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iPhone 13 mini New in Box: Legit?

I bought mine from a refurb store which has a no questions asked return policy and installs a new battery.

I think it’s a safer way to go so long as the store has good reviews.
 
You will never find a “new” older iPhone on eBay with a buyer who has a lot of stock. It’s a refurbished model or a used model in good condition. The battery will be worn and it’ll have no Apple warranty.
 
A clear indication these devices being sold on eBay as “Sealed Brand New” is the sales pricing below $400. A clear red flag for a device supposedly brand new sealed never used.

I have purchased a few for my iPhone collection and after verifying whether or not the so called sealed devices were ever used found that every device I have purchased that were advertised just like the link provided were all previously activated with AppleCare that are now expired. A very clear indication these devices are reconditioned and then resealed and sold “as new”.

I opened up one of the “sealed” packaging to find the device did look brand new, had 100% battery health but iOS26 installed in them. Functionally it was a good iPhone in excellent condition but not brand new.

Looking at eBay purchases like this at the price below $400 is a clear indication these are all resealed pre owned reconditioned devices.
 
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About a year ago i bought a "new" sealed box OGSE. It had been refurbished and repackaged, as the above probably are. however, it has worked perfect, was in like new condition, and a year later battery is still at 100%.
 
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The pictures that are supposedly of the actual phones and boxes are AI-generated, which is a red flag to me.
Screenshot 2026-06-13 at 1.53.01 PM.JPG
 
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I purchased a “new” iPhone SE3 on eBay 8 months ago and I asked the seller about it before purchase.
I bought it and set it up and it truly was a new phone with Apple 1 year warranty.

So not all older “new” eBay iphones for sale are a scam.
 
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I've bought two or three of these - they look and function like new, including the battery.
I imagine some of the parts inside are used or reconditioned.

It looks like he gives you 30 days to return it so I guess you've nothing to lose by trying.

IMO the 13 mini is still by far the best option around if you want an actually small phone.
 
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