I have always believed that you don’t need to buy the latest iPhone to enjoy the real Apple experience. Over the years, I’ve owned a few older iPhones, and I can honestly say they still hold up surprisingly well. In fact, some used iPhones perform so smoothly that you’ll barely notice they’re not brand new.
Buying a used iPhone is also a smart move financially. You can save a big chunk of money while still getting a solid Apple device. Many of these phones have great battery life, strong cameras, and premium designs that don’t look outdated at all.
In this article, I’ll share the five best used iPhones that are totally worth buying today. Whether you want something affordable, compact, or with great battery life, there’s an older iPhone that fits your needs.
5 Best Used iPhones That’re Worth Buying
It’s funny how people rush to buy the newest model every year, while older iPhones quietly keep doing their job. They are fast, reliable, and stylish. Apple’s long software support also makes older iPhones completely usable today. iOS updates keep them secure and fresh, which means even a 5-year-old iPhone can handle most modern apps easily.
These phones prove that Apple’s old models aren’t just “past their prime”, they’re still reliable companions in 2025.
iPhone 11 – The Best All-Rounder for 2025
Released in 2019, the iPhone 11 still feels modern in 2025. It features Apple’s powerful A13 Bionic chip, which remains fast enough for gaming, multitasking, and even video editing. Its dual-camera system still produces beautiful photos, especially in daylight.
What makes the iPhone 11 special is its balance. Solid performance, long battery life, and dependable cameras – all at a very reasonable used price. Even though it’s 6 years old, it’s still eligible for the latest iOS version and performs better than many new mid-range phones. The only thing you might miss is 5G support, but for most people, that’s not a dealbreaker.
Why buy it:
- Great value for money: Uses Apple’s A13 Bionic chip (same as iPhone 11 Pro), delivering flagship-level performance at a much lower price.
- Excellent battery life: 3110 mAh battery easily lasts a full day (up to 17 to 18 hours of mixed use like calls, streaming, gaming, and social media).
- Still receives security patch updates: Apple provides long-term software support, keeping the phone secure, smooth, and compatible with new security protocols.
- Reliable cameras: Dual 12 MP cameras with Night Mode and 4K video deliver consistent, high-quality photos and videos even today.
iPhone 11 Pro – The Camera Enthusiast’s Dream
The iPhone 11 Pro is a special device in Apple’s lineup. It was the first iPhone to introduce a triple-camera system, and even in 2025, it remains an excellent choice for photography lovers. The camera setup – wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses still produces crisp and detailed images that rival many newer smartphones.
What’s truly impressive is that the iPhone 11 Pro still supports the latest iOS updates in 2025, allowing you to enjoy Apple’s new camera software features like improved HDR, editing tools, and AI-based photo enhancements. For content creators or camera enthusiasts, this phone remains a budget-friendly way to enjoy a professional photography experience.
Why buy it:
- Triple-camera setup: Pro-level Ultra Wide, Wide, and Telephoto lenses give creative flexibility for landscapes, portraits, and zoomed shots with optical zoom and Night Mode.
- Premium stainless-steel design: Stainless steel frame with textured matte glass and IP68 water resistance makes it more durable and luxuriously built than non-Pro models.
- Super Retina XDR OLED display: Delivers extremely high brightness, deeper blacks, and vivid HDR content that feels sharper and more immersive.
- Excellent battery life: With a 3046 mAh battery and efficient A13 Bionic chip, real-world use gives strong all-day endurance (up to 18 h video playback) even under mixed tasks.
iPhone 12 – Modern Design at a Lower Price
If you want a phone that looks and feels like a current model, the iPhone 12 is perfect. It brought back the flat-edge design that Apple still uses in its latest iPhones. It also introduced 5G connectivity and has the A14 Bionic chip, which continues to be fast in 2025.
The iPhone 12’s OLED display, MagSafe support, and camera performance make it an excellent pick for those who want a modern experience without paying flagship prices. It should continue receiving iOS updates for another 2–3 years, which means you’re future-proofed for a while.
Why buy it:
- Strong long-term performance: Fast and smooth performance powered by A14 chip, capable of handling everyday apps, multitasking, and games smoothly even after 3-4 years of use.
- Great OLED display: Bright 6.1-inch OLED display that looks sharp and vibrant, making videos, movies, and social media clearly better than regular LCD screens.
- All-day battery life: With a 2815 mAh battery, comfortably lasting around 14-16 hours of mixed use like calls, YouTube, Instagram, and light gaming.
- 5G support: 5G-ready smartphone that delivers faster downloads and smoother streaming while smartly switching networks to save battery.
iPhone 13 Mini – The Compact Gem
If you’ve ever missed the days when phones were easy to use with one hand, the iPhone 13 mini might be your perfect match. It’s the smallest and lightest iPhone in Apple’s modern lineup, but it doesn’t compromise on performance. It runs on the same A15 Bionic chip as the iPhone 13, meaning you get flagship power in a compact body.
The only drawback and the reason why you can find it for a lower price is its smaller battery size. It doesn’t last as long as the regular iPhone 13, but for moderate users, it’s still perfectly fine.
Why buy it:
- Compact and lightweight: Pocket-friendly flagship performance powered by the fast A15 Bionic chip, great for apps, games, and long-term use.
- Great Screen Experience: Bright, sharp 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display that makes photos and videos look vivid in a compact form.
- All-day battery life: 2400 mAh battery, offering up to ~17 hrs of video playback and solid endurance for calls, browsing, and streaming.
- Same great cameras as iPhone 13: Dual 12 MP camera system delivers crisp photos and 4K video quality similar to larger iPhone 13 models.
iPhone 13 – Still a Powerhouse in 2025
The iPhone 13 is perhaps the sweet spot for anyone who wants a newer iPhone but at a lower price. It runs on the A15 Bionic chip, which is still used in Apple’s current budget models like the iPhone 14 and 15 non-Pro. That tells you just how powerful this phone remains even in 2025.
Battery life on the iPhone 13 is fantastic, often lasting a full day and a half with moderate use. The cameras produce stunning photos and videos, and the phone’s design feels modern and sleek. So, you’re not just buying a used phone; you’re buying a device that will easily last you another 4-5 years.
- Great battery life: 3227 mAh battery that can deliver up to 15 to 19 hrs video playback and strong endurance for calls, social media, streaming, and gaming on a single charge.
- Future-proof for years: Flagship A15 Bionic performance ensures fast, smooth use for apps, multitasking, and games with efficient power use that helps battery life too.
- Great Screen Experience: Bright 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display makes movies, shows, and photos look vivid and crisp in daily use.
- 5G ready: Faster downloads and streaming while still optimizing battery life for everyday tasks.
Note: Always buy a used iPhone from a trusted source; you can often get a device that looks almost brand new. Some used phone sellers also offer a 3-6 months warranty to give you additional trust.
Conclusion
This brings us to the end of this guide for the 5 Best Used iPhones. That Are Worth Buying. I remember switching from an iPhone 11 to an iPhone 12, and even though it was already a few years old then, it felt premium and powerful. The screen, camera, and build quality still impressed me. Sometimes, the smartest upgrade is simply finding the right used iPhone that balances performance, price, and timeless design.
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