The iPhone XS Max was Apple’s first big-screen flagship with an OLED display, and years on it still does almost everything most Australians ask of a phone: messages, maps, banking apps, photos and a full day of calls. Buying one new is no longer an option, so the smart play is a clean refurbished unit at a fraction of what it once cost. Here is how to pick a good one without getting stung.
The numbers that change the conversation
Top refurbished iphone xs maxs on eBay right now
Live refurbished XS Max listings from Australian sellers, sorted so you can compare condition, storage and price at a glance.
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Why second-hand is not “second best”
The XS Max was a halo product. That OLED panel, the stainless-steel frame, the IP68 water resistance and the dual 12MP cameras were all built to flagship tolerances, and none of that quietly degrades the way a budget phone’s plastic shell does. A refurbished XS Max is the same hardware that cost well over a thousand dollars at launch, just with someone else’s first year of use behind it.
Crucially, the A12 Bionic chip inside is still genuinely quick. It handles Australian banking apps, Opal and Myki transit cards, navigation, social media and 1080p video without complaint. A reputable refurbisher will also have replaced the battery if it had aged, wiped the device, removed any iCloud lock and confirmed Face ID, the cameras and the cellular bands all work. You are not buying a gamble; you are buying a tested unit.
A flagship phone that has already taken its biggest depreciation hit is one of the best-value devices you can put in your pocket.
The savings are real
A premium phone loses most of its value in the first eighteen months, which is exactly what makes the second-hand market work in your favour. Refurbished electronics generally run 20-60% below their new price, and for a phone of the XS Max’s age the gap is at the wide end of that band. You are paying for a big-screen OLED Apple phone at a price that competes with brand-new budget Androids that cannot match its build, camera or resale value. The second-hand electronics market is growing around 10% a year for precisely this reason: buyers have worked out that last generation’s flagship beats this generation’s entry level.
New vs used, side by side
| Brand new | Used / refurbished | |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | Discontinued by Apple | Widely available second-hand |
| Price | N/A | A fraction of the launch RRP |
| Battery | 100% health, factory | Check health %; replaceable cheaply |
| Display & build | Pristine OLED + steel frame | Same panel; inspect for marks/burn-in |
| Environmental cost | Full manufacturing footprint | Reuses a device already made |
| Warranty | Original Apple warranty (expired) | Seller warranty + Australian Consumer Law |
The five-minute checklist before you pay
- Battery health. In Settings, Battery, Battery Health, look at maximum capacity. The XS Max is old enough that an reputable seller should disclose this; under about 80% means you will want a fresh battery soon.
- Face ID works. The XS Max has no fingerprint sensor, so a broken TrueDepth camera leaves you with passcode-only unlocking. Confirm Face ID enrols and unlocks on the spot.
- iCloud and Find My are off. The phone must be signed out of the previous owner’s Apple ID, or it is locked and useless. Check Settings shows no other account.
- Both rear cameras and the front camera. Test the wide and 2x telephoto lenses plus the selfie camera; shake-test for a rattly OIS module.
- OLED screen check. Show a solid grey then white image to spot burn-in, green tint or dead pixels, common on older OLED panels.
- IMEI is clean. Run the IMEI through an Australian blacklist checker to confirm it is not reported lost or stolen and not carrier-locked.
You have more protection than you think
When you buy from a business, including most professional sellers on marketplaces, the Australian Consumer Law gives you statutory guarantees that cannot be signed away. A refurbished iPhone XS Max must be of acceptable quality, match its description and do what a phone is reasonably expected to do. If it arrives with a swollen battery, a hidden iCloud lock or a fault that was not disclosed, you are entitled to a repair, replacement or refund regardless of any “sold as is” wording. Pay with a method that adds its own buyer protection and keep the listing and receipt.
Ready to find yours?
Compare current refurbished XS Max deals from trusted Australian sellers below.
Red flags to walk away from
- “Activation locked” or asks for an Apple ID password. A genuine refurbished unit is fully wiped and signed out. Never enter your own Apple ID before the seller’s is removed.
- No battery health figure and won’t provide one. On a phone this age, dodging the question usually means the answer is poor.
- Photos that hide the screen while it is on. Burn-in and tint only show on a lit OLED, so insist on a powered-on display photo.
- Mismatched IMEI between the listing, the box and Settings. A sign of a swapped or stolen device.
- A price far below every other listing. With a known model like this, a too-good deal is the bait, not the bargain.
Frequently asked questions
Does the iPhone XS Max still get iOS updates? It is an older model and has reached the end of major iOS upgrades, but it still runs a recent, secure version with full support for essential Australian apps and security patches typically continuing for a time on the last supported release.
Will it work on Telstra, Optus and Vodafone? Yes. The XS Max supports the 4G bands used across Australian carriers. Just confirm the unit is carrier-unlocked, and note it does not support 5G.
Is a replaced battery a problem? Not at all, and often a plus. A fresh battery in an otherwise sound XS Max gives you a near full-day phone again. Just check it was a quality cell, not a cheap aftermarket one prone to swelling.
XS Max or move to a newer model? If you want the biggest screen for the least money and do not need 5G, the XS Max is hard to beat on value. If 5G or the latest cameras matter to you, look at a newer refurbished model instead.
The bottom line
The refurbished iPhone XS Max is a large, beautifully built OLED Apple phone available today for a small fraction of its launch price. Check the battery health, confirm Face ID and the cameras, verify the IMEI is clean and unlocked, and buy from a seller whose warranty is backed by the Australian Consumer Law. Do that, and you walk away with a flagship experience, a far smaller environmental footprint and money still in your pocket.
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