Let’s face it: the newest iPhone pretty much does the saame thing as last year’s, only slightly better. Yet despite the lack of major innovations, Apple’s prices get higher every year.
That’s why it’s not surprising that more Canadians are turning to refurbished iPhones to get the same tech at a much more reasonable price. And refurbished phones have other benefits: they’re better for the environment, there’s more variety to choose from, and you can easily switch carriers to get the best deal on a plan.
(If you’re unsure what a refurbished iPhone really means or whether it’s a good idea, you can check out our thorough guide to find out if it’s the right choice for you.)
But buying refurbished can be trickier than buying new. While all iPhones are made and guaranteed by Apple, refurbished phones come from a variety of different outfits, with different standards and practices. The seller you choose can make the difference between a phone that’s the next-best thing to new, and an Apple that’s more like a lemon.
That’s why we put together this helpful guide to choosing the right place to buy a top-quality refurbished phone in Canada. We’ll look at each of the large sellers, explain how they work and outline their pros and cons, so you can save money without sacrificing peace of mind.
What’s the best place to buy a refurbished iPhone in Canada?
This is a pretty long article (forgive us!) so we figured we’d lead with the conclusion.
After taking into account device quality, price, warranty, customer service, shipping times, and other factors, on balance we believe that the best place to buy a refurbished iPhone is Orchard.
You may be able to save a few bucks buying from a stranger on Facebook or Kijij, but to us, it is not worth the risk of buying something that is later blacklisted, or not fully functional when you buy it.
Alternatively, you could buy a refurbished iPhone directly from Apple, if you don’t mind paying almost as much as a new phone for their strictly limited selection.
Carriers also don’t offer many options when it comes to refurbished phones, and these come with hefty strings attached in the form of pricey plans and long-term contracts.
The big marketplaces like Amazon, Best Buy and Reebelo are well-known brands, but are just middlemen for third-party sellers who have spotty track records in terms of their product quality. While there are some deals to be had, you really have to do your diligence on each seller you come across.
At Orchard, we’re the experts on all things iPhone, from our experienced technicians to our friendly and knowledgeable Customer Advocates. We offer free shipping and free returns anywhere in Canada, with a 90-day warranty on all devices. Ultimately, our customers are our best marketing and we’re very proud of our hard-won customer reviews.
For a fuller breakdown of the alternatives’ business model and their pros and cons, please follow these links:
Buy a refurbished phone from Orchard
What is Orchard?
Founded in 2014, Orchard is Canada’s oldest and largest independent retailer of refurbished iPhones, and for good reason. All our phones are thoroughly tested and repaired in-house by highly trained technicians, so we can make sure every phone we sell meets our exacting standards.
On our online store you can find iPhones from the iPhone 7 on up to last year’s models (plus iPads and Androids too). Every purchase ships for free from our Toronto HQ to anywhere in Canada.
Advantages
- Savings and choice: With Orchard, you’ll save big over a brand-new phone, up to 70% off the original retail price, on phones going all the way back to the iPhone 7. Monthly financing is available for orders over $300.
- Obsessive quality control: Every Orchard phone undergoes two 30-point inspections by expert technicians in our R2-certified facility. We only sell phones that work like new, and we guarantee a full day of battery life. (Our minimum battery health is 83% – compare to 80% from most refurbishers.)
- Five-star reviews and amazing customer service: We can tell you why you should shop with us, but you don’t need to take our word for it. Just check our reviews on Google and Trustpilot, where thousands of happy customers have shared their experiences with Orchard. (Thanks, guys!). If you do run into problems or just need help choosing a phone, you won’t have to deal with some chatbot. Our Customer Advocates are real human beings, here to answer questions and help you with your phone, seven days a week.
- A warranty that offers peace of mind: All devices can be returned for free within 90 days of purchase. For added protection, drop protection warranties are available. And we guarantee your phone will never be blacklisted: if it is, we’ll replace it, even years later.
Disadvantages
- Not always the cheapest: Because of our strict quality control and our investment in customer service, our prices are sometimes slightly higher than on other marketplaces or those from individual sellers.
Buy a refurbished phone from Kijiji or Facebook Marketplace
What are Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace?
Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace are online platforms where anyone can list their stuff for sale, generally for local, in-person purchases – kind of like a big online garage sale. Among the endless listings for used Ikea furniture, buyers can find unique treasures and snag bargains they won’t find anywhere else. Used phones are no exception.
But buying used stuff from random strangers comes with pros and cons. It can feel especially dicey when it comes to an expensive, important purchase like a phone. So why should or shouldn’t you choose Kijiji or Facebook Marketplace for your next device?
Advantages
- Price: The main advantage of sites like Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace is price. For those whose top priority is cost savings, the absolute cheapest phones are here.
Disadvantages
- Risk: Most sellers on Kijiji and Facebook are honest, of course. But there’s always risk involved in these transactions: buying a stolen device, getting scammed – or worse. Robberies on Kijiji are especially linked to cell phone sales, and police say they’re getting more frequent.
- Used, not refurbished: Someone selling their old iPhone might think it works fine, but they don’t have the expertise to fully test the device for flaws and restore it to full functionality.
- No warranty: You’re buying the phone as-is, with no returns or buyer protection, even if it’s a total dud.
- Inconvenience: There’s lots of back and forth with non-serious sellers, and it can be a real hassle to find a convenient, safe place and time to meet up.
Buy a refurbished phone from Apple
What is Apple Refurbished?
For those who want a refurbished iPhone that is nearly indistinguishable from a brand new one, Apple sells a small number of refurbished devices. These are generally phones that were returned by a buyer, then tested, repaired and resold by Apple.
Apple’s refurbished iPhones go through the same quality control processes as brand-new retail devices, and have the same 1-year warranty. Of course, that means you’ll pay more compared to other refurbished sellers.
An Apple refurbished iPhone sells for up to 15% less than the brand-new price for the same model. That’s definitely a discount, but with other suppliers you can save even more, especially on older models.
Advantages
- A name you trust: You get a phone that comes straight from Apple, tested to their perfectionistic standards, with all-original Apple parts.
- That shiny new phone feeling: Apple refurbished iPhones are sold in the same deluxe retail packaging as brand-new phones, and always come with a fresh battery.
- Protection: You’ll also get the same one-year warranty as with a brand-new device, and extended warranties are available.
Disadvantages
- Apple phone, Apple prices: Apple is the most profitable company in history for a reason! Their products are not cheap, and refurbished phones are no exception. As we upload this post, the lowest-priced refurbished phone from Apple is a whopping $1,099. For comparison, Orchard’s mid-priced iPhones are in the $600-800 range.
- Less choice: Apple’s inventory of refurbished phones is very limited, and depends on what they happen to receive in returns. At the time of writing, they sell the iPhone 13 and 14 ranges only.
Buy a refurbished phone from Reebelo
What is Reebelo?
One of the newer players in the refurbished market, Reebelo is an online marketplace for all kinds of refurbished electronics, from smartphones and laptops to gaming consoles and even hair dryers.
Note the term “marketplace”: Reebelo is a platform for sellers to post their goods for sale. That means you’re not getting a phone directly from Reebelo, but one of their partners, with Reebelo in the middle enabling the purchase.
Advantages
- 30-day free return period: If you change your mind within those 30 days, you can return the device for free.
- Buying local: Reebelo's global marketplace connects you with sellers in your area for faster shipping and compatible devices.
- Fresher batteries – for a price:If you pay extra for one of Reebelo’s Premium devices, you can ensure a battery health of at least 90% on certain models.
Disadvantages
- Questionable consistency: Although Reebelo sets standards for the phones sold on their site, they don’t refurbish the phones themselves, and quality can differ by seller. Condition grades and pricing can also be difficult to navigate, since each seller sets their own prices and may interpret gradings differently.
- Dealing with a middleman: Though Reebelo is there to step in if something goes wrong, some users have reported difficulty getting support and refunds.
Buy a refurbished phone from Amazon
What is Amazon Renewed?
As the world’s second-largest retailer, Amazon is a household name. Through Amazon Marketplace, it lends out that trusted name to any number of more or less reputable sellers using its platform.
The Amazon Renewed program lets you buy certified refurbished electronics, including iPhones, on Amazon Marketplace. These phones must meet Amazon’s quality requirements (including 80% battery capacity) and are backed by a 90-day warranty.
In theory, Amazon holds Marketplace partners to certain standards, but there’s a loophole that allows sellers to get away with selling very low quality phones.
Unfortunately, Amazon lets sellers have reviews removed by blaming any and all problems on Amazon’s fulfillment services. Their policy says this is limited to reviews about issues with shipping, but in practice they’ll remove almost any review the seller requests.
These hidden reviews are there to read if you know where to look, but they aren’t counted in the seller’s rating statistics.
This Amazon seller has had multiple negative reviews taken down, despite these reviews having little to nothing to do with shipping.
That means the average star rating and positive feedback percentage you see with each seller profile can’t be trusted, and neither can AI review summaries. To get an honest picture of a seller’s practices, you must click on their profile and read their reviews, including those Amazon has removed.
At this point, most of the largest phone sellers on Amazon are shipping low quality devices, so shop with extreme caution. Of course, you’re covered under Amazon’s return policy in case of issues, but you may have to wait up to a month for a refund to process.
Advantages
- They sell everything: Amazon has a wide selection of iPhones for all budgets, and you can buy accessories (or anything else you want) in the same purchase.
- Flexible returns: You can return the phone within 30 days for a no-fault return, or 90 days for device issues. But due to processing lags at Amazon facilities, you could be waiting up to a month for your refund.
- Fast and free delivery: Many Marketplace sellers stock their inventory at Amazon’s warehouses so they can offer Prime shipping, and if not, shipping is usually still free.
- Savings: Amazon’s prices vary, but you can get lucky and find good deals. (But carefully read seller reviews to make sure the lower price doesn’t represent lack of quality.)
Disadvantages
- You can't trust anything reviews: Amazon makes it far too easy for sellers who use their Fulfilled By Amazon service to have negative reviews taken down. This means sellers’ review summaries (ie their average rating) are not to be trusted and you must read a bunch of reviews for each seller to get an understanding of their true quality.
- Not refurbished in-house: Amazon sets standards for the phones sold on its platform, but doesn't test or certify the devices themselves. That means standards are enforced only after a customer receives a defective phone.
- Inconsistency: Amazon Marketplace sellers differ in their quality control and customer service. And since Amazon makes it so hard to get unbiased seller reviews, you can't easily filter for reputable dealers.
Buy a refurbished phone from Best Buy
What is Best Buy Marketplace?
A well-known big box electronics retailer, Best Buy also has an online marketplace similar to Amazon’s. Here, you can buy used and refurbished devices from third-party sellers, backed by Best Buy’s standards and warranty.
Advantages
- Selection: You can enjoy more options with Best Buy than with Apple or a carrier, and buy accessories and other tech in the same place.
- Savings: Best Buy’s Marketplace phones are usually competitively priced, and often go on sale.
- Warranty: All Marketplace phones are covered under warranty, though terms may differ and returns are not always free.
Disadvantages
- Not refurbished in-house: Just as with Reebelo and Amazon, these phones are not refurbished by Best Buy themselves, which means their quality standards can only be enforced after a customer receives a defective phone.
- Inconsistency: Like other marketplaces, Best Buy’s sellers differ in their quality control and customer service, and shipping times (Best Buy only sanctions sellers if they do not ship within 2 weeks of receiving the order).
- It can be confusing: Best Buy’s pre-owned phones are sold under a variety of different grades that can be difficult for buyers to understand and have implications for quality and warranty.
Buy a refurbished phone from your carrier
What is a carrier refurbished phone?
Today, many mobile carriers (like Telus, Rogers and Virgin) also sell refurbished devices. These pre-owned phones often come with the same return policy and warranty you’d get buying a brand-new phone (but check with the carrier to be sure).
Note that while you might assume carriers would be Apple licensed refurbishers, that's usually not the case. Most carriers’ pre-owned phones could have aftermarket repair parts, just as with any other refurbisher.
Advantages
- Financing: Usually, you can buy a phone with 24 monthly payments.
- It comes with a plan: Rather than hunting for a phone plan separately, you can get the device and have it connected all in one purchase — although it may not be the best deal.
Disadvantages
- It can end up being more expensive: Often, a financed device comes with a pricier plan, up to $20 per month more than if you had brought your own phone. Run the numbers to make sure your savings aren’t offset by these costs.
- You’re locked in: While buying refurbished usually gives you the freedom to switch carriers, if you buy from a carrier you’re typically stuck on a contract. If you see a better deal from another mobile brand, you won’t be able to get those savings.
- Limited inventory: Carriers generally don’t have many options available for refurbished devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the disadvantages of a refurbished iPhone?
Though buying a refurbished phone is generally a safe and environmentally-friendly choice, it can have drawbacks for some. Here’s how to avoid the pitfalls:
- You need to know who you’re dealing with. Before buying a refurbished iPhone, do your research to make sure the company you’re dealing with is trustworthy. (Hey, that’s why you’re reading this guide!)
- It could have a scratch or two. Refurbished phones sometimes have signs of wear. The good news is, most sellers grade phones by condition and price accordingly. Top grades are generally in mint or near-mint condition.
- They may not have the latest tech. If you’re using your iPhone for professional or specialty photography, you might be better off with the latest generation. Still, we’ve found a two or three-year-old device will more than meet the needs of most users.
- You won’t get as much software support. If you buy a phone that’s approaching the end of Apple’s software support (seven or eight years), you may soon find yourself stuck on an older version of iOS.
What’s the difference between a used and refurbished phone?
The terms “used” and “refurbished” are often used interchangeably, but there is a difference.
A refurbished phone is specifically a used phone that has been checked by a technician, cleaned, and if necessary, repaired. These checks provide a buyer with more assurance than a non-certified “used” device that’s never been looked at by an expert to ensure it’s still in perfect shape. And almost all refurbished devices come with a warranty.
What is the best refurbished iPhone to buy?
We wrote a whole article about the best iPhone to buy refurbished in 2024.
The short version is that we recommend the iPhone 13 to users who want a refurbished iPhone but aren’t sure what model is best. It’s a highly capable phone that strikes the perfect balance between performance, camera quality and value.
It’s 5G-ready, with a long-lasting battery, a beautiful screen and a quality camera. And thanks to Apple’s years of software support, it will get security updates for a long time to come.
If you’re shopping refurbished but especially picky about camera quality, consider spending a few extra dollars on the iPhone 13 Pro.
