iPhone 13, 14, 15 or 16 in 2026: which generation should you buy?

iPhone 13, 14, 15 or 16 in 2026: which generation should you buy?

Published: 18 September 2026

Four iPhone generations circulate on the refurbished market at once, at very different prices. But the choice isn't just about price and year — the line that actually matters in 2026 is the one people explain least often.

The table that matters most: Apple Intelligence has three tiers

The line doesn't follow age. It follows generation.

Three things to remember:

1. "Pro" doesn't mean "has AI" — the iPhone 13 Pro (6 GB) and 14 Pro Max (6 GB) have none.
2. The iPhone 15 generation is split down the middle — same name, but the 15 Pro has AI and the 15 / 15 Plus don't. It's the least intuitive line in the range.
3. iOS 27 raised the bar — even the iPhone 15 Pro dropped from "advanced" to "standard".

Important French caveat: Apple Intelligence is available in Europe. However, the new Siri AI remains absent from iPhone and iPad in the European Union under the Digital Markets Act, with no announced date. It's accessible only on Mac and Vision Pro. In France, an eligible iPhone gives you Apple Intelligence — but not Siri AI on mobile.

Spec matrix by generation

Standard models (13 / 14 / 15 / 16)

Pro models (13 Pro / 14 Pro / 15 Pro / 16 Pro)

Note the 15 Pro's telephoto: still 3x. The 5x was Pro Max exclusive in the 15 generation; the 16 extended it to both Pro models.

What it costs in France (September 2026)

How to read this: the gap between a refurbished iPhone 13 and 14 is sometimes around €75 — for a fuller GPU and 6 GB instead of 4. The 14 to 15 step is roughly €100 and buys USB-C plus a 48 MP sensor. From 15 to 15 Pro, budget about €120 more to reach Apple Intelligence.

One line per generation

Misconceptions worth knowing

European version: what to check

European models use 1 nano-SIM + 1 eSIM. US models from the iPhone 14 onward are eSIM only, with no physical tray.

On warranty: in France, buying from a professional gives you a 2-year legal guarantee of conformity, independent of the commercial warranty. Apple may separately restrict its own service to the country of original sale.

On satellite features: Emergency SOS via satellite has worked in France since iOS 16.2. But note — Apple states that iPhones bought in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao or Russia have no satellite capability at all, even when used in France.

On the shutter sound: units sold in Japan and Korea force it locally. Since iOS 15 they can be muted outside those countries on a local network — verify in person.

Which generation for whom?

The trap to avoid: the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus cost more than the 13 and 14 but still have no Apple Intelligence. If AI is your criterion, they can't answer it — step up to the 15 Pro or aim for the 16.

Detailed per-generation comparisons: 13 | 14 | 15 | 16

See also what our grades mean and our refurbished vs new comparison.

Sources and notes

Refurbished prices from French market listings (September 2026); launch prices from Apple France; Apple Intelligence and Siri AI information from Apple's June 2026 announcements.

• Memory: not published by Apple; from Xcode analysis and teardowns, cross-checked across sources.
• Prices: September 2026 readings. They move constantly — re-check before buying.
• Siri AI in the EU: no announced date. Don't promise it to any customer.
• Japanese/Korean shutter sound: not tested on a French network; verify in person.