Refurbished versus new on cost per remaining month

Refurbished is not automatically better value. It wins when an observed price buys enough remaining support, and loses when it does not.

TechWorth editorial · Last reviewed 6 September 2026

The engine puts refurbished and new on the same axis: net cost divided by remaining useful months. Both prices have to be observed. A launch RRP is a historical fact and is labelled as one; it is not treated as a current shop price.

Until Awin programmes are joined, offer blocks are omitted rather than filled with an empty grid. The comparison still runs on launch RRP and support estimates where those are sourced. iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 are the usual pair people mean by "last year versus this year".

Independence: the verdict cannot see commission. How we make money states the tests.