Guide to Buying a Refurbished iPhone XR - WeSellTek

What is a refurbished iPhone XR? 

A refurbished iPhone XR is a used handset that has gone through an intensive testing process including deep cleaning of the device itself and removal of all data, including unlocking from the network. This process sets the refurbished iPhone XR apart from other used handsets as it is completely restored to factory standards.

The iPhone XR is a 12th generation iPhone, first released in 2018 and marketed as the ‘budget flagship’ device of the range. 

Buy a refurbished iPhone XR 

Where can I buy a refurbished iPhone XR?

You can easily buy a refurbished iPhone XR online from an accredited reseller. It is always worth checking to make sure that your chosen retailer only sells refurbished iPhones that have gone through a thorough refurbishment process. 

The iPhone refurbishment process at WeSellTek includes thorough testing of all functions, cleaning and unlocking as well as removing all data and restoring to factory settings. We also check that the iPhone XR has not been reported lost or stolen. 

To ensure that the supplier you choose is legitimate, check their product range and be sure to check that they provide a comprehensive warranty on their refurbished devices.  

How much does the refurbished iPhone XR cost? 

You can expect to pay between £220 and £280 for an unlocked and refurbished iPhone XR, while some retailers can offer cheaper upfront prices on a device that is locked to a certain network if you are willing to take out a contract. 

At WeSellTek, the condition of the device is considered with our refurbished iPhone grading criteria when we price our refurbished iPhone XR. For a handset in Fair condition – which may have heavy scratches to the body and might need to be used in a case for an improved aesthetic – prices start at £219.95. 

A Pristine (Grade A) refurbished iPhone XR can be priced at £279.95.

Does the refurbished iPhone XR come with a new battery? 

Battery life is often reported as the first problem that a used or refurbished iPhone can have, and it will depend on the retailer you buy your refurbished iPhone from. At WeSellTek, we supply new batteries to any device which is found to perform below 80%. Users should always seek to find a refurbished iPhone that has gone through battery testing, to ensure you aren’t caught short after you’ve made the purchase. 

Does the refurbished iPhone XR come with charging accessories? 

Most retailers should offer charging accessories as standard with a refurbished iPhone XR. It is always worth checking that the supplier you are buying your refurbished iPhone XR provides a charging cable and plug. Every refurbished iPhone XR at WeSellTek comes with a lightning to USB charging cable and UK plug, so it can be used straight from the box. 


Does the refurbished iPhone XR come with the original packaging? 

Getting a refurbished iPhone XR in the original packaging is rare, but some retailers may offer this. At WeSellTek we put all our refurbished devices in a new plain white box.

In this box, you will find everything you need to get started with your refurbished iPhone XR, including the charger cable, plug, and a SIM tool. 

Does the refurbished iPhone XR come with headphones? 

Most brand new iPhones are no longer sold with headphones. Some retailers may provide a set of headphones with a lightning adapter or a set that work through Bluetooth, but this is not standard and is likely to increase the cost. 

The refurbished iPhone XR does not have a standard 3.5mm jack input for headphones, so you will need to use a lightning adaptor or connect through Bluetooth. 

Does the refurbished iPhone XR come with a new screen? 

Some retailers might sell a refurbished iPhone XR with a cracked screen for a cheaper price (including us), but it is unlikely that you will find one that needs a new screen if it has been refurbished properly. As part of the 70-point testing and checks that we perform at WeSellTek on all our refurbished devices, the overall condition of the handset is considered. If the screen is cracked or broken, then it will be replaced before being sold. 

Does the refurbished iPhone XR have good battery life? 

According to the data provided by Apple on the release of the device, the battery life of the iPhone XR is better than the iPhone 8 by at least an hour and a half – with up to 25 hours of talk time, 15 hours of internet use, 16 hours of video playback and 65 hours of audio playback. 

As a refurbished device, the iPhone XR should still have great battery life – and here at WeSellTek, we make sure that all our handsets have at least 80% (but usually more) of that performance available before we sell it. 

Does the refurbished iPhone XR come with a warranty?

A comprehensive warranty is a good sign that the iPhone XR you are interested in has been refurbished to the highest specifications and gives you peace of mind that you are covered should something not be right. 

Here at WeSellTek, we offer a 12-month warranty and a 14-day no-hassle returns policy; always look for similar options if you are considering buying an iPhone XR, as this gives you peace of mind that you’re buying from a reputable retailer who can fix any issues up to a year after the purchase. 

Is it worth buying a refurbished iPhone XR? 

The iPhone XR has now been discontinued, so a refurbished device is a great way to own this colourful iPhone at a great price. If you want a specific model but do not want to pay the brand-new price tag, then a quality refurbished iPhone XR is the answer. 

The different condition gradings that are available here at WeSellTek makes finding the iPhone XR that you want at a price that suits your budget much easier – and if there is a colour or other variation that you are interested in getting, you can sign up for email updates when we have them in stock.

Refurbished iPhone XR Camera and Video performance


The refurbished iPhone XR comes with a 12MP camera that offers digital zoom and Portrait Mode, as well as other features like Panorama and great image stabilisation. 

The refurbished iPhone XR can film in 4K at either 24, 30, or 60fps, with the option to choose 720p or 1080p if needed. With slo-mo and cinematic image stabilisation, you can take 8MP stills while recording 4K video, and zoom during playback to get a closer look when you need it. 

At WeSellTek, as part of the refurbishment process that we use, we check to make sure that the camera is working with no loss in performance. The removal of data also makes sure that there is plenty of space to store your captured images and videos.  


Why buy a refurbished iPhone XR? 


Comes with a warranty

A warranty is not often found in used devices that have not been refurbished, so a supplier that provides a warranty is usually legitimate. The 12-month warranty that we supply with our refurbished devices is designed to provide you with peace of mind – we are confident in the thoroughness of our checks, however, should anything go wrong in the year after you purchase from us then we will sort it out. 

Is in good working condition 

Buying a used handset is a good investment as it is usually much cheaper than buying new – but if it isn’t in good working condition it ends up being a false economy. 

A refurbished iPhone XR will have been through extensive testing to ensure that every aspect of the device works as it should, so you have a phone that works as it did when it was first produced. 

They are cheaper 

Getting the technology you want at a more pocket-friendly price is a great reason to buy a refurbished iPhone XR – and with the grading criteria we use, there are different options available to suit all budgets. 

As part of the refurbishment process at WeSellTek, each device is graded on the general condition or wear and tear that is visible on the handset. A Grade D iPhone XR will have heavy scratches and multiple signs of wear but will be in a fair and useable condition. Pristine handsets are Grade A and will look good as new. Grade D devices will be cheaper than Grade A, and they will all be much cheaper than buying a brand new iPhone.  

They are wiped of data 

Restoring an iPhone XR to factory settings also includes ensuring that it is no longer locked to a specific network and that there are no lingering traces of the previous owner. 

Wiping the device from all data might mean that you will need to update it to the newest operating system, but it also means that you can make use of all the available storage and make it completely your own – much as you would with a brand-new device. 

You can easily find the exact model you want. 

The iPhone XR was popular when it was released because aside from the impressive technical specifications, it was available in a range of colours and storage options. 

Buying a refurbished iPhone from WeSellTek allows you to choose the colour and the size of the storage, as well as the overall condition of the device – so the choice is yours. 

Of course, there are other iPhone models available in a range of price brackets, and there is plenty to choose from in the ‘sale’ section, too. 

Buy a refurbished iPhone XR from WeSellTek today


Refurbished iPhone XR specifications 


  • Available in six finishes: white, black, red, blue, coral and yellow
  • Storage: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB
  • 2.98 inches (75.7mm) x 5.94 inches (150.9mm) x 0.33 inches (8.3mm)
  • Weight: 194g (6.84oz)
  • A12 Bionic chip and second-generation Neural Engine
  • Liquid Retina LED-backlit LCD IPS Panel Display – 6.1 inches (diagonal)
  • All-screen (no home button)
  • Haptic Touch
  • 1792 x 828-pixel resolution (326ppi)
  • Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating
  • Splash, water and dust resistant
  • 12MP camera with 4K recording capabilities
  • FaceID, Siri, and Apple Pay as standard
  • Dual SIM – nano-SIM and eSIM
  • 50% charge in 30 minutes (20W or higher adapter)
  • Wireless charging 
You can easily explore our full range of refurbished iPhones and find the perfect handset that meets your needs. Contact WeSellTek today and discover our full range of refurbished iPhones today.