How to Buy a Refurbished iPhone
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Back in July I wrote 5 Money-Saving Reasons to Buy an iPhone. As a Mac Addict, I wanted to buy the iPhone when it first came out, and this article was my attempt to justify the big price tag. In the end, though, I decided to wait, and gave the following explanation:
At the risk of spoiling all this fun, let me add one last way to save money with the iPhone–WAIT! The price of the iPhone surely will go down, and I bet eventually you’ll be able to buy refurbished iPhones just like you can buy refurbished Macs, monitors and iPods.
Well, I’m happy to report that both predictions have come true. Last week Apple announced that its 8GB iPhone was dropping in price by $200, from $599 to $399! That sure didn’t take long. And now a refurbished 8GB iPhone is also available for even less–$349. Here’s how to get it.
Go to the online Apple Store and scroll down to the bottom. There you’ll see on the left sidebar Special Deals that include links to buying refurbished iPods, Macs and iPhones. I bought a refurbished 20″ iMac earlier this year, saved several hundred dollars, and it works great. Anyway, click on the Refurbished iPhone link and it takes you to a page where you can buy the iPhone currently for $349. Here’s what the page looks like:
One thing I’ve noticed about buying refurbished Apple products is that sometimes you’ll find that the supply of a refurbished product has run out. So if you can’t find a refurbished iPhone offer, keep checking back. I had to do that with my iMac, but more became available within a few days.
In addition, if you are looking for an iPod Touch, you can get a good deal through Amazon:
Update: Refurbished iPhones have not been available on the Apple Store lately. I had to buy mine new. But you can find great deals on iPhones and accessories on eBay:
If you love gadgets as much as I do, please check out my new blog about energy saving gadgets. Updated twice each weekday with new gadgets, the site focuses on energy efficient gadgets that help save the planet and your money.
23 Comments, Comment or Ping
mfm
where do you buy referbished WINGS (cell phones? thanks
Sep 9th, 2007
Laura
I need to purchase a cell phone and need the ESN number under the back cover under the battery… will you provide the number upon purchase.
Jan 7th, 2008
jason
Do you know at what time, apple makes their posts? One of the apple reps I talked to over the phone told me that they post in the monring, but gave no specific time. I also heard from a freidn that they post at midnight, eastern time, but, when I call apple, they told me they are located in Austin, TX, so, standard time would seem more likely, but, I am not sure. Your help would be greatly appeciated, thanks.
Jason.
Jan 25th, 2008
jehu
they post at midnight pacific time, i used to buy ipods in bulk and would wait until 12am then refresh page and then buy 10 or so then check out as fast as i could then do it all over again.
Feb 8th, 2008
DR
jehu, thanks for the tip. For me, I’d have to stay up until 3 am, which is a tall order at my age.
Feb 8th, 2008
g-blogger
If you are looking for availabilty of refurbished iphones then I would suggest tuesdays. Today is a tuesday and if you check apple website it is available!!!
Feb 19th, 2008
DR
g-blogger, thanks for the heads up, although I just checked, and they are out of stock, again. If you are in the market for a refurbished iPhone, keep checking.
Feb 19th, 2008
RM
When you get a refurbished iphone from Apple are you required to get a contract??? I want one to unlock and use with anoter service provider.
Thank you!!!!!
Feb 24th, 2008
DR
RM, I wasn’t required to get a contract when I bought mine.
Feb 24th, 2008
OA
Do you know if refurbished iPHONEs from the Apple Website come unlocked? Thank you.
Mar 15th, 2008
DR
I don’t believe that they do, but you can unlock them yourself. It takes some time and a bit of nerve, but I unlocked mine. Check out this link and good luck: http://iphone.unlock.no/
Mar 15th, 2008
jacob
when you purchase a refurbished iphone what is the physical condition like.
Mar 18th, 2008
DR
I bought a new iPhone because they were out of refurbished iPhones at the time. I did, however, buy a refurbished iMac a year ago (which I’m typing on now) and it’s been great. I’ll be buying a new laptop soon, and will definitely go the refurbished route. I couldn’t tell that my iMac was refurbished, and I’m betting the refurbished iPhones are the same.
Mar 19th, 2008
JP
Check out AT&T’s website. You can buy a refurb’d iPhone for only $249 ($100 less than Apple’s site) and you do not even need a contract. The phones come unactivated, and you would only need to sign up for a contract when (if?) you activate the phone via iTunes, but if you jailbreak it beforehand you’re in the clear.
Mar 19th, 2008
john
do you know if at&t has the refurbished iphones on tuesdays just like apple does
Mar 20th, 2008
Carina
Okay so if you jailbreak it before you activate it then you can hook it up to Itunes right? It will still work?
Mar 23rd, 2008
DR
Don’t know about that. I activated mine first.
Mar 23rd, 2008
john
hi i live in england how do i do it, john john jonh
Mar 25th, 2008
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