Refurbished vs new: what is the difference?

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.

New vs refurbished at a glance

	New	Refurbished
Price	Full retail	Lower, often well below retail
Functionality	100% working	100% working
Cosmetic condition	Flawless	Grade A, B, or C
Warranty	1-year Apple warranty	30 days to 1 year or more, varies by seller
Return policy	Standard	14 to 30 days, varies by seller
Data on device	None	Fully wiped
Source	Sealed from Apple	Pre-owned, returned, or display unit

How much cheaper is refurbished?

Refurbished pricing varies by model and condition. Across every iPhone RefurbMe has tracked, the median refurbished price sits about 80% below the original Apple launch price (as of July 2026), a figure skewed by older models. A current-generation model saves less, but the discount is always real. Source: RefurbMe iPhone stats.

Is the cosmetic difference noticeable?

It depends on the grade you pick. A refurbished device is thoroughly cleaned, so this concerns appearance only. You choose from Grade A (Excellent), Grade B (Good), or Grade C (Fair). Grade A looks essentially new, while lower grades trade visible wear for a lower price.

Is refurbished as good as new?

For everyday use, yes. A refurbished device is tested against the same standards as a new one, and any faulty part is repaired or replaced before resale. If your new Apple device breaks and Apple gives you a replacement, you are getting a refurbished device: Apple refurbishes its own products and classes them as Excellent (Grade A).

For a deeper breakdown, read our guide on refurbished vs new vs used Apple devices.