The newest iPhone 14 has quite the price tag attached to it. Sometimes, you might even have to wait for two generations of Apple products before you can afford a new iPhone. However, if your phone is broken or you don’t want to shell out an extravagant amount for a new phone, it might make sense to buy the iPhone XR or even iPhone 11 Pro.
Fortunately, you can save a big chunk of money by looking at refurbished models of these iPhones. Apple lists its refurbished iPhones, iMacs, iPads, laptops, Apple watch, and AirPods for a discounted price on its online store. Even the recent Macbook Pro laptops with the M1 Pro and M1 Max chip and Liquid Retina XDR display are up for sale in the certified refurbished section.
Refurbished iPhones are pre-owned cell phones that undergo an extreme restoration process before being sold again. Apple does this process to ensure these iPhones meet its quality standards. Apple claims that customers can save up to 15% when buying refurbished iPhones.
However, since these are pre-owned products, you must be careful and consider a few things before spending your hard-earned money on that iPhone you’ve wanted for so long.
This article will discuss the pros and cons of buying a refurbished iPhone and what to look out for before buying one.
First of all, what exactly does it mean when we say an iPhone is ‘refurbished?’
Refurbished iPhones are previously owned but were returned to Apple due to manufacturing defects. Before being resold as "refurbished" iPhones, these cell phones are thoroughly tested for any deficiencies and repaired to guarantee proper operation.
These iPhones might have some aesthetic damage, like some small scratches, but other than that, the iPhones are comparably good as new.
It’s also worth noting that not all refurbished iPhones were previously defective. Some users refurb their iPhones within the warranty period if they want to upgrade to the latest model. Others might return their iPhones because they didn't like the cell phone. Maybe iOS wasn't for them, and they chose a Samsung cell phone instead.
Anyway, it's important to know that "refurbished" and "used" are not the same thing. Refurbished iPhones undergo repair and quality assurance to ensure that the cell phone is in excellent working condition. Apple calls them "like new." On the other hand, used iPhones are phones that were pre-owned by other people and passed down from one individual to another without any repairs or hardware checks.
How can you tell the difference? Anyone trying to sell you a “refurbished” iPhone will always advertise it as refurbished. To avoid being scammed, it’s best to get a certified refurbished iPhone. Phonecheck’s all-in-one certification makes sure your refurbished iPhone is genuine, not lost or stolen, not locked to a specific carrier, warranty-guaranteed, and much more.
Apple guarantees to make all its refurbished products “like new.” This means you get most of the advantages of a new iPhone at a lower price. If you can live with a secondhand iPhone with potentially a few scratches here and there, you can enjoy plenty of benefits with a refurbished iPhone.
About Apple-certified refurbished phones
Once a customer hands in their iPhone, it goes back to Apple, where every device undergoes a strict refurbishment program to become an “Apple Certified Refurbished” product. Apple calls this their “Apple Certified Refurbished promise.”
The Apple Certified Refurbished promise ensures every customer receives a product that feels and performs like a brand new iPhone. This means that they dismantle an old iPhone, clean it, and repair defective parts. If anything needs replacing, Apple will use genuine Apple-approved components.
As mentioned before, every refurbished iPhone comes with a new casing, a new battery, and a new one-year warranty to boot. You’ll even get your refurbished iPhone in a shiny new box. If you want, you can purchase an AppleCare+ plan for your device.
Refurbished iPhones are usually older models from previous generations. Some users might have simply wanted to upgrade to the newest model, so they put their old iPhone through Apple’s exchange policy. Someone might have handed it in because of a faulty power button. In these cases, you’ll be quite fortunate to get an iPhone that’s close to brand new.
One thing to note is you can never be sure if a refurbished iPhone was once lost or stolen. Some iPhones aren’t unlocked, which means they’re still locked to a particular carrier. If you buy a refurbished iPhone from a third-party retailer, you might want to check the battery health and ensure the device has been wiped clean of any data. You’re unlikely to get a valid warranty if you aren’t buying directly from Apple.
If you want to be absolutely sure of these things, it’s best to get your refurbished iPhone certified through Phonecheck certification. You’ll get a full device history report that tells you everything you need to know about your refurbished iPhone. This way, you can rest assured that you’ve got the best bang for your buck and enjoy your “like new” iPhone.
What to check when you buy a refurbished iPhone
Before you decide to buy a refurbished iPhone, there are a few things you should be aware of. Even if you get up to 15% off on a refurbished iPhone, you’ll still be paying a lot of money. You can protect your investment by following these steps.
Here are a few things you should check when buying a refurbished iPhone:
You can also check if the parts are genuine or not. Go to Settings > General > About. Under the iPhone’s general information, you can also see “parts and service history.” If the iPhone was repaired and used genuine components verified by Apple, you’ll see “Genuine Apple Part” show up next to “Battery,” “Display,” or any other part. If the battery isn’t genuine, you’ll see “Unknown Part” appear next to it.
Take out the SIM tray and check for any red within the tray slot if you're considering an iPhone 6 or later. If the phone has been in contact with water, it will enable the device's Liquid Contact Indicator. When a Liquid Contact Indicator comes into contact with water or liquid containing water, it will activate. The indicator is generally white or silver in appearance, but it turns bright red when it comes into contact with water.
Get a phone history report
If you want the best value for money now and in the future, you should consider getting a device history report. With a device history report, you gain total transparency regarding your iPhone. The report will check for authentic Apple parts, battery life, locked carriers, and warranties. You can find out whether the device was once lost or stolen or whether the previous owner paid off the device.
With all this information, you can be sure that you have a genuine, well-functioning iPhone that is on par with Apple’s quality standards. This allows you to enjoy a “like new” refurbished iPhone and gives you the option to sell or exchange your iPhone in the future if you choose to. A device history report increases your refurbished iPhone's legitimacy and resale value, allowing you to get the maximum value from your device. Don't buy a used device without a Phonecheck Certified Device History Report.
Will the phone work with your carrier?
Apple is one of the biggest companies in the world of smartphones. Naturally, their devices are compatible with every cellular carrier in the world.
However, if you're purchasing an Apple iPhone X or earlier, the model number is something you should investigate.
The iPhone X, for example, exists in two models: The iPhone X A1865 is a GSM and CDMA device that is compatible with any mobile carrier. The iPhone X A1901 is a GSM-only variant, which means it’s “locked” for carriers such as AT&T and T-Mobile only.
Make sure you double-check by asking the seller for the exact model and carrier information. If they say that the iPhone has been unlocked, the refurbished iPhone is compatible with any carrier.
Make sure the phone isn’t stolen
There's always a possibility that a secondhand iPhone could be stolen. A stolen iPhone could be Activation Locked and will not respond to your SIM card. This risk is higher with a third-party seller. A genuine Apple store will check this before putting the iPhone up for sale again.
Luckily, it's possible to check this. You can verify the IMEI number of a refurbished iPhone to ensure that it hasn't been reported stolen. Obtain the IMEI number from the Settings app if you're dealing with a vendor and have physical access to the device. Go to Settings, tap General > About. Scroll down until you find the IMEI number, then enter it into a stolen phone checker like CTIA.
A refurbished iPhone has been repaired and wiped of its previous user’s data. These phones also are cleaned and returned to a like-new state. Apple goes to great lengths to ensure that refurbished phones are a great product for buyers. According to Apple, each refurbished product includes a new shell, new battery and a one-year warranty. Apple also notes that these phones include the original iOS (for the phone) or a newer version; the phone also was tested
Apple-certified phones are backed by Apple. They include a new shell, new battery, plus a one-year warranty. The phone includes either the original iOS or a newer version (if applicable). The phone is tested and repaired if necessary (with Apple parts). Apple denotes its refurbished phones as Apple Certified.
Refurbished iPhones have likely been traded-in and previously owned. The usage history, though, might not be completely known. However, if there were any defects or issues with the phone when the owner traded it back to Apple, the company would repair these issues before reselling it as refurbished.
Older models could still be newer and more expensive iPhone models. For example, since the iPhone 14 was released, consumers can purchase refurbished Apple iPhone 13 models for a lower price tag (compared to new iPhone 13 phones).
A used iPhone is one that has been previously owned or used. A refurbished iPhone has been repaired, cleaned and tested. When buying a used phone, consumers might not know if the phone has been repaired or has issues.
While a used phone might be sold on various websites, consumers might be cautious in just buying an old used phone. Again, they don’t know who owned the phone, if it has been damaged or even if the battery is in good condition.
Refurbished phones are like new but have been previously owned or used. However, in some cases, the owner might have rarely used it or perhaps used it rarely. Regardless of how the phone was used, purchasing an Apple refurbished phone can be a great buy for consumers; when Apple certifies its phones, customers can be assured of the phone’s quality and working condition. In addition, an Apple refurbished phone is backed by a one-year warranty.
Used phones likely won’t have a warranty. Before buying a used phone, buyers should do their research to make sure they aren’t buying a poor-quality product.
Shopping for an iPhone can be overwhelming. As Apple releases new models, though, the older generation models will begin to be offered at lower prices. Some of these newer older models also will be available for even lower prices as refurbished products.
Buyers can find a range of iPhone products on Apple’s site that have been refurbished and repaired to look like new. On Apple’s website, buyers can find refurbished iPhones for the iPhone 11 to the iPhone 13 Pro Max.
In addition, AT&T and other cell phone service carriers also might offer pre-owned phones in their stores. Consumers should research what has been fixed or repaired on ‘pre-owned’ phones at each store. Best Buy might have its own refurb process. Each store might offer a variety of refurbished models (at varying price points).
Apple won’t refurbish a competitor’s product. Apple only refurbishes its iPhones, and the company stands behind these refurbished products.
Consumers that are looking for other phone brands (like Microsoft or Android) will need to shop at other stores to find these products. There could be refurbished products available, but the models and prices might vary. Before purchasing any refurbished product, though, buyers should research the refurb process for the retailer and understand any applicable warranty. Remember that a used or pre-owned phone is not the same as a refurbished phone.
Apple’s website includes newer model iPhones in its refurbished lineup. As newer models are released, the refurbished products could be limited to a selected lineup of iPhone generations. Currently, Apple offers lists that it offers refurbished models of the iPhone 11 through the iPhone 13. However, the offerings don’t always include every model in this lineup. The current available refurbished inventory includes iPhone 12 Mini as the most affordable option; there are no refurbished iPhone 11 models currently available.
Older refurbished phones might still be available at other stores. Buyers interested in older models (like a refurbished iPhone X) might check at their local Apple store. Some stores (including those of major cell phone carriers) sell pre-owned certified models; buyers should research what this certification includes.
Purchasing an Apple refurbished product offers the same quality guarantee as other Apple products. When Apple refurbishes an iPhone, the company replaces any problematic parts, installs the original iOS (or a newer version), cleans the phone, and tests it. Apple also provides a new shell and a new battery. All refurbished phones include a one-year warranty.
Buyers can feel secure in their purchase knowing that the phone was repaired by Apple and inspected, too. Plus, the one-year warranty provides extra peace of mind.
Apple refurbished iPhones vary in price. Newer models will be more expensive. However, buyers will find that refurbished phones are more affordable than a new iPhone. A refurbished iPhone 12 Mini is priced at $569.
To ensure that Apple iPhones are refurbished by Apple, consumers should purchase their phone via Apple’s website or at an Apple Store. However, some Apple products are refurbished by other stores; buyers should look into any warranties associated with these products.
Apple refurbished iPhones are covered by a one-year warranty. Like most products, though, if something breaks on the phone after that time period, Apple can still provide services to fix it. Repairs costs could depend on if the issue was covered by the warranty and the extent of the damage. If a phone is fully submerged in water, for example, it might be impossible to restore.
Each Apple Store might have a different lineup of refurbished iPhones available. When shopping for a refurbished iPhone, visit the local Apple Store to check their refurbished inventory. Refurbished iPhones also are available via Apple’s online store. Again, inventory varies.
To buy a refurbished iPhone, visit an Apple Store or go to Apple’s online store. Inventory of refurbished products could vary. In addition, Verizon offers Business Certified Pre Owned iPhones; this is different from Apple’s refurbished products.
A refurbished phone is a phone that has been repaired to look like new. Buyers can find all the standard accessories for these phones at an Apple Store. Just be sure to pay attention to the iPhone model; not all accessories are compatible with every model.
Buying a new iPhone can be an expensive purchase. A new iPhone 14 starts at $799. Refurbished phones cost less than a new model. However, some consumers want the latest model; buying a new phone might be their preference.
Apple refurbished phones are available via Apple’s online store or at their physical store locations. According to iGeeksBlog, Amazon, Walmart and Best Buy also offer refurbished iPhones. Buyers should check the warranty for these products.
Refurbished Apple products aren’t necessarily exclusive to Apple Stores. However, certified Apple refurbished products are an Apple guarantee. To shop these ‘certified’ refurbished phones, consumers can visit the online store of refurbished products via Apple. In addition, standalone Apple Stores also could offer an inventory of certified pre-owned iPhones.
Where do all those refurbished products come from? iPhone owners sometimes sell their devices back to Apple for a credit on a new phone or for credit via an Apple gift card.
Selling a phone back to Apple is referred to as a ‘trade-in.’ The condition, age and other factors related to the phone could impact the trade-in value. In addition, not all phones are eligible for a trade-in.
For phones that Apple doesn’t accept, owners can opt to let Apple recycle them. This ensures that phones are properly disposed of and that they are given a new life.
iPhone owners can research the value of their phone by providing some data to Apple. They will receive an estimate related to the value of their iPhone. This credit can be applied to the purchase of a new phone, or the owner could opt to have the credit applied to a gift card.
There are many benefits of buying refurbished phones. It’s relatively cheaper, and you get an almost brand new device. If a few scratches and blemishes don’t bother you, a refurbished iPhone could be the perfect option. It also helps in the long run if you’re looking to sell or exchange your iPhone.
If you’re considering selling your iPhone and looking for the maximum resale value possible, we strongly recommend a thorough device certification report from Phonecheck. This report will help you identify problems with your refurbished device and provide you with an in-depth report of your iPhone. Avoid costly hidden problems by purchasing a history report on phonecheck.com for about the cost of a cup of coffee.
