Refurbished tech, explained for the US
Short answer: in the US, buy a refurbished iPhone 13 or newer (iOS 27 supports iPhone 11 and later) and a MacBook with an Apple chip (M1 or later, because macOS 27 dropped Intel Macs). Pick a seller with at least a 1-year warranty and a 30-day return window.
No prices yet, on purpose. We only publish a price when it comes from a retailer's own data on the day we check it, and our US retailer feeds aren't connected yet. Until they are, these pages are free buying advice with no shop links and nothing for sale.
Refurbished iPhone
Which models still get iOS updates, why US iPhones from the 14 onward are eSIM-only, unlocked vs carrier-locked, and Activation Lock.
Refurbished MacBook
Apple silicon vs Intel after macOS 27, RAM and storage you can't upgrade later, battery cycle counts and Activation Lock.
Why refurbished is a smart buy
A good refurbished phone or laptop has been tested, cleaned and repaired where needed, and the sellers below back it with a warranty. You pay less than for new, and a device that still works gets years more use instead of sitting in a drawer. Why buy new when it works?
Warranty and returns at the big US refurbished sellers
| Seller | Warranty | Returns | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Certified Refurbished | Apple's standard one-year limited warranty; AppleCare can be added. Refurbished iPhones get a new battery and outer shell. | Free shipping and returns | Apple |
| Back Market (US) | 1-year limited warranty from the seller, starting on delivery. Battery wear from normal use is excluded. | 30 days from delivery, free, including change of mind | Back Market US help center, “Returns and refunds policy” (updated September 8, 2026) |
| Amazon Renewed | Amazon Renewed Guarantee. Some listings use a shorter return period plus a third-party warranty instead. | 90 days (Renewed), 365 days (Renewed Premium) | Amazon |
| Best Buy (Geek Squad Certified Refurbished) | 90-day Geek Squad limited warranty | Standard 15 days; 14 days for activatable devices such as phones, which can carry a restocking fee | Best Buy returns, Geek Squad warranty |
In the UK? Our UK refurbished comparison has live prices in pounds.
Questions
Is refurbished the same as used?
Not quite. A refurbished device has been inspected, tested and repaired where needed by a seller or refurbisher, and usually comes with a warranty. A used device is usually sold as it is.
Why don't these pages show prices?
We only publish prices taken from a retailer's own data on the day we check them. Our US retailer feeds aren't connected yet, so for now these pages carry buying advice only, with no shop links.
Checked . SimSift is independent: no retailer pays to appear on these pages. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.