How Much Will You Save by Buying a Refurbished Apple IPhone XS
Apple now sells refurbished iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max smartphones through its online store and certified retailers. This is good news for anyone looking to upgrade from an iPhone 8 or older but may not want to pay full price for an unlocked XS or XS Max (or make a full upgrade to an iPhone 11). The XS and XS Max are barely two years old and their tech is still fast enough that they will continue to be solid updates.
The real question, of course, is how much you can save on a refurbished iPhone XS or XS Max that you buy directly from Apple. The exact final price depends on the model and configuration you choose, but all iPhone XS models seem to be $ 200 cheaper than buying new ones, while you will save about $ 250 on the iPhone XS Max. Highest prices you can expect for the 512GB model of each phone (tax excluded):
- IPhone XS 512GB: $ 999
- IPhone XS Max with 512GB: $ 1,099
(Note: All refurbished models sold by Apple are unlocked.)
For reference, here’s a quick comparison of the same refurbished 512GB unlocked iPhone XS and XS Max models from popular third-party aftermarket retailers (these prices are based on current inventory at the time of writing):
- iPhone XS: $ 659
- iPhone XS Max: $ 945
- iPhone XS: $ 799- $ 999
- iPhone XS Max: $ 779
- iPhone XS: $ 650
- iPhone XS Max: $ 750
- iPhone XS: $ 649- $ 999
- iPhone XS Max: $ 749-1099
As you can see, Apple’s prices are higher than other sellers, but buying from a third-party seller can be risky. If you have not previously made purchases on a website or from a seller, you cannot be sure that the device works as advertised. Some sellers offer guarantees or exchange programs in the event of a failed purchase, but this is not a guarantee.
Conversely, all refurbished Apple devices are cleaned and tested by Apple to ensure they meet the company’s quality standards. They won’t be as flawless as a brand new device, but they can be pretty close. You will also receive a one-year warranty on all devices and can extend coverage through AppleCare +.
To be clear, we are not saying that you should only buy a refurbished iPhone XS or XS Max from Apple, but there are certain benefits that the Apple program guarantees to its customers that can make buying one of their refurbished devices less risky, even with a higher price tag. Prices. If you can find a better deal that you trust elsewhere, then go for it. Otherwise, Apple’s store is a decent option if you’re looking for a slightly cheaper iPhone XS.