- 1 iPhone 16e: modern performance and Apple Intelligence
- 2 iPhone 15: the best balance for everyday use
- 3 iPhone 14 Pro: a premium experience at a lower price
- 4 iPhone 14 Pro Max: a large display with few compromises
- 5 Comparing the best refurbished iPhones under €500
- 6 Which differences really matter between these models?
- 7 Our verdict: the iPhone 14 Pro still has the edge
With a budget of €400 to €500, choosing a refurbished iPhone becomes particularly interesting. This price range opens the door to Pro models packed with premium features, alongside newer iPhones designed to support Apple’s evolving software ecosystem.
The iPhone 16e, iPhone 15, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max perfectly illustrate the variety available. The first combines a recent processor with Apple Intelligence, the second focuses on everyday versatility, while the two Pro models retain premium features that are difficult to find on standard iPhones.
Choosing between them is less about release dates and more about the features that genuinely matter. Photography, battery life, display quality and software compatibility all play a part. Here are the four models that stand out.
iPhone 16e: modern performance and Apple Intelligence
Released in 2025, the iPhone 16e is the newest smartphone in this selection. It occupies an unusual position in Apple’s range: its equipment is relatively straightforward, but its processor gives it a significant advantage over several older models.
The A18 chip, featuring a four-core GPU, delivers excellent performance for browsing, applications and gaming. More importantly, it supports Apple Intelligence, unlike the standard iPhone 15 and the iPhone 14 Pro.
The phone features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display. Image quality is convincing, although the refresh rate remains limited to 60Hz. Another visible compromise is the traditional notch, which replaces the Dynamic Island found on several other recent iPhones.
For photography, Apple chose a single 48MP Fusion main camera, capable of providing a 2x optical-quality framing option through sensor cropping. However, there is no ultra-wide camera or dedicated telephoto lens. This limits its creative flexibility compared with the other models in our selection.
Battery life is a strong argument in its favour. Apple advertises up to 26 hours of video playback, more than the standard iPhone 15 under the company’s original testing conditions.
The 16e also lacks MagSafe magnetic charging, although it supports Qi wireless charging.
Indicative Certideal price: from €394.99. This starting price falls just below €400, but certain storage configurations and cosmetic grades may place the device within the €400–€500 range.
The iPhone 16e is the most forward-looking choice for modern software features. It sacrifices some hardware conveniences but retains a recent and powerful platform.
Check all our iPhone 16e
iPhone 15: the best balance for everyday use
Released in 2023, the iPhone 15 remains a particularly convincing option. It doesn’t include every Pro feature, but its equipment meets most everyday needs without requiring major compromises.
Its 6.1-inch OLED display offers excellent readability, with a maximum outdoor brightness of 2,000 nits. It also features the Dynamic Island, replacing the traditional notch and displaying certain ongoing activities.
The A16 Bionic chip remains fast for everyday applications, gaming and photography. It is older than the A18 found in the iPhone 16e, but the difference in performance does not fundamentally change most common tasks.
The 48MP main camera is one of its greatest strengths. It captures detailed photographs and provides a 2x optical-quality framing option. The 12MP ultra-wide camera adds flexibility for landscapes and group shots.
The iPhone 15 also includes a USB-C port, which is more convenient than the Lightning connector found on the iPhone 14 Pro models. It retains MagSafe charging and weighs a relatively modest 171g.
Its main limitations are familiar: a 60Hz display, no dedicated telephoto camera and no Apple Intelligence support.
iPhone 15 128 Gb - Refurbished and unlocked
iPhone 15 128 Gb - Refurbished and unlocked
iPhone 15 256 Gb - Refurbished and unlocked
Indicative Certideal price: from €396.99. As with the 16e, the starting price is slightly below €400, while some configurations may fall into the higher price bracket.
In our view, the iPhone 15 offers the best balance between simplicity, photography and everyday comfort. It is particularly appealing when its price remains close to that of the iPhone 16e.
The iPhone 14 Pro perfectly illustrates the appeal of buying refurbished. Released in 2022, it retains several premium features that newer standard iPhones do not always offer.
Its 6.1-inch OLED display with ProMotion up to 120Hz makes an immediate difference. Animations feel smoother, scrolling is more comfortable and the Always-On display makes it possible to check certain information without unlocking the device.
The iPhone 14 Pro also introduced the Dynamic Island. Combined with a peak outdoor brightness of up to 2,000 nits, it delivers a display experience that still feels modern.
The A16 Bionic chip provides reliable performance. Photography, however, is where this model really stands out. Its 48MP main camera is accompanied by a 12MP ultra-wide camera and a dedicated 3x telephoto lens.
Macro photography, Apple ProRAW and ProRes video recording further strengthen its appeal for users who care about image quality.
The trade-offs are its weight and age. At 206g, the iPhone 14 Pro is relatively heavy for a 6.1-inch smartphone. It also retains the Lightning port and does not support Apple Intelligence.
Indicative Certideal price: from €426.99.
For a little over €400, the iPhone 14 Pro delivers an exceptionally complete package. It is our favourite for photography and display quality in this price category.
iPhone 14 Pro Max: a large display with few compromises
The iPhone 14 Pro Max takes the strengths of the 14 Pro and places them in a larger body. Its 6.7-inch OLED display with ProMotion at 120Hz provides more room for watching videos, gaming, reading documents and editing photographs.
Display quality remains excellent, thanks to the Dynamic Island, Always-On functionality and high outdoor brightness.
Its camera system is identical to that of the 14 Pro: a 48MP main camera, an ultra-wide lens and a 3x telephoto camera. The A16 Bionic chip also delivers comparable performance.
The main difference is battery life. Apple advertises up to 29 hours of video playback, compared with 23 hours for the iPhone 14 Pro, based on its original tests.
That extra comfort comes at the expense of ergonomics. At 240g, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is particularly heavy, and prolonged one-handed use can become tiring.
iPhone 14 Pro Max 128 Gb - Refurbished and unlocked
iPhone 14 Pro Max 256 Gb - Refurbished and unlocked
It also shares the same generational limitations as the smaller Pro model: Lightning connectivity and no Apple Intelligence support.
Indicative Certideal price: from €445.99.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max is our choice for large-screen enthusiasts. Its combination of battery life, advanced photography and a 120Hz display remains difficult to match at this price.
Comparing the best refurbished iPhones under €500
| Model | Display | Chip | Main advantage | Indicative price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 16e | 6.1-inch OLED, 60Hz | A18 | Apple Intelligence and battery life | From €394.99 |
| iPhone 15 | 6.1-inch OLED, 60Hz | A16 Bionic | Versatility and USB-C | From €396.99 |
| iPhone 14 Pro | 6.1-inch OLED, 120Hz | A16 Bionic | Photography and premium display | From €426.99 |
| iPhone 14 Pro Max | 6.7-inch OLED, 120Hz | A16 Bionic | Large display and battery life | From €445.99 |
These are indicative starting prices from the original Certideal France editorial selection. Prices and configurations have not been reverified for this translation.
Which differences really matter between these models?
This selection brings together two quite different approaches to the iPhone.
The iPhone 16e and iPhone 15 prioritise simplicity, manageable weight and USB-C connectivity. The 16e benefits from the A18 chip and Apple Intelligence, while the iPhone 15 offers an ultra-wide camera, the Dynamic Island and MagSafe.
The iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max focus more on the hardware experience. Their 120Hz displays, dedicated telephoto lenses and advanced photographic features give them a genuinely premium identity.
The choice therefore cannot be reduced to buying the newest generation. An iPhone 14 Pro may deliver a better photography experience than an iPhone 16e, while the latter benefits from a more modern platform for certain software features.
Refurbishing makes this comparison particularly interesting. At Certideal, prices vary according to storage, colour and cosmetic grade. The original French catalogue also advertised a 30-month commercial warranty and a 30-day change-of-mind period; local conditions should be checked separately.
Our verdict: the iPhone 14 Pro still has the edge
In this price category, the iPhone 14 Pro is our main recommendation. Its 120Hz display, telephoto camera and 48MP main sensor create a particularly compelling combination.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max is the natural choice for users who want longer battery life and a larger display. The iPhone 15 remains the most balanced option for everyday use, while the 16e has a particular advantage thanks to Apple Intelligence and its A18 processor.
Between €400 and €500, the refurbished market offers a meaningful choice between an older, fully equipped flagship and a newer model with a more streamlined feature set. That variety is precisely what makes this category so interesting.
