- 1 iPhone 13: the best all-rounder under €300
- 2 iPhone 13 mini : powerful performance in a compact design
- 3 iPhone 12 Pro : premium features at a lower price
- 4 iPhone 14 : is it worth going slightly over €300?
- 5 Comparison of the best refurbished iPhones under €300
- 6 How to choose your refurbished iPhone
- 7 FAQ: frequently asked questions
- 8 Our verdict
With a budget of €300 or less, the refurbished market offers access to iPhones that still deliver strong performance, without requiring major compromises. OLED displays, versatile cameras and enough processing power for today’s apps: several generations of Apple smartphones remain particularly appealing at this price point.
The iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 12 Pro represent three different approaches. The first focuses on balance, the second prioritises compactness, while the third retains premium photography features. The iPhone 14 completes this selection by slightly exceeding the original budget, offering a few improvements worth considering.
iPhone 13: the best all-rounder under €300
Released in 2021, the iPhone 13 remains a reliable choice on the refurbished market. Its features are still perfectly suited to everyday use, with good battery life and solid performance.
Its 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display delivers accurate colours, high contrast and a comfortable viewing experience for watching videos or browsing the web. The A15 Bionic chip ensures excellent responsiveness across apps, social media and mobile games.
Photography relies on a dual 12MP camera system, combining a wide and an ultra-wide lens. Night mode and sensor-shift optical image stabilisation help capture convincing images, even when lighting conditions become challenging.
Battery life is another major advantage. Apple announces up to 19 hours of video playback, two hours more than the iPhone 12 Pro, according to its original tests.
iPhone 13 128 Gb - Refurbished and unlocked
iPhone 13 256 Gb - Refurbished and unlocked
iPhone 13 512 GB - Refurbished and unlocked
A few limitations remain: the display is restricted to 60Hz, with no telephoto lens or the advanced camera features reserved for Pro models.
Price observed at Certideal: from €238.99. This price applies to the 128GB version in Fair condition. The 256GB configuration, priced at €291.99 in the same condition, is an attractive alternative for users who need more storage.
The iPhone 13 is our top recommendation for versatile everyday use. Its combination of performance, photography and battery life remains particularly compelling under €300.
iPhone 13 mini : powerful performance in a compact design
The iPhone 13 mini occupies a unique place in this selection. At a time when smartphones regularly exceed six inches, its compact design is a genuine selling point.
Its 5.4-inch OLED display retains the image quality of the standard iPhone 13, but in a device weighing just 140 grams. One-handed use becomes noticeably more comfortable, especially when writing messages or quickly checking apps.
Despite its smaller dimensions, it features the same A15 Bionic chip as the iPhone 13. Performance is therefore comparable, as are the photographic capabilities of its dual 12MP camera system.
The main compromise concerns battery life. Apple announces up to 17 hours of video playback, compared with 19 hours for the iPhone 13. Heavy users may notice this difference towards the end of the day.
The display is also limited to 60Hz, and there is no dedicated telephoto lens.
Price observed at Certideal: from €238.99. The 128GB version in Excellent condition is also available for €279.99, while the 256GB configuration in Fair condition costs €294.99.
The iPhone 13 mini is our recommendation for compact smartphone enthusiasts. It retains most of the iPhone 13’s strengths, with slightly shorter battery life.
iPhone 13 Mini 128 Gb - Refurbished and unlocked
iPhone 13 Mini 128 Gb - Refurbished and unlocked
iPhone 13 Mini 128 Gb - Refurbished and unlocked
Released in 2020, the iPhone 12 Pro demonstrates that an older flagship can still offer meaningful advantages over newer generations.
Its 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display delivers excellent image quality. The stainless steel frame provides a premium finish, although the device is heavier than the iPhone 13.
The A14 Bionic chip remains efficient for browsing, apps and multimedia. It is older than the A15, but still delivers sufficient power for most everyday activities.
Photography is its main strength. The device features three 12MP cameras, including a wide lens, an ultra-wide lens and a dedicated 2x telephoto lens. The latter makes tighter framing possible without relying entirely on digital zoom.
The LiDAR scanner enhances certain augmented reality experiences and helps with focusing in challenging conditions. Support for Apple ProRAW will also appeal to users who enjoy editing their photographs.
On the downside, Apple rates battery life at just 17 hours of video playback, and the display does not support a 120Hz refresh rate.
Price observed at Certideal: from €264.99. This price applies to the 128GB version in Fair condition, offering access to a telephoto lens and premium photography features for less than €270.
The iPhone 12 Pro is our favourite for photography. Its features remain appealing to users who value creative possibilities over owning the latest generation.
iPhone 12 Pro 128 Gb - Refurbished and unlocked
iPhone 12 Pro 128 Gb - Refurbished and unlocked
iPhone 12 Pro 256 Gb - Refurbished and unlocked
iPhone 14 : is it worth going slightly over €300?
Released in 2022, the iPhone 14 stands out for one particular reason: it slightly exceeds the budget of this selection, but introduces several targeted improvements.
Its 6.1-inch OLED display maintains excellent image quality. The A15 Bionic chip with a five-core GPU delivers performance close to that of the iPhone 13, with an additional graphics core.
The most interesting improvements concern photography. Its 12MP main camera benefits from the Photonic Engine, designed to enhance image processing, particularly in low-light conditions.
The front camera features autofocus, while Action mode improves stabilisation when recording videos on the move. Apple also announces up to 20 hours of video playback.
However, the iPhone 14 retains some limitations: no telephoto lens, no 120Hz display and overall performance relatively close to its predecessor.
Price observed at Certideal: from €305.99. This price applies to the 128GB version in Fair condition and exceeds the budget by just €5.99.
The iPhone 14 is an attractive alternative for photography and video enthusiasts. Its improvements may justify the small additional cost, without making the iPhone 13 any less relevant.
Comparison of the best refurbished iPhones under €300
| Model | Display | Chip | Main advantage | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 13 | 6.1″ OLED, 60Hz | A15 Bionic | Versatility and battery life | €238.99 |
| iPhone 13 mini | 5.4″ OLED, 60Hz | A15 Bionic | Compact design | €238.99 |
| iPhone 12 Pro | 6.1″ OLED, 60Hz | A14 Bionic | Telephoto lens and LiDAR | €264.99 |
| iPhone 14 | 6.1″ OLED, 60Hz | A15 Bionic | Improved photography and video | €305.99 |
Prices correspond to 128GB configurations in Fair condition. The iPhone 14 slightly exceeds the reference budget. Prices are subject to change.
The iPhone 13 stands out as the best overall choice. The mini appeals to those who prefer compact devices, while the 12 Pro prioritises photography. The iPhone 14 is worth comparing when the price difference remains small.
The iPhone 13 stands out as the best overall choice. The mini appeals to those who prefer compact devices, while the 12 Pro prioritises photography. The iPhone 14 is worth comparing when the price difference remains small.
How to choose your refurbished iPhone
Storage: which capacity should you choose?
128GB is generally sufficient for apps, messaging and occasional photography. 256GB offers more flexibility for storing videos, games and files without relying on cloud storage.
Cosmetic condition: what are the differences?
The Fair, Very Good and Excellent grades mainly describe the phone’s external appearance. A device in Fair condition may show more visible signs of use, without necessarily offering lower performance.
Battery and warranty: two essential factors
Battery health remains a key consideration when buying a refurbished device. Certideal offers tested batteries and indicates a minimum battery capacity of 80% for the relevant grades.
The company also provides a 30-month commercial warranty and a 30-day return period, subject to the applicable terms and conditions. Coverage depends in particular on the nature of the issue and the wear identified.
Should you slightly increase your budget?
At €305.99, the iPhone 14 represents a reasonable increase in budget for improved photography and video features. However, compared with an iPhone 13 at €238.99, the difference reaches €67. The additional expense should therefore meet a genuine need.
FAQ: frequently asked questions
What is the best refurbished iPhone under €300?
The iPhone 13 offers the best balance of performance, battery life, photography and price.
What is the difference between the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini?
Both feature the A15 Bionic chip and similar camera capabilities. The mini is more compact but has shorter battery life.
Which iPhone is best for photography?
The iPhone 12 Pro offers greater flexibility thanks to its telephoto lens, LiDAR scanner and Apple ProRAW.
Is a refurbished iPhone in Fair condition reliable?
The Fair grade mainly refers to cosmetic appearance. Reliability depends on technical inspections, battery condition and the refurbisher’s warranty.
Is the iPhone 14 worth a few extra euros?
Yes, if its photography and video improvements are useful to you. However, the iPhone 13 remains a better-value option for strictly limited budgets.
Our verdict
Under €300, the iPhone 13 remains our top recommendation. It combines battery life, performance and versatile photography at a particularly accessible price.
The iPhone 13 mini is ideal for fans of smaller devices, while the iPhone 12 Pro retains strong advantages for photography enthusiasts.
The iPhone 14 is worth considering when its price remains close to the original budget. But the best purchase is not necessarily the newest or most expensive model: it is the one that truly matches the user’s needs and budget.
