The iPhone 17 is Apple’s latest smartphone which was released in September 2025. It comes with a powerful A19 chip, 120Hz ProMotion display, and features suitable for gaming. However, new iPhones are very expensive. In India, their price often goes above Rs. 80,000. Because of this, many people consider buying refurbished iPhones to save money.
I also had several doubts about a second hand iPhone. I wondered if a refurbished phone would work as well as a new one. I was concerned about its performance during heavy usage. Lots of people were also asking me on my socials about whether or not they should get the refurbished iPhone 17. So, I thought of checking out the performance of this device myself.
The main aim of this test was simple. I wanted to check whether a refurbished iPhone 17 could handle 10 hours of continuous gaming. I wanted to see if the phone remained smooth, did not overheat too much, and battery performance. Let’s check out all the details about Refurbished Apple iPhone 17 gaming performance:
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How Did I Test 10 Hours Of Nonstop Gaming?
First, I fully charged the iPhone to 100 percent. After that, I played games continuously for 10 hours. I did not take any long breaks during this time. I only paused briefly to check and note the battery level and phone temperature.
The phone was connected to a strong Wi-Fi network throughout the test. The screen brightness was kept between 70 to 80 percent. It is a comfortable level for me when it comes to long gaming sessions. The sound was set to medium volume. I also used earphones at times. No other applications were running in the background.
Which Games Did I Play During The Test?
During the test, I played a mix of light and heavy games to properly check the phone’s performance. Light games included Subway Surfers and Temple Run. They are casual endless runner games with fast action. I also played Clash of Clans. It is a strategy game that usually requires long playing sessions and has been my personal favourite.
To test heavy performance, I played PUBG (called BGMI in India). I also played Asphalt. It’s a racing game known for its demanding graphics. Along with these, I tried a few other casual games and played some heavy games for short periods.
This mix helped me understand how the phone performed during both light and intense gaming situations.
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Game-Wise Performance Details
Subway Surfers and Temple Run:
Both games ran very smoothly. There was no lag at all. I saw that the frame rates were high with quick response times. The experience felt just like using a brand-new phone. These games ran for hours without any problems.
PUBG (BGMI):
The game was played on high to extreme graphics settings. After updates, the phone supported up to 120 FPS during testing. There was almost no lag, and the frame rate stayed stable between 90 to 120 FPS. Slight heating was noticed after 30 to 45 minutes. But there was no performance throttling or slowdown. I was impressed that the touch controls remained very responsive.
Asphalt:
Asphalt had fast loading times and ran smoothly on high settings. Racing felt fluid. Even the graphics looked sharp on the 120Hz display. There were no frame drops, even during long races.
Clash of Clans:
The game performed very smoothly during long playing sessions. Actions like building and attacking were fast. There were no freezing or slow responses. The phone handled background tasks without any issues.
Overall, the gaming performance was excellent. It was due to the powerful A19 chip and the smooth 120Hz ProMotion display.
Did The Apple iPhone 17 Overheat During Long Gaming Sessions?
During long gaming sessions, the phone became warm but did not overheat. When I played light games like Subway Surfers, the phone was barely warm. In heavier games such as PUBG or Asphalt, after about 30 to 60 minutes, the phone felt warm to the touch. The temperature was around 38 to 42°C when I checked. This warmth was noticeable but not uncomfortable.
After more than two hours of heavy gaming, the phone felt warmest around the edges. However, there were no shutdowns, major slowdowns, or performance issues. The A19 chip handled heat better than older models. No serious overheating problems were observed during the test.
How Much Battery Did 10 Hours of Gaming Consume?
The battery performance during the 10-hour gaming test was impressive.
- Started at 100% battery
- After 2 hours (mix of casual games and PUBG): 82 to 85 percent.
- After 4 hours: Around 65 percent.
- After 6 hours: About 45 percent.
- After 8 hours: Nearly 25 percent
- After 10 hours: Around 10 to 15 percent remaining
Overall, the phone used about 85 to 90 percent battery in 10 hours of mixed gaming. Heavy games like PUBG drained the battery faster. This battery performance was better than I expected from refurbished gadgets.
Did The Refurbished iPhone 17 Lag Or Crash?
There were no crashes during the entire test. All apps remained stable. Only a few minor frame drops were seen during very intense PUBG moments. There were no restarts, freezes, or major issues. The phone performed smoothly for the full 10 hours.
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How Does A Refurbished iPhone 17 Compare to a New One For Gaming?
In terms of performance, the refurbished iPhone 17 was almost the same as a new one. The A19 chip and 120Hz display provided smooth gameplay with no major difference in speed or graphics quality.
Battery life was also similar. A new phone may last slightly longer, but the difference is not very large. Overall, refurbished models offer much better value for money.
Who Should Buy A Refurbished iPhone 17 for Gaming?
A refurbished Apple iPhone 17 is a good choice for:
- Casual gamers, who play games like Subway Surfers, Temple Run, and Clash of Clans
- Students who want good performance for both studies and gaming at a lower cost
- Budget buyers who want flagship-level gaming without paying the full price
You can use the Cashify App on iOS or Android to browse and buy refurbished smartwatches from anywhere.
Final Verdict: Can A Refurbished iPhone 17 Handle 10 Hours Of Nonstop Gaming?
Yes, a refurbished iPhone 17 can handle 10 hours of nonstop gaming. During the test, the phone gave me smooth performance, a high-quality display, very low lag, and stable gameplay. The battery performance was good, and there were no crashes or major issues.
There are a few small drawbacks. The phone does get warm during heavy games. However, this is normal for most second hand phones under heavy use.
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Overall, I would recommend a refurbished iPhone 17 for budget gamers and students. It is important to buy from trusted sellers like Cashify. This way, you can get a six-month warranty, free shipping, 15-day refund options, and proper quality checks. Let me know if you have any doubts about this in the comments section below. I would love to hear you out.
If you’ve just bought a new phone and don’t know what to do with your old phone, then here’s your answer. Sell old mobile to Cashify and get the best price for it. If you are planning to buy a new phone, check out Cashify’s refurbished mobile phones. You can get your favourite phone at almost half price with six-month warranty, 15 days refund and free delivery.
