What each seller means by Excellent, Good and Fair
The grade describes looks only. Every offer works like new and comes with a warranty. Sellers write their own definitions, so here they are word for word.
You will receive a refurbished 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.
Screen: No scratches; Body: No signs of cosmetic damage (scratches, dents, and more) are visible when holding the product 30 centimeters away. Battery: >90% of original battery life.
calls it "Excellent"
Screen: No scratches; Body: No signs of cosmetic damage (scratches, dents, and more) are visible when holding the product 30 centimeters away. Battery: >80% of original battery life.
Their screens and bodies have almost no signs of use; they contain only genuine manufacturer parts and batteries; and their batteries have a minimum capacity of 90%.
calls it "Excellent"
The body may have very light micro-scratches that are invisible at a distance of 8 inches (a bit longer than a standard-sized pencil) or more. For items with screens, the screen will have no scratches.
The item is in a pristine, like-new condition. It has been professionally inspected, cleaned, and refurbished by the manufacturer or a manufacturer-approved vendor to meet manufacturer specifications.
Item is new and unused with possible box damaged/box replaced with item seal removed.
calls it "Excellent (B+)"
Item may have been purchased and returned as unwanted and as a result will have very slight marks on the casing and possible box damage or replaced box.
calls it "Excellent (B-)"
Item may have been purchased and returned as unwanted and as a result will have very slight marks on the casing/screen with possible box damage or replaced box.
Screen: No scratches; Body: Light scratches, barely visible when holding the product 30 centimeters away and imperceptible to touch. Battery: >80% of original battery life.
The body may have light micro-scratches that are invisible at a distance of 20 inches (about an arm's length) or more. For items with screens, the screen will have no scratches.
Item is a customer return or ex-display item and as a result may have some noticeable marks on the casing and possible box damage or replaced box.
calls it "Very Good (C-)"
Item is a customer return or ex-display item and as a result may have some noticeable marks on the casing/screen and possible box damage or replaced box.
Screen: May have a small number of shallow scratches, invisible when the screen is turned on; Body: Light scratches, clearly visible when holding the device 30 centimeters away and perceptible to touch. Battery: >80% of original battery life.
The body may have a few visible scratches and dents that don't affect performance. Devices with screens may have light scratches that are slightly visible when the device is on.
Item is a customer return or ex-display item and as a result may have some significant/noticeable marks on the casing and possible box damage or replaced box.
calls it "Fair (D-)"
Item is a customer return or ex-display item and as a result may have some significant/noticeable marks on the casing/screen and possible box damage or replaced box.
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How RefurbMe ranks offers
Lowest price first, always
Offers are sorted by price. You can filter by grade, warranty, seller, storage or carrier.
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Sellers pay RefurbMe a commission when you buy through a link. It never changes the order.
Who we list
The 6 professional refurbishers listed above, each with at least a 30-day warranty.
How fresh the prices are
Our crawlers update prices and stock all day. Every price check shows when it was taken.
Where you buy
On the seller's website. The seller handles payment, shipping, warranty and returns.
Yes, refurbished Apple products come with a warranty. Unlike used devices sold on classified sites, refurbished products are backed by a professional warranty. The specific terms vary by refurbisher, but every product listed on RefurbMe comes with at least a 30-day warranty.
Refurbished means a product has been professionally inspected, repaired if needed, and restored to full working condition before being resold. A refurbished device was either pre-owned, returned during a trial period, or used as a display model. Unlike used products, refurbished items go through a structured process that ensures they work like new, and they come with a warranty.
The two real differences between a new and a refurbished Apple product are price and cosmetic condition. A refurbished device costs meaningfully less than new, and it may show light cosmetic wear depending on its grade. Everything else is the same: refurbished products are 100% functional, pass the same hardware and software tests, and come with a warranty.
Buying refurbished Apple products is one of the most impactful choices you can make as a consumer to reduce your environmental footprint. Every refurbished device that finds a new owner is one less device manufactured from scratch and one less device in a landfill.
Comparing refurbished Apple prices since 2007.
"RefurbMe Makes It Easier To Track Prices And Availability Of Apple's Refurbished Products"