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Retailers and networks like to start early, and this year is no exception. With Black Friday arriving on 27 November, the phone aisle is already warming up for anyone planning an upgrade. Every autumn, Apple's new launches push earlier iPhones down the price ladder, and Samsung's Galaxy phones follow the same pattern once the sales get going, so the weeks ahead are a good moment to build a shortlist.

Best iPhone deals on Back Market, matched to how you use your phone

Take the refurbished iPhone 16. Pushed down the price ladder by each new launch, it runs on the A18 chip and will cope with years of new apps. Back Market's Apple Black Friday offers cover several recent generations, depending on stock.

Buying refurbished works best through a seller built around the idea. Back Market is a global marketplace dedicated to extending the lifespan of electronic devices through refurbishment and circularity, which makes it a sensible first stop when deciding where to buy a phone on Black Friday.

The rest of the family splits by habit rather than by spec sheet. The refurbished iPhone 15 Pro on Back Market, with its titanium build and 3x telephoto lens, suits people who photograph market stalls and birthday dinners alike, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max adds a 6.7-inch screen and longer zoom for concert-goers and landmark hunters. Samsung fans have an equally strong shortlist.

Best Samsung deals on Back Market, with the Galaxy S25 and S24 side by side

Headlining the range, the refurbished Galaxy S25 Ultra on Back Market offers a 6.9-inch screen and a 200-megapixel main camera, with the S Pen built into the body. It is the flagship choice for anyone after Samsung's top model.

Smaller hands might prefer the Galaxy S25 or S24, which share a 6.2-inch 120Hz display and a 4,000mAh battery. The S25 adds a faster Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and extra AI camera features, while the S24 retains much of the same core experience. Samsung promises seven years of Android and security updates for both, so neither feels like a compromise. Either way, the connection you pair with the handset matters just as much.

Why SIM-free pairs so well with a refurbished phone

Buying outright separates the handset from the plan. A SIM-only deal can then be swapped as soon as a cheaper plan comes along, rather than waiting out a 24- or 36-month contract, and that suits UK shoppers particularly well. Ofcom has banned networks from selling locked handsets since December 2021, so switching providers is simpler than it used to be. Pair that freedom with a refurbished phone, and both halves of the bill — the device and the plan — are chosen on your terms, though the handset still has to earn your trust.

Refurbished vs new on Back Market: where the differences show

Trust starts before a phone is listed. Back Market says its devices are checked by vetted refurbishers, with inspections of up to 100 points, so each handset is tested rather than simply cleaned. Condition grades come next, running from Fair to Premium and describing cosmetic wear only; all four grades are fully functional, with a one-year warranty on top.

How to pick your Black Friday phone deal before the rush

Where should you buy an iPhone on Black Friday? A marketplace with a warranty and clear condition grades, such as Back Market, makes the decision easier. Then match the phone to the person using it. Someone who mostly messages and snaps holiday photos will be well served by the iPhone 16, while a Samsung fan who wants a big screen and a stylus will head for the S25 Ultra.

Back Market says its best Black Friday deals go live from 1 November, so shortlisting now leaves you ready when the stock appears. Acting early keeps the choice in your hands, and the 27 November rush becomes a calm formality.