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 – Unlocked – Refurbished (UK)
- Charging cable Free
- SIM ejector pin Free
- Protective packaging
Overview
Apple iPhone XS – Unlocked – Refurbished (UK)
Buy a refurbished iPhone XS from £135: the Apple iPhone XS, unlocked, with a compact 5.8-inch OLED screen, a stainless steel frame, dual 12MP cameras with 2x zoom, and eSIM. Choose 64GB or 256GB. It runs iOS 18 with ongoing security fixes but not iOS 26 or 27, and has a 12-month warranty.
Specs checked 30 Sep 2026 against Apple's UK technical specifications. Updated 30 Sep 2026
A12 Bionic
Chip5.8-inch
Display5.8-inch Super Retina HD OLED, 2436 x 112585% at
Battery healthAt least 85% at dispatchUnlocked
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
- Silver, Gold, Space Grey (listed as 'Black')
- Network and SIM
- Unlocked, 4G LTE (no 5G); nano-SIM and eSIM
- Display
- 5.8-inch Super Retina HD OLED, 2436 x 1125
- Chip
- A12 Bionic
- Software
- iOS 18 maximum; latest security update iOS 18.7.10 (17 Aug 2026)
- 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 works on EE, O2, Vodafone, Three and every UK network over Gigabit-class 4G LTE; there's no 5G. The XS was in the first iPhone generation with eSIM, so a nano-SIM and an eSIM can run together.
02Display
Apple specifies a 5.8-inch Super Retina HD OLED at 2436 x 1125 (458 ppi), with HDR and 3D Touch. OLED gives deeper blacks than the XR's LCD.
03Performance and storage
Apple's A12 Bionic is a clear step up from the A11 in the iPhone X and remains fine for everyday apps. Storage goes to 256GB here; the 512GB option is out of stock.
04Cameras
Apple fitted dual 12MP cameras, wide-angle (f/1.8) and telephoto (f/2.4), for 2x optical zoom and Portrait mode with Depth Control. The front camera is 7MP. There's no Night mode or Ultra Wide lens.
05Battery and charging
Apple rated the XS at up to 14 hours of video playback when new, up to 30 minutes longer than the iPhone X. Expect less from an aged battery; each grade has a minimum battery health at dispatch (see key facts). It charges via Lightning and Qi wireless.
06Software updates
iOS 18 is the last major version for the iPhone XS; it isn't on Apple's lists for iOS 26 or 27. Apple still issues iOS 18 security fixes for it, most recently iOS 18.7.10 on 17 August 2026, without a published end date. Some apps will require newer iOS over time.
Condition
Pre-owned. Tested. Honestly graded.
This iPhone XS is pre-owned, tested, cleaned, factory reset and signed out of the previous Apple Account, with Activation Lock off. It's not new or sealed. This listing doesn't offer a grade choice, so we can't promise a particular grade. Like New means no visible marks on the screen or body; Excellent means light signs of use, hard to spot at arm's length; Very Good means visible marks on the body, with the screen in good shape. Every grade is 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 X (from £120.99): the XS adds the A12 chip, eSIM, IP68 and iOS 18. vs iPhone XR (from £119.99): a larger LCD but one camera. vs iPhone 11 Pro: current iOS, an Ultra Wide lens and Night mode. Our X, XR and XS guide has more.
Our view
Is a refurbished iPhone XS worth buying in 2026?
If you want a small, steel-framed iPhone with zoom for £135 and can live with iOS 18, yes. It works well as a backup, a first iPhone or a light-use phone. For the current iOS in a compact body, the iPhone 11 Pro starts at £240.99.
Who it's for
It suits people who want a compact phone on a budget, or a second device. If you plan to buy used iPhone XS stock from a marketplace, check it comes with a warranty; ours has 12 months, unlike most second hand iPhone XS sales. For a bigger screen, see the iPhone XS Max.
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 still worth buying in 2026?
Yes, as a compact budget iPhone or a spare. It stops at iOS 18, so for years of major updates choose an iPhone 11 or newer.
Is it unlocked?
Yes. It works on all UK networks, with a nano-SIM, an eSIM or both.
Does the iPhone XS get iOS 26?
No. iOS 18 is its last major version. Apple still releases iOS 18 security fixes for it, most recently on 17 August 2026.
What's the difference between the iPhone XS and the iPhone X?
The XS has the faster A12 chip, eSIM, IP68 water resistance and iOS 18 support. They look almost identical.
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 – Unlocked – Refurbished (UK), a charging cable and a SIM ejector pin, all in protective packaging. The cable and SIM pin are included free.
Is the 'Black' option the Space Grey model?
Yes. Apple made the iPhone XS only in Silver, Gold and Space Grey, so 'Black' is Space Grey: a black front with a dark grey back.
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