You can find amazing bargains when buying refurbished Apple products, but before you buy refurbished, it’s good to know what you’re getting yourself into.
1. What are refurbished Apple products?
Refurbished Apple products are Apple devices that have been restored to full working condition, as new, after being either pre-owned or used as display models.
They are sometimes called “refurbed”, “reconditioned” or “remanufactured”.
It’s not often you hear about refurbished Macs, iPhones, Apple Watches or iPads. In fact, Apple doesn’t push the concept very much and they’re even pretty hard to find on the Apple website. But still, every time a new product gets released, Apple shortly after starts selling refurbished Models.
Refurbished products are items people bought, used and returned for whatever reason. Apple then fixes them up from top to bottom, patching most if not all cosmetic damage and any internal defects. Finally, the products are put back on the market for a lower price and a “refurbished” label slapped on the packaging.
Most people buy refurbished products to save some money, but they often get a bad reputation due to being technically used. In Apple’s case, is buying refurbished worth the savings?
2. Will my refurbished Apple product work like new?
Yes – refurbished Apple products are 100% functional and all components in them work like new.
From the screen of an iPhone, to the battery of an iPad, or the charger of an Apple Watch, refurbished Apple products will always have 100% of their parts in full working condition, like their brand-new counterparts do.
How is this? – you may ask.
Well, refurbished products aren’t the same as ‘used’ products. If any parts on a refurbished Apple product are not up to the functional standard of a new Apple product, they will be replaced.
If the hard drive on a ,Macbook wasn’t working – it will have been replaced with a new one. If the battery on an iPhone had lost its charge – it will have been replaced. If the logic board had… well you get the picture.
- Like-New Condition. Sellers of refurbished items repair everything that’s damaged, then test the item to make sure it’s working properly. They also clean it and, in many cases, replace worn exterior parts, such as the face plate or buttons. This means that when you buy a refurbished products, it should both look and run like new.
This means that when you buy a refurbished Apple product, it will be 100% functional and working.
3. Are refurbished Apple products fully tested?
Of course. When an Apple product is to be refurbished , one of the most important stages is the testing.
Refurbished Apple products go through a full test. This includes hardware and software tests, and a thorough checking of all components. Most parts, if not all, will pass the checks with flying colors.
Any big online retailers sell returned and refurbished goods at substantial discounts. These items are repaired and tested just like manufacturer-refurbished products, though they often do not come with a warranty.
If there are any issues found, the parts will go through troubleshooting. When the refurbisher knows what is wrong with the part, they can make an informed decision on how to proceed. Sometimes they will replace the part entirely with a new part.
For example, if an iPhone screen has a crack, it will be replaced with a brand new screen. Other times, the refurbisher will simply fix the part. For example, if there’s a loose wire on a ,Macbook motherboard, they can easily reconnect the wire.
After the fixes or replacements have been completed, the refurbished products needs to go back through the full product test. Only when a product can pass all functional testing (as a new product would), can it be approved and sold as refurbished.
4. Are refurbished Apple products cleaned?
Many refurbished Apple products have spent their short life being used by their previous owner, or being used by multiple people as a display model in a store. That is why it’s so important for refurbished phones, tablets and computers alike, to go through an intense cleaning process.
Products are thoroughly cleaned to ensure they are as shiny and dust-free as new. Screens are polished, dust is removed from keyboards, and all ports are checked for dirt. Also, the internal parts of the hardware are cleaned so that you can be sure the refurbished device is completely spotless and sanitized.
5. Do refurbished Apple products have their operating system re-installed?
Yes – after the hard drive is erased of all data, the operating system is reinstalled. That means that when you receive your refurbished iPhone or refurbished iPad, it will have a clean copy of iOS ready for you to set up. Or if you’ve purchased a , refurbished Macbook it’ll be ready for you with a clean copy of Mac OS X (or macOS in future versions).
Basically, the software is ready for you as it would be in a brand new model. You will be able to set your Apple device up as new, or possibly restore from a backup of your previous device.
6. Do refurbished Apple products come with a warranty?
Yes, they do! It’s important to note that not all refurbishers include warranties with their products though. We advise you to stay away from companies that don’t provide warranties for any electronic items – whether they are refurbished electronics or not.
People tend not to want to spend their hard earned cash on electronic items without a warranty. That’s why it makes sense to include warranties with refurbished Apple products.
Thankfully, we aggregate all of the best deals from Apple refurbishers on our website – and they ALL provide warranties with their products. Some even allow you to pay to upgrade the warranty period so that you can be covered for multiple years.
7. Will my refurbished Apple product look brand-new?
The only real difference between refurbished Apple products and new Apple products (aside from the much lower price of course), is the cosmetic condition of the items. This is purely the appearance of the product, and it is important to remember that refurbished products are 100% functional and are thoroughly cleaned.
As an Apple enthusiast it’s easy to be tempted by the newest models, but have you considered the alternative of buying a refurbished Apple product that will serve your needs just as well at a fraction of the price?
With no receipts or guarantees, buying second-hand gadgets online is often seen as unreliable but, by purchasing through a business that specialises in trading Apple products, there is no danger of being left high and dry with a faulty product.
8. Are refurbished Apple products cheaper than new Apple products?
Yes – that’s why there are loads of hot deals for refurbished Apple products on our website!
This may be the most awesome fact – by purchasing a refurbished product, you’re saving between 15% and 80% of the original retail price of the new product. That’s why we love Apple refurbs so much!
Here are some examples so you know what to expect:
Discounts do vary a lot, so you just need to have a good browse!
