How much does a refurbished iPhone cost?
Are you looking to buy an iPhone, but you can’t justify the huge price tag? You’re not alone in this search. It’s no secret that you can get the famous features of an iPhone without paying top dollar.
For example, you can find a refurbished iPhone X for between $650 AUD and $890 AUD, compared to the $1049 retail price. Other models have a similar discount of $300-400. But if you’re used to buying new phones, you might be suspicious of secondhand technology.
Read on and find out that refurbished iPhones can be just as good as a new model, for a fraction of the price.
What is a refurbished iPhone?
The term "refurbished" is often used to describe a product that has been restored to as-new condition after some use. Refurbished devices may be returned warranty, non-warranty or open-box merchandise. A refurbisher takes apart the device, inspects and repairs all parts, replaces worn components, and puts the device back together. Refurbished devices are usually offered at a lower price than new ones in order to reflect their state and possible lack of warranty.
Refurbished iPhones are used, but they’ve been restored to like-new condition. They come with the same one-year warranty as new iPhones and all the features you love about your current phone. You can buy them from Apple or other reputable sellers on eBay.
So a refurbished iPhone is one that someone returned because it didn’t work, or they didn’t want it anymore. Consumer Reports interviewed customers and found that 67% of people who buy a refurbished phone have no complaints about its condition. Companies that sell refurbished phones repair damage, test the phones and sell them for a cheaper price.
You get a fully functional phone that can do everything a new phone can. The only difference is that it isn’t fresh out of the box.
Are refurbished iPhones certified?
In order to be considered for resale by Apple or other reputable retailers, devices must be in good working condition and cosmetic condition. That means devices must have a few essential requirements:
- Lightning Connector (if applicable)
- Apple logo - with no chips or cracks in the screen, broken glass, or foggy/yellowed LCD display.
- No water damage
- No damage to the interior of the phone. There can be some surface scratches on the back cover, but not deep gouges or other substantial damage.
- Unlocked phones must work with a SIM card from any network carrier (in most cases).
If all conditions are met, you should receive a full one-year warranty with your refurbished device.
Refurbished iPhones are often much more affordable than their brand-new counterparts. An iPhone 6s 16 GB in good conditions can sell for as low as $300, while a new version of the same phone is upwards of $649.80 USD.
What are the pros and cons of a refurbished iPhone?
The pros of a refurbished iPhone are straightforward: they’re cheaper and better for the environment. In 2019, the UN and World Economic Forum found that humans produce more than 50 million tonnes of e-waste every year. Mobile phones are a huge contributor to this statistic, so buying refurbished is more sustainable.
But refurbished iPhones have a shorter warranty than new phones, so you may get fewer years of use. It’s also important to find out if your refurbished iPhone still has defects or has been returned to near perfect condition.
Where can you find a refurbished iPhone?
Apple
The easiest way to buy a refurbished iPhone is directly from Apple.
This is the most reliable source because of the thorough quality testing. Refurbished iPhones must pass the same tests as new phones, so you can be sure of the highest standards. They also include a 1-year warranty.
According to Apple, they clean, inspect, and replace broken parts of the phone, as well as the battery and hard case. Refurbished phones also include the original accessories like the charging cable.
Apple Australia offers refurbished products, but they still aren’t selling iPhones through their official platform. Refurbished iPhones are currently only available on the US site for Apple, with models from the iPhone X to the iPhone XR. For example, you can buy an unlocked, refurbished, 64 GB iPhone X for $599 USD (approx. $829 AUD).
This is a total saving of $300 (approx. $415 AUD), but you will need to pay shipping from the US.
eBay
If you choose to buy through eBay, there are a variety of sellers from all around the world. This is one of the most popular platforms for buying any kind of product you can imagine. As always with eBay, check the vendor to make sure that they are legitimate, verified, and have reviews to make sure that you won’t be ripped off.
A 64 GB iPhone X ranges in price from approximately $800 AUD to $890 AUD. You will need to check for extra shipping costs.
Cellect Mobile
Cellect Mobile Australia is one of the most established sellers of refurbished phones in Australia. Their mission is to reduce waste and promote sustainable shopping through selling secondhand technology.
They are based in Hawthorn, Victoria, and test all their refurbished phones in-house. They test both manually and with software to make sure that all products are up to standard.
Phones are graded as Open Box, Like New, A-Grade, or B-Grade, depending on the quality.
A 64 GB iPhone X costs from $649 AUD to $679 AUD and has free delivery to anywhere in Australia.
Gumtree
If you’re looking for the absolute cheapest options for secondhand and refurbished iPhones, you can try your luck with Gumtree. The popular website is the most popular free marketplace in Australia and has more than 7 million users.
You just need to be careful to verify both sellers and products, because there is no official verification on the platform. You can find a refurbished, 64 GB iPhone X for as low as $650 AUD.
In Summary: Buying a Refurbished iPhone
Buying a refurbished iPhone is a great option if you want the Apple technology without blowing the bank or hurting the environment.
There are many online retailers and marketplaces where you can save hundreds of dollars on an iPhone that has been quality tested. It’s just essential to make sure the vendor is trustworthy before you buy.
If you use a reputable site, you can find a high-quality refurbished iPhone that looks and feels as good as new.
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