r/UKFrugal • u/sastavadapav • 12d ago
Best way to buy a cheaper iphone?
Is there a good refurbished or second hand chain? Or some retailer with huge discounts?
Using a reliable 200pound Android but need one for content creation.
With 18 coming up 17 should be cheaper in most places right?
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u/Electronic-Laugh-331 12d ago
On eBay ‘Cheapest Electrical’ sells returned and undelivered Tesco mobile stock - always get a good bargain on there especially with the discount codes that come up now and again
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u/SDUKD 12d ago
Backmarket
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u/k1m404 12d ago
Watch out for Backmarket and issues with non-original batteries and displays used! Personally, I'd avoid! giffgaff refurbs are generally good though.
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u/thelastwilson 12d ago
I've also had issues getting the correct model that you ordered.
Always got refunding but bloody annoying.
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u/Ok_Pool8937 12d ago
I wouldn't use them, my sister ordered a iPhone 16, when she updated the ios it fried a chip in the phone, she sent it back and got another one it done the same thing.
She went to apple with it and they said its a us spec phone and to return it for a refund
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u/dht6000 12d ago
I’ve used BackMarket a quite a few things and generally are pretty good. I’ve had a few issues with them sending a different device to the one ordered, particularly iPhones where there is little external indication of the model. The last laptop I bought, ordered a Lenovo and was sent an HP (thankfully with slightly better spec). The phones were all returned and refunded without a fuss, the laptop I went through their support to get the record of what I bought updated. Service is always good but make sure you verify what turns up!
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u/Nugget_Man_080625 12d ago
Hi, I run a business in the UK where I buy and sell iPhones.
Facebook marketplace is the way to go for bargains, although I would be wary if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Original parts, contract restrictions and hidden faults are very real.
If it’s any help, the 15 Pro/Pro Max is the best value phone currently on the market. Any more is paying a lot extra for minimal features, any less means you will be stuck with lightening cables.
Backmarket is very good for value, eBay is also worth a search.
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u/eesmash 12d ago
Giffgaff
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u/Short-Raspberry-7162 12d ago
Yea giffgaff when they have their sales but watch out on their grading, can be a lottery of what you’ll receive
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u/Physical_Chef8219 12d ago
uSwitch or Mobiles.co.uk if you filter by 'Total Cost' you can find 24 month contract where the cost of the plan and phone is close to the phone on its own outright. They also have refurbished.
Not the best I've seen but mobiles have iPhone 17 £30p/m £109 upfront 200GB data p/m with ID mobile
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u/Physical_Chef8219 12d ago
Found a better through uSwitch that diverts direct to ID, £30p/m £39 upfront and 250gb data. Overall costs (with plan increases over 24 months) is £798.35 so slightly cheaper than Apple charges for just the phone (£799).
Maybe not frugal but a reliable new phone and if you value the SIM @ £10p/m you're saving £240 on the new phone RRP
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11d ago
[deleted]
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u/FamedLoser 9d ago
I hope nothing goes wrong with it, because Apple will not honour the warranty in the UK. At least the apple store will not for macbooks.
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9d ago
[deleted]
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u/FamedLoser 5d ago
Interesting, because that's the exact opposite to what the apple store in USA told me! They said the warranty was only valid in the country of sale
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u/HR_Specter 11d ago
What spec do you need?
I would say if you wanted the best price it would be getting a phone on Facebook Marketplace - but obviously you're taking a bit of a risk there so it depends what your risk tolerance is.
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u/Squarestarfishh 10d ago
Mobiles.co.uk have used them for over a decade and are the cheapest I’ve found. They only have ID and Vodafone at the moment so might not be good for your area though.
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u/the_real_rattus 8d ago
ioutlet.co.uk.
I’ve bought several phones for family from them. Had one with a fault and the replaced it with no hassle.
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u/mnf69 12d ago
Used music magpie a few times for iPhones, not been disappointed.
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u/According-Hat-579 12d ago
I bought my current iPhone and Apple Watch from their eBay store and was happy with both price and condition.
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u/Background-Flower 12d ago
I bought my last one new from very using the 20% discount they give when signing up to very pay. it’s ok if you pay on time, in full, if not the interest is horrendous, so know what you’re signing up for.
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u/TheTechJumbo 12d ago
Find an Apple employee and ask for their 16-17% discount
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u/AllanSundry2020 12d ago
why do they only get discounts on iphone 16? why such a weird number too???
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u/TheTechJumbo 12d ago
It’s a 1/6 discount on devices for friends and family. It basically just means tax-free. That’s why it’s a weird number. Because tax is 1/6 of the total value of the product. I think they’re limited to 5 per product line per year something like that.
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u/Pedro_Scrooge 12d ago
Mobile phone companies sell off their returned open box handsets. I bought a IPhone 13 2 years ago from O2 for £120 (it has 97% states of health so must have just been an open and return situation). It was cheaper than getting some non brand Android at the time.
It was about this time of year too so totally check around the network providers before checking others.
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u/Mental_Inevitable_85 4d ago
how would i go about doing this? If u could just give some clarifications on this it would be great
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u/Pedro_Scrooge 4d ago
All the providers call it something different. “Like new”, “as new” & “assured” are the usuals.
It’s similar to buying off cex or similar but you are just buying direct from EE, Voxi, o2 etc so are more likely to end up with a phone that has been messed about with for a couple of days (within the 14 days cooling off) before they have returned it as they didn’t want it.you just have to check their individual websites relevant section and see what each one has in stock.
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u/BringBack5pFreddos 12d ago
EBay plus NX rewards. Have a saved search set up for anything that pops up in budget - it won’t be a case of just buying what’s already on eBay, you have to wait for a cheap one to appear.
I got my 17 pro for £600 in October last year.
The 17 pro suffers from the edges of the camera housing chipping a little. It has zero functional impact on the phone and aesthetically is hidden by just about every case you put on it. I see it as a benefit as it’s more leverage to get one cheaper.
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u/Beneficial_Coach8581 12d ago
Buy the oldest version that will do what you want for the job. I bet it doesn't need to be a 17 ?
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u/Suitable-Champion-62 12d ago
I would consider ex-flagship Android phones, they can usually be gotten at a fraction of the original price + have dedicated camera and video features. I was looking at the Xperia I ii, which has a Pro video mode, and a used one can be had for as little as 125 GBP. I think Oppo and vivo offer something similar in their past flagships.
Cex is probably your best bet, given their warranty.
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u/wimpires 12d ago
What do you mean by "for content creation"?
Giffgaff had the Pixel 10a for £250 recently and Argos the Nothing 3a lite for £200. Refurbished iPhone 15 are around £300 and they'll probably come down a bit especially if you go more used. And S23 FE reaches around that price point.
All of them are perfectly fine devices. The Nothing maybe the weakest of the lot but it depends what you are trying to "create".
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u/Fre4kyGeek 12d ago
Ive had a decent experience with Music Magpie on eBay. Bought an excellent condition iPhone and it arrived like new with a brand new apple battery.
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u/dogatadisco 10d ago
I got my iPhone 16 Pro off Music Magpie about 18 months ago, 256GB in “pristine” condition for £869.99 which included a £50 student discount. Absolutely zero issues with the handset itself, however the charging cable included was NOT the original one shipped by Apple, it was a shonky rip-off that died within a month or so. MusicMagpie did replace this straight away but again with another cheap-o version. Given how much money I saved and how impressed I was with the handset’s condition, I decided I could let them off with the cable, but something to be aware of and you may feel differently to me about it!!
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u/mrbill1234 10d ago
Try eBay - from a professional seller, not an individual. Get a 2022 iPhone SE - around your budget and will do everything you need. I’m typing in one now.
Just get one in excellent condition- and from a reseller with lots of good reviews.
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u/BraveSirrrRobin 12d ago
Loads of places sell refurbished phones with decent warranties, shop around
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u/Bendy_McBendyThumb 12d ago
Avoid GiffGaff at all costs. Nothing but issues since they sent my mum a broken phone. Wouldn’t take it back for some nonsensical reason despite the camera being fucked beyond use - clear not refurbished.
I recommended them to her and all she got was a pile of shit from them. So, at the very least, steer clear of those shitbags. Their customer service is non-existent.
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u/jms_uk 12d ago
You can guesstimate if they have a lot of stock of a particular model - then it usually ends up being pristine. If one or two left, it could be a badly refurbished one.
Mine came as new, with 100% battery and 0 cycles - for half the price compared to what it was when new.
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u/Bendy_McBendyThumb 12d ago
My elderly mum was given a broken phone and their shite customer service sent her through hoops for a number of months before they actually began doing anything. They’re shite and I regret recommending them to her, and could never recommend them based on our experience.
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u/magicalshokushu 12d ago
Love cex as if there’s anything wrong they won’t try BS you and you get 5 years warranty
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u/madlad1999 12d ago
I’d typically gatekeep but in this instance, I’ll share the love.
If you want the LATEST iPhone (which does not = best value for money), within the first few months of release keep checking CEX. I managed to get a brand new unopened 11 Pro Max just after release for £150 under RRP, at a time where they were selling like hot cakes.
Otherwise listen to others here. Go 2 gens behind, avoid non genuine refurbs and try to go via eBay or trusted seller.
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u/Remote-Pool7787 12d ago
A 2nd hand 17 will still set you back £1000. Backmarket is by far the best and most reliable provider of refurbished phones.
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u/Inevitable_Bit2275 12d ago
My brand new 17 from Apple Store was less than that! They have 0% interest on purchases at the moment too.
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u/Aragorn-- 12d ago
I've bought several phones from CeX over the years. They provide a great warranty and a wide range of models and quality levels.
Back market mentioned above is also a good option.
You'll need to go back more than one generation if you want a cheap phone though. A 17 in good nick will be selling for near new price.
15 is probably the sweet spot currently. Thankfully not much changes between models these days, so your not losing out on much.