | 128GB |
| Runs iOS 26 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
iPhone 11: the budget pick
The iPhone 11 is the oldest iPhone that still runs iOS 26, which makes it the cheapest way to get a current, secure iPhone. The A13 chip is still quick for everyday use, the dual camera is good in daylight, and battery life was excellent for its day. You give up 5G, the sharper OLED screen of later models, and some future-proofing: being the oldest supported model, it is the one most likely to be dropped first by a future iOS release. Best for children, a work phone, or anyone who wants an iPhone for the least money. Available in 64GB and 128GB.
iPhone 12: the value pick
The iPhone 12 was the biggest single upgrade in this group. It moved to an OLED display with far better contrast and blacks, added 5G and MagSafe, switched to the flat-edged design Apple still uses, and brought Night mode to every camera. For about £14 more than an iPhone 11 it is a clearly better phone, and that is why it is our most popular model. Best for most people on a budget. Available in 64GB and 128GB.
iPhone 13: the all-rounder
The iPhone 13 looks like the 12 but is better where it counts. The battery is larger and lasts noticeably longer, the A15 chip remains fast enough for anything on the App Store, the main camera has sensor-shift stabilisation for sharper low-light shots, and the base storage doubled to 128GB. If you want a phone that feels modern for the next three or four years, this is the one. Best for anyone who can stretch to around £195.
iPhone 14: the long-term pick
The iPhone 14 is an iPhone 13 with a slightly better camera, Crash Detection, Action mode video and the five-core GPU from the 13 Pro. The day-to-day difference from a 13 is small. What you are paying the extra for is time: released a year later, it should receive iOS updates a year longer. UK iPhone 14 models have a physical SIM tray and eSIM. Best for someone who wants to buy once and keep the phone for as long as possible.
What about the Pro models?
We also stock the iPhone 11 Pro, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max and 13 Pro. The Pro models add a telephoto camera, a stainless steel frame and, on the 13 Pro, a 120Hz ProMotion display that makes scrolling visibly smoother. A refurbished 12 Pro at about £235 is a strong alternative to a 14 if the camera matters more to you than longevity. The 12 Pro Max, from about £265, is the choice for a 6.7in screen.
Which storage size?
128GB is the right answer for almost everyone in 2026. 64GB still works if you stream rather than download and keep photos in iCloud, and it is the cheapest way into an iPhone 11 or 12, but you will manage storage more often. All our iPhone 13 and 14 stock is 128GB.
Which grade?
All grades are tested identically and carry the same 12-month warranty. Grade A (Excellent) looks nearly new. Grade B (Very Good) has light marks that vanish inside a case and is the best value. Grade C (Good) shows visible wear at the lowest price. Our grading guide has photos of what to expect.
Frequently asked questions
Is the iPhone 12 or 13 better value refurbished?
The iPhone 12 is better value per pound; the iPhone 13 is the better phone. If the roughly £55 difference is comfortable, choose the 13 for its battery life. If not, the 12 is an excellent phone.
Is the iPhone 11 still worth buying in 2026?
Yes, if the price is the priority and you do not need 5G. It runs iOS 26 and handles everyday apps well. It is the oldest supported model, so expect it to lose update support before the others.
Should I buy an iPhone XR or X to save money?
Only as a spare or a child's first phone. Neither receives iOS 26 or security updates, so we do not recommend them as a main phone.
Does a refurbished iPhone 14 support eSIM?
Yes. UK iPhone 14 models have both a physical SIM tray and eSIM, as do the 11, 12 and 13.
Are refurbished iPhones unlocked?
All of ours are. Every phone is SIM-free and works on any UK network.
Shop the range
- Refurbished iPhone 11
- Refurbished iPhone 12
- Refurbished iPhone 13
- Refurbished iPhone 14
- Refurbished iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro
Every refurbished phone from Mobile Phone Enterprise is tested in-house, 100% unlocked, and comes with a 12-month warranty and 30-day returns. Orders over £99 qualify for free next-day UK delivery.
