How much is an iPhone 13 worth in 2026?
The iPhone 13 launched in September 2021 at £779. By mid-2026 it is five years old — the point at which recycler prices typically stabilise at their floor before beginning a slow long-term decline. The good news: the iPhone 13 still has strong demand from buyers looking for a capable affordable smartphone, which keeps recycler prices healthier than you might expect for a five-year-old device.
A working iPhone 13 (128GB, good condition) currently fetches £85–£135 from UK recyclers. The wide range — a £50 gap — underscores exactly why comparing before selling is so important.
iPhone 13 model price breakdown (July 2026)
iPhone 13 mini (128GB): £65–£100. The mini has the lowest demand due to its smaller form factor — compact phones have fallen out of fashion.
iPhone 13 (128GB): £85–£135. The most commonly sold model. Strong demand from buyers makes this a healthy recycling market.
iPhone 13 (256GB): £95–£145. A modest premium of £10–15 over 128GB.
iPhone 13 (512GB): £110–£160. 512GB storage commands a meaningful premium.
iPhone 13 Pro (128GB): £115–£165. The Pro has significantly better cameras and a 120Hz ProMotion display — these features drive stronger recycler demand.
iPhone 13 Pro (256GB): £130–£185.
iPhone 13 Pro Max (128GB): £130–£185. The largest model with the best battery life of the 13 range.
iPhone 13 Pro Max (256GB): £150–£210. The Pro Max in good condition can still fetch over £200 from the best recyclers.
iPhone 13 Pro Max (512GB): £175–£235. Top storage Pro Max models command the highest prices in the 13 range.
Is the iPhone 13 still in demand from buyers?
Yes — and this is what keeps recycler prices healthy. The iPhone 13 has an A15 Bionic chip (the same chip used in the iPhone 14 standard model), 5G support, excellent camera system and full iOS 18 compatibility. As a refurbished device it represents outstanding value for buyers.
The buy-side demand for iPhone 13 is strong precisely because it is affordable. A Grade B refurbished iPhone 13 at £100–120 is one of the most popular refurbished phones in the UK market. This demand flows back to recyclers and keeps their offer prices higher than they would otherwise be for a five-year-old device.
How to get the best price for your iPhone 13
Compare multiple recyclers. The gap between the best and worst offer for an iPhone 13 (128GB good condition) can be £40–50. GadgetRank compares 30+ recyclers simultaneously — using it takes 2 minutes and typically finds you £20–35 more than going directly to the first recycler you think of.
Sign out of iCloud first. This is non-negotiable. Settings → Your Name → Sign Out. A device with iCloud Activation Lock active cannot be sold and will be returned or have its offer revised to zero.
Be accurate about condition. Recyclers inspect every device on arrival. If you describe your phone as excellent and it arrives with scratches, they will revise the offer. You can reject any revised offer and have the phone returned, but this wastes time. Describe the condition accurately upfront.
Factory reset. Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings. Remove your SIM card. Send in the original box if you have it — some recyclers pay a small premium.
Lock in your quote quickly. Most recycler quotes are valid for 14–30 days. iPhone 13 prices have been slowly declining and locking in today's price gives you protection against further drops.
Does battery health matter for iPhone 13?
More than most people realise. The iPhone 13 is now old enough that many devices have battery health in the 80–85% range — the bottom of what most recyclers will accept without devaluing. Below 80%, most recyclers will either reject the device or significantly reduce their offer.
Check your battery health in Settings → Battery → Battery Health before getting quotes. If you are at 78–79%, a third-party battery replacement (£35–50) will likely increase your recycler offer by more than the replacement cost.
Is now a good time to sell an iPhone 13?
It is a reasonable time, but not the optimal time. The optimal time to have sold an iPhone 13 was September 2023 (before iPhone 15 launch) or September 2024 (before iPhone 16 launch), when prices were £40–60 higher than today.
That said, prices are currently stable. A further decline is likely in September 2026 when iPhone 18 launches — recycler prices for all older models typically dip £10–20 in the weeks around a new launch as trade-in volumes spike. If you are going to sell, doing so before September is advisable.
iPhone 13 vs trade-in programmes
Apple Trade In for an iPhone 13 (128GB) currently offers approximately £75–90 in Apple Store credit — at the low end of what independent recyclers offer, and restricted to Apple Store spending. Independent recyclers pay cash, which is almost always more useful than credit tied to one retailer.
Unless you are immediately buying a new Apple product where the trade-in credit can be applied directly, independent recyclers via GadgetRank will net you more money.
Selling a damaged iPhone 13
Cracked screen: most recyclers accept. Expect a reduction of £20–40 depending on severity. Some recyclers specialise in damaged devices and may offer better prices than general recyclers.
Faulty Face ID: significant reduction — typically 40–60% below a fully working device. Recyclers classify this as a serious hardware defect.
Water damage: even if the phone is working, a device with a history of water damage must be disclosed. Expect prices 30–50% below a clean equivalent.
Non-booting device: still worth selling for parts. Most recyclers will accept — typically £20–45 for a non-working iPhone 13, depending on the model.
Frequently asked questions
Will iPhone 13 get iOS 19?
Likely yes. Apple's support timeline suggests iPhone 13 will receive iOS updates through approximately 2027. This keeps buyer demand healthy and supports recycler prices.
Should I sell or keep my iPhone 13?
If you have upgraded to a newer model, sell sooner rather than later. Prices will continue to decline slowly. If the iPhone 13 is your current daily phone and it is working well, keep it — the cost of upgrading is not justified by the performance difference on everyday tasks.
Which is better — selling to a recycler or privately on eBay?
Private sales on eBay typically achieve 15–25% more than recycler prices. The tradeoff is time (listing, waiting for a buyer, packing and posting), risk (buyer disputes, PayPal chargebacks) and effort. For most people selling a working iPhone 13, a recycler is the right balance of speed, safety and value.
Apple's battery health documentation explains what the percentage means and when Apple recommends a battery replacement.
Compare iPhone 13 recycler prices on GadgetRank →