PhonesCheaper
iPhone 13 Buying Guide
iPhone 13 Buying Guide
Complete UK buying guide for refurbished iPhone 13. Find the best deals from £171-350 and save up to 78% off retail.
The iPhone 13 remains an excellent choice in 2026. Released September 2021, it features the powerful A15 Bionic chip (the same chip used in iPhone 14!), Cinematic Mode video, and significantly improved battery life over iPhone 12. At current refurbished prices, it offers exceptional value.
💰 Massive Savings
Original retail: £779
Refurbished range: £171-350
Save up to £608 (78% off)
The sweet spot for budget-conscious buyers wanting flagship performance.
Chip
A15 Bionic (same as iPhone 14!)
Display
6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED
2532 x 1170 pixels
Camera
12MP main + 12MP Ultra Wide
Cinematic Mode
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Battery
Up to 19 hours video
(Big jump from iPhone 12)
Connectivity
5G, Lightning port
Water Resistance
IP68 (6m for 30 mins)
Notch
20% smaller than iPhone 12
Live UK prices, updated from our comparison data
| Condition | 128GB | 256GB | 512GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pristine/Like New | £270-280 | £300 | - |
| Excellent | £220-250 | £270-350 | £319 |
| Good | £220-230 | £235-309 | - |
| Fair | £171-249 | £220-260 | £270 |
The lowest iPhone 13 price we tracked on each of the last 90 days. Hover the line to see any day's price.
Lowest tracked
£160
Highest tracked
£225
Cheapest now
£171
Over this period
-13%
Based on prices recorded by PhonesCheaper. Coverage varies by retailer and has expanded over time, so this shows the cheapest price we observed, not necessarily the cheapest available anywhere.
Here's the secret: the iPhone 13 uses the A15 Bionic chip - the exact same chip found in the iPhone 14. This means you're getting flagship-level performance at mid-range prices. The camera improvements over iPhone 12 are substantial, and battery life got a significant boost. For users who don't need the latest features, the iPhone 13 delivers everything you need.
The Pro adds ProMotion 120Hz display, telephoto camera, macro photography, ProRes video, and stainless steel frame. Refurbished Pro models cost £100-200 more.
Verdict: If you're serious about photography or video, the Pro is worth considering. For everyday use, the standard iPhone 13 is plenty capable.
Buying online means you cannot inspect the handset first, so run these checks as soon as it is delivered, while you are still inside the returns window.
Battery Health
Given its age, prioritise 85%+ battery health
Face ID
Test thoroughly in different lighting conditions
Screen
Check for OLED burn-in or scratches
Lightning Port
Look for corrosion or damage
Warranty
Especially important for older models - aim for 12+ months
