Buying a cheap iPhone: 7 ways to pay less (without buying junk)
Cheap does not have to mean risky. Seven ways to pay hundreds of euros less for an iPhone that simply lasts for years, with a 2-year warranty.
Door The Phone Shopper
Gepubliceerd: 2026-09-08
"Cheap iPhone" sounds like a classifieds ad at eleven at night, a phone without a charger and a seller who stops answering. It does not have to be. There are seven ways to pay considerably less for an iPhone that has been tested and carries a 2-year warranty. In order of what saves the most.
In short: refurbished instead of new saves the most (30 to 60%). Then: one generation back, the "Lightly used" condition, 128GB, trading in your old phone and paying in interest-free instalments. Our cheapest iPhones right now: iPhone SE (2020) from €109, iPhone 12 mini from €187, iPhone 12 from €232.
1. Buy refurbished instead of new
The biggest difference. A refurbished iPhone 15 costs from €434 with us; new you pay hundreds more. The device is the same, just previously used, fully tested and with a battery of at least 85%. You get a 2-year warranty, more than Apple gives on a new device.
2. Go one generation back
Every year the previous generation drops sharply in price while the difference is small. The iPhone 14 (from €314) versus the 15 (from €434): €120 for USB-C and a slightly better camera. The 13 (from €307) versus the 14: almost the same phone. Two generations back is usually the limit; below that you lose on updates. See the best refurbished iPhone per budget.
3. Choose the "Lightly used" condition
Condition describes scratches, not the technology. "Lightly used" is usually €20 to €40 cheaper with us than "As new" and disappears in a case. Same check, same warranty. Only "Used" shows visible marks; that phone also works fully. Explanation per condition: which condition to choose.
4. Take 128GB, not 256GB
256GB costs €40 to €60 extra. If you keep photos in iCloud and do not install dozens of games, 128GB lasts for years. On older models with 64GB as the base (iPhone 12, SE), 128GB is worth it: 64GB is tight in 2026.
5. Trade in your old phone
A working iPhone 11 or 12 still brings tens to hundreds of euros, and that amount comes straight off your new phone. Check the guide prices per model on iPhone trade-in. Even a phone with a broken screen is worth money.
6. Pay in interest-free instalments
Through Klarna you pay in parts or later, without surcharge and without interest if you pay on time. That turns a €434 iPhone 15 into a monthly amount instead of one hit. See pay in instalments.
7. Mind the timing
Every September the new iPhones arrive. In the weeks after, prices of the previous generations fall hardest, because many people trade in then. Patient buyers get the best deals in October and November. Black Friday is less spectacular for refurbished than for new: the margins are already thin.
What not to do to save money
- Buying privately without a check. No warranty, no returns, and the risk of an iCloud lock or a stolen device.
- Buying a model that no longer gets updates. The iPhone XR and older are cheap because they are at the end. Check how long your iPhone keeps getting updates.
- A phone without a battery guarantee. An iPhone with a battery at 75% is a €60 to €100 repair in six months.
Our cheapest iPhones right now
Prices September 2026, in stock at the time of writing. The current status is on all refurbished iPhones.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest iPhone that still gets updates?
The iPhone SE (2020) and iPhone 11 run iOS 26 and are the cheapest, but also the oldest on that list. If you want years ahead, the iPhone 12 is the cheapest sensible choice.
Is a cheap iPhone from a shop better than from a private seller?
From a shop you get a warranty, returns, a checked battery and the certainty that the device is not blocked. That is usually worth the difference of a few tens of euros.
Can I see a cheap iPhone in the shop?
Yes, drop by in Nijverdal. We put the models side by side and you take it home straight away.
Refurbished iPhones, Samsung and iPads
Save up to 50% on a refurbished iPhone. Every device goes through our 50-point inspection and comes with a 2-year warranty.
Our services
Why The Phone Shopper?
- 2-year warranty on all refurbished phones
- 30 days to change your mind on devices and accessories (spare parts: 14 days) and free returns
- Free shipping within the Netherlands from €50 (accessories and parts) or €150 (phones)
- Professional 50-point inspection
- Pay securely with iDEAL, credit card, Bancontact, Apple Pay and Klarna
- Customer service available on working days, 10:00 - 18:00
Device condition
Every refurbished phone is sold in one of four conditions:
- New — Unused, in original packaging
- As good as new — No visible signs of use
- Lightly used — Minimal signs of use
- Used — Visible signs of use, technically fully sound
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