Best iPhone Option for a Refurb Model - and from Where?

Howdy all, been waiting on a price drop of the iPhone 13 mini for months now to no avail (missed out on that Harvey Norman one) so with the unknown about the iPhone 15 and the 14 not being a huge leap from the previous model, looking at just getting a refurbished model to tie me over for the next 6-12 months at least.

My trusty iPhone 6 (yes old but so reliable) is well and truly getting slower and half the apps are now not updating due to needing a newer iOS which it cannot upgrade to anymore.

I know a lot of folks update phones regularly, so looking at refurb options, preferably in the highest "as new" condition. I thought I would ask opinions on what model you think was the most reliable and best bang for buck you had or recommend? Say from the iPhone 8 until the 11 and SE 2. Although I know the 8 is probably also the next model at risk of losing regular updates. Only looking at spending up to $500 otherwise anymore I may aswell get the 3rd gen iPhone SE (2022).

Also any recommendations on where to buy from? Woolies online seems to have some good well priced stock from Green Gadgets, also know of Phonebot and Reebelo but all seem to have varying experiences.

Thanks everyone!

Poll Options

  • 4
    iPhone 8
  • 1
    iPhone X
  • 1
    iPhone XS
  • 3
    iPhone XR
  • 0
    iPhone 11
  • 7
    iPhone SE 2 (2020)

Comments

  • Hold out another 2 months as the next revisions are due in September. You may be able to get the next line up for similar price.

    8, X, XS and XR are nearing end of life now and are also slowing down with the latest iOS features and additions. Not worth picking up I would say (use a secondary X daily). If you insist then very least factor in a brand new battery replacement for them.

  • Get it from Gerry!
    Free sealed Optus bag……

    • Who is Gerry?

      • Harvey Norman

      • He got inspired by the song horse with no name
        So he got a dog with a false name!

  • If you're comfortable with the screen size on your six and would miss TouchID, then the latest iPhone SE (3rd gen 2022) new is probably the best fit. It has a modern processor in it, even if the screen and body are old.

  • What about iPhone 12 mini? Should be able to find them around $500.

    That said I'd just wait another couple of months for price drops on old models when the 15 is released

  • I'm super happy with the refurb XR 64GB (90%+ battery health) I got at Coles for around $279, maybe 6+ months ago.

  • Also any recommendations on where to buy from?

    PhoneBot are pretty good.

  • iPhone SE 2022 with two year accidental damage protection: https://reebelo.com.au/collections/apple-iphone-se-2nd-gen should get at least another 3 years of software updates and then you can sell it on after that. I like to use wikipedia to gauge the average age of software updates for iPhones/iPads but its generally 5 years of software updates from release date: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPhone

  • If you just need it to tide you over for the next 6-12 months (assuming you're expecting a sale for the 13 Mini at a low enough price to buy one?) I would just suggest the 8. My 8 runs pretty well on iOS 16 although it does experience a few lag spikes here and there but nothing major. I also think the camera on the 8 takes great photos because it was before Apple started to ramp up colour saturation on their cameras.

    The 8 won't get iOS 17 but if you're only going to keep it for 12 months max then I don't think it's a major issue.

Login or Join to leave a comment