How long does a refurbished iPhone last?

The question behind “how long will it last” is usually a different one: am I buying something that will need replacing next year? For a properly refurbished iPhone the answer is no, and the reasons are worth spelling out, because they are the same reasons a new iPhone lasts as long as it does.

Three things decide the lifespan of any iPhone

• Software support. Apple typically provides iOS updates for five to six years after a model is released, and security updates for longer. A phone stops feeling old when apps stop supporting its iOS version, not when the hardware fails.
• The battery. The only part designed to wear out. Apple rates it to keep 80% of its capacity after 500 full cycles (1,000 on iPhone 15 and later), which for most people means three to four years before a replacement is worth considering.
• Physical condition. Glass, ports and buttons last for many years if the phone is kept in a case and out of water.

None of these depends on whether the phone was bought new or refurbished. A two-year-old phone with a healthy battery has the same years of updates ahead of it either way.

What a refurbished phone has already been through

This is where refurbished differs from a private second-hand sale. Before a phone is listed on Rainbowmobile it is tested (calls, cameras, buttons, charging, wireless), data-wiped, reset and graded. Its battery must be at 85% or above; if not, a new battery is fitted. The phone then carries a 12-month warranty and a 30-day returns period. In other words, the parts most likely to have suffered are the ones that have just been checked.

Model by model: what to expect

Apple does not publish end-of-support dates in advance, so the years below are our estimate, based on how long Apple has supported earlier models. They are meant as a guide, not a promise.

Browse the models in our refurbished iPhone range, where each listing shows the grade, storage and battery health available.

Making it last longer

• Use a case and a screen protector. Most phones die from drops, not age.
• Keep the battery cool and use Optimised Battery Charging; see our guide to battery health.
• Install iOS updates. They fix security holes and often improve battery management.
• Keep some storage free. A phone that is always at 100% storage feels slower than it is.
• Clean the charging port occasionally. Lint in a Lightning or USB-C port is the most common “charging fault” we see, and it costs nothing to fix.

When it is time to replace the battery, not the phone

If, after a few years, the battery is under 80% and the phone otherwise suits you, a battery replacement gives it a second life at a fraction of the cost of a new phone. Within 12 months of buying from us, a battery that drops below 80% is covered by our warranty. After that, any competent repairer can fit one; iOS will then show the battery as an Unknown Part if it is not an Apple part, which does not affect use.

Common questions

Is a refurbished iPhone reliable?

A refurbished phone that has been tested and graded, with a battery at 85% or above and a warranty behind it, is as reliable as the same model bought new. The risk is with untested phones, not refurbished ones.

Which refurbished iPhone will last the longest?

The newest you can afford: the later the model, the more years of iOS updates ahead. Among the models we sell, the iPhone 15 series has the longest expected support.

Should I worry about the number of charge cycles?

Only in relation to battery health, which already reflects them. A phone at 90% health with 400 cycles will behave like one at 90% with 200 cycles.

How long is the warranty?

Twelve months from delivery on every refurbished iPhone, in addition to your statutory rights.