Apple Begins Rolling Out Refurbished 2024 iPad Air Models at a Discount

[MacRumors]

Apple last week added iPad Air models with the M2 chip to its refurbished store in the UK, for the first time since the device was released in May 2024.

As usual, the refurbished models are discounted by approximately 15% to 20% compared to Apple's original pricing for the equivalent brand-new models. For example, the 13-inch iPad Air with the M2 chip, 128GB of storage, and Wi-Fi only is currently available for £639, compared to £799 when it was first released last year.

For now, availability is limited to the UK, but inventory should expand to the U.S. and other countries over the next several weeks.

Apple says its refurbished iPads include a new battery and outer shell, a new white box, and all manuals and accessories, including a USB-C charging cable. Apple says it puts refurbished devices through a "thorough cleaning process and inspection," and it performs full functionality testing to ensure that no defective units are sold.

All refurbished iPads are covered by Apple's one-year limited warranty and 14-day return policy, and AppleCare+ coverage is available.

While some savings can be had here, better iPad deals are often available through Amazon.

Apple updated the iPad Air with the M3 chip in March this year.

Article Link: Apple Begins Rolling Out Refurbished 2024 iPad Air Models at a Discount

 

[Plutonius]

I usually wait for Apple refurbished when I'm buying anything Apple.

 

[roland.g]

I still don’t like the Amazon model of different pricing for different colors. I’m sure it is based on stock but it feels like bait and switch to offer a price only to find out it is on select colors and others are more. They do this with other Apple products too.

 

[russell_314]

I still don’t like the Amazon model of different pricing for different colors. I’m sure it is based on stock but it feels like bait and switch to offer a price only to find out it is on select colors and others are more. They do this with other Apple products too.

Pricing on Amazon is based on supply and demand. If there’s a huge demand for sky blue for instance, they’re not going to lower the price. It is annoying, but it is what it is. It’s no different if you were selling it used, and it was some ugly color.

 

[dominiongamma]

I usually wait for Apple refurbished when I'm buying anything Apple.

Why ? You can get a new one for cheaper like a Best Buy etc. never buy used from Apple for their ridiculous pricing

 

[russell_314]

Why ? You can get a new one for cheaper like a Best Buy etc. never buy used from Apple for their ridiculous pricing

You’re right that sometimes you can get deals but not always. I’m guessing you never bought anything refurbished from Apple. It’s the same as their new product except in a plain box.

 

[dominiongamma]

You’re right that sometimes you can get deals but not always. I’m guessing you never bought anything refurbished from Apple. It’s the same as their new product except in a plain box.

Yeah, I still don’t trust the whole replacing parts to make a new like. I rather buy it new. I have had two refurbished products in the past and none of them worked out well in the last so I never tried it again.

 

[russell_314]

Yeah, I still don’t trust the whole replacing parts to make a new like. I rather buy it new. I have had two refurbished products in the past and none of them worked out well in the last so I never tried it again.

You’re right to think that way. I’ve heard so many people complain about refurbished things. There’s a reason Apple charges so much for refurbished. They’re good but only if you’re a real practical person. For example someone who would never buy a new car. I buy new Apple products because the price is so close and I’m not practical.

 

[Johnny907]

You’re right that sometimes you can get deals but not always. I’m guessing you never bought anything refurbished from Apple. It’s the same as their new product except in a plain box.

Yeah I still prefer NEW new over LIKE new, thanks, especially when they are often sold at the same of not lower prices by 3rd parties.
Apple Refurb used to offer fantastic deals. My late 2012 27” iMac Refurb was heavily upgraded but sold for the same price as the base model. At some point Apple realized how popular refurbs were and assume they felt it was cutting into sales of new units, because discounts went from 30% to 10-15%. It’s still a discount, but nowhere close to the great deal they once were.

 

[russell_314]

Yeah I still prefer NEW new over LIKE new, thanks, especially when they are often sold at the same of not lower prices by 3rd parties.

I understand and I buy new just because I can. You can get deals from 3rd parties but not all have a no questions asked return policy like Apple. I have bought from Best Buy but only because the Apple Store is about an hour away and I wanted it now.

Apple Refurb used to offer fantastic deals. My late 2012 27” iMac Refurb was heavily upgraded but sold for the same price as the base model. At some point Apple realized how popular refurbs were and assume they felt it was cutting into sales of new units, because discounts went from 30% to 10-15%. It’s still a discount, but nowhere close to the great deal they once were.

Yeah the deal only makes sense if you’re super frugal with money and can’t get it cheaper elsewhere. Even though it’s technically not new it’s going to be the exact same as new.

 

[artifex]

The one time I bought an Apple refurb was way back when I got my 2007 blackbook and it had a DOA wifi card, and then the geniuses broke other stuff trying to fix it, etc. Of course, there's a lot fewer moving/fixable/replaceable parts in their devices now, but I'm still leery of buying refurb from them. (For iPads, I wonder if there's a top coating for the screen that can be damaged without being obvious, and how they'd check that out, and so forth.) Luckily for my poor wallet, I'm in the USA*, and Micro Center and Best Buy often have deals on new devices that are better than the ~20% discount mentioned in the article.

P.S. am I the only one that just icks out when refurb airpods get mentioned?

*luck subject to reversal after tariffs fully kick in