The 2024 Black Friday, Prime Day, and holiday shopping events are over. If you wanted a new cell phone, you probably got one through one of these promotional campaigns. And there’s a good chance they’ll trade in their old phone, so let’s take a look at what the refurbished aisle has to offer.
This week I wanted to focus on the iPhone. Apple devices are rarely released and therefore rarely featured in these weekly posts. We’ll start with the latest models and return to the iPhone 13 series (launching in late 2021).
Surprisingly, a renewed model of iPhone 16 has also appeared. Naturally, the price is about the same as new. That said, some offers, especially those with higher storage capacity, can offer some savings. These are the latest models and all feature Apple Intelligence, camera controls, and action buttons. Note that the Pro is larger than the vanilla model or the older Pro (6.3 inches/6.9 inches vs. 6.1 inches/6.7 inches).
Apple still sells older non-Pro iPhones dating back to the 14 series, so we’ve also included a comparison to the prices of newer units when available. If you want an older Pro, you’re out of luck, at least as far as Apple is concerned. By the way, Amazon is offering trade-in deals for up to $220 in credits if you want to trade in these updated phones.
The iPhone 15 series was the first to use USB-C. USB-C will be Apple’s connector of choice for many years to come. Compared to the 16 series, you’ll miss out on new controls and a 48MP ultra-wide camera. Note that the telephoto camera on the iPhone 15 Pro is shorter than the Pro Max (77mm vs. 120mm). On the plus side, the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max also support Apple Intelligence (the vanilla 15 Duo does not).
The iPhone 14 series was the last series to use a Lightning adapter. You probably already have enough Lightning cables in your home. If not, it is still widely available. Also, MagSafe is nearly universal, so charging shouldn’t be an issue. The two vanilla models of the iPhone 14 miss out on the main camera upgrade (the 15 series had 48MP). However, the Pro has a 48MP main camera.
The iPhone 13 series was launched in 2021. All four had 12MP main cameras, and this was before Apple made the switch to LTPO. Pro phones still have 120Hz displays, but they’re less flexible when it comes to frame rates. The iPhone 13 mini was the last model of its kind, so if you want a small but capable phone, this is one of the few remaining options.
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