Apple iPhone Pre-Owned Excellent 16 Pro Max 5G Desert Titanium 256GB 2024 Review

The refurbished iPhone 16 Pro Max packs elite A18 Pro performance and a great camera into a large 6.9-inch package for under $1,000. It's a powerhouse, but battery life is a weak point and you're buying a 'Grade B' refurbished unit. A good pick for performance-focused users okay with its compromises.

So you're looking at the iPhone 16 Pro Max. It's Apple's biggest, most powerful phone, and at $999 for this refurbished 256GB model, it's a serious contender if you want flagship specs without the flagship price. It's got the 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR display, the A18 Pro chip, and a triple-camera system led by a 48MP main sensor. In our database, it scores highest as a photography phone and a flagship device, though its gaming score is surprisingly a bit lower than you might expect. The big question is whether the compromises of buying refurbished—and this phone's specific weaknesses—are worth the savings over a brand-new model.

Let's talk speed. The A18 Pro chip inside this thing is a monster, landing in the 97th percentile for performance. That Hexa-core setup (2x4.05 GHz + 4x2.42 GHz) paired with 8GB of RAM means everything flies. Apps open instantly, multitasking is a breeze, and you can edit 4K video without a hiccup. For gaming, it scored a 58.7 out of 100 in our tests, which is very good, but not the absolute top-tier you might assume from the chip alone—some Android flagships with dedicated gaming modes can eke out a few more frames in the most demanding titles. But for 99% of users and games, this performance is overkill in the best way.

At $999 for a refurbished 256GB model, the value proposition is interesting. You're getting last year's top-tier Pro Max hardware for several hundred dollars less than its original launch price. The performance and camera are still elite. However, you're also accepting a 'Grade B' refurbished condition and a battery that our data flags as a weakness. If a brand-new, current-gen experience with a fresh battery is your priority, this isn't it. But if you want near-maximum Apple power for a chunk less cash and can handle the refurbished gamble, the math starts to make sense.

This sits in a weird spot. It's competing against both new mid-range phones and other refurbished flagships. The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE offers a great new phone experience for likely less money, but with a weaker chip and camera. The Google Pixel 10 will have a better camera and cleaner software, but also less raw power. Compared to the brand-new iPhone 16e, you're trading a newer design and presumably better battery life for the Pro Max's superior camera, larger screen, and more powerful A18 Pro chip. Against the OnePlus 15, you're choosing between iOS refinement and Android customization, with OnePlus likely winning on charging speed.

Skip this phone if you're a heavy user away from chargers all day—the battery score is a red flag. Also avoid it if you're uneasy about refurbished electronics or need the latest and greatest iOS features. In those cases, look at the new iPhone 16e for a similar iOS experience with a fresh battery, or consider an Android option like the Google Pixel 10 for potentially better battery and a stellar camera in a new package.

Should you buy the refurbished iPhone 16 Pro Max? It's a solid 'maybe, if...'. If your top priorities are having a large Apple screen, the absolute best iOS performance, and a pro-level camera system, and you're comfortable with a refurbished unit and potentially mediocre battery life, this is a powerful way to save money. We'd recommend it for photographers, power users who live near an outlet, and anyone who wants a big-screen iPhone without the latest price tag. But if battery life is your deal-breaker, or you need the reassurance of a brand-new device with a full warranty, you should look at the newer iPhone 16e or an Android alternative like the Pixel 10.