If you’re in need of a new iPhone, you’re probably looking at all your options available. Of course, you can try to get the brand new iPhone 13, but that might be a bit too expensive as it is for most.
You can also try to get an iPhone 12 or an older model from the store. They’re usually selling at a lower price, and you’d still get a brand new iPhone and save a few dollars.
Well, there are other options. You can also try getting a refurbished iPhone. There are some risks involved, but if you know what you’re doing, you might get a great deal for almost half the price of the iPhone 13.
Of course, knowing what you’re doing it’s easier said than done. With so many options available, where do you start looking? If you feel stuck, here are some things you need to take into account before buying your refurbished iPhone.
Refurbished vs. Used
Before you consider getting an iPhone, you need to choose whether you want a refurbished iPhone or a used one.
It may seem like a used iPhone is better than a refurbished one, but that’s not always the case. Since it’s a second-hand device, that may be the first owner didn’t take good care of it, hence what they’re selling at such a good price.
On the other hand, the people who usually refurbish iPhones are professionals or know what they’re doing. They try to fix everything wrong with the iPhone so they can resell it at a good price, which means that you can get an iPhone in almost perfect condition for the same price as a used one.
Best Places to Buy a Refurbished iPhone
If you’re buying online, there are a couple of places where you should start looking for a refurbished iPhone.
It would be best if you tried to buy a refurbished iPhone from Apple’s own certified refurbished store. Apple backs up any product in that store, and therefore, it should, in theory, be almost as good as new. But, of course, these products are usually more expensive than in other places.
Another option is the Amazon Renewed section. These are refurbished products certified by Amazon, and they have a warranty in case the device you choose isn’t what you expected after you buy it.
You can also try eBay. The website also offers a guarantee, and you can even get your money back if the iPhone isn’t in good condition. Of course, when buying on eBay, you need to see who’s selling you the iPhone and if they have good reviews from previous buyers, so it can be a bit more tricky.
You can also try to buy your iPhone from Walmart or Best Buy. Both are big stores that offer a bunch of refurbished iPhones and other products. What’s great is that they usually have good discount prices and they’re trustworthy enough to
Is the iPhone Ready to Be Used?
Whether you’re buying online or in a physical store, you should do a little research on the refurbished iPhone. Here are some things to check for to ensure the phone is ready to be used:
7. Make Sure the iPhone Is Unlocked
You need to make sure the iPhone is unlocked or that it works with your phone service provider. If not, you won’t be able to use your SIM card. Plus, it can be harder to sell in the future too.
6. Check for a Warranty
Make sure the seller has a warranty or return policy. If you’re using the websites we listed before or buying from any big store, then you should be good to go. If not, always ask the seller what their policies are.
5. Check for Physical Damage
Pictures online can be deceiving, so try to see the iPhone for yourself whenever possible. See if it has some hardware damage before making a purchase.
4. Make Sure the Battery Is in Good Condition
Try to see if its battery is in good condition, if possible. Usually, the biggest issue with refurbished devices is battery life. Going into the battery settings on the iPhone will better understand how old the battery is.
3. Try to Use the iPhone for Yourself
If you’re buying it in person, ask the seller to charge the iPhone beforehand. That way, you can check how it works. You can see if you can use your iCloud account if the store is what you were promised and if you can make and receive calls from the iPhone too. Basically, you want to see if you can use the iPhone normally.
2. Read the Fine Print
Make sure to read what they’re actually selling. People online can be tricky. One time people paid hundreds of dollars for a PS5 picture because they thought they were buying the console. The worst part is that the seller actually specified that it was just the PS5 picture.
It sounds silly, but it can happen to any one of us. So make sure to read what the seller offers before buying something.
1. Trust the Reviews (But Not Completely)
If you’re buying online, reviews are your best friends. You can see what other people got and what their experience was like. With that said, you should trust every review you read.
Sure, if many people are saying bad things about the product or the seller, you should stay away from it as much as possible. But if one person wrote they had issues with something like battery life, then you shouldn’t fully discard that iPhone. The same goes if someone says they got an iPhone in perfect condition.
Since all devices are refurbished, not every iPhone will be in the same condition. For example, some might have problems with the battery, while others might be in great condition. Overall, try to read the neutral reviews to find out what the iPhone is actually like.
Is Buying a Refurbished iPhone Worth it?
Absolutely! Buying refurbished devices is a great way to save money and still get an amazing product. But, of course, you’ll need to take your time to find yourself the perfect deal.
Obviously, spending time looking for the right product at the right price isn’t for everybody, but it’s a great way to get the latest and greatest at a lower price.
The great part about the online world is that most big stores offer a warranty that can save you if the iPhone you got isn’t what you wanted at all.
Just make sure to follow the steps above, try to find the best deal possible, and don’t be discouraged if you had to return the iPhone because it had some issues. Keep trying, and eventually, you might strike gold and find the right refurbished iPhone for you. Good luck!