iPad Is a refurbished iPad exactly the same as new?

[Filocullen]

Hi, I'm undecided if getting a brand new 2018 iPad (for 250£ as an offer) or a new refurbished 2018 iPad (3 months warranty) from Apple (as a replacement for a used one) for 220£. I keep on reading that they are exactly the same, although I couldn't find any benchmark comparison. Would 30£ justify getting a brand new product if it's the very same one? What's your advice? Thanks

 

[rui no onna]

Going by the warranty, I'm guessing this isn't Apple Certified Refurbished but rather 3rd party refurb? If so, I'd consider this refurb in the same category as used.

Apple Certified Refurbished products get new battery and new chassis, and come with the same 1-yr warranty from Apple hence, there are many here (myself included) who consider them as good as new.

 

[Ruggy]

Going by the warranty, I'm guessing this isn't Apple Certified Refurbished but rather 3rd party refurb? If so, I'd consider this refurb in the same category as used.

Apple Certified Refurbished products get new battery and new chassis, and come with the same 1-yr warranty from Apple hence, there are many here (myself included) who consider them as good as new.

I'd go as far as to say better than new because if you look at the fault curve on electrical items, the highest number of faults appear in the first 6 weeks. Then the number drops quickly and stays low for about 2 years before rising slowly at first and then quickly.
On a graph it looks like a bathtub and is called something like 'the bathtub effect'.

Anyway, the point is new items tend to have more faults than those that are 2 months old and a refurb is most likely therefore almost brand new which has been sent back, looked over carefully and fixed so actually less likely to go wrong than a new item.
Having said that, I would still get it from Apple and as has been mentioned, have a look at the warranty as I don't think that's a big enough price difference for losing a big chunk of the warranty.
But in general: no, I'm not scared of refurbs either.
NOTE: i just checked and it's 'the bathtub curve'.

 

[rui no onna]

Would 30£ justify getting a brand new product if it's the very same one? What's your advice? Thanks

This is quite subjective. Do you consider £30 big enough savings to consider going used?

With a 3rd party refurb, you run the risk of aged battery, maybe a 3rd party screen replacement with shoddy workmanship, the iPad having been used while in the loo, etc.

Personally, I wouldn't buy any 3rd party refurb.
[doublepost=1561914541][/doublepost]*sigh* Maybe stop editing your first post and just reply normally to this thread to add information?

I'd trust a refurb OOW replacement from Apple but I think I'd either opt for new in this case for the longer warranty (1 year from Apple + I get another year extended via credit card for new items only).

 

[Filocullen]

No, that would be a refurbished replacement for an used 2018 iPad, that's why I counted 3 months warranty, which would cost me 30£ less that getting a brand new 2018 iPad.

 

[Juicy Box]

What is your location? Apple may do things a little different depending on location.

Hi, I'm undecided if getting a brand new 2018 iPad (for 250£ as an offer) or a new refurbished 2018 iPad (3 months warranty) from Apple (as a replacement for a used one) for 220£

If it is an Apple Refurbished product, I would consider that better than a new one. They go through a lot more testing than new devices, and like someone already mentioned, most electronic failures follow a bathtub curve meaning a higher rate of failure in the beginning and end of the lifecycle.

Apple Refurbished iPads get a new battery, and out of the box, you would have no idea that it was a refurbished product.

All that said, I would also question if the refurbished iPad you mentioned was an Apple Refurbished product, because in the US, Apple's Refurbished products have the same warranty as a new product.

Having a 3 month warranty, I would bet that this is a third-party refurbished iPad, which is basically an used iPad, and you have no idea what was done to "refurbish" it.

They could have wiped the iPad down with a damp cloth and called it "refurbished".

I keep on reading that they are exactly the same, although I couldn't find any benchmark comparison.

They are not exactly the same, as the serial number will show that it is refurbished, and Apple's Refurbished products go through a low more testing than their new products.

Personally, I always try to buy Apple's Refurbished products, versus buying new at full retail prices. I have purchased many Apple Refurbished devices over the years, and never had issues with any of them.

I would buy all refurbished ones over new one, but many times, they are not on the Refurbished Store when I need them, especially BTO Macs.

 

[Juicy Box]

No, that would be a refurbished replacement for an used 2018 iPad, that's why I counted 3 months warranty, which would cost me 30£ less that getting a brand new 2018 iPad.

Okay, I think I misunderstood what your situation is.

Are you saying that you have an iPad already, but something is wrong with it?

Now, you have the two choices:

1. Apple replacing your bad iPad with a refurbished one for 220£. It would only have a 90 day warranty, as Apple's replacement use the same warranty as your current device or 90 days, which ever is longer.

2. Buy a new iPad for 250£, from a deal or sale you found.

Is this correct?

If so, that is a tough choice. The Refurbished will probably have a lower chance of failure, but the new one will have a full warranty.
[doublepost=1561918543][/doublepost]If the scenario I posted above is correct, I would probably still go with the refurbished one.

 

[Filocullen]

Yes it's this one, only that the used iPad is not mine, but I would get it from eBay from 220£ and since it's still on warranty I have the chance to replace it with a refurnished one from Apple, that's why I already count it as a refurbished one Ok, thanks for all of yours suggestion!

 

[Juicy Box]

that the used iPad is not mine, but I would get it from eBay from 220£ and since it's still on warranty I have the chance to replace it with a refurnished one from Apple

That kind of changes things.

Now that there is more information about the situation, I would get the new one.

I wouldn't bother with one on Ebay, especially since warranty claims can be denied, and there could be other complications involved.

 

[Filocullen]

That kind of changes things.

Now that there is more information about the situation, I would get the new one.

I wouldn't bother with one on Ebay, especially since warranty claims can be denied, and there could be other complications involved.

Ok, thanks but what do you mean for warranty claims can be denied? In what circumstances Apple could decide not to replace a device still under its warranty?

 

[Juicy Box]

In what circumstances Apple could decide not to replace a device still under its warranty?

It could be different where you live, but in the US, there are all sorts of reasons a warrant claim could be denied.

Apple standard warranty just covers damage due to a manufacturing defect or component failure.

Buying a used iPad on eBay, there could be something wrong with it that isn't covered by Apple's warranty. Water damage is a big one. Damage from a drop is another.

You didn't mention what was wrong with the iPad, but there could potentially lots of reasons why Apple wouldn't honor a warranty.

You might want to ask the seller why they have not got a replacement from Apple under the warranty coverage.

 

[Filocullen]

Oh according to him nothing should be wrong, but my intention, if there were any signs of potential problems, was to have it replaced as soon as possible to have it refurbished. But maybe it's too risky. Thanks

 

[Juicy Box]

Oh according to him nothing should be wrong, but my intention, if there were any signs of potential problems, was to have it replaced as soon as possible to have it refurbished. But maybe it's too risky. Thanks

I would just go with the new one, as it is only a little bit more than the much riskier ebay one.

Actually, for the amount of money you would save getting the ebay one, I would pay that much for not having to deal with Apple's support or having to bring the iPad to an Apple Store.

Also, I wouldn't buy an used Apple device over a new or Apple refurbished one, unless I was getting a really good deal, and a 30£ savings definitely wouldn't be worth the potential trouble to me.

 

[Richard8655]

I would watch this before considering a refurbished iPad.

 

[Juicy Box]

I would watch this before considering a refurbished iPad.

I personally wouldn't be swayed away from getting Apple's Refurbished products based off of that video, for a few reasons.

1. I think the point of the video was less about issues of Apple's refurbished and more about making a case for "right to repair", which I support.

2. Apple is clear about their definition of refurbished products.

3. Apple's Refurbished products go through a lot of testing, more than their new ones.

4. As for the water damaged board, the lady said herself that she has only seen that twice, so I am guessing but it is probably very rare.

5. How so we know that the water damage was caused prior to the refurbishing?

6. Apple's Refurbished have full warranties.

As for right to repair, I agree with the video when it comes to people taking their Apple devices into independent shops to be repaired, but I do not agree with her that what third-parties call refurbished is equivalent to what Apple does.

Like I mentioned earlier, there is no standard to what third-party resellers call refurbished, and at least in the US, there is no consumer laws defining refurbished. They could power the device on, see that it works, lick it clean, and call it refurbished.

At least with Apple, they define how they refurbish their devices.

I have purchased and own many refurbished products from Apple, and in the last 15 years, most of my Apple products are refurbished.

I have not had one hardware problem with Apple Refurbished devices I have purchased, but in the last 5 years, I have had HW related issues with 4 of the Apple products that I purchased new.

Actually, my oldest Mac that I still use daily is an Apple Refurbished 2006 Mac Pro 1,1 that I purchased in 2007, and it is still going strong.

 

[Richard8655]

I personally wouldn't be swayed away from getting Apple's Refurbished products based off of that video, for a few reasons.

1. I think the point of the video was less about issues of Apple's refurbished and more about making a case for "right to repair", which I support.

2. Apple is clear about their definition of refurbished products.

3. Apple's Refurbished products go through a lot of testing, more than their new ones.

4. As for the water damaged board, the lady said herself that she has only seen that twice, so I am guessing but it is probably very rare.

5. How so we know that the water damage was caused prior to the refurbishing?

6. Apple's Refurbished have full warranties.

As for right to repair, I agree with the video when it comes to people taking their Apple devices into independent shops to be repaired, but I do not agree with her that what third-parties call refurbished is equivalent to what Apple does.

Like I mentioned earlier, there is no standard to what third-party resellers call refurbished, and at least in the US, there is no consumer laws defining refurbished. They could power the device on, see that it works, lick it clean, and call it refurbished.

At least with Apple, they define how they refurbish their devices.

I have purchased and own many refurbished products from Apple, and in the last 15 years, most of my Apple products are refurbished.

I have not had one hardware problem with Apple Refurbished devices I have purchased, but in the last 5 years, I have had HW related issues with 4 of the Apple products that I purchased new.

Actually, my oldest Mac that I still use daily is an Apple Refurbished 2006 Mac Pro 1,1 that I purchased in 2007, and it is still going strong.

I hear what you're saying. But with expensive electronics like this, I'd rather be safe and spend a few bucks more for new and peace of mind.

 

[Newtons Apple]

I question refurbished being as new. Some were returned to Apple due to a defect. Sometimes these defects are not detected. Apple’s idea of a defective screen may not match the new owners.

 

[squizzler]

Refurbished are customer returns. Once the box has been open the seller is not allowed to sell it as new. This is why they have ‘refurbished’.

 

[AutomaticApple]

Hi, I'm undecided if getting a brand new 2018 iPad (for 250£ as an offer) or a new refurbished 2018 iPad (3 months warranty) from Apple (as a replacement for a used one) for 220£. I keep on reading that they are exactly the same, although I couldn't find any benchmark comparison. Would 30£ justify getting a brand new product if it's the very same one? What's your advice? Thanks

I’d only buy Apple certified refurbished if I were you.