iPhones from Apple are definitely some of the best smartphones that are available in the market. Due to its popularity, functionality, and good brand name, it is a product that is in demand all the time. Unfortunately, not all of us are able to buy a new iPhone at full price straight from the manufacturer. On the other hand, buying iPhone from strangers can be risky too. Therefore, if you want to own an iPhone but don’t want to overpay, buying a refurbished iPhone can be a good option. Best of all, we can get such an iPhone at quite an attractive price.
What is a refurbished iPhone?
You may be wondering what are refurbished iPhones. These are iPhones that have been restored by professionals to the extent of full functionality. Of course, it also means that these iPhones were also used before by someone. However, they are brought back to a very good condition. Their refurbished condition is also verified by Apple or other certified sellers to make sure that they are working fully. Naturally, such iPhones are not always restored to their perfect condition, and they don’t always have look like new. To be more precise, they may have some visible yet minor defects on them, such as scratches or scuffs.
Refurbished iPhones often have a grade associated with their cosmetic condition. The refurbishment grade depends on several factors: scratches, scuffs, signs of use, how long the previous user has owned the product, and additional packaging that comes with the product (charger, documentation, etc.). Ratings are divided into:
- Grade A – the best possible quality you can expect from a refurbished product. Their condition is near perfect and they have negligible signs of use.
- Grade B – contain slightly more traces of use. The unit may have light scratches and scuffs. Functionality is still perfect.
- Grade C – the lowest grade that shows heavy signs of use. A device in this condition still works, but there are visible scratches and scuffs. Devices with this rating are less expensive than Grade A and Grade B devices.
What is the difference between a refurbished and a used iPhone?
Used iPhones are obviously cheaper than refurbished iPhones. While used iPhones can be really low in price and can save you a lot of money, they are not necessarily still under warranty. Unless you really know what to expect when buying such a smartphone and which key aspects to verify, there is some risk when buying these.
Refurbished iPhones, on the other hand, as mentioned in this article, are repaired by professional technicians and usually come with their own warranty for that. For this reason, we can be sure that we are buying a good quality iPhone, we are protected and we are paying the right price for it. Although this price may be higher than what you would pay for a used device, it is definitely a safer solution.
While it is possible to find an offer with a refurbished iPhone 13, they’re still very expensive. If you’re expecting to buy an iPhone 13 for a much lower price then we have bad news. At the moment, refurbished models like the iPhone 13 or iPhone 13 Pro cost just approx. $50 cheaper than new devices. Whereas, more often than not, you can get your hands on models from several previous generations, which are definitely more attractively priced.
What should you do before buying a refurbished iPhone?
To be more forewarned, you should pay attention to some basic things before buying a refurbished iPhone. If you have the IMEI or serial number of the smartphone you are thinking of buying, be sure to use our website where you can search for iPhone information by serial number or IMEI number.
Using our additional services, you can find much more information about the iPhone. Check what network the iPhone comes from, what country it’s from, its Find My iPhone status, or even its warranty status. It is also exceptionally crucial to use our services to find out the iPhone’s SIMLock status. Whether it is unlocked or not, it depends mostly on the carrier. You may also need to look into the price of unlocking the SIMLock.
We also have a service to check the device if it is blacklisted. This service allows you to check if the iPhone you are about to buy has been stolen or lost. To avoid this, be sure to use our complementary services.
With the help of our Serial Number Lookout and aforementioned services, you can purchase a refurbished iPhone with confidence. Technical specifications of each iPhone model can be found in our devices section:
iPhone Serial Number Lookup
Find your specific iPhone model and check his detailed specifications. There you can find all technical features that each iPhone has. This might help you verify the iPhone you want to buy as well.
Another thing to keep in mind when buying a refurbished iPhone is the contents of the box. Unfortunately, not every refurbished iPhone is sold with full box contents. Some accessories may be missing, so it’s a good idea to find that out before you decide to buy a refurbished iPhone. Be sure to ask the seller about things like the state of the battery, charger, iPhone charging cable, documentation, and sensor performance.
Where can you buy a refurbished iPhone?
There are several places where one can look for a refurbished iPhone. We have prepared a list of some of the best places where you can find such an iPhone:
1. Apple Refurbished Store
Undoubtedly, the best place to buy a refurbished iPhone is directly from Apple. Certainly, the price of such smartphones is still sometimes higher compared to other sellers, but we can be sure that buying such a device from Apple will be fully functional and running smoothly. Right now, buying a refurbished iPhone from Apple will save you from $250 to even $410.
Click here to visit Apple Refurbished Store.
2. Amazon
Amazon is also a good place to buy a refurbished iPhone. While the number of models available may be limited, Amazon is reliable and encourages with its return policy. Right now, a sample price for an iPhone 11 with 64 GB of storage is around $500.
3. Walmart
One of the bigger stores, Walmart offers a wide range of iPhones, so there is a really good chance that you will find your dream model. The price is also encouraging, as you can buy an iPhone 11 with 64GB capacity for just under $400. Some of the offers also provide a free product return within 30 days.
4. Best Buy
Another big store which offers several refurbished and pre-owned iPhone models. If you’re looking for a good iPhone with a nice discount, Best Buy is the place to check. For example, iPhone X with 256GB memory can be bought there for $440. Some of them come with a 90-day warranty as well.
5. eBay
Definitely the biggest amount of offers can be found on eBay. Plenty of them are in excellent condition or even just right out of the box. Prices generally fluctuate similarly to listings at other sellers, although most do not come with a warranty.
Buying a refurbished iPhone from a carrier
In addition, you can buy a refurbished iPhone from your carrier. You can be sure that the iPhone is fully tested and repaired if there was a need to. So if none of the above options satisfy you, it’s worth looking for refurbished iPhones from carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, or Verizon. From time to time, there are attractive discounts on some of the newer iPhone models, especially for regular customers. Warranties usually cover 90 days in this case.
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