Apple is known for producing some of the most reliable, durable, and high-quality devices in the world. Their iPhones (as well as other electronic devices) truly have amazing specifications, and they are without a doubt some of the best smartphones on the market. As such, it’s no wonder that their phones and other electronics are considerably expensive. The high price tag is the main reason why some people decide to purchase another less pricey smartphone instead.

However, if you purchase a refurbished iPhone, you get all the same wonderful features and specifications for a much lower price. Therefore, buying a refurbished iPhone that is basically as good as new may be a great option for you.

About Refurbished iPhone

The term ‘refurbished’ is quite broad. A refurbished iPhone can be a demo iPhone from a store, a phone that somebody returned as soon as they bought it, or one that has been used for several months before the user decided to sell or return it.

Difference Between a Used and Refurbished iPhone

Considering that all the iPhones (as well as other electronics) that are not brand new are often labeled as ‘used, pre-owned, open box, renewed, refurnished’, the users tend to be confused about the exact difference between used and refurbished iPhones. The difference is actually quite simple…

Used iPhones are generally not repaired or inspected – at least not majorly. They usually come with restored iOS, which means that the previous owner’s personal information has been cleared, otherwise they are sold ‘as is’. Any scratches, cosmetic and other issues are still present, but they must be listed by the seller. Sellers in such cases are usually private and they have often decided to upgrade their device.

Refurbished iPhones tend to be inspected by professionals and properly repaired. These professionals return the device to like-new condition before selling them. The exact quality of the refurbishment generally depends on the retailer. Sometimes the iPhones are refurbished by the manufacturers themselves. In this case, at least when it comes to iPhones, the battery and outer shell also get replaced. As such, the new user really gets a nearly new phone for a lower price.

Used and refurbished are the two basic options of non-new phones, however, different stores and sellers sometimes use different terms. For example, Amazon labels refurbished phones as ‘renewed’.

Difference Between a Refurbished iPhone and a Certified Refurbished iPhone

The difference is in who is the one who refurbished it. If a third-party store examines and repairs the device if needed, then the iPhone has been ‘refurbished’. If the manufacturer (in this case, Apple) itself has refurbished it, then the refurbishment is certified. Certified refurbishment means that the device underwent strict diagnostic tests to ensure the device meets certain criteria, that it got properly repaired, that the essential parts have been replaced, and that it has been restored to a new-like condition.

What is a Brand New iPhone and what the Difference Between a Brand New and a Refurbished iPhone

An iPhone is considered brand new when the box in which it comes hasn’t been opened yet and the phone hasn’t been used in any way by retailers, customers, or anyone else.

The main difference between a brand new iPhone and a refurbished one is that a refurbished iPhone has already been used (even if in the smallest amount) by someone else. A refurbished phone may have had a previous owner for a short while or it may have simply been used as a demo phone in a store.

Brand new iPhone vs refurbished iPhone with pros and cons

Both a brand new iPhone and a refurbished one have their pros and cons. You have to consider these advantages and disadvantages to decide which option would be the best for you.

The benefits of a brand new iPhone

• Contract and monthly payments : On the other hand, if you don’t have the budget to buy an iPhone in one payment, getting a contract, which allows you to pay 24 monthly installments instead of the full price at once, maybe the better option for you. This type of arrangement usually comes with buying a new phone.
• Warranty : Both new and refurbished phones tend to come with a warranty, but the warranty of refurbished phones depends on the retailer. Some retailers will give you a 30 or 90-day warranty, while Apple-certified refurbished iPhones come with their standard one-year Apple Care limited warranty. Check out the warranty and choose your device accordingly.
• Available on launch day : If you are one of those Apple enthusiasts that absolutely needs to have the new device the second they launch it, then you definitely have to buy the new version. However, if you are willing to wait for a few months or even weeks, then you can get a cheaper refurbished version of the newest model.
• More expensive.
• Less sustainable.

The benefits of a refurbished iPhone

• Lower price : Probably the biggest advantage of buying a refurbished iPhone is that refurbished iPhones are less expensive. For example, a tested, repaired, and restored iPhone X with new earbuds, a new charger, and a warranty cost $749, while a brand new iPhone X costs $999. The price difference is considerable, and some customers are convinced that a brand new phone just isn’t worth the extra $250, especially as refurbished phones are basically as good as new anyway.
• Environmentally friendly : Buying a refurbished iPhone is more environmentally friendly as you help prolong the product’s life span.
• No contracts : Another major benefit of refurbished iPhones is that they often come contract-free. If you have the money to buy the phone in one payment it is way cheaper to buy the less costly refurbished iPhone than to buy a brand new iPhone on a 2-year contract and pay off the full price in installments for 24 months. Having no contracts gives the user certain freedom, which is priceless for some customers.
• You have to check the refurbishment process and quality before buying to know exactly what you are getting.
• Different retailers offer different guarantees, warranties, and return policies, and these safety features and periods tend to be shorter when buying a refurbished phone. Again, you have to check to know what to expect.