Short answer
A used iPhone is sold as it is. A refurbished iPhone has been tested, repaired where needed, cleaned and graded before it's sold again, and "renewed" is another seller's word for the same thing. None of these words is a guarantee on its own: what matters is what was tested, the battery health as a number, which parts were replaced, and the warranty.
The words, side by side
| Term | What it usually means | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Used / pre-owned / second-hand | Sold as it is, usually by a person. Rarely tested or guaranteed. | Is it unlocked and signed out? What's the battery health? |
| Refurbished | Tested, repaired where needed, cleaned and graded by a seller before resale. Usually has a warranty. | What was tested? Which parts were replaced, and are they original? |
| Renewed | A store's name for refurbished. Same idea, different label. | The same questions as refurbished. The label doesn't change the answers. |
| Certified refurbished | Refurbished by the manufacturer or to its standard, often with a new battery and shell. | Certified by whom, and what does the warranty cover? |
| Grade A, B, C | Cosmetic condition. Roughly Excellent, Good and Fair, but every seller draws the lines differently. | What does each grade look like, in words or photos? |
Grades are about looks, not how the phone works
A properly refurbished phone of any grade should work fully. The grade describes marks on the glass and frame. If a seller's lower grades also mean "might have faults", that's not a grade, it's a gamble. Our grades, explained
Same phone, different grade: iPhone 16 Pro today
| Grade | What it means | From |
|---|---|---|
| Premium | Excellent, with battery health 90% or more | $655 |
| Excellent | Looks close to new | $615 |
| Good | Light marks you only see in direct light | $575 |
| Fair | Visible wear, everything works | $535 |
| Value | Works fully, one named issue shown on the listing | $480 |
Our most-stocked iPhone today. Prices update every night. See every iPhone 16 Pro
What "refurbished" means here
- Every phone passes a 32-point test: screen, battery, cameras, speakers, microphones, charging port, Face ID or Touch ID, buttons, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and cellular.
- A person grades how it looks: Excellent, Good or Fair. Premium means Excellent with battery health of 90% or more.
- Premium and graded phones use original parts. Value phones work fully and name their one issue on the listing, for example "No Face ID".
- Battery health is shown as a band before you buy.
- Unlocked, signed out and reset, with a 12-month warranty, 30-day returns and free US shipping.
Common questions
What's the difference between refurbished, renewed and used?
A used iPhone is sold as it is. A refurbished iPhone has been tested, repaired where needed, cleaned and graded before it's sold again, and "renewed" is another seller's word for the same thing. None of these words is a guarantee on its own: what matters is what was tested, the battery health as a number, which parts were replaced, and the warranty.
Is renewed the same as refurbished?
Yes, in practice. "Renewed" is a store's label for a refurbished phone. Ask the same questions: what was tested, the battery health, which parts were replaced, and the warranty.
Is refurbished better than used?
Usually, because a refurbished phone has been tested and comes with a warranty and returns. A used phone from a person is sold as it is.
What does "renewed premium" or "premium refurbished" mean?
It depends on the seller. Here, Premium means Excellent condition with battery health of 90% or more, and original parts.
What does Grade A refurbished mean?
It's a cosmetic grade, usually the best one: close to new with very light marks, if any. Sellers draw the lines differently, so ask what it looks like. Our equivalent is Excellent.
Are refurbished iPhones new?
No. They've been used before, then tested, repaired where needed and graded. That's why they cost less.
Is a refurbished iPhone unlocked?
Not always, so ask. Every phone we sell is unlocked and works with any US carrier.