The fact that all Apple gadgets, including the refurbished ones, are in demand, is testimony to the product quality offered by the company. If you are not able to make your mind about whether buying a refurbished iPhone 4 is a good idea, this article will help you out.
When you look at any Apple product, one word that comes to your mind is ‘Classy‘. The iPhone, iPad, and the iPod are works of art. Of course, they cost a lot too. Apple puts a premium on the creative genius of its designers and all of its products fall in the high-price category. For people with very limited budgets, who are in love with Apple products like the iPhone 4, the device almost seems out of reach. Very few are aware of the fact that going for a refurbished one, can save them a lot of greenbacks. Moreover, they get performance, which is on par with a brand new one.
About Refurbished Phones
Many people tend to cringe at very mention of the word ‘refurbished’. Yes, refurbished phones are used phones, but they are usually returned within a month or two, back to the manufacturing company. These products, which are returned by users due to small blemishes and defects, are repaired, tested, and put back on sale, if they conform with the minimum quality standards for performance. Of course, having been used once, they cannot be sold at the price of a brand new item. They are sold with high discounts and often with a limited warranty.
In case of Apple, there is no reason why you should question the quality of even their refurbished products. Refurbished Macs and other products are sold with the same warranty, as their brand new products. Refurbished iPhone 3G and iPhone 4 are sold by AT&T at substantially low prices, with a limited warranty.
Why Buying a Refurbished one is a Good Idea
There are three prime reasons why purchasing a refurbished iPhone is a sensible decision. Here are the three main points of my argument.
The Discount
While a brand new iPhone 4G (32 GB), bought from AT&T costs USD 299, a refurbished one, with a minor cosmetic blemish, will only cost you USD 179. That is a whopping USD 120 discount, on the original price. Also, the same refurbished 32 GB iPhone 4G will cost USD 199, in case there are no cosmetic blemishes.
A 16 GB refurbished version of the phone, with no cosmetic blemish, will cost you only USD 99. The same iPhone 4G (16 GB), with cosmetic blemish can be bought for USD 79 only. Considering that the price without contract is USD 699 for the 32 GB model, the discount you get for refurbished models, is simply phenomenal.
The Warranty
AT&T offers a 90 day warranty on all refurbished phones, sold through its stores. They also offer a 30 day return facility, wherein, you may return the product and get your money back, in case you find something wrong. The warranty and the return offer makes this deal totally risk-free.
On Par Performance Guarantee
With the Apple name backing the product, you can be assured about the performance of the refurbished iPhone. These products are factory tested before they are put back on sale. They go through rigorous testing procedures and are sold only after their functionality meets quality standards.
The blemishes on refurbished Apple products are mostly all cosmetic, while all the other major defects are taken care of, during the repair phase, before resale. With up to 40% discount and 90 day warranty offered by AT&T, along with a 30 day no risk return, I don’t see why you shouldn’t grab refurbished iPhone offers. There are a very limited number of these deals, that come up on the AT&T website. Time in deliberating might just let the deal slip away. Saying that, I rest my case here and leave the matter of making a decision, up to you.