iPhone Under 300 Dollars | Real Picks for 2026

Getting a real iPhone under 300 dollars in 2026 means buying certified pre-owned or refurbished — the iPhone 13 is the best balance of price, modern performance, and battery life at roughly $280–$300.

If you’re shopping with a $300 budget for an iPhone, here’s the unfiltered truth: no new iPhone sells for that price in the US. Apple’s cheapest current model — the iPhone 16 — starts well above $700. But the used and certified pre-owned (CPO) market has solid options that’ll run the latest iOS, support 5G, and feel fast for another three years. The table below lays out exactly what’s available right now.

Choosing the right unit means prioritizing 128GB of storage, avoiding anything older than the iPhone 12, and always buying from a seller who offers a warranty and confirms an unlocked carrier status. Our full roundup of top $300 phones compares these iPhones against the best Android competition at the same price.

What You Can Actually Get For $300

No iPhone under $300 is sold new from Apple. The available models are all certified pre-owned, refurbished, or well-kept used units from reputable resellers. Each comes with specific trade-offs around screen size, 5G support, and camera quality.

Which One Should You Buy For $300?

The iPhone 13 in 128GB is the clear pick. Its A15 Bionic chip matches the iPhone 14’s CPU, it has solid all-day battery life, and 128GB storage is the minimum comfortable amount for 2026 apps and iOS updates. The iPhone 13 Mini is a close second if you want the smallest modern iPhone, but expect slightly shorter battery runtime.

The iPhone 12 Pro looks tempting with its LiDAR scanner and telephoto lens, but the older A14 chip and higher risk of a degraded battery make the iPhone 13 a more reliable daily driver for the next few years. If you find a certified pre-owned iPhone 14 in the mid-$290s, it’s a worthwhile upgrade — but those units are rare at this price point.

Where To Buy Safely And What To Check

Certified pre-owned iPhones under $300 are available from major third-party sellers like Amazon Renewed, Best Buy Certified Refurbished, and reputable eBay stores with strong return policies. Always confirm the device is unlocked and comes with at least a 12-month warranty.

Avoid the iPhone X, XR, or anything older — they lack 5G, which is a real liability on US carriers in 2026, and their batteries are likely degraded. Also skip any listing advertising a “new” iPhone for under $300; those are either scams or carrier-deal phones requiring long-term contracts.

How To Verify Your Phone’s Status

Before you buy, ask for or check three critical settings on the device itself. On the seller’s end, make sure they’re honest about these numbers.

• Carrier lock: Go to Settings > General > About. It must show “No SIM restrictions” for it to work on any US carrier.
• Battery health: Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging. Maximum Capacity must be at or above 80%.
• Model number: Go to Settings > General > About. The model number should start with M (retail unit) — avoid N (replacement) or 3 (demo unit) unless the seller clearly explains them.

All models listed in the table (iPhone 11 and newer) support iOS 18 and will receive at least a couple more years of updates. The iPhone 11 and 11 Pro lack 5G, so they’re a harder sell in 2026 — budget a bit more for the iPhone 12 or 13 if your network relies on 5G coverage.