Apple iPhone X Silver 256GB

The iPhone X is a 2017 flagship that's now a budget refurbished option. It's fine for basic use if you find one under $250, but the battery life is weak and iOS updates are done. For most people, a newer budget Android or a used iPhone 11 is the better call.

The A11 Bionic was a beast in 2017, and it's still surprisingly usable for everyday tasks. It's a 6-core chip clocked at 2.40GHz, and it handles iOS 15.4 without constant stuttering. App launches are fine, scrolling is smooth enough, and the occasional game of something like Monument Valley or even lighter 3D titles runs acceptably. But our database puts this chip's performance in the 26th percentile compared to modern phones, which means it's near the bottom of the pack. That's not a knock on the A11 itself, it's just reality when you're comparing it to A17 Pro and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chips.

The 3GB of RAM is the real bottleneck. Safari tabs reload constantly, and switching between a few apps means waiting for them to refresh. If you're the type who has 20 tabs open and bounces between Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, you'll feel the squeeze. For a single-task-at-a-time user, it's fine. The 256GB of storage is generous though, so you won't run out of space for photos and apps anytime soon.

Stacked against the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, the iPhone X looks ancient. The S23 Ultra has a 120Hz display, a 200MP camera, 5G, and battery life that lasts two days. But it also costs five to ten times more. The Google Pixel 9a is a more interesting comparison. It's a modern mid-ranger with a great camera, clean Android, and years of updates left, and it often sells for around $400 to $500. If you can stretch your budget, the Pixel 9a is the smarter buy for most people.

The Motorola Moto G and Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G are both budget Android options that offer 5G, bigger batteries, and newer software for similar or slightly more money than a refurbished iPhone X. The Nothing Phone 3A Lite is another wildcard with a unique design and solid specs. The iPhone X only wins if you're locked into the Apple ecosystem and need the cheapest possible entry point. Otherwise, any of these competitors will serve you better in 2025.

Here's where things get weird. The iPhone X sells for anywhere from $139 to $1,050 in the US across 19 listings. That's a $911 spread, which is absurd. The $139 units are almost certainly Grade B refurbs with visible wear, while the $1,050 listings are either pristine Grade A units or sellers hoping someone doesn't do their homework. Newegg has the most listings and generally offers the best deals on refurbished units, especially if you're okay with Very Good or Good condition. At $139 to $250, this is a solid backup phone or a first smartphone for a kid. At $500 or more, you're getting ripped off. For that money, you can get a much newer iPhone or a solid mid-range Android that'll run circles around the X.

The iPhone X is the phone that kicked off Apple's notch era, and in 2025 it's firmly in refurbished territory. You'll find it floating around unlocked for anywhere from $139 to over $1,000 depending on condition and seller, which is a wild spread for a phone that launched in 2017. It's a compact 5.8-inch device with a Super Retina display, the A11 Bionic chip, and 256GB of storage on this particular model. If you're hunting for a cheap iPhone with Face ID and an OLED screen, this is the one people still talk about.

Is the iPhone X still good in 2025? For basic stuff, sure. It runs iOS 15.4, which is old but functional. The A11 Bionic handles messaging, social media, and light gaming without much drama. But don't expect it to keep up with modern flagships. The 3GB of RAM shows its age when you're switching between apps, and the battery life was never great even when it was new. This is a phone for people who want the iPhone experience on a budget, not for power users.

At 174g with an IP67 water resistance rating and wireless charging, it still feels like a premium device in hand. The glass back and stainless steel frame hold up well. But you're buying a seven-year-old phone, so condition matters a lot. Refurbished units from Newegg and Best Buy range from Grade A to Grade B, and that grading directly affects what you'll pay.

Skip the iPhone X if you need all-day battery life, 5G connectivity, or you plan to keep your phone for more than a year. It's also a bad choice for mobile gamers or heavy multitaskers, since the 3GB of RAM struggles with modern apps. If you're an Android user curious about iOS, this isn't the best introduction, the old software and aging hardware won't give you a fair impression of what iPhones are like today. Instead, look at a used iPhone 11 or 12, or a budget Android like the Google Pixel 9a or Motorola Moto G. They'll cost a bit more but last much longer.

Should you buy an iPhone X in 2025? Only if you find one for under $250 and you know exactly what you're getting into. It's a fine phone for calls, texts, light browsing, and the occasional photo. The OLED screen still looks good, Face ID is convenient, and the build quality is genuinely premium. But the battery life is a weak spot, iOS updates are done, and the performance is showing its age.

If you're an iPhone person on a tight budget and you just need something that works, a cheap refurbished iPhone X is a reasonable stopgap. If you have $300 or more to spend, look at a used iPhone 11 or 12 instead. They'll get you better battery life, better cameras, and a few more years of software support. The iPhone X is a classic, but it's a classic that's ready for retirement.