What is your experience of Refurbished Apple Watches?

[Marty_Macfly]

Hi all,


Be good to have cellular, for fall detection away from home, without a phone, while cycling.
I’m balking at the cost of the latest AW6, plus cellular, plus monthly sim bill etc etc.


What is your experience of Refurbished Apple Watches?

Q1) Is the water proofing still ok?

Q2) Any badly refitted panels etc.?

Q3) Any scratches?

Q4) Any Physical issues - I.e. issues which caused the 1st person to return watch in 1st place?

Q5) Any “Software’ issues - I.e. Other issues which caused the 1st person to return watch in 1st place?



Hope you can advise.


Regards
Martin

 

[44267547]

Hi all,


Be good to have cellular, for fall detection away from home, without a phone, while cycling.
I’m balking at the cost of the latest AW6, plus cellular, plus monthly sim bill etc etc.


What is your experience of Refurbished Apple Watches?

Q1) Is the water proofing still ok?

Q2) Any badly refitted panels etc.?

Q3) Any scratches?

Q4) Any Physical issues - I.e. issues which caused the 1st person to return watch in 1st place?

Q5) Any “Software’ issues - I.e. Other issues which caused the 1st person to return watch in 1st place?



Hope you can advise.


Regards
Martin

The Apple Watch refurbished models are like any other Apple product, they are stringently tested, they receive a new display (If applicable), the casing remains the same, (because they use soldered components), it’s re-sealed to spec’ for waterproofing. The battery is not always replaced however, it has to test above 80% as a threshold. Anything below that or irregularity with the battery, then Apple replaces it. The only ‘ used component’ in the Apple Watch, could be a battery and casing (Which May have some wear or appear ‘like-new’).

In terms of purchasing a used Apple Watch from Apple, I would definitely recommend it if you want to save a little bit of money, and it does include a one-year warranty just like the new Apple Watch models do.

 

[Apple_Robert]

A refurb watch will look and act brand new. You won’t be able to tell the difference from purchasing from the Apple retail store sans the plain white refurb box. Nothing wrong with buying from the Apple refurb store, getting the same warranty and saving some money at the same time.

 

[PaladinGuy]

A refurb watch will look and act brand new. You won’t be able to tell the difference from purchasing from the Apple retail store sans the plain white refurb box. Nothing wrong with buying from the Apple refurb store, getting the same warranty and saving some money at the same time.

That’s not entirely true. I’ve bought one refurbished Apple Watch from Apple, and it had a couple scratches on the stainless steel casing. You are not guaranteed that it will look brand new. You are guaranteed a one year warranty.

 

[Apple_Robert]

That’s not entirely true. I’ve bought one refurbished Apple Watch from Apple, and it had a couple scratches on the stainless steel casing. You are not guaranteed that it will look brand new. You are guaranteed a one year warranty.

Apple quality control missed that on your watch, in my opinion. It shouldn’t have arrived scratched.

The Apple site even claims refurb products are “like new.”

“Your refurbished device is truly “like new,” with special savings of up to 15%.

“You will receive a “like new” device with genuine Apple replacement parts (as needed) that has been thoroughly cleaned and inspected. Refurbished iOS devices will come with new battery and outer shell. Every device will come with all accessories, cables and operating systems.1 All Apple Certified Refurbished products are packaged in a brand new white box and will be sent to you with free shipping and returns.”

 

[44267547]

A refurb watch will look and act brand new. You won’t be able to tell the difference from purchasing from the Apple retail store sans the plain white refurb box. Nothing wrong with buying from the Apple refurb store, getting the same warranty and saving some money at the same time.

The Bolded in your post isn’t accurate. [Looking new v.s. ‘Like new’ are not mutually exclusive]. The Apple Watch casing because it has soldered components, cannot be replaced, thus resulting in may show some minor wear, as long as it doesn’t have extensive damage, it is the original casing from the previous owner. So it might be ‘like new‘ with a new display, battery replacement if applicable, but it’s not entirely new as you are wording it. I just don’t want to mislead the OP thinking that, when that’s not how it works.

 

[Apple_Robert]

The Bolded in your post isn’t accurate. The Apple Watch casing because it has soldered components, cannot be replaced, thus resulting in may show some minor wear, as long as it doesn’t have extensive damage, it is the original casing from the previous owner. So it might be ‘like new‘ with a new display, battery replacement if applicable, but it’s not entirely new as you are wording it. I just don’t want to mislead the OP thinking that, when that’s not how it works.

If that is the case, then I have misinterpreted the other part of the Apple website text I posted. I was not aware that Apple could not replace the casings on the watch.

 

[PaladinGuy]

Apple quality control missed that on your watch, in my opinion. It shouldn’t have arrived scratched.

The Apple site even claims refurb products are “like new.”

“Your refurbished device is truly “like new,” with special savings of up to 15%.

“You will receive a “like new” device with genuine Apple replacement parts (as needed) that has been thoroughly cleaned and inspected. Refurbished iOS devices will come with new battery and outer shell. Every device will come with all accessories, cables and operating systems.1 All Apple Certified Refurbished products are packaged in a brand new white box and will be sent to you with free shipping and returns.”

I think the distinction here is that the text you posted here from Apple pertains to iOS devices, which doesn’t include the Apple Watch. That would be referring to the iPad and the iPhone.

I am pretty sure that Apple says that the refurbished Apple Watches may show some slight signs of use, but I could be wrong.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I think the distinction here is that the text you posted here from Apple pertains to iOS devices, which doesn’t include the Apple Watch. That would be referring to the iPad and the iPhone.

I am pretty sure that Apple says that the refurbished Apple Watches may show some slight signs of use, but I could be wrong.

I may be the one that is wrong, PG. Who knows. Lol At least between you, me and RP, the OP is now a little better informed.

 

[nicho]

Apple quality control missed that on your watch, in my opinion. It shouldn’t have arrived scratched.

The Apple site even claims refurb products are “like new.”

“Your refurbished device is truly “like new,” with special savings of up to 15%.

“You will receive a “like new” device with genuine Apple replacement parts (as needed) that has been thoroughly cleaned and inspected. Refurbished iOS devices will come with new battery and outer shell. Every device will come with all accessories, cables and operating systems.1 All Apple Certified Refurbished products are packaged in a brand new white box and will be sent to you with free shipping and returns.”

What goes into a refurbished iPhone.
All refurbished iPhone models come with a new battery, new outer shell, are backed by a one-year warranty, have free delivery and returns, and also include:

• Full functional testing, genuine Apple part replacements (if necessary), and a thorough cleaning
• The original Operating System or a more recent version
• All refurbished devices are repackaged in a brand new box with all accessories and cables

Learn more about each refurbished iPhone.

vs

What goes into a refurbished Apple Watch.
All refurbished Apple Watch models are backed by a one-year warranty, free delivery and returns, and also include:

• Full functional testing and a thorough cleaning
• The original Operating System or a more recent version
• All refurbished devices are repackaged in a brand new box with all accessories and cables

Learn more about each refurbished Apple Watch.

 

[Marty_Macfly]

Hi All,

Thanks for all the feedback guys

Its good people speak up At talk it all through, else we never learn anything we didn’t know before

 

[Saturn007]

This was an informative thread, even if a year old.

Given what was discussed and what Apple posts, then a refurbished Apple Watch seems to be more of a crapshoot than a refurbished iPhone or iPad which comes with a NEW battery.

Not sure I'd want to buy a refurbished Apple Watch — with a used battery — and end up with one with as low as 80% capacity! Or, even 88% or 92% capacity! While many/most may be returns and, thus, more likely in the high 90% range, why take a chance? I realize one could return it, but it would be a gamble — and returning it would be a hassle, too. (Apple returns in our area go via FedEx and require *in-person* drop offs, not something worth it during the delta virus surge.)

Given that they don't replace the battery on the refurbs, it looks worth it to spend $100+ more to get a new device, even a new version, with a brand new battery!

 

[Saturn007]

An update to my own post… Found out new information — either I missed it before or the policy changed.

Apple's returns web page now says this:

”You can either schedule a pickup with the carrier or drop off the package at any of the carrier’s locations.”​

See https://www.apple.com/shop/help/returns_refund

Much better… Still pondering the battery, case not being pristine issue…