What £400 gets you in 2026
This budget opens up territory the £300 mark doesn't quite reach: Pro-tier iPhones from the two most recent generations, still commanding a premium but genuinely available refurbished. Every price below is the real, current lowest price we're tracking across UK retailers, updated daily.
1. iPhone 15 Pro — best overall pick
From £399.95 refurbished
The most recent Pro-tier phone available at this budget, with the titanium frame, ProMotion 120Hz, the Action Button, and a genuinely capable camera system that stayed Pro-exclusive that generation.
Why buy it: the newest Pro-tier iPhone this budget reaches, with features the standard 15 below doesn't have.
Don't buy it if: those specific Pro features (120Hz, titanium, Action Button) aren't worth the premium to you — the standard 15 does the core experience for meaningfully less.
Compare iPhone 15 Pro prices →
2. iPhone 14 Pro Max — best large-screen Pro option
From £374.95 refurbished
Apple's largest Pro model from the 14 generation, with Dynamic Island's debut, an always-on display, and a 48MP main camera before it became standard across the whole line.
Why buy it: the biggest screen and battery of any Pro-tier option in this budget, genuinely capable camera system.
Don't buy it if: you'd prefer a more compact phone — the standard-size 15 Pro above is meaningfully smaller.
Compare iPhone 14 Pro Max prices →
3. iPhone 15 — best value with real budget left over
From £339.95 refurbished
The most affordable way into Apple's current core experience — USB-C, Dynamic Island, and a 48MP camera, all standard for the first time this generation.
Why buy it: genuinely modern iPhone experience, with real money left over from this budget compared to the Pro options above.
Don't buy it if: ProMotion or the Pro camera system specifically matter to you.
Compare iPhone 15 prices →
4. iPhone 13 Pro Max — best flagship value from an older generation
From £299.95 refurbished
An older Pro Max than the 14 above, at a genuinely lower price — still delivers ProMotion and a strong triple-camera system that holds up well.
Why buy it: Pro-tier features from two generations back, at meaningfully less than either newer Pro option above.
Don't buy it if: you want Dynamic Island or the newest camera hardware — those arrived with the 14 Pro and 15 respectively.
Compare iPhone 13 Pro Max prices →
5. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra — best Android alternative
From £289.95 refurbished
Samsung's S Pen flagship from the S23 generation — the strongest non-Apple option across this entire budget range, with genuine productivity features no iPhone offers.
Why buy it: S Pen stylus, excellent display, and one of the strongest all-round camera systems available at this price.
Don't buy it if: you have no use for a stylus, or you're already committed to Apple's ecosystem.
Compare Galaxy S23 Ultra prices →
How to choose between them
If newness matters most, the iPhone 15 Pro is the clear pick — it's the most recent Pro-tier phone this budget reaches. If you want Apple's core modern experience with real money spare, the iPhone 15 is the more efficient buy. If you want the strongest possible Android alternative, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is genuinely the best non-Apple option across this whole range.
Why £400 specifically opens up Pro-tier options
£300 buys strong older flagships; £400 is where recent-generation Pro-tier iPhones specifically become available refurbished, rather than pushing you back a generation or down to standard models only. This roughly £100 gap matters more than it might seem, since it's specifically the difference between "flagship features from a few years ago" and "Pro-tier features from the current or previous generation."
Weighing Pro features against simply owning the newest standard phone
It's genuinely worth pausing on this specific trade-off, since it's the core decision this budget presents: an older Pro-tier phone (with a better camera, faster display, premium materials) versus a newer standard phone (with a newer chip but fewer premium touches). Neither is objectively better — it depends on which specific features you'd actually notice and use day to day. If you photograph or record video often, the Pro camera systems on this list are the more noticeable upgrade. If raw chip performance and longevity matter more, the newer standard phone wins.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Pro-tier iPhone from a few years ago better than a brand-new standard model?
In several respects, yes — Pro models typically have better displays (ProMotion's 120Hz refresh rate), superior camera systems, and premium materials like titanium, even a generation or two back. The main advantage a newer standard phone offers is a more recent chip.
What's the actual difference between Pro and standard iPhone camera systems?
Pro models typically get additional lenses (telephoto zoom), and often gained new camera features (like the 48MP sensor) a full generation before standard models. If photography matters to you, Pro-tier is a genuine, noticeable step up.
Should I buy Samsung or Apple at this specific budget?
It comes down to ecosystem preference and whether S Pen productivity matters to you — the Galaxy S23 Ultra is genuinely the strongest non-Apple pick in this range, while the iPhone options offer Apple's ecosystem and typically longer software support windows.
Is titanium actually better than the aluminium or stainless steel used in older iPhones?
Titanium is lighter for its strength and more resistant to corrosion, though the practical, everyday difference is smaller than the marketing suggests — it's a genuine but modest upgrade rather than a transformative one.
All prices above are live and checked daily — compare every option side by side to see today's actual figures, since refurbished pricing shifts regularly.
Related reading: Best Phone Under £300 UK 2026 · Best Phone Under £500 UK 2026 · Refurbished iPhone 15 vs iPhone 16 · Refurbished iPhone 15 UK 2026 · Best Samsung Phone 2026 · Compare all refurbished phones · Condition grades explained
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