Best Budget iPhone
Buying on a tight budget comes down to one decision: new with a full warranty or refurbished from a graded seller. New gives you a manufacturer guarantee. Refurbished gives you far more iPhone per dollar. This page covers the cheapest realistic options in both categories, what to expect from each, and what to skip.
Data last updated June 2, 2026 · Specs from Apple.com · Prices are June 2026 estimates
Budget picks at a glance
Prices are June 2026 estimates. Refurb prices assume a "Good" or "Very Good" grade from a reputable seller.
| Model | Est. price | Screen | Why consider it |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone SE (3rd gen) — refurb | ~$180 | 4.7" LCD | Lowest absolute spend; A15 chip |
| iPhone 13 — refurb Top pick | ~$330 | 6.1" OLED | Value sweet spot; OLED, Face ID, dual camera |
| iPhone 14 — refurb | ~$400 | 6.1" OLED | Crash Detection; step up from 13 |
| iPhone 15 — refurb | ~$480 | 6.1" OLED | USB-C, Dynamic Island, better camera |
| iPhone 16e — new | $599 | 6.1" OLED | Cheapest new iPhone; full Apple warranty |
The picks in detail
1. Refurbished iPhone 13 — best budget overall
~$330 refurbished · 6.1" OLED · A15 Bionic · Face ID · Dual 12MP camera
This is the sweet spot. The iPhone 13 launched at $699 in 2021 and is now widely available refurbished for around $330 — less than half the original price. The hardware is genuinely good: a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, Face ID, a dual 12MP camera system that handles daylight and low-light well, and an A15 Bionic chip fast enough for everything outside heavy gaming or video editing. It supports the current version of iOS, which means app compatibility and security updates for several more years.
At $330, you are not buying a compromised device. You are buying a two-generation-old flagship that Apple replaced with iterative upgrades rather than fundamental redesigns. If your budget is flexible enough to reach $330, this is the model to target. See the full spec breakdown on the refurbished iPhone 13 page.
Find a refurbished iPhone 13 →2. Refurbished iPhone SE (3rd gen) — cheapest possible
~$180 refurbished · 4.7" LCD · A15 Bionic · Touch ID · Single 12MP camera
If $330 is too much, the refurbished SE (3rd gen) is the floor. Around $180 gets you an A15 Bionic chip, Touch ID, and current iOS support — inside a body that dates back to 2017. The 4.7-inch LCD screen is adequate but shows its age next to any OLED. There is no Night Mode, no ultrawide camera, and no Face ID. The home button and bezels feel dated.
What it is, though, is reliable. Apple's A15 chip runs current iOS without slowdown, and at $180 it is the cheapest way to hand someone a phone that works properly with iMessage, Apple Pay, and the App Store. Good for a first phone, a spare device, or a budget that genuinely cannot stretch further. More context at refurbished iPhone SE (3rd gen).
Find a refurbished iPhone SE →3. iPhone 16e — cheapest new iPhone
$599 new · 6.1" OLED · A18 · Face ID · Single 48MP camera · USB-C
The 16e is the cheapest iPhone Apple currently sells with a full one-year manufacturer warranty. At $599 it is a significant step up in price from the refurb options, but it brings an A18 chip, USB-C, Apple Intelligence support, a 48MP main camera, and battery life rated at about 26 hours of video playback. If you want a warranty and no uncertainty about the phone's history, the 16e is the entry point.
For most budget buyers, $599 is harder to justify than $330 for a refurbished 13 that does 90% of the same things. The 16e makes sense if you're buying for someone who will keep the phone five or more years, needs Apple Intelligence features, or has a strong preference for buying new. If you're primarily looking for the best dollar-per-feature ratio, see best iPhone for the money instead.
Step-up options: refurb iPhone 14 and 15
iPhone 14 ~$400 · iPhone 15 ~$480 · Both OLED, Face ID
If you have a little more room and want USB-C (iPhone 15 and up) or Crash Detection (iPhone 14 and up), both are solid options in the $400–480 range refurbished. The iPhone 15 also adds Dynamic Island and a 48MP main camera. Neither is necessary on a tight budget — the 13 is a better value at $330 — but these are the logical next steps if you find the 13 sold out or want the USB-C port for convenience.
Browse all current refurb prices and grades at the refurbished iPhone guide.
Where to buy a budget iPhone
Refurbished is the primary route. A graded seller gives you a warrantied phone at 30–50% below original retail.
Why refurbished is the real answer
Apple updates its prices slowly. A current new iPhone starts at $599. Older models don't get cheaper on Apple.com — Apple discontinues them instead. The actual price drops happen on the refurb market, where last year's model trades at 30–50% below original retail once it's been replaced.
Buying refurbished from a graded seller is not the same as buying second-hand from an individual. Graded sellers inspect each unit, replace failing components (battery health is usually guaranteed at 80% or above), and assign a condition grade. "Good" means visible light wear but full function. "Very Good" means minor cosmetic marks. "Excellent" is close to mint. Every listing includes a seller warranty, typically 12 months, and a return window.
The catch is what you don't get: no AppleCare option, no Genius Bar support on day one, and the phone's prior history is unknown. For most buyers who are comfortable with an online purchase, these are acceptable trade-offs for saving $200–400 on a device that runs identical software.
- •Check the battery health percentage before buying. Anything above 80% is functional; 85–90%+ is good.
- •Buy from a marketplace with a clear grade system and a return policy, not from ungraded bulk lots.
- •A protective case and screen protector are especially worth buying on a refurb — the phone has had one owner already.
What to avoid on a budget
Pro models and the iPhone Air are expensive at launch and remain expensive on the refurb market for a year or more after release. There is no budget path to a Pro on a $300–400 spend. If the feature set you want is in a Pro, the honest answer is to save longer or reconsider — a refurbished 13 Pro runs $480–550, which is above this page's lane.
Also avoid ungraded phones without condition descriptions, phones sold without IMEI checks, and any listing that doesn't specify which generation of SE you're getting — the 1st generation SE (2016) and 2nd generation SE (2020) are both too old for reliable use in 2026.
If your budget allows some flexibility and you want to think about the best value rather than the lowest price, that's a different question — see best iPhone for the money. If you're deciding which model to buy first, which iPhone should I buy walks through the full lineup. To see whether trading in your current phone can offset the cost, check iPhone trade-in value.
FAQ
What is the cheapest iPhone worth buying in 2026?
The cheapest iPhone worth buying is the refurbished iPhone SE (3rd generation), available from around $180 through reputable resellers like Back Market. It runs current iOS, has an A15 chip, and carries a seller warranty. If $180 is too tight, a new iPhone 16e at $599 is the cheapest iPhone Apple sells with a full manufacturer warranty.
Is buying a refurbished iPhone safe?
Yes, when you buy from a graded reseller. Reputable marketplaces like Back Market inspect, repair if needed, and assign a condition grade (Good, Very Good, Excellent) to each phone. Every listing includes a seller warranty, typically 1 year. The main risk with private sellers or ungraded stock is avoided by sticking to graded marketplaces with clear return policies.
What is the best budget iPhone if I want an OLED screen?
The refurbished iPhone 13 is the best budget pick with an OLED display, available for around $330. It has a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen, dual 12MP cameras, Face ID, and runs current iOS. The iPhone SE has an LCD screen, so if OLED matters the 13 is the lowest-cost option.
How much can I save buying a refurbished iPhone instead of new?
Typically 30 to 50 percent compared to the original retail price. A refurbished iPhone 13 costs around $330 versus $699 new at launch. A refurbished iPhone SE (3rd gen) runs about $180. The savings are largest on models that are two or more generations old, because supply is higher and demand has shifted to newer models.
Want to compare the full refurbished lineup?
Every model graded, priced, and ranked — or find out what your current iPhone is worth before you buy.