Apple Now Selling Refurbished iPhone 15 Models in Europe
Credit: I Viewfinder / Adobe Stock
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Perhaps to make up for the recent loss of the iPhone SE and iPhone 14 from the European market, Apple has begun selling refurbished models of the iPhone 15 in several European countries ahead of their availability elsewhere in the world, including the US.
This started with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus earlier this week, and today, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max were added to the list. The refurbished models typically sell for 15% less than their brand-new equivalents, and they’re effectively the only option to buy a now-discontinued iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max.
The refurbished iPhone 15 models are available in France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, and likely a few others, although not all four models are available in every country.
What’s noteworthy about this is that it’s the first time Apple has offered any iPhone 15 models in its refurbished stores. The latest models available on the US refurbished store are the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, and the same holds true in other major markets like Canada, the UK, and Japan (Apple doesn’t sell refurbished iPhones in others like Australia and China).
Apple began selling the iPhone 14 in its US refurbished store last May, so we imagine the iPhone 15 models will show up in the next few months, but for now, it’s kicking things off in Europe.
While it’s unusual for Apple to start its sales of refurbished models outside of the US, there’s also a pricing void in the European Union following the departure of the iPhone SE and iPhone 14, which Apple was forced to stop selling when the new USB-C rules came into effect. This leaves the iPhone 15 as the cheapest iPhone that can be purchased in the EU. The refurbished iPhone 15 models provide consumers with more affordable options at prices similar to the now-discontinued iPhone 14 models.
Since Apple is still selling the iPhone 14 outside the European Union, this may also explain why it’s hesitant to launch refurbished iPhone 15 models elsewhere. Even refurbished versions of the standard iPhone 14 models are rare, but when they do appear, they’re typically higher-capacity versions. Apple’s typical discount for a refurbished iPhone 15 in the US would put it at the same price as the iPhone 14, which sells for $599.
While some folks may be hesitant to buy a refurbished iPhone, it’s important to note that Apple’s certified refurbished program provides an iPhone that’s as good as new. It has the same warranty and eligibility for AppleCare+, and Apple replaces the battery and outer casing and provides a brand new USB-C cable in the box.
In fact, you’re likely to get a more reliable iPhone, as refurbished units have been specifically tested and confirmed to be working as intended before they’re put up for sale. That’s more than most brand-new iPhones get since Apple can’t perform detailed tests on every single one of the millions of iPhones that come off its production lines.
