Buying a used iPhone is one of the smartest ways to save on premium hardware. The hard part is knowing which generation actually delivers value versus which ones are overpriced, underpowered, or nearly out of software support. This guide ranks every iPhone that runs iOS 27 by real-world value, with current Swappa prices, and it was updated after Apple’s September 2026 launch changed the math at both ends of the lineup.
Quick Answer
The iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 are the sweet-spot buys for most people: both run iOS 27, both have years of support left, and on Swappa the standard models sell for roughly $275 to $525 depending on storage. The iPhone 13 is still the budget standout at around $225 to $325, and the iPhone 16e is the cheapest used iPhone with Apple Intelligence. At the top, Apple discontinued the iPhone 17 Pro when the iPhone 18 Pro arrived, and a used one costs about $300 less than a new 18 Pro while giving up very little. Skip the iPhone 12 unless you are buying purely on price, and browse used iPhones on Swappa to compare current listings.
What the September 2026 Launch Changed
Apple’s September 9 event reset the top of the lineup and raised prices across the rest of it.
- The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max arrived on September 18 at $1,199 and $1,299 with 256GB, powered by the A20 Pro and a variable-aperture main camera. Apple’s first foldable, the iPhone Duo, starts at $1,999 and ships October 23. Full breakdown in iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo: What’s New and Is It Worth It?, and iPhone Duo vs. Android Foldables: How It Compares measures the Duo against the Galaxy Z Fold and Pixel Fold.
- The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max were discontinued the same day. Apple no longer sells them, so a used or leftover-stock unit is now the only way to get one.
- Every carryover iPhone got $100 more expensive. The iPhone 16 went to $799, the iPhone 17e to $699, the iPhone 17 to $899, and the iPhone Air to $1,099. Apple blamed the rising cost of memory and storage chips. The model-by-model math is in iPhone 17 Price Increase: What It Means for Used Buyers.
- There is no standard iPhone 18 this fall. Reports point to spring 2027 for the base iPhone 18, so the usual fall wave of non-Pro trade-ins is thinner this year.
For a used buyer, the net effect is favorable. Used value is measured against what a new equivalent costs, and a higher new-phone price widens the savings rather than shrinking them. One exception: brand-new models rarely sell at a discount in their first weeks. On September 24, the cheapest iPhone 18 Pro listed on Swappa was $1,391, above Apple’s $1,199 starting price, so there is no used deal on the 18 Pro yet.
If you are weighing a new iPhone 18 Pro against a used alternative, iPhone 18 Pro vs. Used iPhone 16 and 17: Which to Buy works through it by budget band. The one genuinely new piece of camera hardware this year is covered in iPhone 18 Pro Variable Aperture: What It Means for Used Buyers.
How Long Do iPhones Stay Supported
Before buying any used iPhone, the iOS support window should be your starting point. Apple does not publish a fixed end-of-life date, but the pattern is clear: iPhones typically receive major iOS updates for six to seven years from release. Once a device falls off the iOS update list, it stops receiving security patches, and new apps start dropping support over the following year or two.
The practical buying floor: any iPhone that is one major iOS version behind should raise a flag. An iPhone that cannot run the current iOS is not just missing features. It is accumulating unpatched security vulnerabilities and will increasingly fail to run apps that require the latest OS version.
iOS 27 is the current major release, out since September 14, 2026. It supports exactly the same iPhones as iOS 26, reaching back to the iPhone 11 and the iPhone SE (2nd generation), so no iPhone lost support this year. The iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 series are running on borrowed time and may be on their last major version. Everything from the iPhone 13 forward has at least two to three years of solid iOS support ahead.
Running iOS 27 is not the same as getting every iOS 27 feature. Features split into three tiers:
- Apple Intelligence and the new Siri need an iPhone 15 Pro or newer: the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, every iPhone 16 model including the 16e, the iPhone 17, and the iPhone 17e.
- The most advanced Siri features, such as the more accurate dictation and a customizable Siri voice, need 12GB of memory. Among models released before the iPhone 18 Pro, only the iPhone 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air have it.
- Everything else, from the iPhone 11 through the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus plus the SE models, gets iOS 27 itself without Apple Intelligence.
| iPhone Model | Released | OS Support Window | Update Window Ends |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 18 Pro / 18 Pro Max / Duo | Sept 2026 (Duo: Oct 2026) | iOS 27 → ongoing | ~2033 |
| iPhone 17e | March 2026 | iOS 26 → ongoing | ~2033 |
| iPhone 17 / Air / 17 Pro / 17 Pro Max | Sept 2025 | iOS 26 → ongoing | ~2032 |
| iPhone 16e | Feb 2025 | iOS 18 → ongoing | ~2032 |
| iPhone 16 / Plus / Pro / Pro Max | Sept 2024 | iOS 18 → ongoing | ~2031 |
| iPhone 15 / Plus / Pro / Pro Max | Sept 2023 | iOS 17 → ongoing | ~2030 |
| iPhone 14 / Plus / Pro / Pro Max | Sept 2022 (Plus: Oct 2022) | iOS 16 → ongoing | ~2029 |
| iPhone 13 / mini / Pro / Pro Max | Sept 2021 | iOS 15 → ongoing | ~2028 |
| iPhone SE (3rd gen) | March 2022 | iOS 15 → ongoing | ~2028 |
| iPhone 12 / mini / Pro / Pro Max | Oct to Nov 2020 | iOS 14 → iOS 27 (current) | ~2027 |
| iPhone SE (2nd gen) | April 2020 | iOS 13 → iOS 27 (current) | ~2027 |
| iPhone 11 / Pro / Pro Max | Sept 2019 | iOS 13 → iOS 27 (current) | ~2027 |
| iPhone XR / XS / XS Max | Sept to Oct 2018 | iOS 12 → iOS 18 (final) | 2024 (security ~2027) |
| iPhone X | Nov 2017 | iOS 11 → iOS 16 (final) | 2022 (security ~2025) |
| iPhone 8 / 8 Plus | Sept 2017 | iOS 11 → iOS 16 (final) | 2022 (security ~2025) |
End dates after “ongoing” are estimates based on Apple’s six-to-seven-year pattern. Apple tends to drop iPhones by chip, so models that share a chip usually lose support together. For how other brands compare, see How Long Will a Used Phone Get Updates?
The Value Sweet Spot Right Now
Used iPhone pricing follows a predictable curve: new models launch, older models drop sharply in resale value within the first six to twelve months, and then pricing stabilizes. The best time to buy a used iPhone is after that first drop, while the device still has several years of software support ahead.
Right now, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 sit squarely in that window. A 128GB iPhone 14 averaged about $283 on Swappa as of September 24, 2026, and a 128GB iPhone 15 about $387. Both run iOS 27 with years to spare, and the iPhone 15 brought USB-C, which is where Apple moved away from Lightning. The iPhone 13 sits one step further down the curve at about $242 and remains the strongest pick for a tight budget.
The September price increase shifted the math in the buyer’s favor. A new iPhone 16 now costs $799, while a used 128GB model averages about $527, roughly a third less. A used iPhone Air averages about $705 against $1,099 new, a gap of more than 35 percent, and it carries the same 12GB of memory as the iPhone 17 Pro.
At the other end, the discontinued iPhone 17 Pro is the one case this year where a recent model, rather than a three-year-old one, is the value play. A 256GB unit averages about $908, which is $291 less than a new iPhone 18 Pro for a phone with the same screen sizes and telephoto camera.
iPhone vs. Android Resale Value: A Data-Driven Comparison
Generation-by-Generation Rundown
This rundown covers every generation worth considering. Use it to match your budget and needs to the right model before shopping. Price ranges are Swappa’s average sale prices across storage sizes as of September 24, 2026, and they move with condition, storage, carrier, and demand. Check current Swappa prices for the exact model before you buy.
iPhone 17 Series (2025): The Pro Value Story This Year
| Model | Chip | Used Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17e (2026) | A19 | $500 to $650 | The newest budget iPhone, now with MagSafe and 256GB standard |
| iPhone 17 | A19 | $700 to $900 | 120Hz ProMotion and an always-on display without Pro pricing |
| iPhone Air | A19 Pro | $700 to $950 | The cheapest used way into 12GB of memory and every iOS 27 feature |
| iPhone 17 Pro | A19 Pro | $900 to $1,050 | The best used value in the Pro tier |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | A19 Pro | $1,000 to $1,450 | Nearly an iPhone 18 Pro Max for about $280 less |
Best for: The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are the headline used buys of late 2026. Apple discontinued both on September 9, so they are available only used or from remaining third-party stock. Against the iPhone 18 Pro they share the display sizes, the 48MP triple-camera layout, and the same 4x telephoto with 8x optical-quality zoom. What you give up is the A20 Pro chip, some battery life, and the variable-aperture main camera. Used prices are holding up well: a 256GB 17 Pro averages about $908, only 17 percent below the $1,099 it launched at a year ago.
Watch-outs: Apple still sells the iPhone 17, 17e, and Air new, and all three took the $100 increase. A used iPhone 17 averages about $724 at 256GB against $899 new, a smaller discount than older models, so make sure the listing is priced well below new. The Air trades a second rear camera and some battery life for its thin design.
Used price bands: Prices vary, especially in the weeks after a launch. Check current used iPhone 17 series listings on Swappa for real-time pricing.
iPhone 16 Series (2024)
| Model | Chip | Used Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 16e (2025) | A18 | $375 to $525 | The cheapest used iPhone with Apple Intelligence |
| iPhone 16 | A18 | $525 to $700 | Mainstream buyers who want recent hardware |
| iPhone 16 Plus | A18 | $525 to $675 | Battery-first buyers, larger screen |
| iPhone 16 Pro | A18 Pro | $650 to $900 | Camera power users on a budget |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | A18 Pro | $750 to $900 | Top-tier camera plus largest display |
Best for: Buyers who want a recent phone with a long runway ahead of it. Apple Intelligence runs on every iPhone 16 model, including the 16e, and also on the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, so it is not exclusive to this generation. The iPhone 16e is the standout for value: at about $374 for 128GB, it costs slightly less than a used iPhone 15 and adds Apple Intelligence and a newer chip.
Watch-outs: The 16e has a single rear camera, a notch instead of the Dynamic Island, and no MagSafe. Apple still sells the iPhone 16 new at $799, so a used one should come in well under that. And if your budget reaches the top of this table, price a used iPhone 17 Pro first: about $150 more than a 256GB 16 Pro Max gets you a year-newer phone with a 48MP telephoto and 12GB of memory.
Used price bands: Prices vary. Check current used iPhone 16 series listings on Swappa for real-time used market pricing.
iPhone 15 Series (2023): Value Sweet Spot
| Model | Chip | Used Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 15 | A16 Bionic | $375 to $525 | USB-C converts, mainstream buyers |
| iPhone 15 Plus | A16 Bionic | $400 to $550 | Large screen without Pro price |
| iPhone 15 Pro | A17 Pro | $475 to $600 | Apple Intelligence, ProRes video, titanium build |
| iPhone 15 Pro Max | A17 Pro | $575 to $700 | Best pre-A18 camera system |
Best for: Buyers who want USB-C, the Dynamic Island, a 48MP main camera, and several years of iOS support ahead. The 15 Pro and Pro Max are the oldest iPhones that run Apple Intelligence.
Watch-outs: The standard iPhone 15 and 15 Plus do not get Apple Intelligence. If that matters to you, a used iPhone 16e costs about the same as a 15. The standard iPhone 15 uses the A16, the same chip as the iPhone 14 Pro, so performance is solid either way.
Used price bands: Prices vary. Check current used iPhone 15 series listings for up-to-date pricing.
iPhone 14 Series (2022): Value Sweet Spot
| Model | Chip | Used Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 14 | A15 Bionic | $275 to $375 | Best overall used value right now |
| iPhone 14 Plus | A15 Bionic | $300 to $375 | Big-screen buyers on a budget |
| iPhone 14 Pro | A16 Bionic | $350 to $475 | Always-on display, 48MP camera, Dynamic Island |
| iPhone 14 Pro Max | A16 Bionic | $425 to $550 | Max camera plus battery at a depreciated price |
Best for: The iPhone 14 is the single best value for most buyers right now. It pairs a flagship-class A15 Bionic chip and a solid camera system with a strong iOS support window, and the used market has priced it well below original retail.
Watch-outs: The iPhone 14 standard and Plus use the same A15 chip as the iPhone 13 Pro, so you are getting the same processing power as a 2021 Pro model. The 14 Pro and Pro Max step up to the A16. Emergency SOS via satellite and Crash Detection arrive here, which the 13 series lacks. No iPhone 14 model gets Apple Intelligence.
Used price bands: Prices vary. Check current used iPhone 14 series listings on Swappa for real-time pricing.
iPhone 13 Series (2021): Budget Pick
| Model | Chip | Used Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 13 | A15 Bionic | $225 to $325 | Budget-conscious buyers wanting flagship performance |
| iPhone 13 mini | A15 Bionic | $250 to $325 | Small-phone enthusiasts (the last mini iPhone) |
| iPhone 13 Pro | A15 Bionic | $300 to $450 | ProMotion 120Hz, better cameras at a fair price |
| iPhone 13 Pro Max | A15 Bionic | $350 to $500 | Best battery in any used iPhone at this price |
Best for: The iPhone 13 is arguably the best bang-for-buck in the entire used iPhone lineup for buyers who do not need USB-C or Apple Intelligence. The A15 Bionic is no slouch in 2026. The 13 mini is the last small iPhone Apple made. For more options under $300, see Best Cheap iPhones in 2026: Top Picks Under $300.
Watch-outs: No Emergency SOS via satellite. No always-on display. Lightning connector (not USB-C). Two to three years of iOS support remaining. These are real tradeoffs, but they may not matter depending on your needs.
Used price bands: Prices vary. Check current used iPhone 13 series listings for current pricing.
iPhone 12 Series (2020): Proceed with Caution
| Model | Chip | Used Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 12 | A14 Bionic | $150 to $200 | Price-only buyers who understand the tradeoffs |
| iPhone 12 mini | A14 Bionic | $140 to $240 | Ultra-budget small phone |
| iPhone 12 Pro | A14 Bionic | $200 to $250 | Not recommended over the 13 Pro at current prices |
| iPhone 12 Pro Max | A14 Bionic | $275 to $350 | Same concern as the 12 Pro |
Best for: Pure budget buys where roughly $200 is a hard ceiling and you understand you are getting a phone with a short iOS support runway.
Watch-outs: The iPhone 12 runs iOS 27, but it is approaching the iOS support floor and may be on its last major version. At current used prices, a 128GB iPhone 13 costs only about $65 more than a 128GB iPhone 12 and delivers meaningfully more runway. Unless the price gap is significant, the iPhone 13 is the smarter pick.
Recommendation: Buy only if you find a notable price gap versus a 13. Otherwise, step up.
Check current used iPhone 12 series listings for prices.
iPhone SE 3rd Gen (2022): Budget Option
| Model | Chip | Used Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone SE (3rd gen) | A15 Bionic | $120 to $175 | Home-button fans, tight budgets, kids’ phones |
Best for: The SE 3rd gen has the same A15 Bionic as the iPhone 13, which is remarkable for the price, and its iOS support should track the iPhone 13’s. If you want a small, affordable iPhone with a home button and Touch ID, this is the newest one you can buy. Apple ended the SE line when the iPhone 16e replaced it in February 2025.
Watch-outs: Small 4.7″ screen, no Face ID, no 5G mmWave (sub-6GHz only), no ProMotion, and no Apple Intelligence. The camera and battery are also the weakest on this list.
Check current iPhone SE 3rd Gen prices
Storage, Battery Health, and Color: What Actually Matters Used
Storage
For most buyers, 128GB is the floor and 256GB is the sweet spot. If you shoot a lot of video or keep large media libraries locally, 256GB or 512GB is worth the premium. The jump from 64GB to 128GB is meaningful. The jump from 256GB to 512GB is mostly for power users.
Do not buy a used iPhone with 64GB unless you primarily stream everything and use iCloud heavily. You will run out of space faster than you expect. Every iPhone Apple has released since September 2025, from the 17e to the 18 Pro, starts at 256GB, so newer used models clear this bar automatically.
How Much Storage Do You Need on a Used Phone?
Battery Health
Apple reports battery health as a percentage in Settings > Battery > Battery Health. Battery capacity degrades with use over time, so this number is lower on older or heavily used phones. Swappa has no minimum battery-health percentage to list a device: the requirement is a fully functional battery (one that properly charges and discharges).
One disclosure rule applies specifically to iPhones: if battery health is below 80% and the Apple battery message is showing in Settings, the seller must disclose that on the listing. When shopping, check the listed battery health and factor in the possibility of a future battery replacement (roughly $50 to $120, depending on the model and whether you use Apple or an independent shop) when comparing prices.
For a full breakdown of what battery health numbers mean and when low capacity is a deal-breaker, see the iPhone battery health guide.
iPhone Battery Health: What to Check on a Used iPhone
Color
Color does not affect performance, but it affects resale if you plan to sell later. Neutral colors (black, white, silver, midnight) tend to have broader buyer demand. Limited-run colors can be harder to sell later.
Unlocked vs. Carrier-Locked
Buy unlocked whenever possible. An unlocked iPhone works on any compatible carrier, gives you negotiating power on your plan, and is easier to resell.
Carrier-locked iPhones are tied to a specific network. They can often be unlocked after meeting carrier requirements (usually paying off the device), but the process adds friction. On Swappa, listings display carrier status. Filter for unlocked to see the full range of options.
Unlocked vs. Carrier-Locked Phones: What It Means When Buying Used
Where to Buy a Used iPhone Safely
The used iPhone market ranges from legitimate peer-to-peer sellers to outright scams. The risks to know: devices with bad IMEI/ESN (reported lost, stolen, or carrier-blacklisted), Activation Lock left on, and condition misrepresentation.
How to Check If a Phone Is Stolen (Free IMEI Check)
iCloud Activation Lock: How to Avoid It on a Used iPhone
Buying on Swappa removes most of this friction. Listings are staff-reviewed before going live. Swappa requires:
- Clean IMEI/ESN (no blacklist, no carrier debt)
- No Activation Lock or iCloud lock
- No cracked glass or water damage at listing
- Fully functional battery (charges and discharges normally)
- Battery health disclosure if below 80% with an Apple warning showing
Payments go through PayPal (with buyer and seller protection and dispute resolution) or Stripe for select sellers. If a device is not as described, you are entitled to a return and refund. The 3% buyer fee is refunded on a proper PayPal refund. Swappa’s fees are flat: 3% buyer fee, 3% seller fee, and selling fees are lower than other auction-site fees. Support is available 24/7/365 with an average response time around 20 minutes.
FAQ
What is the best used iPhone to buy in 2026?
For most buyers in late 2026, the iPhone 14 or iPhone 15 offers the best combination of performance, iOS support runway, and price, at roughly $275 to $525 on Swappa for the standard models. The iPhone 13 is the budget pick if you can live without USB-C, and the iPhone 16e is the cheapest used iPhone with Apple Intelligence. At the top of the market, the discontinued iPhone 17 Pro costs about $300 less than a new iPhone 18 Pro and gives up very little.
Is it safe to buy a refurbished or used iPhone?
Yes, with the right protections in place. The key risks are blacklisted IMEIs, Activation Lock, and misrepresented condition. Buying through a marketplace like Swappa that reviews listings before they go live and requires clean IMEI, no Activation Lock, and accurate condition grades removes most of these risks.
How many years of updates does a used iPhone get?
Apple typically supports iPhones for six to seven years from release. iOS 27, released September 14, 2026, runs on the iPhone 11 and newer plus the iPhone SE (2nd generation) and later, so no iPhone lost support this year. A used iPhone 14 (released 2022) should receive major iOS updates through roughly 2028 to 2029, while the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 may be on their final major version.
What battery health should I look for in a used iPhone?
Check the listed battery health percentage and factor in any potential future replacement cost when comparing prices. Swappa requires sellers to disclose battery health below 80% when the Apple battery message is active. Lower battery health is normal on older or well-used devices. If the phone is fully functional and the price reflects the condition, a lower battery health is not automatically a deal-breaker. For more on what the numbers mean, see the iPhone battery health guide.
Is the iPhone 17 Pro worth buying used?
Yes, and it is the best value in the Pro tier right now. Apple discontinued it on September 9, 2026, so it is available only used or from remaining third-party stock, and a 256GB model averages about $908 on Swappa against $1,199 for a new iPhone 18 Pro. It shares the display sizes, the 48MP triple-camera layout, and the 8x optical-quality zoom with the iPhone 18 Pro, and its 12GB of memory runs every iOS 27 feature. What you give up is the A20 Pro chip, some battery life, and the variable-aperture main camera.
Is the iPhone 12 still worth buying used?
Only if the price is meaningfully lower than an iPhone 13 and you understand it is nearing the end of its iOS support window. It runs iOS 27, but a 128GB iPhone 13 costs only about $65 more on Swappa and should get updates for longer, so the 13 is usually the smarter buy.
The Bottom Line
The used iPhone market has excellent options at almost every price point right now, and the September 2026 launch made the used side of it stronger rather than weaker. If you want the safest, most versatile buy, the iPhone 14 or iPhone 15 are the smart picks: strong performance, iOS 27 with years of support ahead, and prices that reflect real depreciation. Drop to the iPhone 13 if the budget is tight, or pick the iPhone 16e for Apple Intelligence at about the price of an iPhone 15. Step up to the iPhone 16 for a longer runway. And if you are shopping the Pro tier at all, price the discontinued iPhone 17 Pro first, because it is the closest thing to a new iPhone 18 Pro for about $300 less. Avoid the iPhone 12 unless the price gap versus a 13 is significant.
Whatever you buy, make sure the IMEI is clean, Activation Lock is off, and battery health is disclosed. Swappa handles all of that before a listing goes live.
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