Recently Apple began officially selling refurbished iPhone 16 models for the first time in its online store in selected countries – a move that opens the door for those who want the latest generation of the iPhone, but for less money. This includes all four models in the series: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, with discounts ranging between 12% and 22% compared to the original launch prices, and sometimes also compared to the current prices of the new models.
When the iPhone 16 series was launched in September 2024, the price tag was high as expected: $799 for the base model, $899 for the Plus, $999 for the Pro and $1,199 for the Pro Max. Since then, Apple has already reduced the prices of the new iPhone 16 and 16 Plus models, which continue to be sold as the previous generation at prices of $699 and $799 respectively. Now the refurbished models enter the picture, with even lower prices: $619 for the iPhone 16, $699 for the 16 Plus, $759 for the 16 Pro and $929 for the 16 Pro Max.
The meaning of “refurbished” in Apple’s case is that these are devices that were returned by customers – whether due to buyer’s remorse after purchase, a malfunction discovered at an early stage or some kind of defect – and underwent full repair and re-testing in the company’s labs. After the process, Apple puts them back on sale only if they meet its standards, so in terms of performance and user experience there is no real difference compared to a new device.
Beyond the United States, Apple has begun rolling out the sale of refurbished models to Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and additional countries – although not all models are available in every market at this stage. As always in Apple’s refurbished program, the devices come unlocked for all networks, with a completely new battery, a new outer shell, and a simple box that includes a USB-C cable. They also come with an official one-year warranty, and the option to extend it via AppleCare+ or AppleCare One.
At Apple, they emphasize that these are devices that have undergone cleaning, comprehensive testing and quality control processes, to a level where they are almost indistinguishable from brand-new devices. This is the same approach that has accompanied the company’s refurbished store for years, and explains why quite a few users prefer this option.
In terms of hardware, the Pro and Pro Max models bring larger displays of 6.3 and 6.9 inches respectively, alongside a new Camera Control button, the A18 Pro chip designed for Apple Intelligence capabilities, a 48-megapixel Ultra Wide camera, 4K video recording at 120 frames per second, battery improvements, faster charging via MagSafe and upgraded microphones. The base iPhone 16 and 16 Plus models also benefit from the new camera button and support for Apple Intelligence, making the refurbished package particularly attractive relative to the price.