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Can you assure me refurbished iPhones are good?

A

amazingdm

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jul 2, 2010
409
2
I want swap my iPhone 4 for, what I assume will always be, a refurbished iPhone 4 through Apple.

If I get it, will it look and feel brand new?

Will the internals be closer to dying since they've been used?
 
I'm not sure about replacement phones, but I'm 99% sure apple's refurb merchandise has the same warranty as their brand new stuff. I'd think it's something similar for repair replacements, i.e. the warranty on the replacement phone expires the same time as the warranty on your original phone would have.
 
Are the batteries used in refurbs?

I used to be afraid of refurbs like as if they wil be less fast and crisp but ever since phones are so fast i would be less paranoid.

Still paranoid tho.

I mean those circuit boards and components are less new...

The warranty is not the problem but the cripness
 
They go through the same QC standards as a brand new one, so I don't see why a refurb would be lesser.

Nothing to worry about.
 
Im in the same state as you.

But im afraid that if I get a defective iPhone replacement I will be fighting with Apple to get a good working phone for months and months, and also I fear that it would come with 4.3 installed..
 
amazingdm said:
I want swap my iPhone 4 for, what I assume will always be, a refurbished iPhone 4 through Apple.

If I get it, will it look and feel brand new?

Will the internals be closer to dying since they've been used?
Click to expand...
I REALLY wish I could say yes to your questions. Apple refurbs used to be great. As good as new. But not anymore. It's hit and miss now.

Both new & refurbs have been suffering from declining quality. Not all, but enough to make it a gamble.

Like the saying goes " buyer beware ".
 
amazingdm said:
I want swap my iPhone 4 for, what I assume will always be, a refurbished iPhone 4 through Apple.

If I get it, will it look and feel brand new?

Will the internals be closer to dying since they've been used?
Click to expand...

Every "remanufactured" iPhone 4 I have gotten as a replacement has been crap, well not crap just not 100% perfect. I'm just holding on to this one until I can sell it in 3 months.

I'm on iPhone 4 #6 - They all have ugly yellow screens or the home buttons are loose. I've never had one with bad battery life or any scratches. The only 2 problems I listed have had my "apple ocd" act up... lol :D
 
Bleh ok now I'm worried

1 about the battery life, 2 about the cameras, 3 about the condition of the screen etc..

you guys are scaring me.

But I suppose if they send me the replacement first I can just send it back if I don't like it, right?
 
amazingdm said:
Bleh ok now I'm worried

1 about the battery life, 2 about the cameras, 3 about the condition of the screen etc..

you guys are scaring me.

But I suppose if they send me the replacement first I can just send it back if I don't like it, right?
Click to expand...

Just do it at the genius bar, that way you can see it before you leave.
 
Loves2spoon said:
Just do it at the genius bar, that way you can see it before you leave.
Click to expand...

Yeah but I don't feel like dealing with people to be honest. They might be picky and be like "oh that's not a problem worth giving you a different one"
 
amazingdm said:
Yeah but I don't feel like dealing with people to be honest. They might be picky and be like "oh that's not a problem worth giving you a different one"
Click to expand...

Apple Geniuses are usually really nice. I had a problem with my new iphone 4 and when I went in to get it replaced, they replaced it after running a few diagnostics. When that had a slight problem with the sim card reader thing, the guy replaced it literally without looking at it. He was like "so whats the problem" and I said "the sim card reader sometimes doesnt work and the home button is unresponsive at times" and he went back, got a replacement and it was fine.
 
Merkie said:
There's no difference between retail & refurbished phones.
Click to expand...

Not true at all. If there was 'no difference' then why would they sell them cheaper?

All refurbished phones from Apple get both the front/back replaced so the parts are looking new and fresh.. But you really don't know what problems the phone had when it was taking back to the store. I personally stay away from them.
 
Christopher387A said:
I've purchased several refurb iPhones, both AT&T and Apple ones, and they have all came in perfect condition.
Click to expand...

You got lucky with the Att phone then because they sometimes sell refurbished phones that look refurbished. At least with Apple you always get a new front and rear.
 
Merkie said:
There's no difference between retail & refurbished phones.
Click to expand...

Yes there is,
Retail = New no one has ever used it

Refurb = USED

theres a difference, if very minor scratches bother you then refurb is not for you.

I have bought 2 refurb iphones and they had very minor scratches didn't bother me.

After a year when I sold them they were in "As new shape" since I keep a screen protector and case on them.............
 
lsvtecjohn3 said:
You got lucky with the Att phone then because they sometimes sell refurbished phones that look refurbished. At least with Apple you always get a new front and rear.
Click to expand...

Yes true, At&t does not replace anything, they shine them up and sell them.

What do you want for $19, $9 or free?
 
xAnthony said:
Not true at all. If there was 'no difference' then why would they sell them cheaper?

All refurbished phones from Apple get both the front/back replaced so the parts are looking new and fresh.. But you really don't know what problems the phone had when it was taking back to the store. I personally stay away from them.
Click to expand...

well if theres a problem you could always take it back...
 
Howdr said:
Yes there is,
Retail = New no one has ever used it

Refurb = USED

theres a difference, if very minor scratches bother you then refurb is not for you.

I have bought 2 refurb iphones and they had very minor scratches didn't bother me.

After a year when I sold them they were in "As new shape" since I keep a screen protector and case on them.............
Click to expand...
Apple puts new external shells and new batteries on all iPod and iPhone refurbs. How the heck are you getting ones with scratches?!

Edit: I see you bought refurbs. Apple doesn't sell refurbs, so you got them from a carrier?
 
aristobrat said:
Apple puts new external shells and new batteries on all iPod and iPhone refurbs. How the heck are you getting ones with scratches?!

Edit: I see you bought refurbs. Apple doesn't sell refurbs, so you got them from a carrier?
Click to expand...

Yeah 3g was $99 back then
the 3gs was $19 last fall

I sold the 3GS for $270 and the 3g for $180 in Feb 2011 and picked up a brand new Iphone4 So the value on these is great!
 
Refurbs directly from apple are fine. So that's replacement iPhones. Refurbs from ATT are not, they just polish it up and sell it to you. Apple refurbs are very similar to new iPhones, ATT refurbs are like used iPhones.
 
Can I assure that they are good? No. I can, however, mention that the devices are tested and if they do not work, you're welcome to get an exchange for no cost.
 
aristobrat said:
Apple puts new external shells and new batteries on all iPod and iPhone refurbs. How the heck are you getting ones with scratches?!

Edit: I see you bought refurbs. Apple doesn't sell refurbs, so you got them from a carrier?
Click to expand...

correct

the rest of you guys need to take some Ativan and chill
 
Refurb's from Apple are new looking, and as others have said if there any problems you can get it swapped immediately
 
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