Paying less for an Apple product: refurbished, second-hand and other good deals

Apple rarely lowers its prices, but the same product can often be bought for less: refurbished by Apple, from another shop, or second-hand. This page lists the main options and what to check before you pay.

1. Apple's own options

• Apple Certified Refurbished. Many Apple online stores have a "Refurbished" section. These products are tested and repaired by Apple with genuine parts, ship in a new box, and come with the same one-year warranty as new ones; AppleCare can be added. Refurbished iPhones get a new battery and outer shell [1]. Stock changes every day: look again if the model you want is missing.
• Previous models. When Apple launches a new model, it often keeps the previous one on sale at a lower price, or stops selling it while shops clear their stock.
• Education pricing. Students, teachers and staff of schools and universities can get a discount in many countries, on Macs and iPads in particular. Conditions depend on the country.
• Trade-in. Apple takes back many old devices for credit on a new purchase [2]. Compare the offer with what you would get by selling the device yourself (section 4).

2. Other shops

• Authorised resellers. Big retailers and Apple's authorised resellers often sell below Apple's price, especially during sales periods. The product and Apple's warranty are the same; returns and service depend on the shop.
• Carriers. A phone sold with a plan may look cheap at first. Compare the total cost over the length of the contract with the price of the phone alone plus a cheaper plan, and check whether the phone is locked to the carrier.
• Timing. Apple usually presents its new products at fixed times of year; new iPhones, for example, come every autumn. Buying just before a launch means paying the full price for a model that is about to be replaced; just after, older models are often discounted.

3. Refurbished by a professional

Many companies refurbish used devices and resell them with a warranty, directly or through marketplaces (Back Market or Amazon Renewed, for example). Quality varies from one seller to another, so check:

• The warranty: its length, and who provides it (the seller or the marketplace). In the European Union, a professional seller also owes the legal guarantee on a refurbished product, sometimes for a shorter period than for a new one [3].
• The grade. "Excellent", "good" or "fair" describe the look only, and each seller defines them in its own way. Read the description and photos.
• The battery. Ask for its health, or whether it was replaced.
• The parts. On an iPhone, Settings > General > About shows parts that were replaced, and whether they are genuine Apple parts [4].
• Returns. A return period lets you check the device at home.

4. Second-hand from a private seller

The cheapest option, and the one with the most risk: there is usually no warranty other than what is left of Apple's. Common places are eBay, Facebook Marketplace and local classified-ad sites and apps. Before you pay:

• Activation Lock. The device must be erased and removed from the seller's Apple Account. If it shows "Locked to Owner" or asks for someone else's Apple Account, do not buy it: you could never use it [5].
• Serial number. Enter it on Apple's coverage page [6]: it shows the exact model, and whether the warranty or an AppleCare plan is still running.
• Software updates. Check that the model still receives the current version of iOS or macOS; old models stop getting security updates.
• Mac from a company. A Mac that shows a "Remote Management" screen during setup belongs to an organisation's fleet: avoid it.
• Carrier lock. Check that the phone works with any carrier, and has not been reported lost or stolen (your carrier can usually tell you).
• Meeting and paying. Meet in a public place, test the device (screen, cameras, buttons, charging, Face ID or Touch ID), and pay with a method that protects buyers. Never pay in advance by bank transfer to a stranger. Ask for the original receipt: it helps for the warranty.

5. Buying abroad

Apple's prices differ a lot from one country to another. The comparator shows where the product you want costs least; the guide "Buying Apple products abroad" explains what to check before buying there (warranty, customs, tax).

This page is general information. The shops and sites named are examples, not recommendations: check the conditions of the seller before you buy.

Sources

1. Apple Certified Refurbished: https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/about
2. Apple Trade In: https://www.apple.com/shop/trade-in
3. Your Europe, guarantees and returns: https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/shopping/guarantees-returns/index_en.htm
4. Apple, iPhone parts and service history: https://support.apple.com/en-us/102658
5. Apple, Activation Lock for iPhone and iPad: https://support.apple.com/en-us/108794
6. Apple, check your coverage: https://checkcoverage.apple.com/