Refurbished iPhones

Refurbished iPhones for Sale

Walk into an Apple Store, and the first thing that hits you isn’t just the shiny glass displays, it’s the price tag. A$1,399 for the newest iPhone 17? For most of us, that’s a holiday, a rent payment, or a decent laptop. That’s exactly why so many Aussies are turning to refurbished phones instead.

At Phonebot, you don’t have to spend crazy money to get the phone you’ve been eyeing. For the absolute best value across all models, check out the cheap iPhone that’s right for your budget. Our refurbished iPhones still feel fast, still look sharp, and still run the latest iOS. The only real difference? You’re paying a whole lot less

Best Value Refurbished iPhone Models at Phonebot

iPhone 17

The iPhone 17 is Apple’s latest and greatest model, and while it starts at A$1,399 from the official Apple store, it might not be in everyone's budget. But don’t worry, the refurbished iPhone 17 brings the same cutting-edge tech at a price that’s far more wallet-friendly. Equipped with Apple’s new A17 chip, improved battery life, and stunning camera upgrades, the iPhone 17 packs all the latest features into one sleek device.

For most users, the iPhone 17 offers all the power you'll ever need, whether you're gaming, editing videos, or simply enjoying the latest apps and features. While it’s more than most people probably need, it's always fun to have that extra bit of power in your pocket.

iPhone 16

The refurbished iPhone 16 is Apple’s current flagship, and you’ll see prices start around A$1,199. This is still pretty pricey, but it’s got that fresh-off-the-line feel of a top-tier iPhone. If you want the best camera, blazing speed, and bragging rights, this is the one. Thanks to Apple Intelligence, the iPhone 16 feels smart in ways older models don’t.

Honestly, the iPhone 16 is overkill for most people. But if you shoot 4K video, edit on the go, or just love having the shiniest gadget, it’s worth it. Sure, you’re buying power you probably won’t fully use — but hey, that’s half the fun, right?

iPhone 15

A refurbished iPhone 15 starts from around A$849, which is a sweet spot for folks who want “nearly new” without the 16’s price tag. It’s got the modern design, bright OLED screen, and Apple’s A16 chip, which is fast enough for anything.

The cameras are solid, battery life is dependable, and it looks just like the 16 to most people. Only the Pro models come with Apple Intelligence, which fine-tunes performance, battery, and camera settings automatically. Unless you’re obsessed with being on the cutting edge, the 15 feels like the smarter buy — you save a few hundred bucks and still get a phone that’ll last years.

iPhone 14

You’ll usually see a refurbished iPhone 14 go for about A$589. It’s not the shiny new toy anymore, but it hasn’t lost its edge either. The screen is still bright, iOS updates keep rolling in, and the camera makes Instagram stories look like they’ve been run through a filter (without actually using one).

The 14 is the “safe pick” for most Aussies — parents, uni students, and people who just want their phone to work. The battery holds up, the screen looks good, and 5G keeps you moving. It won’t turn heads, but maybe that’s the point. Reliable tech is supposed to fade into the background.

iPhone 13

Prices for the refurbished iPhone 13 start around A$619, which makes it one of those rare sweet-spot deals. It still looks and feels modern, and honestly, most people couldn’t tell it apart from a 14 at a glance. Apps load quickly, the camera holds up, and the build feels solid in the hand.

A lot of people choose the 13 when they’re moving up from an older iPhone 8 or XR. It feels like a proper upgrade. You get a bigger screen, better photos, and faster performance, but without the heavy price tag of the newer flagships.

iPhone SE (3rd Gen)

The refurbished iPhone SE 3rd Gen usually sits at around A$239, making it the cheapest way to get a modern iPhone without trawling Gumtree. It still has the home button, which feels a bit retro now, but the A15 chip inside is fast enough to keep up with everyday use.

Battery life isn’t marathon-level, and the smaller screen takes some getting used to if you’ve had a bigger phone. But for kids, first-time iPhone users, or folks who just want “a phone that works,” it’s kind of perfect. Cheap, cheerful, and tougher than you’d think.

Which iPhone is Right for You?

There’s no single “best” iPhone. The right one depends on what you actually do with your phone every day. That’s why refurbished smartphones are such a good option. You get a choice without overspending.

Think about it this way:

• If most of your time is spent texting, scrolling TikTok, or checking emails, you don’t need the latest release.
• Love taking photos? Then the camera setup should be your biggest focus.
• Out and about all day? A stronger battery is going to matter more than flashy features like 120Hz displays.
• Can’t stand heavy or bulky phones? Comfort in your hand beats spec sheets every time.
• Planning to keep your phone for years? Make sure the model you pick still gets iOS updates.

At the end of the day, the right iPhone is the one that slips into your routine, does what you need it to do, and doesn’t drain your wallet.

Second-Hand vs. Refurbished vs. Brand New iPhone

Buying an iPhone isn’t as simple as picking the newest one off the shelf. There are a few ways to go about it, and each comes with its own quirks. A brand-new iPhone is exactly that — straight from Apple, untouched, in its original box, with a full warranty. The downside? It comes with the full price tag.

A refurbished iPhone is a device that’s been returned— maybe because of a tiny issue or someone just changed their mind. After that, it gets a thorough check, repairs if needed, and a proper certification. The aim is to make it function and look like new. When done right, a refurbished phone is hard to tell apart from a brand-new one, but you save a good chunk of money.

A second-hand iPhone is a bit of a lottery. Some look almost perfect. Some have scratches, weaker batteries, or quirks. Sellers might offer a short warranty, or nothing at all. You never really know what you’re getting.

Why Australians Are Switching to Refurbished iPhones

Let’s be honest — Apple builds phones that last. An iPhone from two or three years back still takes brilliant photos, streams Netflix without lag, and connects to 5G. You’re not missing out on much besides the hefty retail price.

So why are more people choosing refurbished? A few reasons keep coming up:

• Big savings – We’re talking 30–40% less than brand new. That’s money you can keep in your pocket or put towards AirPods, a case, or even your next upgrade.
• Better for the planet – Grabbing a reconditioned iPhone keeps one more device out of landfill and cuts down on electronic waste.
• No nasty surprises – Every Phonebot device goes through our 72-point refurbishing process. That means it’s tested, restored, and certified before it ever lands in your hands.
• Built-in peace of mind – With warranties and simple return options, you get the safety net you don’t get when buying from a random marketplace seller.

For a lot of people, it’s not just about the lower price, it’s about smart value. A restored iPhone gives you Apple quality without the premium sting.

Certified Battery Performance

We take battery life seriously at Phonebot. Every refurbished iPhone gets a full check, and if the battery is below 80% capacity or has seen more than 500 charge cycles, we replace it with a fresh one.

That means every phone you get has at least 80% maximum capacity. You can even peek for yourself in Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging. No surprises halfway through the day, just a phone that feels reliable and ready to go.

Why Choose Phonebot for Renewed iPhones?

• Up to 24-Month Warranty – Every iPhone comes with 12 months of coverage, and you can extend it to 24 months if you want extra peace of mind.
• 30-day returns – Changed your mind? Send it back within 30 days, no fuss.
• Fast, Free Delivery – Get your iPhone anywhere in Australia in 1–3 business days at no extra cost.
• Flexible Payments – Split the price interest-free using Afterpay or Zip, and pay at your own pace.
• Loved by Customers – Phonebot has earned a 4.6-star rating and ProductReview Winner awards in 2024 & 2025.

Upgrade Smarter with Phonebot

Why pay full price when you don’t have it? With our iPhone refurb deals, you can grab a phone that works like new without draining your wallet. We check, fix, and polish every device, so it’s ready to go. Fast delivery, warranties, flexible payments, all the stuff that makes upgrading painless.

Got an old iPhone? Swap it with Phonebot Trade-in for cash or credit toward your next phone. We’ll size up its condition and model to give you the best value. Don’t wait, start your trade-in today and make upgrading easier than ever.