The iPhone 13 landed in 2021, and in 2026 it sits in a sweet spot that brand-new phones can’t touch: it still runs the latest iOS, the cameras still hold up against current mid-range flagships, and the battery life was the best Apple had shipped in years. The only thing that has really changed is the price. Buying one used in Australia means getting a phone that feels current for roughly half of what a new model costs, without giving up the things you actually notice day to day.
The numbers that change the conversation
Top used iphone 13s on eBay right now
Here is a live snapshot of what’s actually selling today, across storage sizes, colours and conditions, so you can gauge the going rate before you commit.
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Why second-hand is not “second best”
The iPhone 13 was built on Apple’s A15 Bionic chip, the same silicon Apple kept reusing in newer entry models for years afterward. That is the quiet reason a used iPhone 13 still feels fast: it shares its brain with phones Apple was still selling brand new well after 2021. It also carries the features people genuinely use every day, the bright OLED Super Retina XDR display, Face ID, MagSafe, 5G, IP68 water and dust resistance, and Apple’s sensor-shift stabilisation that keeps low-light shots and video steady.
Because Apple supports its phones with iOS updates for many years, a used iPhone 13 isn’t a phone frozen in the past. It receives the same security patches and feature drops as the device in the shop window. You are buying the experience, just not the depreciation.
A used iPhone 13 isn’t an old phone with a discount attached. It’s a current-software phone whose first owner already paid for the steep early drop in value.
The savings are real
When the iPhone 13 was new, its launch pricing put it firmly in premium territory in Australia. Today the same handset, in good condition, sells for a fraction of that. Used and refurbished phones are typically 20-60% cheaper than buying new, and the iPhone 13 sits comfortably in that band because it has been on the market long enough for supply to be healthy. That depreciation is not a flaw in the phone, it is the previous owner absorbing the cost so you don’t have to. A 256GB model that once commanded a four-figure price can now be a sensible mid-range purchase that still does everything most people ask of a phone.
New vs used, side by side
| Brand new | Used / refurbished | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Full retail, if still stocked | Roughly 20-60% less |
| iOS updates | Identical | Identical |
| Battery health | 100% | Check the figure; replaceable |
| Cosmetic | Flawless | Minor marks possible, graded |
| Carbon footprint | A fresh manufacturing footprint | Reuses one already made |
| Accessories | Sealed box | May be cable-only; ask first |
The five-minute checklist before you pay
- Battery health. On an iPhone this is shown in Settings under Battery, then Battery Health and Charging. Anything in the high 80s or above is fine for daily use; lower means budget for a replacement.
- Check it’s not iCloud-locked. The seller must sign out of their Apple ID and the phone must reach the home screen without asking for someone else’s password. Activation Lock is the single biggest trap.
- IMEI status. Dial *#06# to get the IMEI, then confirm it isn’t blacklisted (reported lost or stolen) and isn’t carrier-locked to a network you don’t use.
- Face ID works. Set it up fresh. A failed Face ID can indicate a previous non-genuine screen or front-camera repair.
- All three cameras and the screen. Open the camera, switch between wide and ultra-wide, and look for cracks, dead pixels or green tint lines on the OLED.
- True Tone and brightness. If True Tone is missing from the display settings, the screen may have been replaced with a non-original panel.
You have more protection than you think
If you buy from an Australian business, a phone retailer, a refurbisher, or a dealer on a marketplace, the Australian Consumer Law applies. Second-hand goods still come with consumer guarantees: the phone must be of acceptable quality, match its description, and be fit for purpose. “Used” does not mean “sold as-is with no recourse”. A refurbished iPhone 13 advertised with a stated battery health and grade has to actually meet that claim. Reputable sellers also offer their own warranty on top, often three to twelve months, which is worth weighing against a slightly cheaper private sale that carries none.
Ready to find yours?
Compare current prices and conditions from trusted sellers before you decide on storage size and colour.
Red flags to walk away from
- “Asking for Apple ID” on power-up. The phone is still tied to the previous owner. Do not pay to “sort it out later”.
- A price far below the market. If a 128GB iPhone 13 is listed at a tiny fraction of everything else, assume it’s blacklisted, locked or faulty.
- No mention of battery health or refusal to share it. Easy to check, so silence is a choice.
- Missing True Tone or a screen that looks slightly off-colour. A sign of a non-genuine display swap.
- Seller won’t provide the IMEI before purchase. You cannot verify the phone’s history without it.
- Vague “no returns, cash only, meet quickly” pressure. Legitimate sellers don’t need you to rush.
Frequently asked questions
Will a used iPhone 13 still get iOS updates in 2026? Yes. The iPhone 13 remains within Apple’s support window and continues to receive current iOS feature and security updates, the same ones a newly bought phone gets.
What battery health should I accept? For comfortable all-day use, aim for around 85% or higher. Below that the phone still works, but you should factor in the cost of a battery replacement, which is straightforward on this model.
Is 128GB enough, or should I pay more for 256GB? 128GB suits most people who stream music and video and back photos up to iCloud. If you shoot a lot of 4K video or keep everything offline, the 256GB version is worth hunting down used.
How do I know it’s not stolen? Get the IMEI with *#06# and run it through an IMEI checking service before paying. A clean status plus the seller signing out of their Apple ID is your proof.
The bottom line
The iPhone 13 is one of the smartest second-hand buys on the Australian market right now. It runs the same software as a new phone, keeps the features people actually use, and has already taken its biggest hit in value, which is now your saving rather than someone else’s loss. Spend five minutes checking battery health, Activation Lock and the IMEI, buy from a seller who stands behind the phone, and you walk away with a genuinely premium device for a mid-range price, and a smaller footprint than buying yet another newly built handset.
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