Apple’s online refurbished store is an open secret that allows people to buy like-new Apple products at a significant discount.
Now, Apple is selling refurbished iPhones for the first time. Apple is offering a variety of refurbished iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus models for about US$100 less than full-price, or about 15% off.
For example, Apple is selling a 16GB iPhone 6S for US$449 — US$200 less than its original price in 2015, and US$100 less than a new one costs today. You have some choice in colour but some colour and storage combinations are not available.
Basically, when a product is returned to Apple, it fixes the problem, replaces the battery, then puts the guts and other components into a new casing and sells it. Refurbishing returned devices helps prevent waste and helps boost Apple’s bottom line when it doesn’t have to eat the cost of returns.
For example, when Apple swaps out your broken phone at the Apple Store, it’s usually giving you a refurbished replacement. In most circumstances, refurbs are just like new, except that they come in brown paper boxes.
