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Apple Begins Selling Refurbished iPhone 15 Lineup in Europe

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Apple this week began selling refurbished iPhone 15 models for the first time in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, offering the prior-generation iPhones at a discount for the first time since their 2023 launch.

iPhone-15-General-Feature-Black.jpg

The iPhone 15 is available in the above countries with a 15% discount compared to the equivalent brand new models. Currently only 128GB and 256GB versions are available, but more are likely to arrive soon. The iPhone 15 Plus is also expected to become available in the coming days, as are the discontinued iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, since these models are now listed in the sidebar of the regional refurb stores but are currently greyed out.

All refurbished iPhones from Apple are unlocked and compatible with any carrier. Each refurbished iPhone is equipped with a new battery, a new outer shell, and a USB-C to USB-C cable, making them virtually indistinguishable from brand-new devices.

Refurbished iPhones also come with Apple's standard one-year warranty, and buyers have the option to extend coverage with AppleCare+.

With the launch of the iPhone 16, ‌iPhone 16‌ Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max in September 2024, Apple discontinued the iPhone 15 Pro and ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro Max. Apple continues to sell new iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models on its main online storefront.

(Thanks, Felix!)

Article Link: Apple Begins Selling Refurbished iPhone 15 Lineup in Europe
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/01/07/apple-begins-selling-refurb-iphone-15-europe/
Looks like Apple is now the official sponsor of second chances! Refurbished iPhone 15s: for when you want the newest tech—well, the second-newest—but with a new battery, new shell, and a slightly less painful price tag. Who needs the 16 when the 15 is still living its best recycled life?
 
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An American editorial team would not know this, but thanks to strong consumer protection and enforced competition laws, Europe still has a market with many providers. Why buying from Apple is as bad as buying from a new seller on eBay.

My recommendation: Buy from a retailer with better prices. Just bought from a retailer with an official invoice: iPad Pro M4 512 GB “practically new” for €950. 30% discount compared to buying new because the packaging has been opened.

The same applies vice versa: instead of giving the devices to Apple, it's better to sell them to the competition and get twice as much money.
 
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Why would they even sell them for these prices? Who buys these?

iPhones (in Europe) are on sale all the time through carriers. Like… a 2023 refurbished iPhone 15 for €719?! A few months after release, carriers were already selling them for around €550 - brand new!

EDIT Just checked, an iPhone 16 already costs less than €700 through carriers. Literally less than these refurbished iPhone 15s. And we’re in a post-Black Friday/post-Christmas period with no special discounts! Give it a month or two, spring discounts show up and brand new iPhone 16s will easily drop another 100.
 
ThatsMeRight said:
Why would they even sell them for these prices? Who buys these?

iPhones (in Europe) are on sale all the time through carriers. Like… a 2023 refurbished iPhone 15 for €719?! A few months after release, carriers were already selling them for around €550 - brand new!

EDIT Just checked, an iPhone 16 already costs less than €700 through carriers. Literally less than these refurbished iPhone 15s. And we’re in a post-Black Friday/post-Christmas period with no special discounts! Give it a month or two, spring discounts show up and brand new iPhone 16s will easily drop another 100.
Click to expand...
Those carrier deals usually require you paying for an expensive plan. And the “discount” isn’t for the phone itself, it’s most times it’s in the form of bill credits. So you need to stay with them for 24, sometimes 36 months, to get the full discount.

I guess if you have lots of lines on an account, those carrier deals might make sense. But for single line users, definitely not.
 
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switz said:
Good way to clear inventory of the loss leaders with little memory.
Click to expand...

People can still purchase/order a brand new iPhone 15 and 14 at Apple Stores and website in any configuration and color. They haven't been discontinued.
 
ApostolisApo said:
In the EU we care little about the Apple warranty because we have a universal 3-year one for all electronics
Click to expand...
That's partially true. The EU laws come with some caveats that manufacturer guarantees usually do not. In my experience it's always easier to get things fixed under the warrantee period than in the interim period covered only by the legislation.
 
FlyingDutch said:
I checked and 130€ over a new iPhone isn’t enough to me. I’d buy a new one anyway.
It should be 20-25% to be a real deal.
Click to expand...
All refurbs (macs, ipads…)from apple were 15%. And they look from the outside like new with full warranty.
I purchased different products new and refurbished and u can’t tell a difference
 
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ThatsMeRight said:
Why would they even sell them for these prices? Who buys these?

iPhones (in Europe) are on sale all the time through carriers. Like… a 2023 refurbished iPhone 15 for €719?! A few months after release, carriers were already selling them for around €550 - brand new!

EDIT Just checked, an iPhone 16 already costs less than €700 through carriers. Literally less than these refurbished iPhone 15s. And we’re in a post-Black Friday/post-Christmas period with no special discounts! Give it a month or two, spring discounts show up and brand new iPhone 16s will easily drop another 100.
Click to expand...
Trust Only Apple with refurbished products. They get a new display, casing and battery.
Carriers only wipe it off if u are lucky
 
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Apple refurbished is as close to as new as you can get. However, 15% isn’t that great.
 
I was surprised how fast iPhone refurbs are released in Europe by Apple compared to the USA. Real life example. I purchased an iPhone 13 Pro Max in green for my mother in the UK back in February 2023 when I was in London from the Watford Astria Apple Store.
 
dannyyankou said:
Those carrier deals usually require you paying for an expensive plan. And the “discount” isn’t for the phone itself, it’s most times it’s in the form of bill credits. So you need to stay with them for 24, sometimes 36 months, to get the full discount.

I guess if you have lots of lines on an account, those carrier deals might make sense. But for single line users, definitely not.
Click to expand...
Where in Europe are you from? I’m from Europe and the region I’m from I’m 100% certain it’s a discount on the phone itself.

They need to break down the costs very clearly (by law) as it’s forbidden to hide phone costs inside the carrier plan.

A €15/month sim only plan will still be the same and identical to a €15/month plan with a (discounted) iPhone.

The only thing they can require is that you sign up for either 1 or 2 years. (Not 3 years).

Obviously the one or two year lock in is why they can offer the discount, as it binds you to them and they get guaranteed cash flow.

Nonetheless, since carrier plans with or without an iPhone (or any other type of phone) are identically priced, it definitely does make sense - specifically for single line users - to get a device through their carrier. It’s always cheaper than buying the phone full price, because the sim only plan is identical.
 
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