Looking for the best deal on a refurbished iPhone XR? Buy it as cheap as possible with our roundup of new and refurbished iPhone XR phones for sale.
Jump to: Refurbished Deals | Carrier Deals | Specs & Reviews | Common Problems | Daily Depreciation | Is the iPhone XR a Good Buy?
iPhone XR (Refurbished) where to buy compared
| Store | iPhone XR 64GB | iPhone XR 128GB | iPhone XR 256GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gazelle | $155 | $170 | $200 |
| Amazon | $177 | $187 | $233 |
| eBay | $221 | $180 | $322 |
| Decluttr | N/A | $210 | N/A |
| Swappa (mint) | $156 | $172 | $191 |
iPhone XR carrier deals
Rather buy a reconditioned or new iPhone XR from your carrier? Here are the cheapest iPhone XR deals from Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile.
- Verizon: Free iPhone XR 64GB w/new line (online only) (see deal)
- Verizon: iPhone XR 128GB for $1.66/mo. w/new line (online only) (see deal)
- Verizon: Free certified pre-owned iPhone XR w/new line (online only) (see deal)
| Considering a different iPhone model? Check out all current iPhone deals |
iPhone XR specs & reviews
Is the iPhone XR right for you? The following specs and reviews can help you decide.
iPhone XR specs
- Capacity: 64GB, 128GB & 256GB
- Processor: A12 Bionic chip
- Network: 4G LTE
- Water resistance: IP67 (30 minutes at 1 meter depth)
- Display: 6.1-in. Liquid Retina HD LCD, 1792×828 resolution (326 ppi)
- Camera: 12MP wide camera with 5x digital zoom, 7MP selfie camera
- Battery: 2,941 mAh, up to 16 hours video playback & 65 hours audio playback
Did you know? Many phones are worth $100+. Find the value of your phone.
| iPhone | Samsung | |
| OnePlus | LG | Motorola |
iPhone XR reviews
“With the iPhone XR, Apple has created an iPhone that delivers 95 percent of the high-end iPhone XS experience at 75 percent of the cost.” – Cnet
“The iPhone XR delivers fast performance, great cameras and long battery life for a good price.” – Tom’s Guide
“… the iPhone XR finally achieves the holy grail of all-day battery life in an iPhone.” – TechRadar
“Unquestionable superb value — that’s the iPhone XR. It may be missing a few features, but this is the iPhone that will make others yellow, blue, or coral with envy.” – Digital Trends
| Wondering how the iPhone XS Max compares? Find out |
“… the XR offers almost everything you’d want in a 2018 phone.” – The Verge
“… it has significantly worse wireless performance than either of this year’s other iPhones, or competing Android phones at the same price.” – PC Mag
“The iPhone XR is not the most technologically advanced iPhone… (but it) is still a moderately great phone.” – Wired
Common iPhone XR problems
Connectivity and audio issues top the list of commonly-reported iPhone XR problems.
Connectivity issues
Many users have reported dropped calls, slow download speeds, lost cellular connection and other connectivity problems associated with the iPhone XR. In fact, some customers filed a class action lawsuit against Apple in 2020 alleging the company misrepresented antenna quality.
If you experience connectivity issues that aren’t caused by a defective antenna, try the following fixes:
- Toggle Bluetooth off and back on
- Toggle LTE and/or Cell Data off and back on
- Reset network settings and re-enter WiFi information
- Factory reset the phone
Audio issues after iOS update
Some users have experienced loss of sound after an iPhone XR iOS update. If that happens to you, try these troubleshooting tips:
- Follow the sound troubleshooting steps listed on Apple’s support site
- Force restart your iPhone (press volume up, then volume down, then hold the power button until your iPhone restarts)
- Factory reset your iPhone
Other iPhone XR issues
Other reported issues include trouble with Face ID, wireless charging and non-responsive iPhone XR’s, though we didn’t see many instances of those problems. Browse Apple’s iPhone support page and community forums to get additional help.
Any of these issues could factor in if you want to buy a refurbished iPhone XR or if you find a pre-owned iPhone XR for sale on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace or another peer-to-peer platform. Always thoroughly inspect any iPhone and ask plenty of questions before you buy it.
iPhone XR daily depreciation
iPhones typically depreciate by around 40% over one year and up to 75% over three years. Released in September 2018 at a price of $749, the iPhone XR is currently depreciating by about 0.06% per day.
Note that depreciation applies to refurbished iPhone XR phones. Apple has discontinued the device, but you can still find new models selling for around $500 on sites like Verizon, AT&T, Best Buy and Target.
| What depreciates faster, a phone or a car? Find out |
Which is a better buy? iPhone XR VS iPhone X VS Samsung Galaxy S9
A refurbished iPhone XR currently goes for approximately 6% less than an iPhone X, which was released in 2017, and around 41% more than a Samsung Galaxy S9, released in 2018.
Compared to the iPhone X, the iPhone XR has a better chipset (A12 vs. A11 Bionic chip), a larger screen (6.1-in. vs. 5.8-in.) and better video/audio playback times (16 video/65 audio vs. 13 video/60 audio).
Both phones have an IP67 water resistance rating, 12MP wide-angle camera and 7MP selfie camera, but the iPhone X features a third 12MP telephoto camera that offers improved zoom capabilities.
| Wondering how the iPhone 11 stacks up? Check out our refurbished iPhone 11 article |
Like the iPhone XR, the Galaxy S9 has a single 12MP rear camera and its front camera is comparable at 8MP vs. 7MP. The iPhone XR’s 6.1-in. screen is larger than the Galaxy S9’s 5.8-in. display, though the S9 has a better water resistance rating at IP68 vs. IP67.
Galaxy S9 battery life might be slightly better than that of the iPhone X: both phone manufacturers claim up to 16 hours of video playback, but the S9 promises up to 15 more hours of audio playback compared the iPhone XR (80 hours vs. 65 hours).
The iPhone XR is the largest of these phones and has a better chip than the iPhone X, but the iPhone X has a telephoto camera and the Galaxy S9 might have better battery life. Otherwise, specs are similar, so if you’re considering these phones your decision might come down to screen size, price and whether you prefer the iOS or Android ecosystem.
| Thinking about an iPhone 12 instead? See where to get a refurbished iPhone 12 |
Of course, it’s up to you to decide which phone is best. Keep in mind that Samsung phones tend to depreciate at higher rates than iPhones. That’s an important consideration if you plan to resell your phone later.
How to avoid refurbished iPhone XR scams
Buying a refurbished iPhone XR can be a cheap way to get a great phone, but it’s important to protect yourself from scams.
Check the IMEI number to make sure the phone hasn’t been reported lost or stolen, especially if you buy from Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist or another peer-to-peer platform.
| Don’t get scammed! Here’s how to avoid scams when buying a used phone |
You should also request proof the phone is paid off. If not, it’s finance locked, and it can’t be transferred to a new carrier. Double check that iCloud, Find my iPhone and any other activation locks are disabled.
Other scams to watch out for include counterfeit iPhones, defective iPhones and sellers who swap OEM parts for aftermarket parts.
Buy from a trusted company that has good reviews and use a payment method that includes buyer protection to help protect yourself from scams.
What to expect when you buy a refurbished iPhone XR
A refurbished iPhone XR is one that has been inspected and repaired, if required – but it’s important to understand that the term “refurbished” is not a legal designation (PC Mag). Here’s how to get an iPhone XR that meets your expectations.
Ask what “refurbished” means – and who is doing the refurbishing
Some stores, including Decluttr and Gazelle, have technicians who conduct multi-point inspections, make repairs and test refurbished phones before they sell them.
| Think you can get a better deal with an iPhone SE 2? Find out in our refurbished iPhone SE 2 article |
It’s possible to find reputable stores that employ trained techs on marketplaces like Facebook and eBay. It’s just as possible to find random sellers who claim to refurbish phones themselves.
Ask what any seller means when they say the phone is “refurbished” and who is doing the work before you agree to buy a refurbished iPhone XR.
Ask if they offer returns or a warranty
It’s easier to trust sellers who offer returns and warranties on refurbished iPhones. Gazelle has a 30-day money-back return policy, for example, while Decluttr offers free money-back returns within 14 days.
Decluttr also offers a 12-month limited warranty on refurbished phones. Both Amazon and eBay have buyer protection policies.
Ask what condition it’s in
Refurbished iPhones are pre-owned, so they typically have wear and tear from normal use. Expect to receive a fully functional phone with some light scuffs and scratches. On occasion, a brand-new iPhone XR gets repaired in near perfect cosmetic condition, then sold as refurbished.
Always ask what condition the phone is in before you buy. Both Gazelle and Decluttr have tiered grading systems to help you understand exactly what you’re getting.
Ask if it comes with accessories
Refurbished phones do not typically include accessories like earbuds and chargers, but it never hurts to ask.
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