Apple Begins Selling Refurbished iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro Models at Lower Prices

[MacRumors]

Apple today began selling certified refurbished iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max models on its online store in the U.S., with prices discounted by 12% to 22% compared to Apple's current or former pricing for the devices.

Here were Apple's starting prices when the devices launched in September 2024:

• iPhone 16: $799
• iPhone 16 Plus: $899
• iPhone 16 Pro: $999
• iPhone 16 Pro Max: $1,199

Apple has since lowered its starting prices for new iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models, which remain available as previous-generation options:

• iPhone 16: $699
• iPhone 16 Plus: $799

Finally, here are Apple's starting prices for the refurbished models:

• iPhone 16: $619
• iPhone 16 Plus: $699
• iPhone 16 Pro: $759
• iPhone 16 Pro Max: $929

The refurbished iPhone 16 lineup is also rolling out on Apple's online store in Canada, the U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, and select other countries, but not every model is available in every country yet.

Apple's refurbished iPhones are unlocked, and they come with a new battery, a new outer shell, and a plain box with a USB-C cable. The devices are also covered by Apple's one-year limited warranty, and they are eligible for extended AppleCare+ or AppleCare One coverage. Apple says its refurbished products are thoroughly cleaned and tested, and generally they are virtually indistinguishable from brand new devices.

iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max models feature 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays, respectively, up from the 6.1-inch iPhone 15 Pro and 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Pro Max. Other new features included a Camera Control button, an A18 Pro chip optimized for Apple Intelligence, a 48-megapixel Ultra Wide camera, support for 4K at 120 FPS video recording, longer battery life, faster charging over MagSafe, and improved microphones.

The lower-end iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus also have a Camera Control and Apple Intelligence.

Article Link: Apple Begins Selling Refurbished iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro Models at Lower Prices

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

I preferred the aesthetics of my 16PM to my 17PM.

But, these prices would make it difficult to choose a 16 over the current 17 models.

 

[sw1tcher]

A refurbished iPhone 16 for $619 makes the iPhone 16e for $599 look like an even worse deal than before.

 

[vertsix]

The titanium phones just feel more premium than the aluminum ones. New ones feel like toys in comparison.

 

[Slix]

I love having more options for Apple's refurbs. I just noticed that the iPhone 16 doesn't come with more than 128GB (or 256GB for the 16 Plus) if you buy it brand new from Apple, so these refurb options are nice if you wanted one of those for a good price.

 

[JosephAW]

Just remember Walmart is selling the iPhone 16e for $299 and my understanding is you need to buy two months of service then you can unlock it and use it on any carrier. 🙄

Update: deal no longer available, have to pay for a year now. 😕

 

[B4U]

Interestingly, the filters on the left side of the page does not show the 16 pro and pro max options.
We have to manually click through the pages of items to see them. 😅

 

[code-m]

Just remember Walmart is selling the iPhone 16e for $299 and my understanding is you need to buy two months of service then you can unlock it and use it on any carrier. 🙄

I don’t get it, if the monthly service cost $50 USD then why not just sell the device for $399 and be done with jumping through hoops. I am sure whomever network that Walmart is piggybacking on it’s not a tier 2 priority so service will suffer in congested areas.

 

[Alex.ne]

Finally! I was wondering yesterday why they still didn't start doing this as 15 ref were sold since January 2025. Next M4 iPad Pro please.

 

[NVDA]

Not worth getting a refurb 16 Pro with 128gb over a 17 with 256gb for $40 less.

 

[code-m]

Interestingly, the filters on the left side of the page does not show the 16 pro and pro max options.
We have to manually click through the pages of items to see them. 😅

It’s there under filters, it either got updated recently or the webpage is cached.

 

[code-m]

Not worth getting a refurb 16 Pro with 128gb over a 17 with 256gb for $40 less.

The telephoto camera maybe worth it to some. I would upgrade the 16 Pro to 256GB, 128GB on most devices is too little if planning to keep it for 3-5 years.

 

[sw1tcher]

Just remember Walmart is selling the iPhone 16e for $299 and my understanding is you need to buy two months of service then you can unlock it and use it on any carrier. 🙄

The FCC recently allowed to Verizon change their unlock policy from 60 days to 1 year.

That $299 iPhone 16e from Walmart will now require 1 year of paid and active service from Straight Talk

Cheapest Straight Talk plan is $35 (Bronze).

Total is now [$299 + ($35 x 12)] = $719

Verizon updates device unlock policy to ditch 60-day automatic unlock

Following FCC changes, Verizon has announced an updated device unlocking policy, with the carrier no longer automatically unlocking devices, and...

9to5google.com

Following FCC changes, Verizon has announced an updated device unlocking policy, with the carrier no longer automatically unlocking devices, and implementing a 365-day unlock policy on prepaid devices.

Verizon’s previous device unlock policy would require your phone to be locked to Verizon’s network for “60 days after purchase,” or after activiation depending on where you purchase. After that 60-day period, the phone would be automatically unlocked, allowing it to be used on other networks. Prepaid had the same 60-day period, but with the requirement of “60 days of paid service.”

Earlier this month, Verizon carriers such as Visible, Total Wireless, and others moved from a 60-day policy to a 365-day policy, a big shift fueled by a restriction that the FCC lifted.

Now, Verizon itself is making a change.

As of today, January 27, Verizon has updated its device unlock policy to an indefinite amount of time. Specifically, Verizon says that devices “will be unlocked when purchased at full retail price or if the device financing agreement balance is paid in full.” In short, Verizon will unlock your device when you’ve fully paid for it. That seems fair, but it is a shift from the prior 60-day policy. There is an asterisk if you purchased a device using a Verizon gift card at any time.

As for Verizon Prepaid, devices will have the same 365-day policy as Verizon’s smaller carriers. You’ll need to wait a full year after purchase and have service active for the whole 365 days.

Verizon says:

Devices purchased from us will remain locked to the network until the completion of 365 days of paid and active service. After 365 days of paid and active service, we will automatically remove the lock unless the device is deemed stolen or purchased fraudulently.

 

[avanpelt]

As an owner of a 13 Pro, I have no desire to upgrade to anything other than the 17 Pro solely on the basis of thermals.

From everything I've read, the 14, 15, and 16 lines still suffered from what I think is the biggest problem with my 13 Pro. Take it outside on a sunny day and watch the screen brightness steadily decrease until the screen becomes barely readable in sunlight as iOS attempts to prevent the phone from overheating.

It seems like Apple finally addressed that issue with the 17 Pro line.

 

[code-m]

As an owner of a 13 Pro, I have no desire to upgrade to anything other than the 17 Pro solely on the basis of thermals.

From everything I've read, the 14, 15, and 16 lines still suffered from what I think is the biggest problem with my 13 Pro. Take it outside on a sunny day and watch the screen brightness steadily decrease until the screen becomes barely readable in sunlight as iOS attempts to prevent the phone from overheating.

It seems like Apple finally addressed that issue with the 17 Pro line.

Is it possible that some 3rd party app maybe causing the issue like IG.

 

[dannyyankou]

$759 for the 16 Pro is a pretty good deal.

 

[Alex.ne]

Not worth getting a refurb 16 Pro with 128gb over a 17 with 256gb for $40 less.

bUt PeoPle wiLL COnsider yOu are Not PRO /s

 

[Joe Rossignol]

Interestingly, the filters on the left side of the page does not show the 16 pro and pro max options.
We have to manually click through the pages of items to see them. 😅

MacRumors is too fast sometimes! The filters have since been added, in the U.S. at least, though.

 

[the 12th Doctor]

Don’t discount those used repurposed phones too much. Tim Apple needs to cash out $40mil in stocks soon.

 

[Westside guy]

Apple Begins Selling Refurbished iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro Models at Lower Prices​

Well, that's certainly better than selling them for higher prices...

 

[B4U]

It’s there under filters, it either got updated recently or the webpage is cached.

It got updated! Hahahaha! 🤣

 

[B4U]

The FCC recently allowed to Verizon change their unlock policy from 60 days to 1 year.

That $299 iPhone 16e from Walmart will now require 1 year of paid and active service from Straight Talk

Cheapest Straight Talk plan is $35 (Bronze).

Total is now [$299 + ($35 x 12)] = $719

Verizon updates device unlock policy to ditch 60-day automatic unlock

Following FCC changes, Verizon has announced an updated device unlocking policy, with the carrier no longer automatically unlocking devices, and...

9to5google.com

Following FCC changes, Verizon has announced an updated device unlocking policy, with the carrier no longer automatically unlocking devices, and implementing a 365-day unlock policy on prepaid devices.

Verizon’s previous device unlock policy would require your phone to be locked to Verizon’s network for “60 days after purchase,” or after activiation depending on where you purchase. After that 60-day period, the phone would be automatically unlocked, allowing it to be used on other networks. Prepaid had the same 60-day period, but with the requirement of “60 days of paid service.”

Earlier this month, Verizon carriers such as Visible, Total Wireless, and others moved from a 60-day policy to a 365-day policy, a big shift fueled by a restriction that the FCC lifted.

Now, Verizon itself is making a change.

As of today, January 27, Verizon has updated its device unlock policy to an indefinite amount of time. Specifically, Verizon says that devices “will be unlocked when purchased at full retail price or if the device financing agreement balance is paid in full.” In short, Verizon will unlock your device when you’ve fully paid for it. That seems fair, but it is a shift from the prior 60-day policy. There is an asterisk if you purchased a device using a Verizon gift card at any time.

As for Verizon Prepaid, devices will have the same 365-day policy as Verizon’s smaller carriers. You’ll need to wait a full year after purchase and have service active for the whole 365 days.

Verizon says:

Devices purchased from us will remain locked to the network until the completion of 365 days of paid and active service. After 365 days of paid and active service, we will automatically remove the lock unless the device is deemed stolen or purchased fraudulently.

Damn. And don't even get me started to talk about their "upgrade fee" 🐮💩
Bought the phone in full but got to swap to the eSIM on the new phone and BAM, upgrade fee slapped on the bill for absolutely nothing!
Had the dang phone still got a physical SIM, Verizon would have no control over this.

 

[JoshuaBru]

I preferred the aesthetics of my 16PM to my 17PM.

But, these prices would make it difficult to choose a 16 over the current 17 models.

I need to upgrade my 13. I’m torn between getting a 16PM or a 17P. Since you had both would you say the camera is significantly better than the 16? Anything about the 17 worthy of choosing it over the 16?

 

[BigMcGuire]

Damn. And don't even get me started to talk about their "upgrade fee" 🐮💩
Bought the phone in full but got to swap to the eSIM on the new phoneand BAM, upgrade fee slapped on the bill for absolutely nothing!
Had the dang phone still got a physical SIM, Verizon would have no control over this.

This bothers me to no end. My wife and I upgraded our watches and our phones last year - and each device had a $40 upgrade fee. (That's $160) for Verizon doing absolutely nothing other than having the privilege of keeping our business.

Really makes me mad and more determined to move off to an MVNO someday - and upgrade a lot less often.

Based on how expensive things are getting - in a handful of years - we'll be looking at refurbished devices going forward. Especially now that the 0% Apple Card financing requires the big 4 networks.

 

[Alex.ne]

Well, that's certainly better than selling them for higher prices...

you sure?