Should I buy a used iPhone XS Max for a backup phone?

Yes — but only if it’s cheap and you only need it for basic backup-phone duties.

A used iPhone XS Max can still make sense in 2026 if you want a large-screen Apple phone for calls, texts, email, authenticator apps, music, and light browsing. It’s still a premium-feeling device, but it is old enough that you should be careful.

What to watch for:

• It’s 4G/LTE only, not 5G.
• Used battery health is the big risk. Most units will have noticeable battery wear unless the battery has already been replaced.
• App support will get less forgiving over time. Even if basic apps still work now, some security-sensitive apps may drop support sooner than on newer iPhones.

My take: buy one only if the price is low enough to feel like a throwaway backup — roughly under $150–$200, depending on condition and battery health. If you need a backup phone that will stay current longer, a newer iPhone is the safer choice.

So: good as a cheap backup, not ideal as a long-term one.