By
Alex Choros - Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor
Last updated

The iPhone 15 family is the sweet spot if you're looking to save money on a refurbished phone, but still want a device that feels modern and has plenty of life left in it. In this guide, we'll look at the pros and cons of buying a refurbished iPhone 15, and compare prices for each model in the family. 

Refurbished iPhone 15 pros and cons


While the iPhone 15 series is a top option if you're looking for a refurbished or "renewed" iPhone, it is worth considering the pros and cons. The phones themselves are still great - the models aren't even three years old yet, but as with all refurbished devices, the experience is a little different to buying a new phone. They may have some damage, the battery life won't be as good as a factory-fresh phone, and the accessories included may be generic. 

Availability also isn't as consistent; it may be harder to get the refurbished iPhone 15 you're after in your preferred colour and storage size. Prices also increase the better condition the phone is in. 

Pros
  • Still reasonably new phones
  • Many years of software support left
  • Has USB-C, rather than Lightning 
Cons
  • Accessories included may be generic
  • Battery capacity will be degraded
  • Expect scuffs and wear and tear

Refurbished iPhone 15 prices


The standard iPhone 15 is naturally the cheapest refurbished option in the iPhone 15 family. Prices tend ot range from between $670 and $800, but can get higher if you're after a model in better condition. 

Refurbished iPhone 15 prices compared
iPhone 15
Retailer Pricing from
Amazon $672View on Amazon
Kogan $689View on Kogan
OzMobiles $769View on OzMobiles
Boost Mobile $779View on Boost Mobile

Note: Price and availability subject to change.

Refurbished iPhone 15 Plus prices


If you're looking at a refurbished iPhone 15 Plus, expect to spend anywhere between $730 and $840 for a model in "good" condition. 

Refurbished iPhone 15 Plus prices compared
iPhone 15
Retailer Pricing from
Amazon $783View on Amazon
Kogan $737View on Kogan
OzMobiles $789View on OzMobiles
Boost Mobile $839View on Boost Mobile

Note: Price and availability subject to change.

Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro prices


Pricing for refurbished iPhone 15 Pro devices starts at around $870, and can come close to $1,000. 

Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro prices compared
iPhone 15
Retailer Pricing from
Amazon $926View on Amazon
Kogan $869View on Kogan
OzMobiles $869View on OzMobiles
Boost Mobile $949View on Boost Mobile

Note: Price and availability subject to change.

Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max prices


Unsurprisingly, you'll likely need to spend at least $1,000 for a refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max. Apple never released a 128GB variant of the phone, so you'll be picking up a 256GB device as a minimum, which increases prices. 

Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max prices compared
iPhone 15
Retailer Pricing from
Amazon $1,019View on Amazon
Kogan $1,034View on Kogan
OzMobiles $999View on OzMobiles
Boost Mobile $1,069View on Boost Mobile

Note: Price and availability subject to change.

Should you buy a refurbished iPhone 15?


A refurbished iPhone 15, in general, is a solid buy. The entry-level model can be found for around half of what you'll pay for a new iPhone 17, and still holds up reasonably well. The iPhone 15 family all have solid cameras and snappy performance, so you're not going to feel like you're missing out on too much. 

It is also likely that the iPhone 15 family will continue to get software updates for many years. 2019's iPhone 11 is still getting upgraded to iOS 27 this year, so it will be a while before Apple stops supporting the iPhone 15. 

It is worth noting that battery life on refurbished phones can be degraded, however. Most retailers promise that refurbished devices have at least 80% battery capacity left, which is still respectable for a phone like the iPhone 15 Pro Max or iPhone 15 Plus, where we found we were getting at least seven hours of screen time per charge. On a phone like the iPhone 15 Pro, where we were only getting 4.5 hours of screen time per charge, this can be a little more dicey, especially because your battery will continue to degrade.  

One other consideration is Apple Intelligence. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus don't support Apple Intelligence features. If that's of interest, you'll need an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max. 

While you could get a cheaper new iPhone by opting for the iPhone 17e, the iPhone 15 family might feel a little more modern thanks to the dynamic island. The iPhone 17e also only has one rear-facing camera, while you'll get two or three, depending on what iPhone 15 model you choose.  

Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros
Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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