Best value iPhones 2023

The iPhone is one of the most popular smartphone brands known for its sleek design, powerful processors, and high-quality cameras, but with so many different models to choose from, it can be difficult to figure out which one offers the best bang for your buck. 

But don’t worry - we’ve done a bit of heavy lifting and narrowed down to three of the best valued iPhone models to help you decide which one is best for you.

iPhone SE (2020)

First up is the iPhone SE (2020), which is widely considered to be the best value for money in the iPhone lineup. Its “new” price starts at £399, with its refurbished counterpart reboxed from £189 making it the most affordable iPhone currently available. Strengths of the iPhone SE (2020) include its powerful A13 Bionic chip, 4.7-inch Retina HD display, and single 12-megapixel camera on the back. It also has the Touch ID fingerprint sensor that has been removed from newer models, which allows you to unlock your phone with just the touch of your finger.

The only downside to the iPhone SE (2020) however, is its design. The design is pretty much a rehash of the iPhone 8 with thicker bezels and a home button. Some users may prefer a more modern design with a bezel-less display. Additionally, the iPhone SE (2020) only has a single camera on the back, which means it may not be as good as more expensive models when it comes to taking photos in low light or capturing detailed images.

The big draw card for the iPhone SE (2020) is definitely its budget-friendly price point, making it accessible to a wider range of consumers. It also has a long-lasting battery, so it's a good option for those who need a phone that can last all day without needing to be charged.

In saying this, the iPhone SE (2020) should watch its back from other budget-friendly smartphones from competitors, such as the Samsung Galaxy A52 and Google Pixel 4a. These phones may offer similar specs and features at a similar price point, making them an equally good choice.

iPhone XR

Next, we have the iPhone XR, which starts from £499 as “new” or £200 bought refurbished from reboxed. The iPhone XR features a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina display, A12 Bionic chip, and a single 12-megapixel camera on the back. Strengths of the iPhone XR include its larger display, which is great for streaming video and playing games, as well as its durable design, which is water and dust resistant. It also has a trusty long-lasting battery good for all day usage without a charge. 

Just like the SE, the iPhone XR also only has a single camera on the back so you might struggle taking low light or detailed images. The iPhone XR is now two years old, which means it may not be as fast or as powerful as newer models but it still sports a durable design, great for someone who wants an iPhone without all the bells and whistles.

iPhone 12

Finally, we have the iPhone 12, which starts at a price of £799 as “new” or from £359 from reboxed. The iPhone 12 comes with a number of new features compared to its predecessors that make it a more premium phone, such as an OLED screen, a slightly better camera, a new design, and 5G and MagSafe connectivity.

It's also important to remember that this is just one member of the iPhone 12 family, which has a record four phones, including the iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max. In an ideal world, there would be an iPhone 12 for everyone. However, the best phone for most people might just be the standard model because it has the best features of the range at a lower price than the Pro models.

The iPhone 12 has squared-off edges and a new Ceramic Shield front that Apple says is four times harder to break than the iPhone 11's. When it comes to the cameras, you get the wide and ultra-wide 12MP. The performance of the iPhone 12 has been improved too. The A14 Bionic chipset is the most powerful in any smartphone of its time.

Here is a comparison of the prices of the latest 10 iPhone models (as of September 2021) against their refurbished versions.

As you can see, refurbished versions of the latest iPhone models tend to be significantly cheaper than their brand new counterparts in UK pounds. However, it's important to keep in mind that refurbished phones may not be in the same condition as brand new phones and may have some wear and tear. They may also not come with all of the same accessories as a brand new phone. 

It's always a good idea to do your own research, buying refurbished always comes with a risk on quality, which is why we set up reboxed in the first place.