Apple iPhones are among the most popular smartphones worldwide, but they can be very expensive. One way to get your hands on one for a (relatively) low price is by purchasing a refurbished iPhone. You can buy a refurbished iPhone from retailers like Amazon and even directly from Apple. Some mobile carriers also sell certified pre-owned iPhones.
Keep reading to learn more about how you can save money by buying a refurbished iPhone.
Where to Buy Refurbished iPhones
There are several reputable places where you can purchase a refurbished iPhone. Many online retailers offer refurbished phones, and many carriers sell refurbished or renewed iPhones. Here are a few of our favorite purchase options.
Directly from Apple
One of the most reliable sources for a refurbished iPhone is Apple itself. Apple sells certified pre-owned iPhones on its website with a one-year warranty. These iPhones have gone through a rigorous inspection process and are fully functional.
The downside of buying a refurbished iPhone from Apple is that the selection is often limited to just a few models.
Amazon
Another great option for buying a refurbished iPhone is Amazon. This online retailer has a wide selection of refurbished iPhones from various sellers. You can find everything from the latest iPhone to an older model at a discounted price.
When buying a refurbished iPhone from Amazon, it’s important to check that you’re dealing with a reputable seller. Check the seller’s ratings and reviews before making a purchase. Also, be sure to purchase a phone marked as “Amazon Renewed.” This label ensures the phone received a screening and comes with the Amazon Renewed Guarantee. The guarantee allows you up to 90 days to return the device if you are unsatisfied with it.
eBay
eBay is another popular marketplace for buying refurbished iPhones. Like Amazon, eBay has a wide selection of iPhones from different sellers. You can often find good deals on iPhones on eBay, but it’s important to be cautious when making a purchase.
We recommend that you only purchase refurbished iPhones on eBay that are from a "Top Rated" seller and marked as eBay Refurbished. Similar to Amazon, this label means they have gone through screening and come with either a one- or two-year warranty.
Decluttr
Decluttr is a website that specializes in selling refurbished electronics. You’ll find a wide range of refurbished iPhones in its collection, ranging from the latest to older models priced at a discount.
All the iPhones sold on Decluttr are tested and come with a 12-month warranty.
Carriers
Some mobile carriers sell refurbished iPhones. These phones come with a warranty and receive an inspection to ensure they’re in good working condition. An advantage of buying a refurbished iPhone from a carrier is that sometimes deals can save you even more and even get you the device for free.
Of the major carriers, Verizon is the only one that regularly has refurbished iPhones in stock. You can choose from these Verizon plans and then find the right refurbished iPhone for you:
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#1
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Verizon
Unlimited Prepaid Phone Plan
$50.00/mo
$60 without AutoPay | AutoPay discount applies after 1st month
|
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#2
|
Verizon
Unlimited Welcome
$55.00/mo
+ Taxes & Fees. Price includes AutoPay & Paperless discount.
+ $40 Upfront
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|
#3
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Verizon
Unlimited Welcome (Students)
$55.00/mo
+ Taxes & Fees. Price is for eligible Students with AutoPay & Paperless discount.
+ $40 Upfront
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Several smaller prepaid carriers (called MVNOs) also sell refurbished iPhones. Here’s a list of some of the most popular options:
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#1
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 100%
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Plans from $25/mo
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#2
|
 68%
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Plans from $25/mo
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#3
|
 55%
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Plans from $0/mo
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|
#4
|
 51%
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Plans from $25/mo
|
|
#5
|
 22%
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Plans from $15/mo+ $9.99 Upfront
|
|
#6
|
 18%
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Plans from $30/mo+ $20 Upfront
|
|
#7
|
 18%
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Plans from $20/mo
|
|
#8
|
 11%
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Plans from $10/mo
|
|
#9
|
 9%
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Plans from $17.50/mo
|
|
#10
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 8%
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Plans from $30/mo
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Things to know before you buy a refurbished iPhone
Refurbished vs. used iPhones
It’s important to distinguish between refurbished and used iPhones:
- A used iPhone label implies the original owner sold the phone in as-in condition when they no longer needed it.
- A refurbished iPhone is a device returned to the manufacturer or retailer that receives an inspection, cleaning, and repairs (if needed) before going up for sale.
Used iPhones are typically cheaper than refurbished iPhones, but they may not come with a warranty or receive an inspection for quality. Refurbished iPhones typically come with a warranty that often matches the original warranty. We recommend purchasing a refurbished iPhone if the option is available to you; however, some used phone dealers, like Trademore, have thorough inspection policies that make it far safer to purchase from.
Don't buy these refurbished iPhones
One of the best aspects of buying an iPhone is that Apple tends to support its devices with software updates and patches much longer than other manufacturers. Still, even iPhones eventually lose support. If you are thinking about buying a refurbished iPhone, avoid phones Apple no longer supports.
Make sure it's reset to factory settings
If you're buying a refurbished iPhone from a reputable dealer, like directly from your carrier or from Apple, it should have been reset back to its factory settings. That means it's been wiped of all previous data and is coming to you completely fresh.
If you're purchasing from eBay or another third party, however, we highly recommend performing a factory reset yourself. This ensures that you're getting an iPhone free of any previous user's data. (You'll also want to do a factory reset on your old iPhone after you've transferred your data to the refurbished device.)
Back up your current iPhone before transferring your data
To make things easy on yourself, you'll want to restore your current iPhone as closely as possible to your new device once you receive it. To do so, back up your iPhone data and settings to iCloud or your computer before performing a factory reset on your old device. Then, you can restore your backup to your refurbished iPhone in just a few steps.
Alternatives to buying refurbished
Before you decide to buy a refurbished iPhone, consider alternative options that could still get you a newer model with possibly a more reliable history.
Buy a budget-specific model iPhone
Take a look at the newest budget iPhone model, such as the iPhone SE or the iPhone 16e or 17e. These wallet-friendly versions of the iPhone contain the same powerful chips that power their base-model counterparts but without some of the nmore expensive bells and whistles, like top-end camera lenses and Apple Intelligence features. Plus, with current iPhone deals, you may get to save even more on this already affordable phone.
iPhone 17e 256GB
- 6.1 inch display
- Rear Camera: 48MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
iPhone 16 128GB
- 6.1 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
iPhone 17e 512GB
- 6.1 inch display
- Rear Camera: 48MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
iPhone 17 256GB
- 6.3 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 48MP
- Front Camera: 18MP
iPhone Air 256GB
- 6.5 inch display
- Rear Camera: 48MP
- Front Camera: 18MP
Wait to upgrade and buy an older model new
Similar to the above, holding off on upgrading for a couple of years and getting a model that's 1-2 years older than the most recent one is a great way to still get a significantly "newer" phone (to you) without breaking the bank. Jumping from an iPhone 12 or 13 to a new iPhone 15 or 16 is actually a massive upgrade in terms of processing power, camera tech, and overall experience, without shelling out thousands for a brand-new device released in the last few months. You avoid the pitfalls of a refurbished phone and get an unused iPhone for a fraction of its initial cost.
Look for trade-in deals
If you'd like to get the latest and greatest, trade-in deals are a great way to put your current phone's value toward the cost of a brand-new iPhone. Depending on how old your current device is, and what shape it's in, you could get anywhere from a few hundred to up to $1,000 off the cost of a brand new iPhone. The catch: Most trade-in deals require you to sign up for the carrier's top-tier unlimited plans, and lock you into those plans for anywhere from 2-3 years to get the full value of the trade-in credit. So make sure you're happy with the cost of the phone plan before you trade in your device.
Update your storage settings
Before resorting to purchasing refurbished, make sure you're maximizing your current phone's potential. You might just need to free up some space in your internal storage to get a little more life out of it. Try offloading large attachments, deleting old apps, and other iPhone storage reduction tips to see if you can make the most out of your old phone for a little longer.
Update your iOS
If you're running an outdated version of iOS for too long, it can make almost every aspect of your iPhone practically unusable. Before replacing your phone entirely, update your operating system to the latest version. Just note that if your iPhone gets too old, it might not even support the latest iOS... in which case, a newer iPhone is a better solution.
Angelo Ilumba
Senior Writer
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