A refurbished iPhone is a used iPhone that has been professionally tested, repaired if necessary and certified for resale, with warranty included. It is not the same as a "used" iPhone bought from a private seller: the refurbished unit undergoes more than 30 hardware tests, IMEI and iCloud verification, battery tested with specialised technical software and an invoice. At iOutlet, all refurbished iPhones come with 24 months’ warranty, 14 days for returns and shipping to Portugal, Spain and France within 8 working days.
In this article
- Which Refurbished iPhone to Buy in 2026?
- How much can you save with a refurbished iPhone?
- Environmental Impact: Refurbished iPhone and Sustainability
- How iOutlet Guarantees Quality
- Where to Buy Refurbished iPhone in Portugal (2026)?
- How does the refurbishment process work?
- Is a refurbished iPhone good?
- What is the difference between refurbished and used?
- What do grades A, B and C mean?
- Frequently asked questions
- How to tell if an iPhone is refurbished?
- Does the refurbished iPhone receive updates?
- Can a refurbished iPhone have hidden defects?
- How much does a refurbished iPhone cost?
- Does the refurbished iPhone have a warranty?
- Is buying a refurbished iPhone safe?
- Which refurbished iPhone is best to buy?
- Perguntas frequentes
- Como saber se um iPhone é recondicionado?
- Qual é a diferença entre recondicionado e usado?
- Um iPhone recondicionado é seguro de comprar?
Which Refurbished iPhone to Buy in 2026?
With so many models available, choosing can be difficult. This table summarises the most popular models at iOutlet in April 2026, with specifications and ideal user profile:
| Model | From | Screen | Chip | Camera | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 11 | 81 € | 6.1" LCD | A13 Bionic | 12MP dual | First iPhone / limited budget |
| iPhone 12 | 161 € | 6.1" OLED | A14 Bionic | 12MP dual | Best entry-level price-performance ratio |
| iPhone 13 | 236 € | 6.1" OLED | A15 Bionic | Improved 12MP dual | Most popular - best overall choice |
| iPhone 13 Pro | 310 € | 6.1" ProMotion 120 Hz | A15 Bionic | 12MP triple Pro | Advanced photography and video |
| iPhone 14 Pro | 357 € | 6.1" ProMotion 120 Hz | A16 Bionic | 48MP Pro main camera | Dynamic Island, Pro camera, top performance |
| iPhone 15 Pro | 462 € | 6.1" ProMotion 120 Hz | A17 Pro | 48MP Pro + telephoto 3× | USB‑C, titanium, best chip available |
iOutlet data (April 2026): The iPhone 13 is the best‑selling refurbished model, priced from €236, an average saving of 55% compared with the original launch price of €929.
How to choose the right model:
- Budget up to €150 → iPhone 11. A13 chip, dual camera and iOS 18 support. Excellent for daily use.
- Between €150 and €250 → iPhone 12 or 13. The 13 is worth the extra euros: better battery (+20%), superior night camera and A15 chip with years of guaranteed support.
- Between €250 and €400 → iPhone 13 Pro or 14 Pro. If the camera is a priority, the 14 Pro with 48MP and Dynamic Island is the most significant step up in this range.
- Over €400 → iPhone 15 Pro. Native USB‑C, titanium chassis, A17 Pro chip with ray tracing. The best refurbished option available in 2026.
How much can you save with a refurbished iPhone?
One of the biggest questions buyers have is: Is the saving real? Yes, and it is substantial. See the direct comparison between the launch price and the current price on iOutlet:
| Model | New Price (launch) | Since (iOutlet, April 2026) | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 13 | 929 € | 236 € | 75% |
| iPhone 14 | 1 029 € | 285 € | 72% |
| iPhone 14 Pro | 1 329 € | 357 € | 73% |
| iPhone 15 Pro | 1 449 € | 462 € | 68% |
Key conclusion: On average, a refurbished iPhone at iOutlet costs 30% to 75% less than the original launch price, depending on the model and the chosen grade.
To put it in perspective: with the savings from buying a refurbished iPhone 13 instead of a new one (€693), you can afford three years of a 200 GB iCloud subscription, buy new AirPods and you’ll still have over €400 left.
Important note: the prices in the table refer to the original launch price, not the current new price. A new iPhone 13 is still sold in stores at around €700-750 in 2026 - the saving compared with the current new price is roughly 65%.
Environmental Impact: Refurbished iPhone and Sustainability
Buying refurbished isn’t just a financial decision - it’s also an environmental decision with measurable impact.
The numbers that matter:
- Each new iPhone generates between 56 and 74 kg of CO₂e over its lifecycle, most during manufacturing (Apple Environmental Progress Report, 2024)
- Buying refurbished avoids approximately 80% of manufacturing emissions - the most carbon‑intensive phase
- In 2024, 320 million refurbished smartphones worldwide (Mordor Intelligence, 2024)
- The refurbished market grew 12.5% in 2024, reaching $67.84 billion globally
Concrete impact: Buying a refurbished iPhone instead of a new one avoids emissions of approximately 50-60 kg of CO₂ - equivalent to driving 200 km in a gasoline car, or letting three trees grow for a year.
The European Union formally recognises this benefit: the regulation of Ecodesign for Smartphones (effective from 2025) requires manufacturers to guarantee replacement parts for five years - which also adds value and facilitates refurbishment.
Choosing refurbished is part of the model of circular economy: instead of extracting new resources to manufacture another device, the lifespan of an existing one is extended. The best smartphone for the planet is one that has already been made.
Beyond CO₂, the manufacture of an iPhone involves extraction of rare earths and critical minerals (cobalt, lithium, tantalum) under frequently problematic conditions. Each refurbished iPhone purchased saves roughly 30 m³ of water used in the manufacturing process. In the long term, normalising the purchase of refurbished devices is one of the most effective ways to reduce the environmental impact of consumer electronics - at a scale that individual decisions rarely achieve.
How iOutlet Guarantees Quality
iOutlet is not an intermediary that resells iPhones without inspection. Each device undergoes a rigorous process before reaching the customer:
- 32 verification points - full hardware: screen (dead pixels, tactile feedback), Face ID / Touch ID, front and rear cameras, speaker, microphone, battery, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, 5G/4G, GPS, proximity sensors and accelerometer
- 24 months warranty - 6 months above the European legal minimum of 12 months. If there is a defect, we suggest external workshops for repair or we replace it
- 14 days returns - no questions asked. If you are not satisfied, we refund the full amount
- Unlocked for all carriers - NOS, MEO, Vodafone, and any European or international carrier
- IMEI verified - we confirm that the device is not reported as stolen nor blocked by Apple
- iCloud clean - all devices arrive with the Apple account deactivated and ready to set up
- Shipping to Portugal, Spain and France - shipping nationwide with tracking
- +10,000 products in stock - immediate availability on most models and grades
iOutlet has been operating from Portugal with an exclusive focus on quality refurbished technology. All products are invoiced, with legal warranty and after‑sales service. The company is registered in Portugal and complies with all legal obligations of e‑commerce, including the European consumer protection directives (Directive 2019/771/EU).
See also: How iOutlet warranty works - full details
Quick summary:
- Price: refurbished iPhones from €81 at iOutlet
- Warranty: 24 months (12 above the legal minimum) + 14 days for returns
- Global market: over 320 million refurbished smartphones sold in 2024 (Mordor Intelligence, 2024)
Where to Buy Refurbished iPhone in Portugal (2026)?
In Portugal there are several options to buy a refurbished iPhone, but not all offer the same guarantees. Here is what you should consider:
Criteria for choosing where to buy:
- Minimum warranty of 12 months (required by law in Portugal since 2022). Reputable stores offer 24 months or more
- Documented testing process - number of points checked, battery condition guaranteed
- Clear return policy - minimum 14 days, no return costs
- Invoice with VAT - mandatory for legal warranty. Beware of sales without an invoice
- Verifiable IMEI - you can confirm at imei.info if the device is clean
iOutlet in figures (April 2026):
- More than 10,000 products in stock across iPhones, Samsung, laptops and tablets
- 24 months warranty on all products (6 above the legal minimum)
- 32 verification points by certified technicians
- Shipping to Portugal, Spain and France
- Average rating of 4.7/5 with thousands of satisfied customers
iOutlet is available at ioutlet.pt with filtering by model, capacity, colour and grade. You can compare prices in real time and receive within 2-3 business days on mainland Portugal.
How does the refurbishment process work?
When an iPhone arrives at a certified refurbishment centre, it goes through several stages:
- Visual inspection - assessment of the external condition (screen, housing, buttons)
- Hardware tests - over 30 points verified: Face ID, cameras, microphone, speaker, sensors, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 4G/5G, GPS, battery
- Security verification - confirmation that iCloud is disabled, the IMEI is not blacklisted and the device is not reported as stolen
- Repair - if any component fails the tests, it is repaired or replaced
- Cleaning and sanitisation - professional cleaning and factory reset
- Classification by grade - assignment of Grade A (like new), B (very good) or C (good) based on external appearance
- Packaging and warranty - packaged with warranty (24 months at iOutlet)
Is a refurbished iPhone good?
Yes. A quality refurbished iPhone works exactly like a brand-new iPhone:
- The hardware is identical - same processor, same camera, same sensors
- The software is the same - receives the same iOS updates as a new one
- The battery is tested - health tested with specialised technical software at iOutlet
- It is unlocked - works with any network
- Has warranty - 24 months at iOutlet (more than the legal minimum of 12)
The only difference is price: a refurbished iPhone costs 30% to 60% less than the price of a new one.
What is the difference between refurbished and used?
| Aspect | Refurbished (iOutlet) | Used (OLX/Marketplace) |
|---|---|---|
| Tested | Yes (30+ tests) | No |
| Warranty | 24 months | None |
| iCloud verified | Yes | May be locked |
| IMEI verified | Yes | May be on the blacklist |
| Tested battery | tested with specialised technical software | Unknown |
| Returns | 14 days | No |
| Invoice | Yes | Rarely |
Summary: buying a refurbished iPhone from a certified store is safe. Buying "used" from a private seller carries real risks - iCloud locked, degraded battery or stolen iPhone.
What do grades A, B and C mean?
The grades only classify the external appearance. Performance is the same across all:
- Grade A (like new) - no visible marks. Visually perfect
- Grade B (very good) - small marks on the casing, immaculate screen
- Grade C (good condition) - signs of use on the casing, screen without scratches. The cheapest
Tip: if you plan to use a case, Grade C is the smart choice - the marks stay hidden and you save up to 20%.
See also: Refurbished vs New vs Used - full comparison
Frequently asked questions
How to tell if an iPhone is refurbished?
A refurbished iPhone bought from a certified store is identified as such, with a grade, warranty and invoice. Technically, there is no difference in the software - the iPhone works exactly like a new one. You can check the model number in Settings > General > About: models starting with "M" are new, "F" are Apple-refurbished, and "N" are replacements.
Does the refurbished iPhone receive updates?
Yes, exactly the same as a new iPhone. Apple makes no distinction between new and refurbished devices for software purposes.
Can a refurbished iPhone have hidden defects?
In a certified store such as iOutlet, no - all components are tested before sale and you have 24 months warranty. The risk exists when buying from private sellers without testing or warranty.
How much does a refurbished iPhone cost?
A refurbished iPhone at iOutlet costs between 81 € (iPhone 11) and 642 € (iPhone 15 Pro Max), depending on model, grade and capacity. The iPhone 13 is the most popular, with prices from 236 €. In general, you save between 30% and 75% compared with the original launch price.
Does the refurbished iPhone have a warranty?
Yes. At iOutlet all refurbished iPhones have 24‑month warranty 6 months above the legal minimum of 12 months required by European law. Additionally, you have 14 days to return it with no questions.
Is buying a refurbished iPhone safe?
Yes, when you buy from a certified store such as iOutlet. We check the IMEI and iCloud, test more than 32 hardware points and issue an invoice. The risk remains when buying from private sellers: locked iCloud, blacklisted IMEI or degraded battery are common problems without warranty.
Which refurbished iPhone is best to buy?
It depends on your budget. For the best price‑to‑performance ratio, the iPhone 13 (from €236) is the most balanced choice: fast A15 chip, excellent camera and guaranteed years of iOS support. If camera is a priority, the iPhone 14 Pro (from €357) with a 48MP sensor is the most significant upgrade. For the ultimate option, the iPhone 15 Pro with USB‑C and titanium.
If you are thinking of buying, check our complete guide to refurbished iPhones with prices or see the cheapest available iPhones.
Note: the refurbished smartphone market grew 12,5% in 2024, reaching 67,84 billion dollars globally (Mordor Intelligence, 2024). Apple supports iPhones with updates for 5 to 6 years after launch (Macworld, 2026).
Perguntas frequentes
Como saber se um iPhone é recondicionado?
Vai a Definições, Geral, Sobre e olha para o número do modelo. Se começar por M, é uma unidade vendida como nova; se começar por F, foi recondicionada pela Apple; N indica uma substituição feita em garantia. Num recondicionado vendido por uma loja, o número pode continuar a ser M, porque o processo foi feito pela loja e não pelo fabricante: nesse caso é a factura e a garantia que to dizem, não o menu.
Qual é a diferença entre recondicionado e usado?
Um usado muda de mãos como está. Um recondicionado passou por diagnóstico, foi reparado se precisava, teve os dados apagados e foi classificado por estado antes de voltar à venda. É essa diferença que permite vender com garantia.
Um iPhone recondicionado é seguro de comprar?
Depende de a quem compras, não do facto de ser recondicionado. Compra a um vendedor profissional, confirma que o equipamento está livre de bloqueios de conta e de operador, e verifica que a garantia está escrita na factura. Entre particulares não tens nenhuma dessas protecções.
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