Apple's Refurb Store is now selling refurbished iPhones for the first time ever after offering restored iPads, Macs, iPods, Apple TVs, and niche devices in the past. The tech giant usually used its refurbished iPhones for repair/replacement, or unloaded them to third-party resellers. Apple started selling cheaper iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus on November 8, Tuesday on its online Refurb Store.
Apple has already sold refurbished iPhones on eBay. It was, however, not official so this is the first time it has offered used iPhones on its official Refurb Store. In the past Apple only sold prototype iPhones on its Apple Store in 2006.
There are several models on sale on the refurb store and it seems in all colors including Gold, Rose Gold, Silver, and Space Gray.
iPhone 6s is offered with 16GB of storage space for $149. The larger screen iPhone 6s Plus, meanwhile, will be available in 16GB ($529) and 64GB ($589) versions.
All of the phones are unlocked and SIM-free. They also include a new outer shell and battery.
The refurbished smartphones can help Apple fans save up to 15 percent ($110) on their next handset, according to 9 to 5 Mac. The units also include a full 1-year factory warranty for budget shoppers
Refurb Store provides a practicable choice compared to Apple's third-party partners. It includes the benefits of the 1-year warranty and buying directly from the world's largest tech company.
These refurbished phones could be from Apple's iPhone Upgrade Program that launched about a year ago and received units after the iPhone 7 release in September 2016.
Apple's refurbished iPhones are part of the company's plans for electronics recycling and green programs. Its recycling programs get old hardware from customers, which it then refurbishes or recycles.
Apple even has a high-tech robot that can remove parts from iPhones to be used in other devices.
In related news, Apple is reportedly working on new mobile tech that could be as big of a game-changer as the original iPhone that is celebrating its 10-year birthday next year, according to BGR. Demand is expected to be very high for the "iPhone 8" series units.
Many solid reports show that the redesigned iPhone will include several new features. That includes a metal-connected glass front and back, OLED screen, new Touch ID fingerprint scanner, A11 Fusion processor, and improved cameras.
The biggest improvement could be battery life. Energous has announced it is teaming up with a "tier 1" phone maker that now seems to be Apple instead of Samsung.
Here's Apple's iPhone recycling robot: