Cheapest used iPhones on eBay, live right now.

How to buy a used iPhone (and which one)

Battery health is the single most important number. On the phone, Settings > Battery > Battery Health shows a percentage; anything at 85% or above is healthy, while a figure in the 70s means a replacement is due soon (around $70-90 at Apple, less independently). Always ask the seller for a photo of that screen. A cheap phone with a worn battery is not actually cheap once you factor the replacement in.

Check it is clean, not locked or stolen. This is the step that catches people out. Ask for the IMEI (dial *#06#) and run it through a free IMEI checker to confirm it is not blacklisted (reported lost or stolen) and not still tied to a carrier contract. Crucially, the phone must be signed out of the previous owner's iCloud/Apple ID, otherwise Activation Lock makes it a paperweight. If a listing shows the lock screen asking for someone else's Apple ID, walk away.

Which model is the value sweet spot. The iPhone 12 and 13 are the current used bargains: fast enough for years, still getting iOS updates, and far cheaper than the latest. Avoid anything older than the iPhone 11 unless it is very cheap, because it is close to losing software support. Storage cannot be upgraded, so buy 128GB or more even if it costs a little extra. Test the screen for dead pixels and green tint, Face ID, both cameras, and the charging port before you leave feedback.

Used, refurbished or new. A seller-refurbished iPhone usually comes with a new battery and a short warranty for a small premium over a plain used one, which is often worth it. A clean used iPhone in good condition typically runs 40-55% below the new price for nearly the same experience.

Common questions

Cheapest by model, at a glance

A daily snapshot of the lowest genuine eBay price for every model we track, and how good that price is right now versus its usual level, updated automatically. Prices last refreshed 7 August 2026 . Tap a price to see that model's cheapest listings on eBay, or tap a model name for the full live list here.

Under each model is the actual listing that price came from, so you can see whether it is the thing you want or a bundle, a variant, or an accessory that happens to share the name.

"Off retail" compares today's used price with what the model cost new. For models still on sale that is the current price; for discontinued ones it is the launch price, so it shows how far the model has depreciated rather than a discount you could get on a new one.

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