Why Apple Started Selling Refurbished Handsets

Apple has just started selling refurbished iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro handsets on its website, almost 18 months after the high-end phone launched in 2020. 

Apple has had the ability to sell refurbished phones for years, so why the sudden decision to start selling refurbished handsets?

The growing refurbished market

According to research from CCS Insight the refurbished mobile phone market is growing in popularity, with 60 per cent of UK consumers considering a pre-owned purchase.

The most obvious reason why this shift is occurring is the perceived lack of innovation in the industry, coupled with increased costs of devices leading to longer refresh cycles and slower sales of flagship handsets. Trends are suggesting that customers are more open to choosing an older model than paying for the newer and expensive handouts.

Consumers are also becoming more accepting of the condition and reliability of refurbished phones, likely as a result of greater quality suppliers in the reseller market. Many of these suppliers are also offering trade-in and part-exchange options which is a great way to further reduce the price of your new handset. 

The rise in SIM-only deals is playing a major part in the industry’s growing popularity too.

These developments, combined with a greater emphasis on sustainability, have resulted in a rise in the refurbished market, as well as an improvement in the quality and availability of used equipment.

The move online

Nearly half of mobile phone users in the UK bought their phone online – this is a huge shift from the typical in-store experience many of us have grown up with. This shift means that consumers are spending more time researching the product they want and possibly looking into alternatives.

With refurbished marketplaces like reboxed are offering certified refurbished iPhone 12s for up to 40% cheaper than new, turning heads of thousands of UK customers – it’s no surprise that older players like Apple are jumping on the bandwagon too.

Customers no longer feel the need to go in store and speak to staff when they can do all the research from the comfort of home.

Text to switch

Under new Ofcom rules, consumers in the UK can easily switch mobile network providers by sending a simple, free text. This means that consumers can shop and swap providers to suit their needs. The result? Consumers are more and more likely to want to purchase a phone outright and not to tied to length contracts. They want great deals of phones and might start looking at refurbished phones as an alternative to new.

Buying a refubrished iPhone 12

Making the switch to a refurbished phone can be daunting – especially if you’re new to the refurb market and don’t know who to trust. Thankfully, there are plenty of trustworthy brands, including Apple, that put their phones through lengthy certification processes so that you can be sure your phone is as good as new.

Not only this, but you’ll usually make a decent saving compared to to new iPhone 12s. For example, on Monday, March 14, Apple’s U.S. refurbished store featured a total of 14 iPhone 12 and 12 Pro devices starting at $619, which is $110 off the regular price.

Not only are you saving a lot of money but you’re helping divert tech from landfill!