The iPhone X was the phone that tore up Apple’s own rulebook: it killed the home button, introduced Face ID, and put a true edge-to-edge OLED screen in your hand for the first time. Years on, that design still feels modern, and that is exactly why a refurbished iPhone X is one of the smartest small-spend upgrades an Australian buyer can make right now. You get the gesture-driven, full-screen experience that defines every flagship since, for a fraction of what a new handset costs.
The numbers that change the conversation
Top refurbished iphone xs on eBay right now
Here is a live selection of refurbished iPhone X listings shipping to Australia, sorted so you can compare condition and price at a glance.
Listings update automatically and open in a new tab.
Why second-hand is not “second best”
The iPhone X holds up because its headline features were never about raw speed. Face ID still unlocks the phone with a glance. The 5.8-inch Super Retina OLED panel still shows the deep blacks and punchy colour that LCD-based budget phones cannot match. The dual rear cameras still deliver Portrait mode with that soft-blurred background everyone wanted in 2017 and still wants today. None of that degrades with a previous owner.
A properly refurbished unit has been wiped, function-tested and, in the better cases, fitted with a fresh battery and a new screen if needed. Because the iPhone X uses a glass back for wireless charging, a quality refurbisher will also check that back panel for hairline cracks. What you are buying is a verified, working version of a phone that genuinely shaped the modern smartphone, not a stripped-down compromise.
The iPhone X was Apple’s most expensive phone at launch. Buying one refurbished is how you finally get that flagship experience at a price that makes sense.
The savings are real
When the iPhone X first landed it crossed a price line that shocked a lot of Australians. Today the second-hand and refurbished market has flipped that maths completely. Instead of paying flagship money, you pay mid-range or budget money for hardware that still feels premium in the hand: stainless steel frame, glass front and back, OLED display. For a second phone, a teenager’s first smartphone, a travel handset, or simply a sensible upgrade from an ageing LCD model, the value is hard to argue with. Every dollar you do not spend on brand-new manufacturing is also a dollar that keeps a perfectly capable device out of the e-waste stream.
New vs used, side by side
| Brand new | Used / refurbished | |
|---|---|---|
| Buying an iPhone X new | No longer sold by Apple | Widely available refurbished |
| Price | Flagship pricing at launch | A small fraction of that today |
| Battery | Was 100% when boxed | Ask for battery health %; many are re-celled |
| Face ID & OLED | Identical | Identical hardware, same experience |
| Environmental cost | Full manufacturing footprint | Already paid; you add almost nothing |
| Warranty | Apple warranty (when new) | Seller warranty + Australian Consumer Law |
The five-minute checklist before you pay
- Battery health. The iPhone X is a 2017 design, so the original cell may be tired. Ask for the figure under Settings > Battery > Battery Health. Anything below the low 80s means you should expect to replace it soon, or pay less.
- Face ID works. This is the one feature you cannot easily repair. Confirm the seller has tested that Face ID enrols and unlocks, since a damaged TrueDepth camera cannot be swapped like a normal part.
- OLED burn-in and dead spots. Ask for a photo of the screen showing a plain white and a plain grey background. OLED can show faint ghosting after years of use.
- The glass back. Because the X has glass front and back, check both. A cracked back affects wireless charging and is a common hidden flaw in photos.
- Storage size. The iPhone X came in 64GB and 256GB only. Confirm which one, because 64GB fills quickly with modern apps and photos.
- iCloud is removed. Make sure Find My / Activation Lock is off and the phone is not tied to someone else’s Apple ID.
You have more protection than you think
Buying refurbished in Australia does not mean buying without a safety net. When you purchase from a business, dealer or established online seller, the Australian Consumer Law applies regardless of any “as is” wording. Your phone must be of acceptable quality, match its description, and be fit for purpose. If a refurbished iPhone X arrives with a faulty screen, a dead Face ID sensor, or a battery that holds nothing, you have a clear right to a repair, replacement or refund. Keep your receipt and the listing details, and favour sellers who state a written warranty period in plain language.
Ready to find yours?
Compare current refurbished iPhone X deals from trusted Australian retailers and marketplaces below.
Red flags to walk away from
- “Face ID disabled” or “Face ID not working.” This is not a minor fault. Treat it as a permanent limitation and price the phone as a passcode-only device, if you buy at all.
- No mention of battery health. A seller who refuses to share the number is hiding a worn cell.
- Stock photos only. For a glass-backed phone, you need real photos of that exact unit, front and back, screen on.
- Activation Lock still on. If the phone asks for a previous Apple ID, it may be lost or stolen and will be useless to you.
- “Aftermarket” screen sold as genuine. A non-original OLED can show wrong colours or lose True Tone; this is fine if disclosed and priced for, not when hidden.
Frequently asked questions
Does the iPhone X still get iOS updates? It received several years of major iOS releases after launch and remains usable day to day, though it has now reached the end of the newest-version line. For calls, messaging, browsing, banking apps and photos it is still perfectly capable.
Will a refurbished iPhone X work on Australian networks? Yes. Australian-stock units support local 4G bands across Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. If buying an overseas model, just confirm it is unlocked and check band compatibility before you commit.
Is 64GB enough? It is workable for light users, but if you take a lot of photos or install large apps and games, the 256GB version is the more comfortable long-term choice.
Can the battery be replaced later? Yes. The iPhone X battery is a standard service item, so even an older unit can be given fresh life affordably down the track.
The bottom line
The iPhone X earns its place as a refurbished buy because the things that made it special, Face ID, the OLED screen and the all-screen design, are exactly the things that do not wear out. Check the battery health, confirm Face ID and inspect both panes of glass, and you walk away with a phone that still looks and feels like a flagship for a budget-phone price. That is a genuinely good deal, and a quietly greener one too.
This article may contain affiliate links; see our Affiliate Disclosure.