Which iPhone Should I Buy? The Ultimate Guide

✨ Verdict: Which iPhone is best? Your winner is the iPhone 15

If you want the safest all-round choice, the iPhone 15 is still the best value for money iPhone and the benchmark for 2026. On a tighter budget, the iPhone 14 is the easiest way in. If you want Pro features without Pro pricing, a refurbished iPhone 15 Pro beats a new iPhone 16 on almost every count. Whichever you choose, buying refurbished from Back Market gets you the same phone for less, backed by at least a 12-month commercial warranty.

Why you can trust this list of iPhones

As one of the world's leading marketplaces for refurbished tech hundreds of thousands of iPhones are sold through Back Market every year, across almost every model still worth buying. That gives us a genuinely unusual vantage point on the best iPhone to buy in 2026: we can see which colours, models and storage sizes people actually choose, which ones get returned, and which ones customers come back to review five stars later. This list is shaped by real sales data, verified buyer reviews and our team's own hands-on time with every model here, which is exactly why we're confident this is the best refurbished iPhone in the UK buying guide you'll find. Every refurbished iPhone sold on Back Market is professionally tested and graded, comes with at least a 12-month commercial warranty, and 30 days to change your mind.

Our top refurbished iPhone recommendations at a glance

• Best overall (most people): iPhone 15 — the current value benchmark. Modern camera, USB-C, no major compromises.

• Best value iPhone / tightest budget: iPhone 14 — the cheapest way onto this list, and still a genuinely capable phone.

• Best safe middle ground: iPhone 16 — a comfortable step up from the 15, with Apple Intelligence, without Pro pricing.

• Best "buy up" move: iPhone 15 Pro — older Pro features for less than a new iPhone 16 costs.

• Best for camera: iPhone 16 Pro — the 5x telephoto lens that used to be Pro Max-only, now on a Pro.

• Best battery life for the price: iPhone 15 Plus — Pro Max-like battery life, without the Pro Max price.

• Best for simplicity: iPhone 16e — the simplest, most stripped-back design on this list (note: no model here has Touch ID).

• The one to think twice about: iPhone 17 — newer, but a base model, and priced close to a refurbished 16 Pro.

Which iPhone should you buy? Start with your budget

Before you even think about camera specs or chip names, decide what you're comfortable spending, working out which iPhone is best value for money in the UK starts here. That single decision narrows the field faster than any feature comparison.

• Under £300: iPhone 14

• £300–£450: iPhone 15 or iPhone 16e

• £450–£600: iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 16, or iPhone 15 Pro

• £600+: iPhone 16 Pro, or iPhone 17

iPhone comparison table

*iPhone 14 is discontinued by Apple; price shown is Back Market's listed “new” comparison price.

**Prices are set by selles and taken at time of publication and subject to change.

Best overall for most people: iPhone 15

✨ The iPhone 15 is the one phone on this list you're unlikely to regret buying.

If you only read one section of this guide, make it this one. The iPhone 15 is the phone we recommend to most people who ask us, "which iPhone should I buy?", because it removes almost every reason to hesitate. It was the first non-Pro model to get USB-C, which means one cable for your phone, laptop and headphones. Its 48MP main camera is a genuine jump over the 12MP sensor in the iPhone 14, and the Dynamic Island brings a much more useful notifications system than the old notch ever offered.

It doesn't have Apple Intelligence, but for most everyday users, that's not a dealbreaker. What it does have is a chip fast enough for anything you'll realistically throw at it, a display bright enough for outdoor use (rare praise, given the UK's relationship with sunshine) and enough resale value to make it an easy phone to move on from later.

Key specs

• Chip: A16 Bionic

• Screen: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR

• Camera: Dual 48MP + 12MP ultra-wide

• Battery: Up to 20 hours talk time

• Storage options: 128 GB – 512 GB

• Estimated iOS support: Until ~2028

Pros & cons

Best value iPhone on a tight budget: iPhone 14

✨ The iPhone 14 is proof that “budget” and “compromise” aren't the same thing.

For the tightest budgets, the iPhone 14 remains the smartest entry point into a modern iPhone. It still runs current iOS updates comfortably, has a genuinely capable dual camera system and the A15 Bionic chip is fast enough for everyday use in 2026, even if it's no longer cutting-edge.

It doesn't have USB-C or Apple Intelligence, and it has the shortest remaining software runway on this list. But if your absolute priority is spending as little as possible while still getting a phone that works well today, the 14 does that job better than anything newer here.

“Absolutely delighted with my reconditioned phone! It arrived super-fast and is in immaculate condition. You’d honestly think it was brand new.”

- Deborah M.

Key specs

• Chip: A15 Bionic

• Screen: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR

• Camera: Dual 12MP

• Battery: Up to 20 hours video playback*

• Storage options: 128 GB – 512 GB

• Estimated iOS support: Until ~2027*

Pros & cons

Best safe middle ground: iPhone 16

✨ The iPhone 16 is the safe, current-feeling choice, without stepping into Pro pricing.

The iPhone 16 sits exactly where its name suggests: a comfortable step up from the 15 without asking you to pay Pro prices. It adds the dedicated Camera Control button, an upgraded 48MP main camera and the A18 chip, which brings Apple Intelligence to a non-Pro iPhone for the first time.

It's not a dramatic redesign, and if you already own a 15, the jump isn't essential. But as a “buy current, not newest” choice, it's the safest place to land if you want up-to-date features without the Pro premium.

“Order came exactly as timed in perfect condition. I was sent a brand-new activated Apple device, which I am very happy about. The battery health is 100%, and there are no issues with the phone. I am very happy with my order and highly recommend ordering from Back Market.”

- Aisha A.

Key specs

• Chip: A18

• Screen: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR

• Camera: Dual 48MP + 12MP Ultra Wide

• Battery: Up to 22 hours video playback*

• Storage options: 128 GB – 512 GB

• Estimated iOS support: Until ~2030*

Pros & cons

Best “buy up” move: iPhone 15 Pro

✨ A refurbished iPhone 15 Pro is the smartest way to buy features you'd otherwise overpay for new.

This is the phone for anyone tempted to compare a refurbished older Pro against a brand-new base model. A refurbished iPhone 15 Pro gives you the titanium build, the A17 Pro chip, ProMotion's 120Hz display and Apple Intelligence, usually for less than an iPhone 16e costs. That's the exact “older Pro beats newer base” logic that keeps coming up in comparison videos and forum threads, and it holds up.

The Action Button replaces the mute switch, the camera system is a genuine step above the standard iPhone 15, and the titanium frame feels noticeably more premium in hand. If you want Pro-level features without paying Pro-level launch pricing, this is where refurbished buying earns its keep.

If ultra-slim design matters more to you than an ultra-wide camera, the iPhone Air trades the 15 Pro's triple-camera system for a significantly thinner build.

Key specs

• Chip: A17 Pro

• Screen: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR, ProMotion 120Hz

• Camera: Triple 48MP Main + 12MP Ultra Wide + 12MP 3x Telephoto

• Battery: Up to 23 hours talk time

• Storage options: 128 GB – 1 TB

• Estimated iOS support: Until ~2029

Pros & cons

Best for camera: iPhone 16 Pro

✨ If the camera is the whole reason you're upgrading, the 16 Pro is the one to shortlist.

If camera quality is the deciding factor, the iPhone 16 Pro is the strongest all-round option on this list. It inherits the 5x tetraprism telephoto lens that used to be exclusive to the Pro Max, pairs it with a 48MP main and ultra-wide and runs it all through the A18 Pro chip.

It's priced higher than the 15 Pro, but the telephoto upgrade alone makes a real difference for travel, wildlife or anything requiring zoom. Combined with a larger 6.3-inch ProMotion display, it's a genuine step up in everyday usability, too. For a closer look at how the camera systems stack up model by model, see our dedicated best iPhone for photos guide.

Key specs

• Chip: A18 Pro

• Screen: 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR, ProMotion 120Hz

• Camera: Triple 48MP with 5x optical zoom

• Battery: Up to 27 hours video playback*

• Storage options: 128 GB – 1 TB

• Estimated iOS support: Until ~2031*

Pros & cons

Best battery life for the price: iPhone 15 Plus

✨ The iPhone 15 Plus gets you Pro Max-like battery life, without the Pro Max price.

If your priority is genuinely “I never want to worry about battery again”, the iPhone 15 Plus deserves a serious look. It shares the same chip and camera system as the standard iPhone 15, but the larger body houses a noticeably bigger battery, without the higher price tag that comes with Pro features you might not need.

It's a big phone, so if one-handed use matters to you, this isn't the model. But for heavy day-to-day users who'd rather not carry a charger everywhere, it's an underrated option that often gets overlooked in favour of the Pro models. For the full model-by-model breakdown, our which iPhone has the best battery life guide covers this in more detail.

“My phone arrived in amazing condition with literally zero visible scratches on the body out of the box…”

- Bibechana P.

Key specs

• Chip: A16 Bionic

• Screen: 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR

• Camera: Dual 48MP + 12MP ultra-wide

• Battery: Up to 26 hours video playback*

• Storage options: 128 GB – 512 GB

• Estimated iOS support: Until ~2028*

Pros & cons

Best for simplicity: iPhone 16e

✨ The iPhone 16e is the simplest phone here; just don't expect Touch ID to make a comeback.

A quick honest note: none of the phones on this list actually have Touch ID; Apple hasn't shipped that on a non-SE iPhone in years, so if that's a hard requirement, none of these will tick that box. But if “simplicity” is really what you're after, the iPhone 16e is the closest match here. It strips things back to a single camera, a straightforward design and no MagSafe or extra lenses to think about, while still running the current A18 chip and Apple Intelligence.

It's the spiritual successor to the old SE line: fewer decisions, fewer extras and a smaller learning curve, just with Face ID instead of Touch ID.

Key specs

• Chip: A18

• Screen: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR

• Camera: Single 48MP

• Battery: Up to 26 hours video playback*

• Storage options: 128 GB – 512 GB

• Estimated iOS support: Until ~2031*

Pros & cons

The one to think twice about: iPhone 17

✨ The iPhone 17 is newer but not automatically better value. Compare it against a refurbished 16 Pro before you decide.

The iPhone 17 is the newest phone on this list, and on paper that makes it tempting. It picks up a larger 6.3-inch ProMotion display, a dual 48MP camera system and Apple's newest A19 chip, genuine upgrades over the 15 and 16.

But it's still a base model, which means no telephoto lens while costing close to what a refurbished iPhone 16 Pro does. That's the exact comparison worth making before you buy: are you paying for “newest” or would a refurbished Pro from last year actually get you more phone for similar money? If you want this year's chip without paying for the Pro or the standard 17, the iPhone 17e is worth a look too. This model has the same A19 chip, a single-camera setup, and a lower starting price than the standard 17.

If you want the newer generation but the base model's single camera and A19 chip feel limiting, the iPhone 17 Pro adds the same triple-camera system and ProMotion display as the 16 Pro. It’s worth a look if camera quality matters more to you than saving money.

Key specs

• Chip: A19

• Screen: 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR, ProMotion 120Hz

• Camera: Dual 48MP + 48MP ultra-wide

• Battery: Up to 30 hours video playback*

• Storage options: 256 GB – 512 GB

• Estimated iOS support: Until ~2032*

Pros & cons

How long will your iPhone actually stay supported?

✨ Don't just ask which iPhone is newest. Ask how many years of updates you're actually paying for.

Software longevity matters more than most buyers realise until it's too late. Apple has historically supported iPhones with major iOS updates for around 5-7 years from release. Which is why an iPhone 14 bought today can still reasonably expect a couple more years of updates, while an iPhone 17 bought new could realistically run well into the 2030s.

This is exactly the calculation UK buyers are increasingly making before they buy; it’s not “what's the newest phone” but “what's the oldest phone I can buy that still gives me enough years left”. If you're buying for yourself or someone who just wants their apps to keep working, our refurbished iPhones last guide covers exactly how long you can expect to get from each model.

Is a refurbished iPhone actually worth it?

Short answer, for the vast majority of buyers, yes. But which refurbished iPhone should you buy? A refurbished iPhone is a device that's been professionally tested, repaired where needed and checked for battery health before it's sold. At Back Market, we only work with vetted, trusted sellers, and every purchase comes with at least a 12-month commercial warranty and 30 days to change your mind.

The math is straightforward: the same iPhone 15, widely considered the best value for money iPhone on the market right now, costs £699 new but can often be found refurbished for under £350*, in "Excellent" or "Very Good" condition, with a battery health rating disclosed upfront. That's the same phone, for meaningfully less money, with a safety net attached.

If you're still deciding between new and refurbished, think “does the price gap justify buying new instead?” For most models on this list, it doesn't.

Should you wait for the next iPhone?

It's a fair question, and one we get asked constantly. If your current phone is working fine, waiting for a price drop or the next launch rarely costs you much. But if you're shopping specifically because your phone has stopped supporting the apps you rely on or the battery is struggling, waiting usually just means living with that problem for longer.

Our honest take is to buy for where you are now and not for a future model you haven't seen yet. Refurbished pricing also tends to drop further shortly after each new iPhone launch, so if you can hold off a few weeks around a launch window, you'll often get an even better deal on the model you want.

Shopping tips to help you decide

✨ The right iPhone is the one that matches your budget and your habits, not the one with the newest number on the box.

A few quick rules of thumb, if you're still torn:

• Decide your budget first: Every other decision gets easier once you know your ceiling.

• Check the battery health, not just the price: On refurbished phones, battery health is usually disclosed and is a better trust signal than the condition grade alone.

• Don't pay for features you won't use: Apple Intelligence and ProMotion are nice, but they're not essential for everyone.

• Think in years: A phone with 4 years of support left is a better buy than a newer one with only 2, even if the newer one feels more exciting today.

Final thoughts

If you take one thing from this iPhone buying guide UK readers keep coming back to, make it this: the "best" iPhone is the one that matches your budget, your habits, and how long you want it to last. The iPhone 15 remains our top overall pick for 2026, the iPhone 14 remains the easiest way in on a budget, and a refurbished iPhone 15 Pro is the smartest way to buy Pro features without paying Pro prices.

Whichever model you choose, buying refurbished from Back Market gets you the same phone, tested and warrantied, for meaningfully less than buying new.