iPhone XS How to get hands on an iPhone XS in 2020 safely?

[daniel_m]

I'm looking to upgrade my old iphone and the XS seems like a perfect fit to me. However, as we all know Apple discontinued this product so I'm basically left with limited options. Buying it in cash from a local carrier comes out to about $1250 (pre-tax) in Canada which is more than the new iPhone 11, that I do not want to buy.

Looking on Craigslist, there's a couple of "BNIB" still sealed iPhone XS's being sold for $700-$1000. The biggest concern I have with this is that the seller will report the phone as stolen after I purchase it from them, which will put the IMEI on a blacklist virtually rendering the phone unusable. Does anyone have any tips on how I can get a new iPhone XS without putting myself at risk on Craigslist? Perhaps going in person to the carrier at which they purchased the phone to declare that they're selling the phone before I register it? I really have no idea.

 

[Slippery Gimp]

Are there none in the Apple refurb store?

 

[JagRunner]

Apple refurb store.

 

[JPack]

There is no safe way to buy a used carrier iPhone.

 

[UltraInstinct]

Apple refurb store.

Best answer right here, Apple refurb store is practically brand new, I’ve bought loads in the past from it.

 

[44267547]

I'm looking to upgrade my old iphone and the XS seems like a perfect fit to me. However, as we all know Apple discontinued this product so I'm basically left with limited options. Buying it in cash from a local carrier comes out to about $1250 (pre-tax) in Canada which is more than the new iPhone 11, that I do not want to buy.

Looking on Craigslist, there's a couple of "BNIB" still sealed iPhone XS's being sold for $700-$1000. The biggest concern I have with this is that the seller will report the phone as stolen after I purchase it from them, which will put the IMEI on a blacklist virtually rendering the phone unusable. Does anyone have any tips on how I can get a new iPhone XS without putting myself at risk on Craigslist? Perhaps going in person to the carrier at which they purchased the phone to declare that they're selling the phone before I register it? I really have no idea.

Your last paragraph would be the only real option I would consider, you would have to personally go to a corporate carrier store, they would have to verify the IMEI/serial # info, run the background and then inform you that the phone is cleared.

but even so, it’s always best to purchase direct from the source itself if you can find that option with Apple.

 

[MarkC426]

Amazon.......they are authorised resellers and have new stock (in UK).

 

[Spudlicious]

I'm looking to upgrade my old iphone and the XS seems like a perfect fit to me. However, as we all know Apple discontinued this product so I'm basically left with limited options. Buying it in cash from a local carrier comes out to about $1250 (pre-tax) in Canada which is more than the new iPhone 11, that I do not want to buy.

Looking on Craigslist, there's a couple of "BNIB" still sealed iPhone XS's being sold for $700-$1000. The biggest concern I have with this is that the seller will report the phone as stolen after I purchase it from them, which will put the IMEI on a blacklist virtually rendering the phone unusable. Does anyone have any tips on how I can get a new iPhone XS without putting myself at risk on Craigslist? Perhaps going in person to the carrier at which they purchased the phone to declare that they're selling the phone before I register it? I really have no idea.

Your desire to own an XS certainly shows you to be a person of refined taste, penetrating intelligence, and excellent judgement
I agree with previous posters that if resellers such as Amazon cannot meet your needs then Apple refurb is absolutely your best and safest bet, although they are compulsive price-gougers. Example, right now Apple UK lists refurb iPhone XS 64GB at £699, which is £70 more than I paid new from Amazon. But you can view an Apple refurb as being effectively a new phone, whereas you are right to be suspicious of a box from a possibly nefarious internet supplier; the web is dark and full of terrors, as they almost said on GoT.

 

[now i see it]

Personally I would never buy an iPhone from a Craigslist seller. I'd buy lots of other things on CL - but not an iPhone

 

[steelhauler34]

Not a chance I would buy from Craigslist or letgo etc etc. literally 90%?are scammers. iPhone 11’s for 300 bucks ya right. Swappa.com is THE place to buy used phones. The Apple program is good but you will pay more. Swappa is legit.

 

[4sallypat]

best to worst:

• Apple refurbished online
• Amazon
• eBay (both eBay and PayPal protects buyers from sellers reporting stolen later)
• Swappa
• LetGo
• OfferUp
• CL

 

[parker5011]

Swappa.com

Great site and they do the leg work of making sure the phone is not blacklisted. Also possible to negotiate

 

[daniel_m]

Thanks for the replies guys. I guess Craigslist should be off the table for me even though it is very tempting seeing those sealed boxes. Amazon is discouraging because of this: "The product may have minimal scratches or dents, and a battery with at least 80% capacity". Does anyone know what the condition will be like with Apple refurbished? Will the battery be used up as well? I really wanted to go with a brand new phone but this hassle might make me just wait for the iphone 12, as beautiful as the XS is..

 

[Spudlicious]

Thanks for the replies guys. I guess Craigslist should be off the table for me even though it is very tempting seeing those sealed boxes. Amazon is discouraging because of this: "The product may have minimal scratches or dents, and a battery with at least 80% capacity". Does anyone know what the condition will be like with Apple refurbished? Will the battery be used up as well? I really wanted to go with a brand new phone but this hassle might make me just wait for the iphone 12, as beautiful as the XS is..

I believe an Apple refurb will have a new battery and housing, ie it will be absolutely as new.

 

[daniel_m]

I believe an Apple refurb will have a new battery and housing, ie it will be absolutely as new.

hmm. That would make things more interesting then. But for some reason, Apple doesn't seem to sell refurbished iPhones in Canada: https://www.apple.com/ca/shop/refurbished

Checking Ebay, I see some reputable sellers with good reviews that are selling still-sealed XS's. More expensive than CL, but I believe this might be the best and safest option for those of us who are still looking for this model.

Swappa had mostly used phones.

 

[freeagent]

There is no safe way to buy a used carrier iPhone.

My carrier sells Apple certified pre owned. I got an xs max that way and IMO it was a brand new phone for half the price of retail. No swirls, scratches, 100% battery, and AppleCare.

 

[4sallypat]

... Checking Ebay, I see some reputable sellers with good reviews that are selling still-sealed XS's. More expensive than CL, but I believe this might be the best and safest option for those of us who are still looking for this model.

Swappa had mostly used phones.

As an eBay seller and buyer, I have to say that eBay and PayPal both protects the buyer more than the seller.
When I buy something, if it does not match the description, I can get a quick resolution - return it.

As a seller, I have to go to extra efforts to prevent returns and dissatisfaction by offering a 30 day return privilege, packages of value must be signed by the buyer, and I put tamper seals on my items to prevent swapping out of internals, etc...

 

[MarkC426]

Thanks for the replies guys. I guess Craigslist should be off the table for me even though it is very tempting seeing those sealed boxes. Amazon is discouraging because of this: "The product may have minimal scratches or dents, and a battery with at least 80% capacity". Does anyone know what the condition will be like with Apple refurbished? Will the battery be used up as well? I really wanted to go with a brand new phone but this hassle might make me just wait for the iphone 12, as beautiful as the XS is..

Then buy a new one from Amazon.......
New is new.

Apple iPhone XS (64GB) - Space Grey

iPhone XS features a 5.8 Inch Super Retina display with custom-built OLED panels for an HDR display that provides the industry’s best colour accuracy, true blacks and remarkable brightness. Advanced Face ID lets you securely unlock your iPhone, log in to apps and pay with just a glance. The A12 B...

www.amazon.co.uk

 

[JPack]

My carrier sells Apple certified pre owned. I got an xs max that way and IMO it was a brand new phone for half the price of retail. No swirls, scratches, 100% battery, and AppleCare.

I didn't realize carriers sold Apple certified pre-owned. Which carrier is that?

 

[rui no onna]

Then buy a new one from Amazon.......
New is new.

Apple iPhone XS (64GB) - Space Grey

iPhone XS features a 5.8 Inch Super Retina display with custom-built OLED panels for an HDR display that provides the industry’s best colour accuracy, true blacks and remarkable brightness. Advanced Face ID lets you securely unlock your iPhone, log in to apps and pay with just a glance. The A12 B...

www.amazon.co.uk

May not be possible depending on region.

In the US, Amazon isn't an authorized seller for unlocked iPhones. Only brand-new iPhones available there are for prepaid carriers like Cricket and Tracfone.

 

[daniel_m]

Then buy a new one from Amazon.......
New is new.

Apple iPhone XS (64GB) - Space Grey

iPhone XS features a 5.8 Inch Super Retina display with custom-built OLED panels for an HDR display that provides the industry’s best colour accuracy, true blacks and remarkable brightness. Advanced Face ID lets you securely unlock your iPhone, log in to apps and pay with just a glance. The A12 B...

www.amazon.co.uk

As far as I can tell there are no new iPhone XS's on Amazon.ca, only "renewed" (i.e. refurb)

 

[MarkC426]

I hear ya, I was assuming same availability from Amazon everywhere....... ?
That's unfortunate.

 

[tenordrum]

In addition to the Apple refurbished store (which is probably your best bet), Best Buy still has unlocked XS 64 gb models, both brand new and open box.

 

[freeagent]

I didn't realize carriers sold Apple certified pre-owned. Which carrier is that?

TELUS

 

[HYPOKON2000]

I got a brand new XS 256 gb from T-Mobile brand new for $700 3 weeks ago.