Has anybody any experience with refurbished cell phones, principally iPhones?

Looking at finding a replacement for my parents devices, as their old SE phones are starting to show their age and odd issues like poor connections & performance are becoming problematic.

I see places like Best Buy and Walmart offer refurbed phones, even 3gen SE's...are these worthwhile or, a cautionary tale waiting to happen?

if your asking; cautionary tale waiting to happen.

The only place I’d buy a refurbished iPhone is directly from Apple.

There always seems to be all sorts of deals out there for new iPhones, you’re not seeing anything that would work?

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
The only place I’d buy a refurbished iPhone is directly from Apple.

There always seems to be all sorts of deals out there for new iPhones, you’re not seeing anything that would work?

Have purchased only from apple before as well.. New body and battery is the standard but the internals might be previously used.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
The only place I’d buy a refurbished iPhone is directly from Apple.

There always seems to be all sorts of deals out there for new iPhones, you’re not seeing anything that would work?

Just looking at the options available. The parents are seniors, they really only rate a SE-level of phone versus a modern 16 or 17 thus the refurbished-option was intriguing

Direct from Apple. I do not recall if they come with a warranty,but price is right.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
The only place I’d buy a refurbished iPhone is directly from Apple.

There always seems to be all sorts of deals out there for new iPhones, you’re not seeing anything that would work?

This!

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
Direct from Apple. I do not recall if they come with a warranty,but price is right.

Apple refurbs are for all intents and purposes “new”. No signs of use, new battery, same 1 year warranty and eligibility for AppleCare+ extended warranty.


Additional 10% discount if you are veteran, student, government employee, or teacher.

I’ve bought 2 MacBook Airs, and 3 iPads refurbished from Apple. They have new batteries, new cases, and new screens installed. You will not be able to tell them from brand new, and they have a 1 year warranty. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy any of Apples refurbished merchandise.

I have experience with Gazelle.

Phones are unlocked and no issues with them.
First one I received was not 5G capable(my first iPhone so I didn't realize I missed that) they let me return it and I ordered another newer phone without any hassle or cost.

https://buy.gazelle.com/collections/iphones

Something to consider.

One thing that may be more important than you realize is to ensure that everything is backed up to the iCloud so you can restore "their" phone. Handing them a new phone with the icons all in different places will explode their minds. Make a list of all apps (screenshots will do) and ensure that you have all those positions recorded. Create an iCloud account if they don't have one. Set the phone to use iCloud. Etc. Then, buy the phones.

The 16E phone would be the cheapest new phone.

https://www.apple.com/iphone-16e/

A free upgrade may be available on their accounts anyway, but that locks them in to two or three years of payments.

I've bought 2.
The fist was a 6 years ago, worked flawlessly.
Then I bought an X. Well it had the dreaded restart for no reason defect.
Apple replaced it with a new one. No questions asked.
I shipped the old one back in the same box with a label provided.

Woot is a good source for refurb iPhones, I have bought several refurb products and all have been good quality buys.

https://sellout.woot.com/offer...t_lnd_cat_elec_10_11

I have bought 4 mint condition, 100% battery health iPhones for myself and family members using swappa.com. Every one was perfect as described and is still working fine except normal battery health decline after normal use.

Having two teens who have gone off to school. I have bought a bunch of refurbished iPhones off Amazon and Newegg never had an issue. My son came home from school and said he needs a new phone. I looked at a iPhone 12 Pro for $280.

quote:

Originally posted by 4MUL8R:
One thing that may be more important than you realize is to ensure that everything is backed up to the iCloud so you can restore "their" phone. Handing them a new phone with the icons all in different places will explode their minds...

THIS!

We're both in our 70s and change is difficult.

My phone was stolen a good year ago. Replacement was refurbished model, it’s been flawless.

Best place for a refurb is the Apple website. 100% like new, same warranty as new, 15% less than new, plus stacked with another 10% discount for military / veterans.