What is Battery Health on refurbished iPhones?

Apple shows max battery vs new state. 100 % = new. Providers guarantee 80-90 % at sale. Anything under 80 % we'd skip.

Can I replace the battery later?

Apple charges 99-129 € depending on model. Third parties are cheaper but may void the provider warranty.

Best small iPhone for battery?

The iPhone 13 mini is the last small option with decent battery. Refurbished often under 300 €. The 12 mini struggles by comparison.

Best refurbished iPhone for battery life in 2026

Battery life is often the deal-breaker after three years. Refurbished iPhones have an advantage: providers like Refurbed and Apple replace the battery below a certain threshold. Still, models vary a lot.

1. Battery king: iPhone 17 Pro Max

37+ hours of video — the longest-lasting iPhone Apple has ever shipped. Vapor-cooled A19 Pro runs more efficiently, bigger body fits more battery.

Refurbished still pricey in 2026 (from ~1,200 €), but for max battery there's no alternative.

2. Sweet spot: iPhone 16 Pro Max

33 hours of video — almost as good as the 17 Pro Max. Refurbished often from 900-1,000 €. Best price-battery pick of 2026.

3. Standard Plus: iPhone 16 Plus or 15 Plus

Both squeeze a big battery into the 6.7" body. 26-27 hours of video. Refurbished often 500-650 € — best battery under 700 €.

4. Pro without Max: iPhone 15 Pro Max

29 hours of video, slightly lighter than the 16 Pro Max, refurbished 100-200 € cheaper. Titanium lovers stop here.

Watch out for older models

iPhone 12 and older often have battery issues after 3-4 years. Ask for the battery health % before buying refurbished — anything below 85 % is a warning sign.

Refurbed guarantees at least 80 %, Swappie at least 85 %. Backmarket varies by seller.

Verdict

For max battery: 16 Pro Max refurbished. Best price-battery balance: 16 Plus or 15 Plus. Tight budget: the 13 has surprisingly solid battery under 300 €.

→ Compare current prices

Models from this article

iPhone 16 Pro Max

A18 Pro

iPhone 17 Pro Max

A19 Pro

iPhone 15 Pro Max

A17 Pro

iPhone 16 Plus

A18

iPhone 15 Plus

A16 Bionic

Frequently asked

What is Battery Health on refurbished iPhones?: Apple shows max battery vs new state. 100 % = new. Providers guarantee 80-90 % at sale. Anything under 80 % we'd skip.
Can I replace the battery later?: Apple charges 99-129 € depending on model. Third parties are cheaper but may void the provider warranty.
Best small iPhone for battery?: The iPhone 13 mini is the last small option with decent battery. Refurbished often under 300 €. The 12 mini struggles by comparison.