You can get a brand-new iPhone from Apple, which is probably obvious to almost everyone. But what people may not realize is that Apple also sells refurbished iPhones under the Apple Certified Refurbished Program. The refurbished iPhones are cheap compared to brand-new iPhones, but if your main goal is getting a good deal you should consider buying a gently used iPhone from a trusted marketplace like Swappa.
How does the Apple Certified Refurbished program work?
Apple sells a variety of refurbished products, including iPhones and iPads, as well as Mac computers, the Apple Watch, and Apple TV. Apple promises “guaranteed Apple quality” on all of these items. When you buy a refurbished Apple product direct from Apple, you will get a device that looks and functions like new.
All devices sold through the Apple Certified Refurbished program undergo full testing, get genuine Apple replacement parts (when needed), and get a thorough cleaning. Additionally, all iOS devices get a new outer shell, and a new battery, and ship with all of the original accessories.
Pros of buying Apple Certified Refurbished
- Get an Apple device that looks and functions like new
- AppleCare service and support included
- Savings of up to 15%
Cons of buying Apple Certified Refurbished
- Limited availability and limited models to choose from
- Savings that are limited to 15%
Apple refurbished vs Swappa gently used
If you refer back to the cons you will notice we used the word limited several times. As of late-October 2022, Apple has the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and the iPhone 12 Pro Max listed for sale through the Apple Certified Refurbished Program.
Of those seven different models, only two are currently available – the iPhone 11 Pro and the iPhone 11 Pro Max. To touch further on the limited options: the iPhone 11 Pro is only available in the 512GB option, and the iPhone 11 Pro Max is only available in the 64GB or 512GB storage options.
On Swappa, you’ll find all of the different models in the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 families – and that is just a start. You can also look for something newer, from the iPhone 13 or iPhone 14 families, or for something that is older. Not to mention — the prices on Swappa aren’t limited to saving 15 percent.
Get the best deal with gently used on Swappa
We’ll use the 64GB Unlocked iPhone 11 Pro Max, as an example. Apple currently has one listed for $649. Prices for a 64GB Unlocked iPhone 11 Pro Max in Mint condition currently start at $500 on Swappa.
Similarly, a 512GB Unlocked iPhone 11 Pro Max is currently priced at $829 if you buy through the Apple Certified Refurbished Program, and on Swappa, the same phone (listed in Mint condition) can be found for as low as $545.
