3pm
Same-day dispatch
Order by 3pm, Monday to Friday, and it leaves Manchester the same day. Free UK delivery over £50.
Why buy from The Tech Gadgets
85%+ Battery Health
Minimum 85% battery health guaranteed on every grade.
12-Month Warranty
Our own warranty for twelve months. You deal with us directly.
Phonecheck Tested
Professionally tested with Phonecheck diagnostics in Manchester.
What's in the box
- Your Apple iPhone XS Max – Unlocked – Refurbished (UK)
- Charging cable Free
- SIM ejector pin Free
- Protective packaging
Overview
Apple iPhone XS Max – Unlocked – Refurbished (UK)
This refurbished iPhone XS Max is the Apple iPhone XS Max, unlocked, with a 6.5-inch OLED screen, dual 12MP cameras with 2x zoom and eSIM, from £150. Choose 64GB or 256GB. It's capped at iOS 18, which still gets Apple security fixes, and comes with a 12-month warranty and same-day dispatch by 3pm.
Specs checked 30 Sep 2026 against Apple's UK technical specifications. Updated 30 Sep 2026
A12 Bionic
Chip6.5-inch
Display6.5-inch Super Retina HD OLED, 2688 x 124285%
Battery healthAt least 85% battery health at dispatch, the same minimum as every grade we sellUnlocked
Network and SIM4G LTE (no 5G); nano-SIM and eSIMSpecifications
Key facts
- Condition
- Refurbished (pre-owned)
- Storage
- 64GB or 256GB (512GB currently out of stock)
- Colours
- Gold, Silver, Space Grey
- Network and SIM
- Unlocked, 4G LTE (no 5G); nano-SIM and eSIM
- Display
- 6.5-inch Super Retina HD OLED, 2688 x 1242
- Chip
- A12 Bionic
- Weight
- 208g (Apple)
- Battery health
- 85% or higher on every grade
- What's in the box
- Phone, free charging cable, free SIM ejector pin, protective packaging
- Warranty
- 12 months, from The Tech Gadgets
- Dispatch
- Same day Mon–Fri if ordered by 3pm, from Manchester
- Returns
- 30 days on unused items
Features
Every detail, verified.
01Network and SIM
An unlocked iPhone XS Max works on every UK network over 4G LTE, including EE, O2, Vodafone, Three and Lebara. It doesn't support 5G. Dual SIM works with a nano-SIM plus an eSIM.
02Display
Apple specifies a 6.5-inch Super Retina HD OLED at 2688 x 1242 (458 ppi), with HDR and 3D Touch. It's the largest screen of the 2018 range and the same size as the later iPhone 11 Pro Max, well suited to video, reading and larger text.
03Performance and storage
It runs Apple's A12 Bionic, identical to the XS and XR, so the bigger model isn't faster. The iPhone XS Max 256GB gives room for music and offline video; the 512GB option is out of stock at the moment.
04Cameras
Apple fitted the same dual 12MP system as the XS: wide-angle (f/1.8) and telephoto (f/2.4) with 2x optical zoom and Portrait mode. The front camera is 7MP. There's no Ultra Wide lens or Night mode.
05Battery and charging
Apple rated the XS Max at up to 15 hours of video playback when new, up to 1.5 hours longer than the iPhone X. On a refurbished unit it will be lower; we dispatch it with at least 85% battery health. It charges via Lightning or Qi wireless.
06Software updates
The XS Max stops at iOS 18 and isn't on Apple's lists for iOS 26 or 27. Apple continues to release iOS 18 security fixes for it, most recently iOS 18.7.10 on 17 August 2026, with no end date announced in that list. Some apps will stop supporting iOS 18 over time.
Condition
Pre-owned. Tested. Honestly graded.
Refurbished means this iPhone XS Max has had a previous owner. It's tested, cleaned, factory reset and removed from that Apple Account, with Activation Lock off, and it isn't sealed. It's sold under our Refurbished condition label: fully working, tested and cleaned, with at least 85% battery health. See how we test and grade.
Fully tested
Cleaned
Factory reset
Previous accounts removed
Battery health checked
Compare
How it compares
vs iPhone XS (from £135): the same chip and cameras in a 5.8-inch, 177g body. vs iPhone XR (from £119.99): a 6.1-inch LCD and a higher Apple video rating of 16 hours. vs iPhone 11 Pro Max: iOS 27, Night mode and an Ultra Wide lens. See our X, XR and XS guide.
Our view
Is a refurbished iPhone XS Max worth buying in 2026?
As a big-screen budget phone or a backup, yes; for years of new features, no. From £150 it's a cheap iPhone XS Max route to a 6.5-inch OLED with zoom. For the current iOS on the same screen size, the iPhone 11 Pro Max starts at £241.99.
Who it's for
Choose it for a large screen on a tight budget: video, reading, larger text, or a phone for an older relative. A second hand iPhone XS Max from a private sale won't include our 12-month warranty. For a lighter phone, compare the iPhone XS.
Delivery, warranty and returns
Handled start to finish by our team in Manchester.
12 months
Warranty with us
Our own warranty, handled directly by us. Your Consumer Rights Act protection still applies.
30 days
Easy returns
Send back any unused item within 30 days. We refund you within 14 days of it reaching us.
FAQ
Questions, answered.
Talk to a person in ManchesterQuestions about grades, stock or delivery? We reply fast on WhatsApp.
Chat on WhatsApp
Is the iPhone XS Max still worth buying in 2026?
Yes, if you want a big OLED screen for as little as possible and accept iOS 18. For a phone you'll keep for years, an iPhone 11 Pro Max is safer.
Is it unlocked?
Yes. It's unlocked for all UK networks and works with a nano-SIM, an eSIM or both.
Does the iPhone XS Max get iOS 26?
No. iOS 18 is its last major version. Apple still publishes iOS 18 security fixes for it, most recently on 17 August 2026.
iPhone XS Max or iPhone 11 Pro Max?
Choose the 11 Pro Max for iOS 27, Night mode and a longer Apple battery rating. The XS Max is about £90 cheaper here.
What battery health will I get?
At least 85% on every grade, checked before dispatch. You can see the figure in Settings › Battery › Battery Health.
What's in the box?
Your Apple iPhone XS Max – Unlocked – Refurbished (UK), a charging cable and a SIM ejector pin, all in protective packaging. The cable and SIM pin are included free.
Is it heavy?
At 208g, it's heavier than the XS (177g) but lighter than the 11 Pro Max (226g), according to Apple.
- Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
- Opens in a new window.