Comparison
New vs Used vs Refurbished: What's the Difference (and Which to Buy)?
New is the most expensive. Used is a gamble. Refurbished is tested, repaired and warrantied for a lot less than new.
New means sealed and untouched, at full price. Used means someone's old device, sold as-is. Refurbished means a used device that's been tested, repaired, cleaned and backed by a warranty. For most people, refurbished is the best value.
Quick verdict
- Best value: refurbished. Tested, warrantied, and much cheaper than new.
- Buy new if: you want the newest model on launch day, or it's a gift that has to be sealed.
- Buy used only if: you can test it in person and you're OK with no warranty.
Side by side
| New | Refurbished | Used | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Full price | Much less than new | Cheapest |
| Tested | Factory | Yes, by technicians | No |
| Repaired | n/a | Faulty parts replaced | No |
| Battery | New | Checked, replaced if low | Unknown |
| Data wiped and unlocked | n/a | Yes | Maybe |
| Theft check | n/a | IMEI and serial checked | Rarely |
| Warranty | Manufacturer | Ours: 1 year | None |
| Returns | Store policy | Ours: 30 days | Usually none |
What "refurbished" actually means here
- Checked for theft. IMEI and serial checked. Blacklisted, stolen or account-locked devices get rejected.
- Tested end to end. Up to 100 checks: screen, cameras, speakers, buttons, Face ID, charging, signal.
- Repaired. Anything that fails gets fixed. Batteries below our health threshold get replaced.
- Wiped and reset. The previous owner's data is fully erased.
- Graded honestly. Cleaned, then graded on looks only.
Not every seller means the same thing by "refurbished". Always ask what was tested and what the warranty covers.
How grading works
Grades describe how the device looks. Every grade works like new.
| Grade | What it looks like |
|---|---|
| Premium | Like new, with a brand-new battery |
| Excellent | No visible signs of use |
| Good | Light marks, invisible at arm's length |
| Fair | Visible wear, 100% functional |
Using a case anyway? Save money with Good or Fair. Want it to feel brand new? Go Premium.
Why refurbished is cheaper (and not worse)
The biggest price drop happens the moment a device leaves the box. Refurbished lets you skip that drop. Phones and tablets have few moving parts, so once the battery, screen and ports check out, there's little left to go wrong.
It's also better for the planet. Every refurbished device is one less new one built and one less in landfill.
When new makes sense
- You want a model on launch day
- You want the longest possible software support
- You're on a carrier financing deal that makes new cheap
Used: how to not get burned
If you buy used privately: meet in public, test calls, cameras, charging and Face ID, check the battery health, and make sure it's signed out of the previous owner's Apple or Google account. If any of that feels like a hassle, that's what refurbished is for.
Shop refurbished
More reading: 8 questions our technicians get every day.
FAQ
Is refurbished the same as used?
No. Used is sold as-is. Refurbished has been tested, repaired, wiped and comes with a warranty.
Do refurbished phones have new batteries?
Not always. Ours are checked, and any battery below our health threshold gets replaced. Premium grade always comes with a brand-new battery.
Is it safe to buy a refurbished phone?
Yes, from a seller that checks for theft, tests every function, and gives a real warranty and return window.
What does a phone grade mean?
Grades describe cosmetic condition only: Premium, Excellent, Good or Fair. Every grade works like new.
Skip the new-phone price
Get the iPhone 13 pre-owned from $286.99, tested by real technicians with a 1-year warranty and 30-day returns.