Updated October 2026
The best used phones at every budget
A used flagship from two or three years ago beats a new budget phone on camera, screen and build. Here are the phones worth buying at each price, with typical used prices in good condition. Prices are estimates in US dollars and move every month as the phones age; rupee figures are rough conversions, and import duties make local prices higher in some countries.
Best used phones under $200
India: about ₹17,000. Pakistan: about Rs 56,000.
- iPhone 13 mini≈ $190
The sweet spot for a used iPhone: modern enough for years of updates, cheap enough to make sense.
Battery: 2,406 mAh. Updates: Runs iOS 26, with several more years of updates likely.
- Pixel 8≈ $190
Excellent used value: seven years of updates and a top camera.
Battery: 4,575 mAh. Updates: Seven years of Android and security updates: until October 2030 (8 and 8 Pro) and May 2031 (8a).
- Pixel 7 Pro≈ $180
A good-value Android with years of updates left; the 7a is one of the best cheap phones.
Battery: 5,000 mAh. Updates: Security updates until October 2027 (Pixel 7 and 7 Pro) and May 2028 (Pixel 7a).
- iPhone 11 Pro Max≈ $170
The cheapest iPhone still worth buying, but only with a recent battery and only if it is cheap: its time on new iOS versions is running out.
Battery: 3,969 mAh. Updates: The oldest iPhone that runs iOS 26. Expect the end of new iOS versions soon, with security fixes for a while after.
- iPhone 12≈ $170
Good value with 5G and an OLED screen on every model, but avoid the mini unless the battery has been replaced.
Battery: 2,815 mAh. Updates: Runs iOS 26. Apple usually keeps iPhones on new iOS versions for six to seven years, so it is in its last years.
- Galaxy S22≈ $160
The S22 Ultra is a bargain with an S Pen, but updates end in 2027. Skip the small S22 unless the battery is new.
Battery: 3,700 mAh. Updates: Samsung promised security updates until early 2027; Android version updates have ended.
Best used phones from $200 to $350
India: ₹17,000–30,000. Pakistan: Rs 56,000–98,000.
- Galaxy S24+≈ $345
Updates until 2031 make the S24 the safest used Samsung to buy.
Battery: 4,900 mAh. Updates: Seven years of Android version and security updates, until 2031.
- iPhone 14 Plus≈ $320
A strong buy, especially the 14 Plus for battery life. Check for a physical SIM tray if you need one.
Battery: 4,325 mAh. Updates: Runs iOS 26, with years of updates likely.
- Galaxy S23 Ultra≈ $320
One of the best used Android buys: efficient, well-built, with updates into 2028.
Battery: 5,000 mAh. Updates: Four Android version updates and five years of security updates, until early 2028.
- iPhone 13 Pro Max≈ $300
The sweet spot for a used iPhone: modern enough for years of updates, cheap enough to make sense.
Battery: 4,352 mAh. Updates: Runs iOS 26, with several more years of updates likely.
- iPhone 14≈ $280
A strong buy, especially the 14 Plus for battery life. Check for a physical SIM tray if you need one.
Battery: 3,279 mAh. Updates: Runs iOS 26, with years of updates likely.
- Pixel 9≈ $280
A nearly new Pixel with updates to 2031.
Battery: 4,700 mAh. Updates: Seven years of Android and security updates, until August 2031.
Best used phones from $350 to $500
India: ₹30,000–42,000. Pakistan: Rs 98,000–140,000.
- iPhone 16 Plus≈ $495
Nearly new performance for less; the 16 Plus and 16 Pro Max have the best battery life of any iPhone in this list.
Battery: 4,674 mAh. Updates: Runs the latest iOS, with many years of updates ahead.
- Galaxy S24 Ultra≈ $450
Updates until 2031 make the S24 the safest used Samsung to buy.
Battery: 5,000 mAh. Updates: Seven years of Android version and security updates, until 2031.
- iPhone 15 Pro≈ $440
The best value modern iPhone: USB-C, the cycle count in Settings and a long update future.
Battery: 3,274 mAh. Updates: Runs the latest iOS, with many years of updates ahead.
- iPhone 16≈ $440
Nearly new performance for less; the 16 Plus and 16 Pro Max have the best battery life of any iPhone in this list.
Battery: 3,561 mAh. Updates: Runs the latest iOS, with many years of updates ahead.
- iPhone 15 Plus≈ $400
The best value modern iPhone: USB-C, the cycle count in Settings and a long update future.
Battery: 4,383 mAh. Updates: Runs the latest iOS, with many years of updates ahead.
- iPhone 14 Pro Max≈ $390
A strong buy, especially the 14 Plus for battery life. Check for a physical SIM tray if you need one.
Battery: 4,323 mAh. Updates: Runs iOS 26, with years of updates likely.
Best used phones over $500
India: over ₹42,000. Pakistan: over Rs 140,000.
- iPhone 16 Pro Max≈ $660
Nearly new performance for less; the 16 Plus and 16 Pro Max have the best battery life of any iPhone in this list.
Battery: 4,685 mAh. Updates: Runs the latest iOS, with many years of updates ahead.
- iPhone 16 Pro≈ $550
Nearly new performance for less; the 16 Plus and 16 Pro Max have the best battery life of any iPhone in this list.
Battery: 3,582 mAh. Updates: Runs the latest iOS, with many years of updates ahead.
- iPhone 15 Pro Max≈ $530
The best value modern iPhone: USB-C, the cycle count in Settings and a long update future.
Battery: 4,422 mAh. Updates: Runs the latest iOS, with many years of updates ahead.
How we pick
Every phone here still gets security updates from its maker; phones whose updates have ended, like the Galaxy S21 and Pixel 6, are left out even when they are cheap, because banking apps and messengers stop supporting them over time. Within each budget, phones are ranked by typical used price, which tracks how new and capable they are. Read the verdict under each phone: some, like the iPhone 12 mini and Galaxy S22, are only worth it with a fresh battery.
Before you pay for any of them
- Run the free hardware test at mxmob.com/check on the phone itself.
- Check the IMEI with our IMEI checker and dial *#06# to compare.
- Look at battery health and replaced parts; each battery guide shows where.
- Watch the seller sign out of iCloud or Google and reset the phone.
Buying from someone far away? A live inspection lets you watch the tests on the actual phone before you send money. Local tips are in our country guides.