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Can anyone please help me with iPhones?

32 replies

JMSA · 12/04/2026 17:47

Hi. I’m currently on a coach trip and have vowed to buy a new phone on my return. I have an iPhone 8; usually I’ll run things into the ground before replacing, but it’s time to give up the ghost with this! The coach has no charging points (usually they do, but not this one) and it’s stressful with how quickly the phone is losing power. Not only that, but I can’t get any new apps on it.
So I’m going to buy a secondhand iPhone in good condition and with decent battery capacity. I’m not interested in having to have the latest model (obviously 😆), but it needs to hold a charge and stay up-to-date for some time to come.
Which would be the best model to get? Like the oldest/cheapest one that would still suit my needs, at least for a year or two.
Thank you 😊

OP posts:
Auroraloves · 12/04/2026 18:07

Have a look on backmarket. I got my phone from there second hand but it’s like new

Borgonzola · 12/04/2026 18:05

I just bought a new one from Back Market. They’re refurbished and you can pick how new you want it. I got a very good condition iPhone 16 for £450.

AngleofRepose · 12/04/2026 18:04

I'm still using my iPhone 12 mini, and I really hate that phones are so big now. Not great for small hands!

I have a backup iPhone 13 mini waiting for when my current 12 mini dies (still going strong although struggling for some reason with ios18.7. Lagging and glitchy.)

Got it secondhand online from The Big Phone Store (uk site), they also seem to have some 12 minis right now which are at good prices. I found ordering from them fine. If you can, I would choose one that is "brand new" "like new" or "pristine"

freedomformeismotherhood · 12/04/2026 18:04

I would buy a new iPhone from Apple themselves on interest free finance

I'd buy the best spec one, so the 17 Pro

And then get a cheap sim only deal

Treat yourself x

JMSA · 12/04/2026 18:02

Thank you, that’s really helpful.

OP posts:
Tollington · 12/04/2026 18:00

Have a look on Google. There’s a few big companies that refurbish iPhones, they fit a new battery if needed and the phone will come with a warranty. You can buy different grades which relate to the overall condition of the phone. I bought a refurbished iPhone about three years ago and you would think it was brand new, no damage at all. Batteries can only be charged a certain amount of times, sounds like your’s has reached its limit. On the phone I bought I never let the battery go below 20% and don’t charge it over 80%, this supposedly prolongs the life. I used to go to bed and leave my old phone on charge so it was 100% when I woke up, this is not good for the battery. I would go for maybe a three year old refurbed iPhone with a warranty and the highest or one but highest condition grade

Flowersandfauna · 12/04/2026 17:55

I know this is not what you are asking but Iv’e recently got the new IPhone 17 Pro and the charge lasts forever! The camera is amazing!
im planning to keep it 5 years as I did my last one, IPhone 12 😃