A £300 budget for an iPhone used to mean settling for something several years old, with a screen that had seen better days and a battery that needed charging by lunchtime. That's no longer true. Refurbished stock has matured enough that £300 now buys a phone that looks close to new and runs current software without complaint.
GfK's own tracking put refurbished and second-hand purchases at one in four UK phone buyers back in 2023, and that share hasn't shrunk since. This isn't a niche workaround anymore. It's how a meaningful chunk of the country buys an iPhone.
This list sticks to models that genuinely sit under £300 in current UK refurbished stock, with real prices rather than rounded estimates, so you know what you're actually comparing.
What £300 Actually Buys You Right Now
Before getting into specific models, it's worth being honest about what changes as the budget tightens. Under £300, you're choosing between an older flagship in excellent condition or a slightly newer model with more visible wear. Both are valid choices. They just suit different priorities.
If screen and body condition matter most to you, an older model in Grade A condition usually beats a newer model in Grade C. If having the newest possible chip and camera matters more, the reverse can be true. There's no universally correct answer here, only the right trade-off for how you'll actually use the phone.
iPhone 11: The Reliable Entry Point
The iPhone 11 is where most £300 budgets land, and for good reason. Grade A units in colours like purple, black, red, and white currently sit around £187.92-£194.40, depending on the specific listing and cosmetic grade.
That price gets you a phone that still receives iOS updates, handles everyday apps without lag, and holds up well for calls, messaging, streaming, and casual photography. It's not the phone to buy if camera quality is your priority. It is the phone to buy if you want something dependable at the lowest sensible price point in the current refurbished market.
A few things worth noting on the iPhone 11 specifically:
Grade A and Grade C units sometimes list at nearly the same price, which makes checking the specific grade description essential before buying, not optional
64GB is the common storage size at this price point, which suits light-to-moderate photo and app use rather than heavy 4K video recording
Colour availability shifts with stock, so the exact shade you want may sell out faster than the model itself
iPhone 11 Pro: The Camera Upgrade Worth Stretching For
If your budget stretches toward the top of the £300 range, the iPhone 11 Pro is worth serious consideration. A Grade A unit currently runs around £278.64, which is a genuine jump from the standard iPhone 11 but brings a triple-camera system and a noticeably sharper display along with it.
This is the pick for anyone who takes photography seriously but isn't ready to spend £400-plus on a newer Pro model. The difference between the 11 and 11 Pro cameras is real, not marginal, particularly in low light.
The trade-off is straightforward: less headroom left in the budget for accessories, and a smaller pool of colour and storage combinations at this specific price point compared to the standard 11.
iPhone 13: When It Drops Into Range
The iPhone 13 doesn't always sit under £300, but Grade A units occasionally do, currently around £238.20 for the 128GB model. When available at this price, it's arguably the strongest value option on this list, since it brings a genuinely newer processor and improved battery life over both the 11 and 11 Pro.
The catch is availability. Because the iPhone 13 remains popular, Grade A stock at this price point moves faster than older models, and prices can shift as inventory changes. If you spot it in range, it's worth acting on rather than waiting to compare further, since the same listing may not be there next week.
What to Check Before You Commit
Regardless of which model you land on, a few checks protect you from a disappointing purchase.
Confirm the exact grade, not just the model name. "iPhone 11" tells you nothing about cosmetic condition on its own; the grade does.
Ask for battery health if it isn't listed. A reputable seller should confirm this without hesitation. If they can't, treat that as a warning sign.
Check the warranty length attached to that specific grade. Most grades carry a full 12-month warranty, but the lowest condition tier sometimes carries a shorter term.
Confirm the phone is SIM-free and unlocked. This should be standard on any UK refurbished iPhone, but it's worth confirming before you pay rather than after.
FAQs
Is £300 enough to buy a genuinely reliable refurbished iPhone in 2026?
Yes. It typically buys an iPhone 11, 11 Pro, or occasionally an iPhone 13 in Grade A condition, all of which run current iOS software comfortably.
Is the iPhone 11 Pro worth the extra cost over the standard 11 at this budget?
If camera quality matters to you, yes. The triple-camera system is a real, noticeable upgrade rather than a marginal one.
Why do some iPhone 11 listings cost the same across different grades?
Pricing occasionally overlaps between grades depending on stock and demand for a specific colour, which is exactly why checking the grade description matters more than the headline price.
Should I wait for the iPhone 13 to drop under £300, or buy an 11 now?
If you need a phone immediately, the 11 or 11 Pro are safe, proven choices. If you can wait and want the newer chip, keeping an eye on iPhone 13 stock is worthwhile.
Do refurbished iPhones under £300 still get software updates?
Yes, as long as the model is reasonably recent. The iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 13 all remain within Apple's active software support window.
Final Thoughts
Under £300, the choice isn't between a good phone and a compromise. It's between three genuinely solid iPhones, each with a different strength: the 11 for reliable value, the 11 Pro for camera quality, and the 13 for the newest chip when stock allows it.
Check the grade, confirm the battery health, and match the model to what actually matters in how you use your phone. Do that, and £300 goes a lot further toward a genuinely good iPhone than it would have a few years ago.