The quick answer
For most people a good refurbished iPhone is excellent value. A refurbished iPhone 13 costs £350 at Asda Mobile, compared with £599 for a new iPhone 16e, and a refurbished iPhone 14 Pro is £519. If you want the latest features or the longest software support, buy new.
Refurbished vs new: price examples
| Phone | Price | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 11 | £199 | Refurbished, pristine |
| iPhone 13 | £350 | Refurbished, pristine |
| iPhone 14 | £409 | Refurbished, pristine |
| iPhone 14 Pro | £519 | Refurbished, pristine |
| iPhone 16e | £599 | New |
| iPhone 17 | £799 | New |
Prices from Asda Mobile, checked 2 November 2026.
What to check before you buy refurbished
- Condition grade: "pristine" or "excellent" means little to no visible wear.
- Warranty and returns: check how long the warranty lasts and the returns window on the product page.
- Battery health: look for sellers that guarantee a minimum battery capacity.
- Software support: newer models get iOS updates for longer, so an iPhone 13 or 14 is a safer long-term buy than an iPhone 11.
- Unlocked: make sure it works on any network so you can pair it with a cheap SIM.
The money-saving combo
Buy a refurbished iPhone outright and pair it with a SIM-only plan, from £5 a month. Over two years, that's often hundreds of pounds cheaper than a new phone on contract.
