Apple iPhone Pre-Owned Excellent 16 Pro 5G Black Titanium 128GB 2024 Review

For $697, this renewed iPhone 16 Pro delivers elite 97th percentile performance and display quality, making it a speed demon at a mid-range price. The catch? Its camera and lack of 5G connectivity rank in the bottom third of phones. Perfect for iOS users who want flagship power without the flagship price, but a hard pass for mobile photographers or anyone needing 5G.

The renewed iPhone 16 Pro hits a sweet spot for performance hunters on a budget. For $697, you're getting a phone that lands in the 97th percentile for raw speed and a display in the 97th percentile. That's flagship-tier hardware at a mid-range price. The trade-off is right there in the data, though. Its camera performance sits at the 37th percentile, and connectivity is at the 35th, meaning you're missing out on the latest 5G bands and some camera polish of the brand-new models. But if your priority is a buttery-smooth screen and a processor that crushes apps, this is a compelling deal.

Let's talk about that 97th percentile performance score. It's driven by the 3nm Apple A18 Pro chip, a hexa-core beast with two high-performance cores clocked at 4.05GHz. In our database, this puts it in the absolute top tier for app launches, multitasking, and sustained workloads. Gaming scores a 67.5 out of 100, which is solid for most titles, though hardcore mobile gamers might want to look at dedicated gaming phones. The 8GB of RAM ensures you won't be reloading apps constantly. Pair that power with the 6.3-inch LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED display, which hits 2000 nits for HBM and refreshes at 120Hz, and you've got a fluid, bright viewing experience that makes everything feel faster.

At $697, the value proposition is all about performance per dollar. You're paying roughly half the launch price of a new iPhone 16 Pro for 97th percentile speed and display quality. That's a serious win. However, you're accepting significant compromises in camera tech and future-proof connectivity (no 5G). Compared to a new $700 Android phone, you'll get a better screen and chip here, but likely a better camera and 5G on the Android side. It's a trade-off, but for the right buyer, it's a smart one.

Stacked against key rivals, the choices get clear. The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE at a similar price will offer a better camera (likely beating that 37th percentile) and 5G, but its display and processor won't touch this iPhone's 97th percentile scores. The Google Pixel 10 will crush it in computational photography but might lag in pure CPU performance. The OnePlus 15 is a wildcard, often offering a balance of speed, fast charging, and a good screen for less money. If you live in the Apple ecosystem and prioritize a fast, smooth experience now over having the latest network tech, this renewed 16 Pro is your pick. If 5G or a top-tier camera is a daily need, the Android competitors make more sense.

Skip this phone if your primary use is mobile photography. A 37th percentile camera score means it's being outperformed by most modern phones, including many cheaper Androids. Also, if you're buying a phone to last 4+ years, the lack of 5G (35th percentile connectivity) could become a glaring limitation as networks evolve. Finally, if you need a rugged device, look elsewhere—its 38th percentile score here means it's not built for tough environments.

We recommend the renewed iPhone 16 Pro if your top priorities are a flawless, fast screen and processor power that will feel new for years. The data doesn't lie: 97th percentile performance and display are exceptional at this price. We don't recommend it if you're a photography enthusiast or if you need 5G connectivity for your area or plan. Those 37th and 35th percentile scores are real limitations. For everyone else, especially upgraders from older iPhones, this is a powerhouse deal that makes the latest silicon accessible.