Best used smartphones to buy right now

To get the latest and best smartphones, you’ll generally need to pay a pretty penny. Top-line models from the big names can cost $1000/£1000 or more – with some coming in at eye-watering prices. That can be a lot to bear, especially if you’ve already spent a load of money on your “real” camera gear.

What’s worse, smartphones have a much swifter release cycle than cameras. So that top-line model you splashed the cash on usually only stays current for around 12 months. However, the flipside of that is if you’re prepared to wait and pick up last year’s phone (or older), then you can get a much better deal without having to compromise too much on hardware and features.

To save even more money, it pays to look at the second-hand market. You might be surprised at the bargains you can find. With lots of people keen to ditch their existing phones as soon as new one comes out, you’ll often find a flurry of availability close to release dates. On occasion, you might even find this year’s current models sold on quickly by those who get bored easily!

By buying second-hand, you’re not just saving cash – you’re also helping to save the planet. Well, a bit. Rather than an electronic device lingering in a drawer, or worse, ending up in landfill, keeping them in circulation rather than adding to the billions of brand new models sold can only be a good thing.

If you have your own old gear lying around waiting to be traded in, you can find second-hand phones via private sellers on eBay, Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree, but we’d always exercise caution when dealing with this kind of outlet. For more peace of mind, you can try going directly to the manufacturer, or second-hand retailers such as Music Magpie or Envirofone. Even Amazon sells second-hand now too.

There’s a lot to take in when it comes to choosing the best smartphone, never mind adding navigating around second-hand. That is where we come in. I’ve selected some of the best older models that you can pick up second-hand right now, but you’ll also find some tips on what to look for when shopping for used models. 

Quick list

Looking for the best deal on premium camera phones? Not only will you find the best used camera phones, but you’ll also find some of the best used camera phone deals, as our ‘Buy now’ buttons are set up to automatically take you to the best prices, from trusted retailers, plus you’ll also find a list of other retailers below each phone, so you can find the right deal for you.

Best used smartphones under $800/£800

• iPhone 16 Pro Max – Buy now
• Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra – Buy now

Best used smartphones under $500/£500

• Motorola Edge 50 Ultra – Buy now
• iPhone 15 Pro Max – Buy now
• Google Pixel 9 Pro – Buy now
• Samsung S24 Ultra – Buy now
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 – Buy now

Best used smartphones under $300/£300

• Google Pixel 8 Pro – Buy now
• Samsung Galaxy S24 – Buy now
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 – Buy now

Best used smartphones under $200/£200

• Google Pixel 6a – Buy now
• Huawei P30 Pro – Buy now

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Best used smartphones under $800/£800

iPhone 16 Pro Max

Price at launch: $1,199 / £1,199 (256GB model)
Typical used prices: $700-$1199 (256GB model) 

iPhones tend to hold their value much better than their Android counterparts, so you’ll never see the biggest savings when it comes to Apple devices. However, you’ll still save a hefty chunk of change compared to the latest model, with second-hand prices of the 2024 iPhone 16 Pro Max being as cheap as $700/£700 in some places. You’ll likely also find that you’ll get a decent price for it should you decide to sell it on again at some point, too.

With the iPhone 15 Pro Max has a 5x lens setup with a “tetraprism” design giving you a 120mm f/2.8 equivalent and this includes 3D sensor shift stabilisation. From the ultrawide to the telephoto, that’s a 10x zoom range. 

The native camera app for the iPhone 15 Pro Max includes features such as Night mode, Portrait mode, and an automatic portrait recognition feature, and is a neat and sensible app to get your head around. Glaringly, however, there is still no Pro mode and the phone lacks three high-resolution sensors. Additionally, there’s a new Camera Control button, designed to give you the experience of shooting with the iPhone as if it were a “real” camera”.

On the whole, the iPhone 16 Pro Max offers great image and video quality for photographers, but, it’s safe to say that the improvements over the iPhone 15 Pro Max are few and far between. Essentially, the biggest change is the now 6.9-inch screen and if you prefer large screens, this phone could be for you.

Try stepping back even further to the iPhone 14 Pro if your budget is tighter still – there are deals starting at around £360-400.

Read our full iPhone 16 Pro Max review here.

Also consider: 

• iPhone 14 Pro
• iPhone 13 Pro/Max
• iPhone 12 Pro/ Max

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Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

Price at launch: $1299/£1249 (256GB model)
Typical used prices: $749-$950 / £635-£900 (256GB model)

Due to how quickly prices drop for Samsung models compared to iPhones, you can already pick this up for around $300-$600/ £300-£600 less than new, showing things do indeed come to those who wait. 

And the better news is that the S25 Ultra is still one of the best smartphones you can currently buy. It boasts a quad-camera setup, with one of them being a whopping 200MP, alongside an ultra-wide and two different zoom lenses – one offering 3x and another offering 5x. Other high-end specifications include 8K video, a fantastic display and a super-fast processor.

More importantly, of course, we found it delivered fantastic image quality in a wide range of different shooting situations. It’s also got a nicely comprehensive shooting app, with an array of different modes and functions. Another neat feature of this series is the included stylus, which you can use to remotely trigger the shutter release – useful for group selfies and so on.

Low light and portrait shooting is very good, while there’s an array of AI features that make it a fantastic all-rounder. The big screen (6.9-inches) won’t be to everybody’s tastes. If you prefer something smaller, consider the Samsung S25 – it doesn’t have same camera setup as the S25 Ultra, but it’s still very good, and at 6.2-inches, it won’t be such a problem for your pocket.

If you don’t mind the larger sized models, then you can also consider the S23 Ultra, S22 Ultra, and the S21 Ultra. They are now up to five generations old but make for perfectly fine camera phones, with prices starting at as little as £300.

Read our full review of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra here.

Also consider: 

• Samsung Galaxy S23
• Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
• Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

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Best used smartphones under $500/£500

Motorola Edge 50 Ultra

Price at launch: £649
Typical used prices: £379-£479 (1TB 16GB)

Price-wise, at the time of release two years ago, the Edge 50 Ultra sat in the middle price range and compared to the likes of the big flagships at the moment, it was already very competitively priced. A few compromises aside, it still arguably is.

The Edge 50 Ultra has a triple-lens array, which is pretty much ‘the norm’ for mid-range and high-end phones at the moment. What’s less common however is that all three of the sensors offer high resolution, with two at 50MP (the main and the ultrawide) and a third at 64MP (the telephoto). Interestingly, there’s also a 50MP selfie camera on the front of the phone too – it’s also pretty rare to have high-resolution front-facing cameras. 

This is the world’s first smartphone to be validated by the famous colour experts, and produces excellent, accurate colours and skin tones. We’d certainly say the shots are comparable to those from the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or iPhone 15 Pro Max. The best results come from the 1x lens, but the others also put in a very good performance too, making this a great all-rounder. We’ve seen better macro options elsewhere, but the pictures are reasonable enough for ordinary usage, but portraits and low light are a bit more impressive.

While the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra certainly is cheap but quality, there are some compromises to be made. Mostly those compromises seem to come from non-photography related issues though, such as the screen. So, if you’re looking for a good camera but can skimp elsewhere, it might be worth considering.  

Read our full Motorola Edge 50 Ultra review here.

Also consider: 

• Motorola Edge 50 Pro
• Motorola Edge 50 Neo
• Motorola Edge 40 Neo

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iPhone 15 Pro Max

Price at launch: $1,199 / £1,199
Typical used prices: $559-$690 / £350 to £849

Some hefty savings can be made on a refurbished iPhone. They tend to hold their value much better than Android equivalents, so going back two or more generations is where you’ll find the best savings.

The latest model is the iPhone 16 Pro Max, so going for the iPhone 15 Pro Max, is a good option. The iPhone 15 Pro Max has a triple-lens setup: an ultra-wide lens, a standard lens and a telephoto. Notably, the zoom lens departs from the iPhone 14 Pro/15 Pro as it’s now 5x optical thanks to its “tetraprism” design. That’s a 120mm f/2.8 equivalent and includes 3D sensor shift stabilisation. From the ultrawide to the telephoto, that’s a 10x zoom range.

The native camera app includes features such as Night mode and Portrait mode. The latter can automatically recognise when a portrait subject is in front of it. Essentially, if a person, dog or cat appears in the frame, the phone will capture all the necessary information to create a blurred background portrait shot. This is useful for grabbing quick portraits, especially of erratic subjects.

In terms of price, offers emerge, especially after new releases as is the case with the recent iPhone 17 launch.

Also consider:

• iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 12
• iPhone 11 Pro

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Google Pixel 9 Pro

Price at launch: $999/£999
Typical used prices: $374- $649 / £379-£680

You can find the Pixel 9 Pro at incredibly cheap prices on the second-hand market. It’s almost certainly true that it’s better than most similarly priced brand-new budget or mid-range phones, too.

It was a flagship at launch, and as such we found it had excellent image quality – so much so that it can easily compete with the latest competitors, too, and isn’t too far behind its direct replacement, the Pixel 10 Pro, either.

We’ve got a triple lens setup, including two high resolution (50MP and 48MP) sensors comprising wide, ultrawide and telephoto. There’s also other great features such as a 42MP selfie camera and an ‘Add Me’ mode, which allows you to take a photo of two or more people without need for an additional person to take the shot. Essentially, you take a photo of your friends, they take a photo of you and by the magic of AI, the photos will be combined together into a group photo.

If you’re looking for a smaller phone that does not compromise image quality despite the smaller screen, this phone is one to keep in mind. It’s much easier to handle than other high-end phones such as the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

For those that want something similar but bigger, there’s the Pixel 9 Pro XL, which has a slightly bigger 6.8” screen, compared to the 6.3” screen of the 9 Pro, but you’ll be sacrificing a macro telephoto and video capabilities.

Read our full Google Pixel 9 Pro review here

Also consider: 

• Pixel 7
• Pixel 8a
• Pixel 8 Pro

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Samsung S24 Ultra

• Price at launch: $1,299 / £1,249 (256GB)
• Typical used prices: $285-$699 / £322-670

The Samsung S24 Ultra was among the best smartphones released in 2024, if not the best. However, with prices starting at $1,299 / £1,249, it was an expensive buy. But it has recently seen a price drop following the Samsung S26 Ultra and can be bought for prices starting at half its original price.

In our Samsung S24 Ultra vs Samsung S25 Ultra comparison article found that both phones are practically the same, seeing only a slight improvement from the S24 to S25. The S25 Ultra debuted at the same launch price as the S24 Ultra, but the S24 Ultra appears to have a lower price range when it comes to buying used or refurbished phones.

the S22 Ultra still holds its ground against the larger, newer phone, despite the S23 Ultra’s 200MP main sensor and 10x zoom. The S22 Ultra has an excellent quad camera setup that includes a 108MP main camera, an ultra wide camera and telephoto camera but despite a well-featured native camera app, doesn’t have a macro mode. Video-wise, this smartphone can shoot up to 8K video.

Read our Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review.

Also consider

• Samsung Galaxy S22

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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5

Price at launch: $1799 / £1749
Typical used prices: $300-$600/£500-£999

Initially incredibly expensive back when it was released in 2023, the Fold5 is now available for those on a budget.

Samsung has since released the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 and the Fold5 has seen a dramatic price drop. The Fold5 may feel relatively dated in comparison to its newest iteration and watered down compared to some of its competitors back in the day like Samsung’s own Galaxy S23 Ultra but if you’re happy with a triple camera setup, multiple selfie-cameras, its unique design and want a foldable phone that’s not terribly expensive, this is a good option.

Now, as you might expect for that price, you don’t get the best camera setup in this group, but what you do get performs pretty well. There’s a 50MP main camera, which is joined by a 12MP ultrawide camera, and a 10MP telephoto. There is no dedicated macro option so if you go outside of the focus range for the telephoto camera, it switches to digital zoom, which results in images with low-levels of detail.

As with most Android phones, the native camera app interface is intuitive and easy to use, but also has a good range of additional options to choose from. Specialist modes, such as Night and Portrait, put in a pretty pleasing performance.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 review.

Also consider: 

• Google Pixel Fold

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Best used smartphones under $300/£300

Google Pixel 8 Pro

• Price at launch: $999 / £999
• Typical used prices: $239-$400 / £217-£300

Google’s Pixel phones always impress with high-quality imagery and a straightforward and easy-to-use app. You only have to go back one generation with the Pixel range to pick up something at an excellent price.

For your money, you get a triple-lens set-up, which includes a 50-megapixel main camera, as well as super-wide and telephoto (5x zoom) options. The 8 Pro delivers excellent pictures in a range of situations and there’s been a noticeable jump in image quality from its predecessor – something that is often harder to spot from the likes of Apple and Samsung, where each new version seems to be a lot more gentle.

It’s also worth pointing out that Google offers an incredible 7 years of update support for the Pixel 8 Pro, which makes it the best mainstream smartphone on the market in terms of ongoing support – again, increasing its value proposition significantly.

Although it’s now been surpassed by the Pixel 10 Pro, most average users are unlikely to be able to spot too much of a difference between the two, making the saving even more tempting.

Read our original review of the Google Pixel 8 Pro

Also consider:

• Google Pixel 7 Pro
• Google Pixel 6 Pro
• Google Pixel 6
• Google Pixel 5

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Samsung Galaxy S24

• Price at launch: $799 / £799
• Typical used prices: $250-$400 / £270-£300

Comparing the S24 against the S24 Ultra (also on this list), you lose some key features like the 200MP camera, and sleek design and enormous proportions in favour of a smaller, more plain and rounded iPhone-esque design.

However, the rest are mostly the extraneous ones which probably don’t add too much to the overall experience. By opting for the S24 over the S24 Ultra then you’ll save around $300 / £300, which is not to be sniffed at.

Essentially, if you desire the higher resolution sensor, an additional lens and a half-decent macro mode – and you’re happy to supersize your screen and your budget hovers around the $500/£500 margin – then the S24 Ultra could be the one for you, but if you can live without all of that, pocket the change instead and spend it on something more fun – perhaps even a holiday where you can take lots of pictures!

Also consider:

• iPhone 15 Pro 
• Google Pixel 8 

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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5

• Price at launch: $999.99 / £1,049
• Typical used prices: $299-$465 / £253-£450

Released along with the Samsung Z Fold 5 back in 2023, the Z Flip can now be picked up for less than half its original price.

Usually with flagship models, we see excellent camera specifications, but here we have a pretty modest double 12-megapixel camera setup, with a wide and an ultrawide. If we compare this to something like the Samsung S23, which has a 50MP main sensor, plus an ultrawide and a telephoto option, it doesn’t seem like a fantastic choice for photographers on face value.

However, that face value is something which is very important as the Z Flip 5 offers something that non-folding phones can’t – the ability to easily capture selfies using the “main” camera, rather than using the usually much poorer front-facing camera. It could therefore be argued that this model is one of the best smartphones for selfies available at the moment it was launched.

Also consider

• Honor Magic V3
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6

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Best used smartphones under $200/£200

Google Pixel 6a

• Price at launch: $314/£299
• Typical used prices: $120-180/£120-200

If you don’t need all the power of the Google Pro range, this is an excellent used budget choice – we named it one of our best budget smartphones after all.

Shop around and you can find it for around $200 which makes the Pixel 6a something of a bargain. The latest model in the line up is the Pixel 8, that sells around £380 with features like Best Take, Magic Editor, and Audio Magic Eraser, but if you shop around you can pick up the Pixel 7 Pro for under $350/£300.

Key specifications include a 12MP ultra-wide camera, f/2.2, 17mm equivalent, a 12MP wide camera, f/1.7, with optical image stabilisation, 27mm equivalent, and a 6.1inch OLED screen (2400×1080 pixels). So, if you can live without the Pixel 6’s 48MP camera with larger sensor and additional AI “motion” mode, the Pixel 6a is a very sound choice.

After all, most of the key photography features and image-processing algorithms remain the same for both models, with the Pixel 6a also coming with intelligent AI features including a ‘magic eraser’. This makes it a lot easier to remove unwanted objects from images, without having to faff about in Photoshop or a similar image-editing package.

Picture quality is very good considering the price, and although low-light performance isn’t as good as the Pixel 6 owing to the smaller sensor, it should be perfectly acceptable for many situations unless you are a compulsive pixel peeper.

You can also record video up to 4K resolution, and up to 60fps, with effective image stabilisation and decent low-light performance. There are also time-lapse, and slow-motion video options, with up to 4x and 8x slow-motion available, albeit at a reduced resolution. All in all, a powerful package considering the price and ‘budget’ classification.

• Google Pixel 5
• Oppo Find X3 Pro

Read our original review of the Google Pixel 6a

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Huawei P30 Pro

• Price at launch: $899 / £899
• Typical used prices: $190-300/ £145-320

At one time, Huawei was the manufacturer to beat when it came to excellent cameras on smartphones. Its demise at the hands of a ban on newer devices accessing the Google Play store means that you’ll need to go older if you want to pick up something that’ll work in the way you expect it to.

The P30 Pro was the last of Huawei’s models to be able to access the Play store, and equally as importantly, it was capable of producing excellent photos and videos, meaning it still stands up very well today. It has a triple-lens array on the back, including a standard, ultrawide and a telephoto lens.

Night mode is excellent, while the native camera app is very well-featured. Considering you can pick one up for under $200 / £200 if you shop around, it’s an absolute bargain and it still gives the latest models a run for their money.

Also consider

• Huawei P20 Pro
• Huawei Mate 20 Pro

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Where to find second-hand smartphones

Make sure you take a good look around different options for finding used smartphones. That way, you’ll be able to compare prices to make sure you’re getting a good dealer. You might find you get a better “deal” from private sellers, but make sure you do your homework so you don’t end up with a dud. Take a look at our top tips for staying safe when buying, but here’s some places you can look at.

• Backmarket
• Amazon
• Mazuma Mobile
• Music Magpie
• Envirofone
• CEX
• Network providers (e.g. EE, o2, Vodafone, Three, Giffgaff)
• Manufacturers (e.g. Apple, Samsung, Google)
• eBay (buyers beware)
• Gumtree (buyers beware)
• Facebook marketplace (buyers beware)

Second-hand vs refurbished: are they the same?

It’s important to note that second-hand and refurbished aren’t interchangeable terms. Second-hand generally means buying directly from the previous owner, via online auction websites like eBay. While you can sometimes find great deals doing this, the risk is greater as you won’t be covered by additional warranties, nor the same legal guarantees as when buying from a reputable firm.

Refurbished phones are still second-hand, but are bought from a manufacturer, retailer or official reseller. These phones will usually have been assessed by an expert before sale, given a condition rating (for example ‘like new’) and often come with an extended warranty. Some refurbished models are restored to the point that you’d never know it had a previous owner. You should also expect to have all the correct accessories supplied with a refurbished phone.

The trade-off for this is – usually – a higher price. But, as a rule, we’d suggest spending a little more for a high-quality product. Refurbished phones purchased from a retailer are covered in the UK by the Consumer Rights Act 2015. This allows 30 days to return the phone if it turns out to be of unsatisfactory quality. On top of that, if the phone develops a fault within six months, the retailer must prove it wasn’t there when it was bought. 

Buying second-hand from private sellers (i.e. individuals on eBay) doesn’t carry the same protection. A listing can’t be misleading (for example claiming the phone will switch on when it doesn’t) – but you don’t have the six-month ‘fault’ window. In either case, the manufacturer warranty (usually 12-24 months) may still apply if the device you have bought is younger than that.

Our 3 top tips for buying used smartphones:

1. Opt for manufacturer support

Make sure any model you buy is still supported by the manufacturer. That probably won’t be a problem if you only go back one, or even two, generations, but older smartphones eventually stop being supported. This can leave you prone to security issues, but it can also affect usability if you can’t get the latest operating system. Check the manufacturer’s website for a list of currently supported devices. 

2. Choose unlocked

Choose ‘unlocked’ models if you can. This means they aren’t tied to a particular network provider, allowing you to use it with your existing contract. Alternatively, you could look for those that are locked to the one you’re already on – sometimes you’ll get a bargain that way. 

3. Check batteries

Older models which have been very heavily used might have batteries that don’t last very well. You can try to find out if the battery has been replaced – or – if it’s possible to replace it yourself if you find it’s not holding charge. 

Online marketplace tips:

Use PayPal

It’s almost certainly a bad idea to hand over large sums of cash for a second-hand device, especially to strangers. Use PayPal or your credit card for protection from potentially dubious online operators. 

Check private sellers

Make sure you’re vigilant when dealing with any private seller. Check the seller rating, examine the listing closely for details about condition, and be sure to ask questions if something doesn’t seem right, or a key piece of information is missing.

Avoid generic pictures

Look closely at a listing’s picture. Is the seller using “generic” pictures readily available from the manufacturer’s website, or do they look like genuine images? If it’s the former it could indicate a problem with the smartphone – or it could potentially not exist at all. Look for pictures which show the device working (screen switched on too)

Be wary of cosmetic damage

Pay attention to information about any cosmetic damage. It might be fine, but it could be something which affects image quality – such as a scratch across the lens – so it’s something to be mindful of.

Check warranties and repairs

Is the original warranty still in date? If the phone you’re buying isn’t too old – it might be. Also ask the seller if they’ve made any replacements or repairs while it was in their possession.

Scrutinise price

Is the price too good to be true? Compare any model against other similar models in the same condition. If the one you’ve seen is significantly cheaper and it’s not obvious why, be cautious. 

Tips for buying from retail shops:

Go for best you can afford

The condition rating of a device should be noted. Always go for the best you can afford, but cosmetic damage is something that should be considered if it has no impact on the image quality. Anything with a defective battery is worth considering if you can replace it easily or cheaply.

Ask for additional guarantees

Can you get an additional guarantee or warranty? This is why it can be wise to spend a bit more money and get something from a specialist retailer, rather than a private seller, as this extra peace of mind can come with what you’re buying.

Now you know the best used camera phones for photography, check out our guide to the best camera phone accessories and best camera phone tripods and mounts.

Recent updates:

• April 2026: iPhone 15 Pro Max updated to iPhone 16 Pro Max, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra updated to Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, iPhone 12 Pro Max updated to iPhone 15 Pro Max, Google Pixel 7 Pro updated to Google Pixel 9 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra updated to Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, Google Pixel 6 Pro updated to Google Pixel 8 Pro; Honor Magic 5 Pro changed to Motorola Edge 50 Ultra, OPPO Reno 8 Pro changed to Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, OPPO Find X3 Pro changed to Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5; Xiaomi 13 Pro removed; Samsung Galaxy S24 added; Google Pixel 6a and Huawei P30 Pro moved to new ‘Under $200/£200’ section.
• November 2025: iPhone 14 Pro Max updated to iPhone 15 Pro Max

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Related articles:

• The best smartphone apps for photography
• iPhone vs Android: Which is better for photography?
• How to take amazing portraits on a smartphone
• Using smartphones for street photography
• Opinion: Cameras will always be better than smartphones

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